Speak Arizona

Stop Protecting Feelings and Start Unlocking Potential - Paul Brunoforte

Growth requires more than encouragement. It requires honest feedback, the willingness to act on it, and the commitment to keep going when change feels uncomfortable. In this episode, Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Paul Brunoforte about lessons from 42 years in Toastmasters, the three principles behind The Olympic Method, and why coachability means more than politely saying thank you. Paul also explains how bad habits derail goals, why accountability and "skin in the game" help lessons stick, and how leaders can protect high standards without losing sight of people. The conversation closes with practical advice on taking speaking risks, entering contests, volunteering for more roles, and stretching beyond the safe version of yourself. Perfect for speakers, coaches, and leaders who want to turn feedback into lasting growth.

Key takeaways

- Honest, specific feedback helps people recognize where they are underperforming and what they can improve.
- Coachability means applying suggestions, making adjustments, and practicing even when it feels uncomfortable.
- The Olympic Method focuses on three principles: coaching, coachability, and commitment.
- Lasting goal achievement requires replacing bad habits, creating accountability, and treating growth as a continuous process.
- Speakers improve by taking risks, entering contests, accepting more speaking roles, and deliberately stretching beyond what feels safe.

Chapters

00:00 - Why protecting feelings can prevent growth
02:06 - Speak Arizona and guest introduction
04:13 - What 42 years in Toastmasters teaches you
09:21 - From professional speaking to humor, leadership, and mentorship
16:23 - The Olympic Method: coaching, coachability, and commitment
21:45 - How bad habits and weak accountability derail goals
25:42 - Lessons from decades of goal-setting workshops
33:01 - Leadership advice for maintaining high club standards
38:41 - Honest evaluations and the Whitewash Award
52:32 - Why speaking contests accelerate growth
54:36 - Inspiration, speaking risks, major milestones, and rapid-fire advice
66:47 - Connecting with Paul and closing thoughts

Guest

Paul Brunoforte

About the guest

Paul Brunoforte is a Distinguished Toastmaster who runs The Olympic Method, where he helps people maximize their potential through coaching, coachability, commitment, goal setting, and accountability.

Connect

- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/paul-brunoforte-mba-dtm-24b705a
- Email: pbruno2@cox.net

Referenced in the episode

- Paul Brunoforte's speech, "The Great Race": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p37DUE55cJY&t=203s

Ayahuasca, Toastmasters, and One Wild Tall Tale - Luis Garay

Luis Garay won the District 3 Tall Tales contest after only a few months in Toastmasters, but his story goes far beyond one trophy. In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Luis about storytelling, humor, stage presence, addiction, sobriety, and the ayahuasca experience that helped him hear a powerful message: use your voice. Luis shares how a wild story about a self-driving Tesla, Optimus Prime, and Mesoamerican mythology became a district-winning speech rooted in real life. This episode is for educational purposes, not individual advice. Perfect for speakers, leaders, and storytellers who want to connect their personal journey with a more powerful voice.

Key takeaways
- A great tall tale can be wildly exaggerated while still carrying real emotional truth.
- Luis’s Toastmasters journey began after an ayahuasca ceremony helped him recognize his voice as a tool for growth.
- New speakers can bring freshness, instinct, and presence that energize a stage.
- Speaking confidence can grow from purpose, visualization, lived experience, and practice.
- Fear can point toward the conversations, stages, and goals that matter most.

Chapters
00:00 - Addiction, ayahuasca, and what it means to use your voice
01:54 - Welcome to Speak Arizona
02:49 - A different kind of contest winner
03:52 - Luis Garay introduces himself
05:49 - What an icebreaker is and why it can feel hard
08:43 - What makes a Tall Tale work
12:56 - The self-driving Tesla, Mesoamerican mythology, and the winning speech
15:09 - How being late to a club meeting sparked the contest speech
17:26 - Ayahuasca, healing, and the story behind the story
25:11 - The ceremony message that led Luis to Toastmasters
31:22 - Purpose, dharma, and finding your natural gifts
39:23 - The setbacks behind the “overnight success” story
44:08 - Visualization, confidence, and preparing to win
46:34 - Table Topics: inspiration, speaking pet peeves, fear, and advice
54:31 - Sobriety, connection, and where to find Luis

Luis Garay is a mortgage loan originator.

Connect
- Casa de los Abuelos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casadelosabuelos_official/

The Hidden Craft Behind a Contest Winning Speech - Bryan Wammack

What makes a speech feel powerful, memorable, and emotionally true? In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Bryan Wammack about the hidden craft behind his contest-winning speech. Bryan breaks down how he shaped a personal story into a polished speech through stronger hooks, dialogue, humor, gestures, emotional pacing, feedback, and repetition. This conversation goes beyond winning a contest. It is about learning how to turn lived experience into a story that helps an audience feel, connect, and remember. Perfect for speakers, leaders, Toastmasters, and communicators who want to tell stories that land with more clarity, emotion, and craft.

Key Takeaways
- A powerful hook can place the audience inside the story within seconds.
- Dialogue helps listeners experience a moment instead of just hearing about it.
- Humor can support emotional storytelling when it is tested, refined, and placed with intention.
- Gestures work best when they feel natural, specific, and connected to the speaker’s message.
- A contest-level speech is not just a good story. It has a clear point, emotional shape, and refined delivery.

Chapters
00:00 - The first line that made the room lean in
01:40 - Welcome to Speak Arizona
02:18 - The hidden craft behind Bryan’s speech
03:24 - Bryan’s Toastmasters story
05:03 - The personal story behind the speech
08:58 - How the contest journey began
13:56 - Building a powerful opening hook
17:34 - Dialogue, humor, and living the story
28:52 - Emotion, repetition, gestures, and refinement
38:57 - Rapid fire, advice, and where to connect

About the guest
Bryan Wammack is the 2026 District 3 Toastmasters International Speech Contest Champion.

Connect
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanwammack/

10 Public Speaking Tips from a World Champion - Darren LaCroix

What makes a speech connect, land, and win? In this special Speak Arizona episode, Matt Malan steps into the host seat for a live workshop with Darren LaCroix, the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. Darren gives real-time feedback on Matt's Division contest speech and breaks down practical ways to make a message more memorable. They explore how to use dialogue instead of narration, create vivid scenes, build emotional moments, speak directly to the audience, and stay coachable on the path to stronger communication. Perfect for Toastmasters, speakers, leaders, and presenters who want to turn a good speech into one that truly connects.

Key takeaways
- Use dialogue to create a scene instead of simply narrating what happened.
- Make the audience feel like you are speaking to them one by one.
- Build speeches around emotional moments, not just events.
- Add sensory detail to help listeners see, hear, feel, and remember the story.
- Stay coachable because the right feedback can completely change a speech.

Chapters
00:00 - Intro and why this episode matters for speakers
01:52 - Matt welcomes Darren LaCroix to Speak Arizona
02:25 - The International Speech Contest journey
04:25 - Darren's first speech and learning to be coachable
08:04 - Why clarity matters more than cleverness
13:43 - What Darren notices first in Matt's speech
18:55 - How to step in and out of a scene
19:30 - Use "you" language to connect with one listener at a time
21:45 - Turn narration into dialogue and emotional moments
26:55 - Introduce characters with vivid detail
30:00 - Use sensory details to build a memorable scene
34:04 - Stage Time University and the value of stronger feedback
39:05 - Darren's final advice: decide to be world class

About the guest
Darren LaCroix is the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. After a rough first comedy club set, he committed to mastering the craft of speaking and eventually became a world champion. Today, Darren helps presenters, executives, professional speakers, and trainers become more unforgettable on stage through his coaching, keynote work, books, and Stage Time University.

Connect
- https://darrenlacroix.com/
- https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenlacroix/

Watch Matt's full 2nd Place Contest Winning Speech:

- https://youtu.be/kWtvZWwhblI?si=bgnyHvWjZZb0gN3B

 

About the host

Matthew Malan is a data-driven marketer and Marketing Manager at Vemo Smart Energy. He focuses on growth, experimentation, and performance, with experience leading digital acquisition across paid social, email, and content. He is also the editor on the Speech Arizona Podcast and hosts his own podcast called Stay Hungry.

- https://matthewmalan.com/

- https://www.youtube.com/@matthewmalan

Stop Performing! Start Serving - Don Ratliff & Matthew Malan

What changes when public speaking stops being about applause, trophies, or proving yourself? In this episode of Speak Arizona, host Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Don Ratliff and Matthew Malan about mentorship, belief, and learning to speak from the heart. Matthew shares how bullying, stuttering, and years of speech therapy shaped his relationship with his voice, while Don reflects on what it means to see potential in someone before they can see it in themselves. Together, they explore how coaching, encouragement, and service can transform a speaker from performer to messenger. Perfect for speakers, mentors, coaches, and leaders who want to communicate with more courage, connection, and purpose. Key takeaways

• Mentorship can help someone rebuild belief when their own confidence feels fragile.
• A speaker grows faster when coaching includes both honest feedback and heart-centered encouragement.
• Public speaking becomes more powerful when the goal shifts from performing to serving.
• Speaking from the heart helps create real connection with an audience.
• The best mentors do more than improve speeches. They help people see what is already inside them.

Chapters
00:00 - Cold open: The neck brace story and the power of eye contact
00:19 - Speak Arizona intro
00:56 - Host intro and episode setup
01:14 - Matthew's voice, bullying, stuttering, and rebuilding trust
02:02 - Why this story is also about mentorship
02:49 - Don and Matthew join the conversation
05:47 - Why mentorship and service matter in this story
09:01 - What Don saw in Matthew
10:14 - Don shares why he wanted to pass mentorship forward
11:21 - Generational service and mentorship
23:08 - Moving from performance to service
23:15 - Speaking from the heart, not just the head
43:53 - Advice for new public speakers

Guest: Don Ratliff

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-ratli...

About the guest
Matthew Malan is a data-driven marketer and Marketing Manager at Vemo Smart Energy. He focuses on growth, experimentation, and performance, with experience leading digital acquisition across paid social, email, and content. His work combines analytics, campaign execution, and marketing systems to generate measurable business results. Connect

• Website: https://matthewmalan.com/

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/