This week the Allegheny Mountains Toastmasters Club held a Speech-a-Thon at Hoss’s Corporate Headquarters in Duncansville. I gave some thought about attending the event this morning and I was glad I did, even if it was better late than never. I’m sitting in my chair reading my book, having a quiet morning, remembering to take it easy as I lay down in the afternoon since I worked that night. I told Dr. Liz (the club’s VPPR who coordinated the event) that I was thinking about attending. I logged on at 9:45 (the Speech-a-Thon began at 9am) and it was perfect timing as they were in the middle of a break.
It’s been one of my busiest Toastmasters weeks in a long time, as I gave a speech at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters and attended Western Maryland Toastmasters as a guest. I wasn’t sure if I was up for attending this morning but I gave it some thought and I was glad I did. Better late than never, even though I did miss hearing Dr. Liz’s speech at the beginning. Two speakers gave their first speech, the ice breaker. They were Jamie and Eric, who spoke on being an entymologist and stepping out of your comfort zone, respectively.
When I arrived at 9:45, I was welcomed by the members. Some of them I already met at the Area 21 Speech contest in February in Johnstown.
Switching to podcasts, I’m beginning to branch out with a educational podcast and a new mental health podcast which is a little more short and sweet for me. I enjoy my ’90s rewatch pods as well. One is hosted by a former First Lady and another by a Toastmaster in my District. First, the Toastmaster’s podcast.
I came across “The L Podcast” one afternoon when I was going to Cutie’s and the date it aired had just followed the presidential inauguration. It was hosted by Dr. Liz, the person whom I met at the area contest in February and, who also hosted this morning’s Speech-a-Thon. The podcast I listened was an uplifting podcast in a trying time (depending on who you voted for). The host assured us that everything was going to be all right and that we can still follow media outlets as long as we don’t overdo it. I listened to her newest episode this morning and it was very insightful as well.
Former first lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson also host a podcast, called IMO . The acronym is short for In My Opinion. I played the introduction and first episode yesterday morning. I liked what I heard in the first podcast so I’ll give it a few more listens. There are interviews with other celebrities and filmmakers and of course, the former president gets a mention as well. I’ve read both of Michelle’s books (Becoming and The Light We Carry) and have coffee table books of her time as First Lady as well as Obama’s presidency. The former I bought with her first book in November of 2018, and the latter I got as a Christmas present that same year. IMO is a new podcast, having debuted in March.
Maybe one of these days, I’ll finally get around to reading (and finishing) the book on Obama’s first term as President!
Stylish 🍒 