Episodes
Saturday Dec 31, 2022
ToastCaster 167: How Far? A Tale of Determination, DNA, and Drama – Bob Wilber
Saturday Dec 31, 2022
Saturday Dec 31, 2022
[29:17] “How Far? A Tale of Determination, DNA, and Drama” by Bob Wilber is a book written in the "historical fiction" genre, and features two fictional characters who "write" the book in their own voices. One is a baseball player from Southern California. The other is a hockey player from Roseau, Minnesota. When their very different lives intersect, they become friends and the drama begins.
It’s a life book told through a sports lens and - everyone can relate to it. It’s not only an incredible read and a great story but it’s also full of life and leadership lessons that anyone can benefit from.
In this episode we speak with the author about his book and why he wrote it and what's unique about it. We get to better understand about the genre of historical fiction and how it can be used for any type of storytelling.
We learn more about who Bob is, the skills he acquired including wisdom from his writing coach and the lessons he learned about himself on this journey and much, much more.
ABOUT Bob: Bob Wilber has been writing creatively since grade school and first published at age 16. He is the son of a former Major League baseball player and a mother who passed along her communications and public relations skills to her youngest son.
After earning a full athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, he spent six years in professional baseball as a player, coach, and scout for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bob then moved on to international sports marketing and eventually spent 22 years in the world of NHRA Drag Racing, as a PR representative and team manager for Funny Car drivers Del Worsham and Tim Wilkerson. In 2017, he published his autobiography "Bats, Balls, & Burnouts" and his latest book is "How Far?" A Tale of Determination, DNA, and Drama.
Bob lives in Minnesota with his wife Barbara and their cats Boofus and Buster. You can reach him at BobWilber.net where you learn more about Bob and purchase the book through links to Amazon.
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
[37:21] Wonder how did a shy, socially awkward introvert turn into a successful serial entrepreneur and master relationship builder? Just ask Monica Parkin, who on today’s show will give us an insight into the answer to that question and more by telling us about her recent book, part memoir, part instruction guide, Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert's Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales.
You don’t have to be an introvert to benefit from Monica’s wisdom. In this fun and lighthearted episode, you’ll hear honest stories (many from the book) of her often sometimes challenging but fruitful transformation and overcoming her obstacles. You’ll hear about a number of lessons she’s learned and how these can be applied in many areas of one’s personal, professional, business life and even through social media.
You’ll hear how things blossomed for “Mortgage Monica” as she revealed her authentic self and how her moniker as a “crazy goat lady” who lives on a small farm with an assortment of furry creatures actually contributes to her business success and more.
Some of the other topic areas she touches upon include: Difficult conversations, asking questions, setting boundaries, mentorship, Toastmasters and her podcast Juggling Without Balls.
Monica Parkin is from Courtney, British Columbia, Canada. She’s a licensed mortgage broker and successful serial entrepreneur an award-winning international speaker, author, podcaster and Toastmaster.
You can find her book: Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert's Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales on Amazon.
Monica can be reached at MonicaParkin.ca.
Friday Dec 31, 2021
Friday Dec 31, 2021
[26:00] As we reflect back on this year, caregiving can mean many things to many people. Some people are caregivers in the traditional sense, others give care in many forms to others. In this episode we bring back author and former co-caregiver Rick Lauber. The idea of his return was prompted by a recent insightful tweet he made.
“As a #caregiver, please don't ever question the difference you make in someone's life. Thank you so much to all caregivers for everything they do.”
This episode is for those who give care, receive care or know someone who is either.
In this episode Rick enlightens us with what prompted him to share that wisdom. He reflects upon his own personal experiences sharing some of his thoughts and feelings, even those of guilt, which are also likely felt by many others - particularly during the holiday season and this past year.
Listeners are also in for a learning experience as Rick also reflects back with respect to what he’s learned, how he’s coped, some of the actions and steps he’s taken and continues to take and some of what he’s still dealing with even after many years.
He also shares with us how you can go about resetting your life when you are no longer a caregiver, and more.
Rick Lauber is from Edmonton, Alberta Canada. You can reach him at RickLauber.com or on Twitter @CDNCaregiver. You can also find his two best-selling guide books – Caregiver’s Guide for Canadians (2nd edition) and The Successful Caregiver’s Guide (U.S) on Amazon and the usual outlets.
You can also listen to past episodes with Rick Lauber. Toastcaster 69 How Toastmasters helps Authors and Toastcaster 127: Caregiving - The Ultimate Leadership Role.
Happy New Year 2022!
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Toastcaster 122: Setting a Guinness World Record – It Takes True Leadership
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
[28:55] Great leaders are passionate. Amongst other things, they’re also motivating, inspiring, innovative and committed to what they do. Our guests today have these attributes and more but you won’t find them in big towers, behind oak desks, but rather find them listed in the Guinness World Records 2020 book or associated with the organization.
In this episode, you’ll hear stories of true leadership. You’ll hear about the unusual way the idea for a Guinness Record came about and how these talented individuals faced with a challenge, persevered and overcame adversity while describing how they accomplished their incredible feats. You’ll also learn what motivates them; what they learned about themselves and how it can apply to all of us. You’ll also find out what it’s like to be a Guinness adjudicator, the skills it requires and a few tips on vying for a Guinness World Record.
Reverend Kevin Fast from Cobourg, Ontario, Canada is best described as a modern day Popeye. He holds an impressive 31 Guinness World Records including the Heaviest aircraft pulled and most people supported on the shoulders. (Left)
Brittany Walsh, a.k.a AcroBritt from Portland, Oregon, U.S.A is a dancer, a gymnast, former circus performer and world record holder in acrobatic archery. She’s featured in the latest edition for the Farthest arrow shot using feet. She’s been on The Late Show with David Letterman and has her own wax statue at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (top right)
Spencer Cammarano, from New York, U.S.A has not broken any records, but has the most challenging (yet enjoyable) task of being an Official Guinness Adjudicator. Without her, official records cannot be recorded. (Centre)
The theme for this year’s 65th Edition, is Power Your Curiosity. You can find out more and get your copy at GuinnessWorldRecords.com. There’s also a Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2020 as well.
Saturday Jul 18, 2009
Saturday Jul 18, 2009
Guest Jana Barnhill, DTM, AS President Toastmasters Int'l 2008-2009. Jana takes us beyond the Courage to Conquer - impressing upon us that we all have the potential to do great things. She shares with us about who in her life has influenced her, and how things people say- positive or negative, can impact your life. She explains how's she's different and how she overcame those obstacles. We hear success stories on how others have had the Courage to Conquer. Jana also comes clean about her first interview and trip to the International Speech Contest (Regional) Finals that didn't really work out as planned and why, after 25 years, she's still a Toastmaster. An inspiring, motivating and entertaining conversation with one incredible lady, just following her visit to District 42's Spring Convention in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada.