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Welcome to the Toastmasters: Formal Communities with Brendan Smith

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Manage episode 447800779 series 3407084
Content provided by Alex Alexander. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Alex Alexander or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on one of my own formal communities: the Toastmasters.

Today’s guest is Brendan Smith, a member of the Toastmasters chapter I was part of. Toastmasters is an international speaking club and educational organization, and for four years, Brendan and I met with the group every Thursday: sometimes online, sometimes in person; sometimes as presenters, sometimes as listeners.

We all shared a common goal – to become better communicators and speakers – but there was an underlying benefit, too. You get to know people in a formal community. Over time, you develop a feeling of belonging to it.

Since talking with Brendan, I have to admit, I did not renew my Toastmasters membership. I was not able to invest in it the way I felt I should have due to work and health stuff I’ve been going through. And though it’s not a part of my weekly schedule anymore, I have such fond memories of the Toastmasters. It will always be a valuable part of my story and community.
In this episode you’ll hear about:

  • What a formal community is and the importance of its regularity, from its structure to its shared goals
  • What it was like joining Toastmasters with Brendan early COVID and what our club looked like: the variety of members of different ages, careers, and backgrounds
  • The importance of discomfort, shared experiences, and informal interactions in building a strong formal community
  • What we learn when we’re experiencing things with people – or talking with them “side-by-side” instead of face-to-face


Resources & Links

Like what you hear? Visit my website, leave me a voicemail, and follow me on Instagram and TikTok!

Want to take this conversation a step further? Send this episode to a friend. Tell them you found it interesting and use what we just talked about as a conversation starter the next time you and your friend hang out!

  continue reading

128 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 447800779 series 3407084
Content provided by Alex Alexander. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Alex Alexander or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on one of my own formal communities: the Toastmasters.

Today’s guest is Brendan Smith, a member of the Toastmasters chapter I was part of. Toastmasters is an international speaking club and educational organization, and for four years, Brendan and I met with the group every Thursday: sometimes online, sometimes in person; sometimes as presenters, sometimes as listeners.

We all shared a common goal – to become better communicators and speakers – but there was an underlying benefit, too. You get to know people in a formal community. Over time, you develop a feeling of belonging to it.

Since talking with Brendan, I have to admit, I did not renew my Toastmasters membership. I was not able to invest in it the way I felt I should have due to work and health stuff I’ve been going through. And though it’s not a part of my weekly schedule anymore, I have such fond memories of the Toastmasters. It will always be a valuable part of my story and community.
In this episode you’ll hear about:

  • What a formal community is and the importance of its regularity, from its structure to its shared goals
  • What it was like joining Toastmasters with Brendan early COVID and what our club looked like: the variety of members of different ages, careers, and backgrounds
  • The importance of discomfort, shared experiences, and informal interactions in building a strong formal community
  • What we learn when we’re experiencing things with people – or talking with them “side-by-side” instead of face-to-face


Resources & Links

Like what you hear? Visit my website, leave me a voicemail, and follow me on Instagram and TikTok!

Want to take this conversation a step further? Send this episode to a friend. Tell them you found it interesting and use what we just talked about as a conversation starter the next time you and your friend hang out!

  continue reading

128 episodes

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