The Toastmaster's Experience

With over 32 years of Toastmasters experience, Joan Rinaldi has embraced a remarkable journey of personal growth, leadership, friendship and service.
Joining Toastmasters in Queensland in 1994, Joan was encouraged to attend by Nick Rinaldi, whom she had met through work and would later marry. Initially believing Toastmasters would be a short-term commitment, Joan never imagined that more than three decades later, she would still be an enthusiastic member of five clubs across Queensland and New South Wales.
In this engaging conversation with host Evelyn, Joan reflects on her leadership journey, from her first role as Club Secretary to becoming District 70 Governor in 2013–2014. She shares the rewards and challenges of district leadership, including making difficult decisions while preparing for the division of Districts 70 and 90.
Joan discusses the importance of constructive evaluations, mentoring and recognising the potential in others. She also shares how Toastmasters has influenced her professional life, strengthened her confidence and created lifelong friendships around the world.
With warmth and wisdom, Joan explores the challenges facing Toastmasters today, particularly membership growth and attracting younger generations. She also offers a refreshing perspective: leadership isn't for everyone, and members should be encouraged to pursue their own goals.
Above all, Joan reminds us that true leadership isn't about titles or recognition, but about supporting others, making meaningful connections and having the courage to do what's right.
Whether you're a new member or a seasoned Toastmaster, Joan's story offers valuable insights into a lifetime of learning, leadership and service.

In this episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn welcomes Nick Rinaldi, a dedicated Toastmaster whose remarkable 37-year journey is a testament to leadership, service and the power of connection.
Nick joined Toastmasters in 1989 after receiving feedback from his manager that he spoke too quickly. What began as an opportunity to improve his communication skills developed into a lifelong passion for helping others grow.
At one point, Nick held memberships in an astonishing 21 Toastmasters clubs simultaneously, a world record he proudly recalls. Today, he remains active in eight clubs across Queensland and New South Wales.
Nick's contributions extend far beyond club membership. Having served in numerous leadership positions, including District Director, he has been involved in establishing more than 160 Toastmasters clubs and has earned three Distinguished Toastmaster Awards and a Presidential Citation.
Throughout the conversation, Nick shares valuable insights into the difference between managing employees and inspiring volunteers, emphasising that effective leadership comes from encouragement, support and creating an environment where people genuinely want to contribute.
One of his greatest rewards has been facilitating Speechcraft courses, witnessing participants develop confidence and communication skills.
Nick also reflects on the challenges facing Toastmasters, the importance of adapting to change and his ambition to celebrate 50 years of membership.
His advice to anyone considering joining Toastmasters is refreshingly simple: "Just do it!"
An inspiring conversation about commitment, leadership, friendship and making a lasting difference.

In this episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn speaks with Monique Tonna, DTM, whose Toastmasters journey has taken her from a nervous young professional struggling to speak confidently to serving as International Director for Region 12.
Monique joined Toastmasters in 2011 after discovering that, despite knowing what she wanted to say, communicating confidently and succinctly was a challenge. What began as a desire to improve her public speaking gradually opened the door to leadership, culminating in her serving on the Toastmasters International Board and helping make strategic decisions affecting members around the world.
Monique also shares one of the most meaningful chapters of her Toastmasters journey — helping introduce a Toastmasters program within Corrective Services. What began as a Speechcraft program grew into an ongoing initiative, providing participants with opportunities to develop their communication, confidence and leadership skills. Monique shares a memorable story of one participant who initially seemed disengaged, but later returned, embraced the program and eventually became a club president and passionate advocate for Toastmasters.
Throughout the conversation, Monique reflects on patience, confidence, lifelong learning and the welcoming Toastmasters community she has experienced throughout her journey. She also discusses the importance of adapting Toastmasters to different environments and the transferable skills it provides both personally and professionally.
Her advice to anyone considering Toastmasters is refreshingly simple: just do it — walk through the door.

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In this episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn chats with former Toastmaster and speaking coach Casey Squires, whose journey has taken her from speaking in schools across Australia to studying acting in New York and ultimately building a business helping women find their voice on stage.
Casey shares how her Toastmasters journey began in New York City, where she delivered her first Icebreaker, before later joining Dee Why RSL Toastmasters on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. She reflects on the confidence, structure and storytelling skills she developed through Toastmasters and how these continue to influence her work today.
Now a speaking coach, Casey helps women in business create memorable signature talks that combine personal stories, clear messaging and audience connection. Drawing on her background in coaching psychology and acting, she explains the importance of vulnerability, stage presence and helping an audience not only understand a message, but feel it.
Casey also discusses why even highly accomplished women can sometimes question whether they have something valuable to contribute and why confidence and stage presence are skills that can be developed.
The conversation then turns to Casey’s colourful return to the Toastmasters world at the Dural Toastmasters Lifeboat Debate, where she transformed into David Bowie — complete with Ziggy Stardust costume — and won Best Dressed contestant.
Casey finishes with an encouraging message for anyone considering Toastmasters: you don’t need to already be a public speaker. Sometimes simply stepping into the room, listening, learning and having a go can be the beginning of something much bigger.

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In this follow-up episode of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn welcomes back longtime Toastmaster Allan Rees-Bevan to discover how his community speaking venture, SpeakEasy, has grown since his first appearance on the podcast.
Launched in February, SpeakEasy is a monthly not-for-profit hybrid speaking event, bringing together speakers and audiences both in person in Sydney and online from around the world. Inspired by a similar speaking community Allan experienced in London 25 years ago, SpeakEasy gives people the freedom to share stories, experiences and ideas without the usual structure or criteria of a Toastmasters speech.
Allan reflects on the remarkable growth of the event, with attendance climbing from around 30–40 people to an impressive 118 at a recent gathering. He discusses some of the challenges behind the scenes, from finding affordable venues and managing technology to creating the right balance between online and in-person speakers.
The conversation also explores SpeakEasy’s thought-provoking monthly themes, including Celebrating Failure, Fear and Courage and Small Moments, as well as Allan’s commitment to mentoring speakers and creating opportunities for them to stretch beyond their comfort zones.
With speakers already booked months in advance, Allan shares his hopes for expanding SpeakEasy’s international reach and reveals plans for special events, including a future SpeakEasy event featuring young speakers.
It’s an inspiring conversation about community, connection, generosity and creating opportunities for people to simply find—and share—their voice.