This episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast features three incoming officers of Toastmasters District 46 for the year 2022-2023, Dora Maria Abreu, Evelyn Marrero, and George J. Rivera. They talk about some of the best moments they've had in Toastmasters and encourage everyone to explore the many opportunities and resources that the Pathways Program will provide. HIGHLIGHTS The challenges in the transition coming out of lockdowns Their goals for the year as incoming officers The Pathways program and how people can find a club of their choice Dora, Evelyn, and George's most memorable moments QUOTES Evelynn: "There's going to be a lot of 'let's see if this works' but thankfully we have a strong leadership team and Toastmasters International gives us a lot of support towards that. So while it will be challenging I think we'll definitely come out stronger on the other end." Dora: "For me, it was more of just being more confident in speaking publicly. So this was an opportunity to get more confident in that space in a safe environment where you would not have had that opportunity in your work experience." George: "We want all members to feel that Pathways is really there to support their journey. We want to create tools that are time-saving, we want to be a source of resources, we want to be available, and we want to be personable. My approach is to be very personable." Evelynn: "I began to realize that I did have a leader in me. That I did have something to share that others found interesting and that they followed. Through concise communication is how you lead best." Connect with Dora, Evelynn, and George in the links below: LinkedIn (Dora): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmabreu/ LinkedIn (Evelynn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyn-marrero-a9b85b39/ LinkedIn (George): https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-j-rivera-msed-dtm-9b689a5/ Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm Please rate, review and subscribe! Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu Senan talks to Mahesh Thapa and Amha Lawson both from the Toastmasters club at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Mahesh and Amha talk about how there is technically no limit to what you can learn and improve as a member of Toastmasters. If you have the mindset, Toastmasters will provide you with all the tools and resources necessary to achieve your goals. HIGHLIGHTS Mahesh and Amha's journey to joining Toastmasters If a 6-year old can't understand it, you don't either Toastmasters helps people improve their leadership skills Who should join Toastmasters? There's no limit to what you can learn QUOTES Mahesh: "Even I was one of those in the beginning where we think that Toastmasters is a club where people who has English as a second language go and learn how to speak well. But this is about growing and making sure you're developing your communication and leadership skills and that would happen to everyone." Amha: "One of the best tips I got is that if you can't explain an idea so that a 6-year old can understand it, then you don't understand your own idea." Amha: "I'm used to being very hands-on and well just let me do it myself. But that's now you lead. You lead by empowering people in those positions and then giving them the space to shine." Mahesh: "As long as you have the mindset, Toastmasters has these projects and the pathways that has been designed to meet all your needs." Connect with Amha and Mahesh in the links below: LinkedIn (Mahesh): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshthapa/ LinkedIn (Amha): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amha-l-64ab36/ Facebook (Amha): https://www.facebook.com/amha.lawson Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm Please rate, review and subscribe! Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu Senan talks to Gerlinde Brixius, a corporate banker at HSBC. Born and raised in Austria, Gerlinde had always wanted to expand her horizons by learning foreign languages. Having since studied in France, moved to Singapore, and eventually to New York, Gerlinde has learned to speak five languages: Italian, French, German, Mandarin, and English. Upon joining Toastmasters, Gerlinde has since acquired a new skill: to use her voice not only as a means to communicate, but to advocate for sustainable living practices. More than learning a language, Gerlinde has learned how to encourage others to reduce their carbon footprint and live in a way that’s good for the planet too. HIGHLIGHTS An appetite for learning foreign languages Healing and Hildegard of Bingen Joining Toastmasters and learning how to use her voice What's for us is good for the planet too Toastmasters is a great place to learn leadership skills QUOTES Gerlinde: "An ugly little voice started coming up saying, you have to use your voice. Because there are people out there, they're great talent. But they maybe don't have the connection or they need somebody to advocate for them. And that's going to be your role." Gerlinde: "There is nothing that's bad for the human being that will be good for the Earth, or the other way around. There's nothing that will be good for the Earth that will not be good for us, definitely." Gerlinde: "To be an officer, and the buck stops with you in the case of a club president, you learn in a low-stake environment to be the ultimate responsible person. So for anyone who wants to launch their own business, that's so invaluable. And low stake doesn't mean it's not important. And low stake means that everybody in the room and the club supports you and even the district actually for that matter." Connect with Gerlinde in the link below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerlindebrixius/ Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm Please rate, review and subscribe! Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

It seems that women just make everything better, including Toastmasters Clubs. In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu Senan talks to Sheila Oranch. As a pioneering female member and one of the first female club presidents of Toastmasters in New York State, Sheila Oranch has seen how the entry of women has also allowed more people from all walks of life into what was previously just a men’s club. Having been active since 1974, she has also seen how learning better communication skills have allowed people from even the worst situations to better themselves. When you’re given a roomful of people who will give you full attention and good feedback, there’s just no limit to what you can do. HIGHLIGHTS How women changed Toastmasters clubs Talking is not communicating Lessons learned from volunteering in a prison for women Toastmasters Clubs host youth leadership programs too Every speed bump is a stepping stone to success QUOTES Sheila: "When you break any one barrier, it tends to break all the other barriers. And I don't know that it matters which is the entry point, but as soon as any self-contained homogenous group accepts any people who are different than they are ... all of a sudden, different doesn't seem so scary." Sheila: "Talking isn't communicating. I was born talking, apparently. That came naturally. But if you're not able to listen and understand your audience and fairly exchange concepts and understanding, then you're not communicating." Sheila: "When a person has a roomful of people genuinely listening to them, responding, applauding, giving constructive feedback, they get so much confidence you can see them blossom. Like that little flower that finally gets some water and sunshine. See them coming week after week and going from shuffling in like 'oh my god, do I have to be here' to like, they couldn't wait and competing with each other to get to be Toastmaster next meeting." Sheila: "I never forgot being a teenager, being a young person and not being listened to. Not being heard, being treated as something like a puppy or a kitten and not a thinking, caring human being who had opinions. I want the young people to gain their voice. I want them to be heard because that's how we're going to change the world." Sheila: "Every speed bump is a stepping stone to success. All the but-buts, all the reasons why you can't do something, that's just your to-do list. Even if something is scary or difficult, that's probably because you don't know enough about it, to know that you can do it. Connect with Sheila in the link below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-oranch-966180/ Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm Please rate, review and subscribe! Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to veteran educator Susan Baxter. Susan, who is currently president of two Toastmasters clubs, namely the Podcast Pioneers and New York Storytellers, retells the story of how she first discovered Toastmasters. She also talks about how her membership has improved both her professional and personal lives. Susan’s experience with Toastmasters has benefitted her immensely, and invites everyone to first determine their personal goals and then looking for the specific club that will match their interests. As Susan will tell you, there’s literally a Toastmasters club for everyone, and they will help you achieve your goals if you are willing to put in the work. HIGHLIGHTS How Susan discovered Toastmasters Toastmasters can help improve both personal and professional lives Teaching in New York and joining multiple Toastmasters clubs A Toastmasters club for podcasters Why do you want to join Toastmasters? Toastmasters will help you achieve your goals if you work on it QUOTES Susan: "Toastmasters helped me be quite successful when I was dean and helped me feel much more comfortable doing my job and meeting people and cold-calling different CEOs to come and be a part of the speaker series." Susan: "When I put on that suit, that armor of who I am professionally, I can be at Lincoln Center and announcing the graduate school to the college president going, there they've met all the criteria and I mean, imagine all the people in Lincoln Center, all the parents and everything, packed, standing room. I can stand on that stage and do what I need to do as Dr. Baxter. But when I'm Susan, that's when the fears hit of, am I going to say the right thing. I don't feel that way when I'm Dr. Baxter." Susan: "If you're looking at Toastmasters, one of the things to consider would be, why? Are you looking at it to learn another language? There's a club for that. Are you looking at it because you're trying to lighten up a little bit, there's humorous clubs. Are you terrified of speaking in front of other people, then think about you want a large club or a smaller club." Susan: "You can do whichever way you want. There's not a wrong way, which makes Toastmasters work for anybody. And it is the best money you will ever spend to get support to improve not only your public speaking, but you make connections with people from every walk of life, and it's fabulous." Connect with Susan and in the link below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancbaxter/ Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm Please rate, review and subscribe! Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to software engineer Stella Umunna. Stella, who hails from Nigeria and studied in the UK and now lives in and works in the US, is passionate about getting more girls and people of color in STEM. For Stella, getting more African people involved in STEM will mean more people working to solve important issues such as hunger, climate change, etc. While joining Toastmasters has improved her ability to communicate with clients as well as the people she works with, Stella also talks about how her improvements as a public speaker have also affected her personal life and advocacy work. She believes that through Toastmasters, she will be able to reach more people and achieve her lifelong dream of seeing more women of color in STEM. HIGHLIGHTS STEM needs more women of color Gamification as a delivery method for learning STEM Living in three different countries and the lessons learned Toastmasters improves both professional and personal lives Giving and receiving feedback is a skill that can be learned It's never too late to learn and improve QUOTES Stella: "As a female and software engineer of color, I've always wondered why there couldn't be more like me. Most of the time in any meetings I will have, you hardly see any women in our field. Also, you hardly see any people of color especially Black or African-American people. So I've made it my vision to get kids, K to 12, in to the STEM pipeline and help them develop a lifetime interest in Science and Technology, which is my specialty." Stella: "The difference is that a lot of places like the US and in the UK too, a lot of money has been pumped into research and technology. And I think that's a main game changer. Africa's still a developing nation, so I guess we're still trying to solve all the infrastructure problems. That's one of the reasons why technology really isn't up to snuff, because we have to provide light, we have to provide running water and electricity for people. We're still trying to solve basic problems." Stella: "Joining Toastmasters has helped me improve my communication skills. As part of my job, I need to communicate design plans and share ideas with my clients all the time. And now, I'm all ready to go as soon as my clients say, 'pitch me something.'" Stella: "I really love the Toastmasters club. I don't know why I didn't join 10 years ago. But I guess it's never too late. Life is a life-learning process. You're never too old to learn, you can always keep improving yourself." Connect with Stella and her work in the links below: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-umunna-741a746/ STEMKasa (Learning App): https://www.stemkasa.com Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm Please rate, review and subscribe! Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to Anna Zhao. Anna is a financial management specialist by trade, but is a storyteller at heart. Growing up in China, Anna was encouraged by her parents to pursue her interests, public speaking being among the many. As an adult, she reignited that passion upon joining Toastmasters. Anna talks about commitment, and how her unwavering passion allowed her to continue improving her speeches virtually during quarantine. While the experience of speaking to a live audience is incomparable, her passion for the craft was not diminished and she continued to be active in her club. HIGHLIGHTS How Anna rediscovered her love of public speaking with Toastmasters Early childhood and growing up in China Entering the United States and developing more passions It's all about commitment: speeches in the era of Zoom meetings Picking up leadership skills with Toastmasters A lifetime of developing passions QUOTES Anna: "I just signed up and starting from there, I gave a speech and learned from all the excellent toastmasters members. It has been a transformative experience. Every single day, I'm inspired by the people and by the stage itself." Anna: "Writing a speech is a journey with ourselves. Each story is about ourselves, we just need to dig deep into our own story and then write it, rehearse it, and deliver it. It's about ourselves, it's just like a commitment. When we give a commitment, it's not about the other person." Anna: "If we talk about the commitment to the club, to giving a speech, to Toastmasters, it's all about ourselves. I want to get deeper into myself, to have discoveries about myself. I write about it, I contemplate it. It's about ourselves. Once we think through this, it's a natural flow from there." Connect with Anna in the links below: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annazhao-ny/ Leadership Roundtable Open House Registration Link (May 2): https://www.leadershiproundtable.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html Find out more about Toastmasters, visit https://toastmasters46.org/ and follow District 46 on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/toast-masters-district-46 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TMDistrict46/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toastmasters46/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/district46tm Please rate, review and subscribe! Toastmasters - where leaders are made.

In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu talks to Rose-Gaëlle Belinga of the Midtown's Best Toastmaster Club. Also known as RG to her friends, she is a software engineer at Morgan Stanley, where she works on mobile and web application infrastructure development. RG joined Toastmasters to improve her communication skills after receiving feedback from a manager that this was an area that she could work on. Besides becoming a seasoned public speaker, RG said the lessons she learned in Toastmasters has also been useful in her professional life, as her role often involves communicating with people from diverse backgrounds. RG believes in the power of feedback, and Toastmasters has been an excellent venue for her to receive and give transformational advice.

In today’s episode of the Transformational Pathways episode, Anu Senan talks to Kimberly Tanksley. Kimberly first joined Toastmasters over 25 years ago to build her self-confidence and skills as a public speaker. Three years ago, Kimberly rejoined the organization and even volunteered as an officer to keep herself accountable to her goals. Kimberly understands that to be a good public speaker, one needs to put in the necessary hours of learning and practice. As a seasoned public speaker in her own right, she shares a lot of practical tips for people who struggle with speaking to crowds. She also reminds us that it's okay to make mistakes sometimes, because this is what makes us human.

In today’s episode of the Transformational Pathways episode, guest host Chris Decker talks to Anu Senan, the new host of the podcast. Moving forward, Anu will take over as host of the Transformational Pathways podcast. Anu joined the Toastmasters club of her organization, UNICEF called the Global Expressions in 2017. Sometime later she also joined Ladies Advancing Communication Excellence (LACE), a Toastmasters club based in Brooklyn. Anu, who also hosts the Heroes of New York podcast, is a big believer of the power of storytelling, and will strive to bring in rich stories that build human connections. She also hopes that with every episode, listeners will learn a thing or two and build new meaningful human connections as well.

Today’s episode of the Transformational Pathways features two fellow Toastmasters Somesh Chablani and Jahnavi Utukri. Both are also members of the Toastmasters District 46 and are the organizers of the Youth Leadership Program, an initiative to help young people develop their public speaking as well as leadership skills. Somesh and Jahnavi brought with them a few special guests of their own, and we got to hear of their experiences in the program, as well as a glimpse of who our future leaders could be.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Angelika Kerzakova. Angelika is the Immediate Past President of the Gray Bar Toastmasters, one of New York City’s oldest Toastmasters clubs. Angelika describes her upbringing from a small town in Russia, to learning English and eventually moving to the United States. Angelika joined a Toastmasters meeting only as a way to fill some idle time, but quickly grew to appreciate the culture of improvement and strong sense of community. While others joined Toastmasters to improve their public speaking skills, Angelika found that she enjoyed the aspect of speechwriting and self-discovery more.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is executive communications coach, keynote speaker, and educator Marc Williams. Marc talks about his story as a professional public speaker, and how his experiences in Toastmasters have also informed his approach to teaching and life in general. Marc emphasizes the importance of checking your ego and understanding that there’s always more to learn. Whether in teaching or public speaking, your skills in public speaking should serve the message and the people you’re trying to reach, not yourself.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Robert Goodman, an experienced real estate broker in New York City who also spent many years on Wall Street. Besides his professional occupation in real estate, Robert also spends a lot of his time working with philanthropic associations, primarily the Special Olympics of New York City and the YMCA. Robert talks about the critical life lessons he learned from being a member of Toastmasters. He mentions that Toastmasters is not only about public speaking, but about communication in general. He said being a better communicator allows you to inspire and motivate others to achieve greater things, which is above and beyond the initial concept of just being a good public speaker. Robert also talks about the time he got sick with COVID-19 in September this year, and how he managed to find some positive things to learn despite his predicament.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Verity Price, professional public speaker and singer. She took the top spot in the Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking, and is also taking the rest of the world by storm in TEDx talks. With her slew of accomplishments, one could be forgiven for thinking that speaking to a large audience came to Verity as a natural gift. However, she reveals that she had to go through an arduous process to overcome her stage fright and find her voice. Verity also talks about lateral thinking, and how out-of-the-box thinking can help unleash creativity. Wanting to honor the memory of her late father, Verity sought out coaching and professional training with Toastmasters to learn the tricks of the trade, and tell her story to the world. She invites us to do the same.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Natsuyo Lipschutz, an award-winning speaker, 5-time Toastmaster district 46 finalist, world-class speaking certified coach strategy consultant and TEDx speaker known for incorporating dance into speech. Natsuyo talks about her upbringing in Japan, and how the cultural differences, especially the language barrier, posed some challenges for her when she began working in the US. Despite the challenges, Natsuyo earnestly sought for improvement by joining Toastmasters and found that improving her English-speaking capabilities not only improved her capability for public speaking, but also allowed her to grow herself emotionally. In 2017, Natsuyo found out that she had breast cancer. She shares how going through that particularly difficult time in her life and sharing that to the audience has allowed her to become a more authentic speaker and stronger person at the same time. Indeed, speaking is healing.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Seth Greenwald, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and owner of the Creative Warrior Group, an organization that helps leaders climb to the peak of public speaking excellence. Seth takes us back to his official trade as engineer and shares how, as an introvert, he naturally liked being alone. But after decades of this, he realized he wanted to break out of his shell and Toastmasters helped him do it. He shares the wonders of communication and drives home that simply talking is not communication. Listening and building from there is what makes the back and forth of communication authentic. Seth also goes deeper and explains that the ego, which drives many of us, can be the blocker to connection. By switching it off and going from mego to wego, then effective collaboration can happen.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Jasmin Pemberton, a private elementary school tutor who works with students throughout Bronx and Westchester County. Jasmin shares how the evaluative process in Toastmasters helps her in her careers, especially in her previous work in HR. Toastmasters not only helps in increasing public speaking skills, it also helps you become a better listener because there are times when you will be the one evaluating others. Jasmin also shares that the skills she learned in Toastmasters are applicable in practically every field and anyone can find value in joining. In her experience, learning how to communicate effectively and presenting yourself as someone who wants others to do well too is an essential skill to have, no matter your career. Being in a family of Toastmasters also provides her great satisfaction to keep learning alongside her parents and sisters.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Matthew Fay, a Paid Search Specialist at Reprise Digital, Standup Comedian, Writer, and Performer at the Peoples Improv Theater, and an all-around great guy. Finding out he was funny at a young age, Matthew shares how he was able to develop the skill of talking in front of an audience and eventually doing comedy professionally. He talks of his growth in producing a deeper yet comedic feel to his content. Matthew discovered Toastmasters as a recommendation by a friend of his and is now part of the Roosevelt line Toastmasters club. He is loving every minute of it, especially the diverse company he shares from all walks of life. The lessons Matthew touches on are both eye-opening and informative to someone who wants to view their life in a much lighter tone. He also talks about his transformational pathway and his life moving forward.

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Adam Cole, Customer Success Manager at Slipstream IT, a member of the Royal Australian Air Force for 22 years, and a Competent Toastmaster. Adam is one of the most genuine people you'll ever get to hear and hopefully meet. Early on in his life, he had the opportunity to join Toastmasters from his own country, Australia. From sleeping in the presidential palace of Saddam Hussein during the Iraq war to meeting the woman of his dreams during that time. To eventually follow her all the way to New York to start a new life there. Adam then discovered a new Toastmasters club in the Bronx which was 25 minutes away from where he lived regardless of there being a number of clubs closer to him, to be the president of that club during the pandemic. The lessons provided by Adam's life story is heart-warming, to say the least, and can give you not only a reason to love Toastmasters more but the kindness of a human being towards others because of his own transformational pathway.