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...

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...

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...

It seems that women just make everything better, including Toastmasters Clubs. In this episode of the Transformational Pathways podcast, Anu Senan talks to Shiela Oranch. As a pioneering female member and one of the first female club presidents of Toastmasters in New York State, Shiela 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Jesse Scinto, Fullbright Scholar, Deputy Director of Strategic Communication at Columbia University, and Founder and CEO of Public Sphere. Jesse is living proof that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. At the age of 37, he decided that he wanted more out of life. He quit his comfortable job in advertising and decided to try for the academe. He discovered Toastmasters through his girlfriend and learned through imitation. In...

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Christina Pooran, Treasury Analyst for Sanne Group. Arriving in New York after spending her whole life in Guyana was a major shift in Christina’s life. She had to balance being a full-time student and working too and, after a while, craved the college experience which he simply didn’t have time for. She found a community which welcomed her in the Toastmasters club of her college. She thrived and enjoyed the fact that she could share...

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Radhi Spear, Senior Application Developer at AT&T and Second Vice President of Toastmasters International 2021-2022. Growing in Nigeria, then India, then finally moving to the United States presented challenges in communication. For much of her life, Radhi was a soft-spoken girl and was often teased about it. Upon reaching the US, she immediately recognized that speaking confidently could get you ahead in many ways. Thanks for a...

Today's guest on the Transformational Pathways Podcast is Kira Seale, On Air Scheduling Specialist at NBCUniversal Media, LLC and host of her own podcast, WordsbyKira. Toastmasters provides a safe space for anyone to practice their public speaking. Not only does Toastmasters help become a better communicator, it also helps you find a community that nurtures your talents and celebrates who you are. Kira shares how she found great mentors who did not make her feel like she was any less. As a...