Podcast
Speak Arizona
Hosted by District 3 Toastmasters · ENGLISH
Welcome to Speak Arizona, the ultimate podcast for professionals looking to elevate their speaking skills in the workplace, meetings, and beyond. Whether you’re aiming to captivate an audience, lead a successful meeting, or enhance your professional presence, this podcast is your go-to resource for actionable tips, expert insights, and inspiring stories. Join us as we delve into the art of effective communication, share proven strategies, and interview top speakers and coaches who have mastered the craft. Tune in to Speak Arizona and unlock your potential to speak with confidence, influence, and impact. Powered by District 3 Toastmasters. Subscribe now and take the first step towards becoming the speaker you’ve always wanted to be!
92episodes
Episodes
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Leading Toastmasters Into Its Next Chapter - Stefano McGhee, DTM
2w ago00:38:51Tap to summarizeToastmasters International has spent more than a century helping people become better speakers and leaders. But as communication changes through podcasts, video, AI tools, virtual communities, and short-form content, the question becomes: what does Toastmasters need to become next? In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Stefano McGhee, DTM, International President Elect of Toastmasters International, about service, leadership, confidence, member experience, and his vision for the next year. Stefano shares why clubs remain the heart of Toastmasters, how leaders can better support volunteers, and why the organization must stay flexible while protecting what makes it powerful. Perfect for Toastmasters, emerging leaders, and communicators who want to lead with service and help others grow. Key Takeaways - Service begins with noticing what can be better and choosing to do something about it. - Toastmasters clubs have the power to build confidence because real transformation happens at the club level. - The organization must stay flexible as communication changes through video, virtual clubs, AI, and new content formats. - Volunteer leaders create engagement by understanding why people show up and helping them reach their goals. - Great speakers build confidence by knowing their material and trusting what they already know. Chapters 00:00 - Opening clip: confidence, service, and Toastmasters 00:47 - Speak Arizona intro and show setup 01:43 - What does Toastmasters need to become next? 03:04 - Stefano introduces himself and his Toastmasters journey 04:17 - The thread of service across life, work, and leadership 07:25 - What great leaders learn by caring for their people 11:12 - Why Stefano has stayed in Toastmasters for 20 years 13:43 - Why now was the time to run for President 15:58 - The biggest challenges and opportunities facing Toastmasters 26:02 - Stefano's vision, rapid fire, and advice for new speakers About the guest Stefano S. McGhee, DTM, is the International President Elect of Toastmasters International and Senior Director of Technology Operations for Harvard Business Publishing. Connect - Email: smcghee@toastmasters.org - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefano-mcghee/ - Toastmasters: https://www.toastmasters.org/
Transcribe →How to Craft an Elevator Pitch with Confidence, Clarity, and Connection - Eloïse Eonnet
3w ago00:53:06Tap to summarizeWhat makes an elevator pitch memorable is not a perfect script. It is the ability to clearly share who you are, what you do, and why it matters in a way that feels natural and invites conversation. In this episode of Speak Arizona, Rupesh Parbhoo and cohost Tatum O'Kennedy talk with Eloïse Eonnet about how to move beyond rambling, résumé recitals, and self-doubt. They break down a practical framework for building an elevator pitch, explain why delivery matters just as much as content, and even workshop Tatum's pitch live on the show. Perfect for professionals, job seekers, and emerging leaders who want to communicate their value with more confidence and connection. Key takeaways - An elevator pitch should begin a conversation, not try to say everything at once. - Strong pitches are built by making clear decisions about your audience, your goals, and the story you want to tell. - Confidence often improves when you practice the experience of speaking, not just the exact words. - Sharing just enough about you is generous: it helps others engage in conversation with you and remember you - Executive presence comes through credibility, relatability, and reliability. Chapters 00:00 - Cold Open 02:05 - Why first impressions depend on clarity, not just confidence 03:25 - Eloise demonstrates a strong elevator pitch 05:43 - Defining the elevator pitch as a conversation starter 07:19 - Why people freeze and how to choose the right narrative 11:14 - Eloise's framework for building a strong elevator pitch 16:22 - Common mistakes: saying too much, too little, or not practicing 18:32 - How to get out of your head and make it conversational 21:24 - Younger professionals, confidence, and finding your voice 23:53 - Practice the experience, not just the content 27:54 - Why future impact makes a pitch more engaging 29:30 - Using your elevator pitch beyond job interviews 33:39 - Live workshop: Tatum rewrites her pitch in real time 42:34 - Executive presence: credible, relatable, and reliable 46:08 - Rapid fire: charisma, public speaking habits, and audience connection 51:51 - Where to connect with Eloïse About the guest Eloïse Eonnet is the founder of Eloquence, where she helps leaders strengthen their presence and communication ability so they are seen as strategic, credible, and ready for greater responsibility. Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eloise-eonnet/ - https://www.eloquencecoaching.com/ About the co-host Tatum O'Kennedy is a Senior Solution Consultant who built her career on the front lines of manufacturing, where data is abundant but clarity is rare. Today, she helps organizations cut through that complexity, turning operational data into insights that drive smarter decisions and continuous improvement. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatum-o-kennedy/
Transcribe →Public Speaking Has No Age Limit - William Miller
4w ago00:33:08Tap to summarizeWhat can adults learn from an 11-year-old motivational speaker? In this episode of Speak Arizona, Rupesh Parbhoo talks with William Miller about bravery, confidence, and using your voice before you feel fully ready. William shares how speaking at a city council meeting helped create change in his community, how he practices for major speeches, and why routine, repetition, and courage matter more than perfection. He also explains his belief that bravery is not the absence of fear, it is taking action anyway. This conversation is packed with practical lessons on confidence, preparation, and personal growth. Perfect for aspiring speakers, parents, leaders, and professionals who want to build courage and speak with more confidence. Key takeaways - Bravery is not about being fearless - it is about taking action even when you feel afraid. - Confidence grows through repetition, discipline, and doing hard things on purpose. - Strong routines can help speakers stay grounded and perform at their best. - Kids are not just the future - they can lead, influence, and create impact right now. - Public speaking improves when you practice in uncomfortable situations and learn from mistakes. Chapters 00:00 - Cold Open 01:39 - Why bravery and confidence matter at any age 02:56 - How William found his voice through city council 05:58 - Seeing real community impact from speaking up 08:09 - How William practices speeches and builds confidence 10:00 - Reframing nervousness as excitement 11:43 - Learning from mistakes and protecting your routine 14:08 - What "the world belongs to the bold" really means 17:16 - What adults can learn from kids about confidence 18:53 - Advice for kids, adults, and anyone building courage 24:45 - Rapid-fire insights on speaking and leadership 32:19 - William's final message: be brave, be bold, keep trying About the guest William Miller is an 11-year-old motivational speaker, kid reporter, and self-published Amazon author who leads a movement focused on bravery, youth leadership, and character development. Connect - Website: www.itswilliammiller.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williammillerspeaker/ - X: https://x.com/ImWilliamMiller - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsWilliamMiller1/
Transcribe →Upgrade Your Leadership Operating System in the AI Era - Anna Barnhill
Apr 700:43:38Tap to summarizeThe skills that made you an exceptional leader were built for a world that no longer exists. In this episode, Rupesh sits down with Anna Barnhill - ICF Master Certified Coach, Professional Fellow at IOC McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School and author of Leaderwired: The AI-Era Leadership Playbook for Transforming How You Think, Decide and Lead - to unpack why high-achieving leaders hit a hidden ceiling, and why the very strengths that built their careers are often the ones holding them back. Anna brings sixteen years of executive coaching experience to reveal how leaders can identify and upgrade their internal operating system before AI exposes the gaps for them. You will walk away with a clear framework for recognizing your leadership defaults, understanding what the AI era actually demands from you, and taking the first concrete steps toward a real upgrade." Key Takeaways: - The leadership approach that built your career was designed for past challenges, not future ones - Certainty, control, and expertise are strengths that quietly become liabilities at the highest levels - Insight alone does not create change - there is a specific gap between knowing better and doing better - AI does not replace leaders, it amplifies them, including their blind spots - Every leader is running an internal operating system that can be identified, challenged, and upgraded Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and AI 04:16 Understanding the Internal Operating System 07:08 The Transition from Individual Contributor to Leader 10:14 Self-Awareness and Leadership Challenges 13:02 The Role of Strengths in Leadership 16:18 Bridging Knowledge and Action 19:05 Embracing Discomfort for Growth 21:36 The Impact of AI on Leadership 24:21 Techniques for Leveraging AI 27:48 Awareness and Acceptance in Leadership 30:27 Final Thoughts and Resources Resources Leaderwired - https://leaderwired.com/ Leaderwired: The AI-Era Leadership Playbook For Transforming How you Think, Decide and Lead - https://www.amazon.com/Leaderwired-AI-Era-Leadership-Playbook-Transforming/dp/B0GQD6YZKC/ref=zg_bsnr_g_2675_d_sccl_28/000-0000000-0000000?psc=1 Anna Barnhill on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/annabarnhillmcc AdvantageEdge Leadership - https://www.annabarnhill.com/
Transcribe →How Humor Makes You a Better Speaker - Paul Pastore
Mar 3100:42:20Tap to summarizeWhat if humor is not something you are born with, but something you can build? In this episode of Speak Arizona, Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Paul Pastore about why humor works like any other communication skill: it can be practiced, refined, and used with purpose. They explore how speakers can build confidence by learning jokes, telling better stories, and paying attention to audience response. The conversation also goes beyond laughs into mentorship, long-term commitment, and what change management looks like inside volunteer organizations. Along the way, Paul shares practical wisdom on feedback, growth, and why continuous improvement matters. Perfect for professionals, speakers, and club leaders who want to communicate with more confidence, connection, and impact. Key takeaways - Humor becomes more accessible when you treat it as a skill instead of a personality trait. - Great speakers use stories, short jokes, and audience awareness to keep people engaged. - Mentorship often starts with simple encouragement and consistent feedback. - Change takes time, especially in volunteer organizations where trust and habits matter. - Long-term growth in speaking and leadership starts with setting bigger goals. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 01:48 - Meet Paul Pastore 03:44 - A joke 05:20 - Humor as a skill 10:35 - How Paul prepares 12:25 - What makes humor effective 16:32 - Why Paul keeps coming back to Toastmasters 17:24 - Mentorship, encouragement, and helping clubs improve 21:22 - Kaizen vs entropy 26:40 - Lessons in change management 33:17 - Using Notes 41:09 - Rapid Fire Guest Paul Pastore has been a residential real estate broker in Arizona since 1977. He is also a longtime Toastmasters member known for his humor, mentorship, and commitment to helping others grow as speakers and leaders. Connect - Email: paulpastore@realtor.com - Website: https://www.paulpastore.com/
Transcribe →Executive Presence for Technical Leaders - Bianca Riemer
Mar 2400:49:18Tap to summarizeMoving from technical expert to executive leader is not just a promotion, it is a communication and influence shift. In this episode, Rupesh sits down with Bianca Riemer to unpack what executive presence actually is, why it gets misread in high-stakes rooms, and how subtle power dynamics can make or break your credibility. Bianca shares real stories from financial services and corporate environments, plus practical tactics you can use immediately to show up calmer, clearer, and more decisive. You will learn how to read the room, adapt your style across cultures, and influence senior stakeholders without forcing it. Perfect for technical leaders who want to earn trust fast and lead with authority under pressure. Key Takeaways - Executive presence is perceived certainty plus sound judgment, not volume or dominance. - Influence often depends on reading political signals and adapting your style to the room. - Senior audiences want the headline and the decision, not the 30-page deck. - Small presence shifts (posture, breath, pacing) can change how you are received immediately. - When feedback gets quiet at senior levels, you must proactively build self-awareness. Chapters 00:00 - Cold open 01:37 - Host Introduction 03:16 - Meet Bianca 05:16 - Missing political signals 10:58 - What is executive presence 19:23 - The Newspaper Headline rule 27:24 - Direct vs indirect communication 29:04 - Adapting your style 35:49 - Difficult conversations 44:41 - Rapid fire Questions 48:30 - Where to connect with Bianca About the Guest Bianca Riemer is a leadership and executive presence coach who has supported 250+ senior professionals and leaders over 7+ years in financial services and high-pressure corporate environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancariemer/ https://www.biancariemer.com/
Transcribe →Communicate Better in Career Transitions - Caitlin Magidson
Mar 1700:45:57Tap to summarizeCareer change can feel like a mix of rejection, identity shake-ups, and pressure to have it all figured out fast. In this episode, Rupesh sits down with Caitlin Magidson to explore how self-awareness can reduce stress, sharpen decision-making, and strengthen how you communicate when the stakes feel high. They connect mindfulness to career pivots, unpack what is really underneath public speaking fear, and talk through how to separate who you are from a single tough moment. You will also hear practical ways to build emotional vocabulary and self-trust so you can show up with more clarity in work and life. Perfect for professionals in transition who want to make calmer decisions and communicate with confidence. Key takeaways - Career change stress often comes from identity disruption, not just tactics like resumes and LinkedIn. - Mindfulness builds the awareness needed to respond instead of react in high-pressure moments. - Public speaking fear is often tied to past experiences and the stories we keep replaying. - Self-trust grows when you separate what happened to you from who you are. - Emotional vocabulary helps you name what you feel so you can choose how you show up. Chapters 00:00 - Cold open 01:29 - Caitlin's Intro 02:51 - Caitlin's background 06:19 - Career change and rejection 10:03 - Identity beyond your title 16:20 - Public speaking fear 21:38 - One bad stage moment 27:38 - Values as an anchor 34:56 - Regulate before you respond 36:16 - Emotional vocabulary 38:50 - Rapid fire and closing Guest Caitlin Magidson is a career coach, psychotherapist, and corporate speaker who helps individuals and organizations build clarity, confidence, and meaningful growth. Connect - Website: https://www.caitlinmagidson.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmagidson/ - Instagram: @caitlinmagidson
Transcribe →Improv Improves Leaders - Jess Klemm & David Raftery
Mar 1000:34:43Tap to summarizeIn Part 2 of our conversation with The Bridge Improv Theater, host Rupesh Parbhoo and cohost Rachel Perez dig into how improv skills translate directly to stronger leadership. Guests David Raftery and Jess Klemm share how "going with the flow" helps leaders navigate constant change, why leadership is a shared activity (not a single role), and how "Yes, And" creates momentum and trust on teams. They also explore the power of third spaces for community, and why authenticity will matter even more as AI and automation accelerate. Perfect for leaders and communicators who want to build trust, presence, and authentic connection. Key takeaways - Leaders improve outcomes when they can adapt in real time and keep moving forward. - "Yes, And" is a practical framework for shared leadership and stronger collaboration. - Listening and empathy create connection, especially when people drop the "masks" they wear. - Third spaces help people build community outside of work and home. - Authenticity becomes more valuable as AI makes communication easier and less human. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:16 - The Bridge Improv returns 02:19 - Recap Part 1 03:11 - Leadership as improvising 04:22 - "No one person is the leader" 08:24 - The "third space" and why community matters 14:30 - Why people are craving authentic connection 16:52 - Improv celebrates being human 33:25 - Where to find The Bridge Guests and cohost Jess Klemm is the education director at Bridge Improv Theater and began her improv journey in 2018. Connect - https://www.bridgeimprovtheater.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/bridgeimprovtheater/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridge-improv-theater/ David Raftery is a co-owner of Bridge Improv Theater and has been performing and teaching improv in Arizona since 2012. Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-raftery-7ab689212/ - https://www.bridgeimprovtheater.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/bridgeimprov/ Rachel Perez is a brand identity designer and runs Composion, a one-person design studio. Connect - https://www.composion.design/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-perez-composion/
Transcribe →Improv Skills for Confident Speaking - Jess Klemm & David Raftery
Mar 300:44:20Tap to summarizeIn Part 1 of our conversation with Bridge Improv Theater, co-owner David Raftery and education director Jess Klemm join host Rupesh Parbhoo and co-host Rachel Perez (Composion) to explore how improv builds confident communicators. You will hear simple warm-up games to spark creativity, why presence and active listening beat memorizing a script, and the real meaning of "yes, and" as agreement and support. They also clear up common misconceptions about improv and share how a playful mindset can reduce speaking anxiety and strengthen connection with any audience. Perfect for professionals, leaders, and speakers who want to show up more present, confident, and connected. Key takeaways - Presence and listening reduce anxiety more than memorizing a perfect script. - Quick warm-up games help you think faster and loosen up before speaking. - Improv is collaborative discovery, not standup or "being funny on command." - "Yes, and" is really agreement - supporting what is happening and building together. - Repetition in a safe, playful environment builds confidence and connection. Chapters 00:00 - Cold open 00:55 - Welcome to Speak Arizona 01:38 - Meet co-host Rachel Perez 02:56 - Meet Bridge Improv Theater 04:51 - Warm-up games 10:13 - What improv is and what happens on stage 14:24 - Stop clutching the script 18:14 - How Jess and David got into improv 23:41 - Misconceptions 28:56 - Confidence and community 37:38 - "Yes, and" 43:14 - How to visit Bridge Guest Jess Klemm is the education director at Bridge Improv Theater and began her improv journey in 2018. Connect - https://www.bridgeimprovtheater.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/bridgeimprovtheater/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridge-improv-theater/ David Raftery is a co-owner of Bridge Improv Theater and has been performing and teaching improv in Arizona since 2012. Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-raftery-7ab689212/ - https://www.bridgeimprovtheater.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/bridgeimprov/ Rachel Perez is a brand identity designer and runs Composion, a one-person design studio. Connect - https://www.composion.design/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-perez-composion/
Transcribe →Intentional Communication for Remote Teams - Kelly Soifer
Feb 2400:28:56Tap to summarizeRemote work makes communication more visible - and more fragile. In this episode, host Rupesh Parbhoo talks with leadership coach Kelly Soifer about how to create clarity across time zones, tools, and work styles without burning people out. They unpack why many meetings feel draining, how to balance asynchronous and synchronous work, and what it looks like to set expectations and boundaries around responsiveness. You will also hear practical ways leaders can model healthy norms, like clarifying response windows and removing pressure from late-night messages. Perfect for managers, team leads, and individual contributors who want to communicate with more clarity and less stress in remote or hybrid teams. Key takeaways - Stop using meetings for status updates. Move updates to async and use meeting time for decisions and discussion. - Make expectations explicit: response times, channels, and what is truly urgent. - Meetings should earn their place on the calendar (brainstorming, professional development, trust and team building). - Healthy boundaries are a leadership skill, model them so your team does not feel "always on". - Zoom fatigue is often a meeting-design problem, not a Zoom problem. Chapters 00:00 - This could have been an email 01:33 - Introduction 02:32 - Remote, hybrid, and distributed realities 09:27 - Replace live reporting with async updates 11:48 - What meetings are really for 16:46 - Setting response-time norms and discussing responsiveness across channels 18:03 - Model boundaries with late-night email disclaimers and clear cues 21:39 - Cameras on/off, engagement, and why "Zoom fatigue" happens 23:46 - The "golden rule" for communication in remote teams 26:49 - Rapid fire collaboration preferences + closing Kelly Soifer is an ICF-certified leadership development and career coach at KS Leadership Development. For nearly 40 years, she has guided professionals through personal and career transitions, helping them clarify identity, values, and purpose. Her approach blends emotionally intelligent coaching with practical tools that support leaders navigating change. Connect - Website: ksleadershipdevelopment.me - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellysoifer/
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