In this episode of The Toastmasters Experience, I take you to the heart of London to visit City of London Toastmasters, a club that will be proudly celebrating its 30th Anniversary in November. 🎉

During my visit, I had the chance to sit down with passionate members, enthusiastic guests from other London clubs, and even a Toastmaster visiting from China 🌏. The evening was buzzing with energy as the club hosted its Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contest — a reminder that every great competition begins at the club level, where members take that brave first step to test their skills, share their stories, and stretch beyond their comfort zones. 💪✨

As Toastmasters, we know that contests aren’t just about winning — they’re about growth, connection, and celebrating the courage to stand and speak. And visiting clubs while travelling is one of the most enriching parts of our journey — a chance to see how others meet, learn, and lead in their own unique style.

If you ever find yourself in London, you can visit City of London Toastmasters at St Botolph’s Church, Aldgate High Street, EC3N 1AB — right next door to Aldgate Station or just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station. Meetings are held in person on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays of each month, and guests are always welcome. 🌟

Tune in for a lively celebration of learning, laughter, and the global spirit of Toastmasters! 🎤🇬🇧

https://www.cityoflondontoastmasters.org/

On The Toastmasters Experience, I love shining a light on one powerful question:
💡 “What books, podcasts, tools, or routines have shaped your self-development?”

In this special compilation, you’ll hear from eight inspiring voices—each with a unique perspective on where they turn for wisdom, confidence, and inspiration.

🎙️ Lana (Ep. 24) shares how following domestic politics and programs like Insiders and The Party Room sharpened her listening and speaking skills.
🎙️ Vicki (Ep. 26) turns to TED Talks and speech and drama lessons as resources that expand her speaking repertoire beyond the club room.
🎙️ Roger (Ep. 34) credits mentors like Craig Valentine, Simon Sinek, and Eric Thomas for fueling his energy and growth.

🎙️ Jody (Ep. 35) — Sparked by Brené Brown’s Power of Vulnerability, Jody stepped into deeper, more authentic storytelling. She also recommends William Whitecloud’s The Secrets of Natural Success, and finds ongoing inspiration in Lewis Howes, Brendon Burchard, Gabby Bernstein, and Gabor Maté.

🎙️ Frankie (Ep. 39) — A bedside staple: James Clear’s Atomic Habits—especially habit stacking and trigger design. For podcasts, Frankie rotates Diary of a CEO, Chris Williamson’s Modern Wisdom and Andrew Huberman for science-backed performance.

🎙️ Ramona (Ep. 44) — Two words: Nancy Levin. Her book Worthy reframed Ramona’s self-worth and pricing (a recommendation via Craig Valentine). A must-read for anyone who senses a gap between talent and income.

🎙️ Marc (Ep. 46) — A teacher at heart, Marc’s communication canon includes Carmine Gallo’s Talk Like TED, Nancy Duarte’s Resonate, James C. Humes’ Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln, and Chip Heath’s Made to Stick—practical blueprints for memorable messaging.

🎙️ Maria (Ep. 50) — Oprah & Dr. Bruce Perry’s What Happened to You? shifts the lens from “what’s wrong” to “what happened,” deepening empathy in education and in club culture. She also highlights Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership by Kirstin Ferguson, championing service-first leadership that empowers others.

🎧 If any of these spark curiosity, dive back into their full episodes for the complete stories and strategies.

Maria’s Toastmasters journey began in 2009 after a staff retreat conversation made her realise she had no hobbies outside of work and family life. Caring for her husband after a major accident and raising three children had left little time for herself. Remembering her love of speaking, she found Bosley Park Toastmasters — and has been active ever since, now belonging to four clubs, including one in Canada.

Her leadership path evolved naturally, serving as Club Growth Director, then Program Quality Director, and potentially District Director. For Maria, leadership is about giving back to an organisation that has provided her with national and international speaking opportunities, co-author credits, and professional growth.

She values Toastmasters’ role in preparing people — especially youth — for real-world communication, from job interviews to personal branding. She notes the decline of public speaking in schools and urges clubs to deliver consistent, high-quality meetings to retain new members.

Maria is also a seasoned competitor, achieving district-level success, and treasures speeches that inspire, such as her speech about her father about the power of touch. She believes everyone has a voice worth developing, shaped by life experiences — often linked to past discouragement.

Her advice: Join, persevere, and use Toastmasters as a safe space to grow confidence and connection. Speaking, she says, is not just a skill — it’s a lifeline to opportunity and belonging.