What happens when you move to a new country at 35 and can't speak the language? Marie Feutrier grew up in France, lived in Japan for three and a half years, and moved to Arizona in 2008 with the ability to read English but not speak it. In this episode of Speak Arizona, she sits down with host Rupesh Parbhoo to talk about what it really feels like to not be understood, how frustration and anger show up when you can't find the words, and how Toastmasters became the place where she finally found her voice in English. Marie shares the networking event that broke her, the moment she decided to stop hiding, and why she believes learning a language is less about grammar and more about vulnerability. She also talks about the physical side of language that nobody warns you about, how French is spoken from the front of the face while English lives in the throat, and why something as simple as knowing where to put the emphasis on a word can be the difference between being understood and getting blank stares. Rupesh opens up about his own avoidance of learning Spanish in high school and why it took him years to realize he was just afraid of being bad at something. Together they explore what it means to be a beginner again, how to give yourself grace, and why finding your voice sometimes starts with being brave enough to sound terrible.

Key takeaways
Not being understood can create real frustration and even anger, for adults and children alike
Learning a second language is an act of vulnerability, not just an academic exercise
Toastmasters provided a safe, supportive community to practice speaking without judgment
Measure your progress against where you were, not against where someone else is Impromptu speaking is the hardest challenge for non-native speakers because it requires thinking, translating, and delivering at the same time

About the guest
Marie Feutrier is a professional photographer, the PR Manager for Speak Arizona, and Past President of Gilbert Toastmasters. She is the founder of Headshots by Marie, a professional photography business based in the Phoenix metro area.

Connect with Marie
Website: https://headshotsbymarie.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariefeutrier/

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