Speak Arizona

Your body is speaking. Are you listening? - Robin Afinowich

We often think communication begins with words, but the body is already speaking before we ever say a thing. In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Robin Afinowich about embodied communication, yoga, trauma-informed leadership, and what it means to listen with more than just language. Robin shares how presence, breath, intuition, nervous system awareness, and authentic self-expression can change the way we speak, lead, teach, and connect. The conversation explores public speaking, de-armoring, reading a room, moving beyond performance, and learning to trust the body as a source of wisdom. Perfect for speakers, leaders, coaches, and professionals who want to communicate with deeper presence and connection.

Key takeaways
- Communication is not only verbal. The body communicates through posture, breath, energy, and nervous system signals before words ever land.
- Presence is a leadership skill. Reading the room, staying grounded, and adapting in the moment can build trust with an audience.
- Authenticity deepens expertise. Robin explains that mastering content matters, but showing up as your whole self gives the message meaning.
- Breath and movement can help people de-armor. Simple practices like breathing, shaking, and slowing down can support safety, connection, and readiness to learn.
- Connection matters more than perfection. Whether teaching, speaking, or leading, the goal is not flawless performance. The goal is shared humanity and meaningful connection.

Chapters
00:00 - Intro and welcome to Speak Arizona
00:39 - Rupesh introduces communication beyond words
02:00 - Robin shares her work in yoga, somatic therapy, trauma resolution, and consulting
04:30 - A yoga class moment that helped Rupesh hear, "You're good at what you do"
06:25 - How Robin reads body language, nervous systems, energy, and presence
12:35 - Rupesh connects Robin's words to teaching yoga and trusting the next step
14:30 - Being good at what you do by being fully yourself
18:45 - Work identity, golden handcuffs, entrepreneurship, and the leap of faith
22:27 - Testing decisions through the body instead of only the intellect
24:28 - Hiring, leadership, presence, and looking beyond credentials
26:25 - Notes, public speaking, and moving from content to embodied delivery
33:14 - How speakers can de-armor before presenting
38:27 - Breathwork, shaking, introductions, and helping an audience feel safe
41:12 - Robin's breathwork language and why predictability supports the nervous system
43:20 - Authenticity, stuttering, and letting the whole story be heard
45:00 - Contest speaking, intention, and sharing instead of performing
47:21 - Connection before perfection
49:50 - Robin's message on embodiment, resilience, and helping people show up whole
53:33 - Rapid fire: inspiration, public speaking pet peeves, collaboration, and advice

About the guest
Robin Afinowich is a licensed trauma therapist, Master Yoga teacher, and nationally recognized presenter specializing in somatic psychology, trauma resolution, and body-mind interventions.

Connect
- Trauma Forward: https://trauma-forward.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-afinowich-47237232/
- Website: https://www.robinafinowich.com/

"What Did She Just Say?" Nobody Understood Me - Marie Feutrier

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/

Subscribe to Speak Arizona
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakArizona
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/53gLq1FiWjTgPR4q9n7Kc4
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/introducing-speak-arizona/id1463493084

Speak Arizona is powered by District 3 Toastmasters International. Courageous Conversations for Better Communicators and Leaders.

I Did Everything Right and the Answer Was Still No - Rose Swearingen

What happens when you do everything right and the answer is still no? Rose Swearingen is a 25-year Toastmaster, former District Director, and one of the most experienced volunteer leaders in District 3 history. She recently ran for International Director on the Toastmasters International Board and was not nominated. In this episode of Speak Arizona, she sits down with host Rupesh Parbhoo to talk about what that moment really felt like, how she processed the disappointment, and why it didn't define her. This is not a comeback story. This is a conversation about resilience in real time. Rose shares how she evolved from a leader who walked into rooms with a marching band to one who leads with a string quartet. She talks about the difference between feedback that helps you grow and feedback that tries to make you smaller. And she explains why rejection is redirection, not the end of the road. Rupesh also opens up about his own experience of being passed over for a promotion, leaving his corporate career in anger, and looking back a year later at everything that came from it. If you've ever been told no when you knew you were ready, this episode is for you. Key takeaways Rejection does not define your value as a leader or a person Not all feedback deserves equal weight. Know who you're listening to Prepare for leadership physically, mentally, and spiritually, not just technically Have a plan B so your energy has somewhere to go when things don't work out Authenticity matters more than fitting the mold others built for you

Chapters
00:00 - Cold Open
01:34 - Speak Arizona Introduction
03:38 - Rose introduces herself
05:16 - The decision to run for International Director
10:09 - Finding out the answer was no
13:45 - What the moment taught her about herself
16:40 - Processing blame, stories, and feedback
21:33 - Qualified feedback and knowing what to listen to
29:59 - Where confidence comes from after being knocked down
33:10 - Rupesh shares his own story of rejection and growth
38:29 - Rejection is redirection
41:01 - Advice for anyone who just got told no
41:33 - Rapid fire questions

Speak Arizona is powered by District 3 Toastmasters International. Courageous Conversations for Better Communicators and Leaders.

Leading Toastmasters Into Its Next Chapter - Stefano McGhee, DTM

Toastmasters 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/

How to Craft an Elevator Pitch with Confidence, Clarity, and Connection - Eloïse Eonnet

What 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/

Public Speaking Has No Age Limit - William Miller

What 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/

Upgrade Your Leadership Operating System in the AI Era - Anna Barnhill

The 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/

How Humor Makes You a Better Speaker - Paul Pastore

What 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/

Executive Presence for Technical Leaders - Bianca Riemer

Moving 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/

 

Communicate Better in Career Transitions - Caitlin Magidson

Career 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