Irish Talkers

Finding humour: Sareen Akarjalian at TEDxBeirut, followed by a discussion.  ____________________________________________ This is part 2 from Programme 26 of 2018/19 season - first broadcast on May 11th, presented by Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien. The show is in four parts and usually has this format: (1) Introducing a “Thought for the Week” and a “Word of the Week” together with general conversation arising out of these two topics. Published at 4pm on Fridays. (2) Either an Interview, the recording of a speech or external media. Published at 4pm on Saturdays. (3) Discussion on a topic usually led by Paul. Published at 4pm on Sundays. (4) Discussion on a topic usually led by Moira. Published at 4pm on Mondays Contact us : email: info@irishtalkers.com Website: www.irishtalkers.com Facebook: The Talk Show for Talkers Magazine: "Public Speaking Weekly" on www.irishtalkers.com

Our interview guest this week is International speaker and coach Rose Marie Calder, a member of Luton Toastmasters. This episode is published on 21st October 2023 with James Finnegan & Moira O'Brien, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien DTM. Contact us : email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠ Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠ Facebook: The Talk Show for Talkers

In this week's episode Paul wonders if the year end should be changed, the word of the week is APPLAUD and Shirley discusses speech styles.This episode is published on 20th December 2025 with Paul O’Mahony, Dr Shirley Gallagher DTM & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us:email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

Our interview guest this week is Andrew Graner, Area Director of Area 22, District 91 and a member of:Melting Pot ToastmastersRed Dragon Toastmasters (VPM, IT Support)Global Online Toastmasters (President)Shilling Speakers (VPM)This episode is published on 13th December 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

In this week's episode, Paul discusses how we judge contests, the word of the week is SMASHING and Moira talks about creating memorable speeches.This episode is published on 6th December 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us:email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

Our interview guest this week is David McCrae, a member of Haymarket Toastmasters and VP PR of Edinburgh Advanced Toastmasters.This episode is published on 29th Novenber 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited by Paul O'Mahony & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

In this week's episode, Paul talks about the Online Speech Contest, the word of the week is DISCOMBOBULATE, and Shirley discusses speech structure.This episode is published on 22nd November 2025 with Paul O’Mahony, Dr Shirley Gallagher & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us:email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

Our interview guest this week is Marina Murray, a member of Greystones Toastmasters and a former District 71 PR Manager.This episode is published on 15th November 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited by Paul O'Mahony & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

In this week's episode, the word of the week is ENHANCE and the rest of the show is devoted to discussion on the new enhancements to the Pathways Programme.This episode is published on 8th November 2025 with Paul O’Mahony, Dr Shirley Gallagher & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us: email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

In this week's episode Paul talks about engaging humour following the article by the International President in the Toastmaster Magazine, the word of the week is ENGAGING and Shirley discusses using humour in speeches.This episode is published on 1st November 2025 with Paul O’Mahony, Dr Shirley Gallagher & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us:Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠Facebook: The Talk Show for Talkers

We are repeating the interview we did in April this year with Greg of gadgetgreg.com and the Toastmaster Official Podcast.This episode is published on 25th October 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

In this week's episode, Paul discusses regrowing club members, the word of the week is FORENSIC, and Shirley discusses the club committee.This episode is published on 18th October 2025 with Paul O’Mahony, Dr Shirley Gallagher & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us:Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠Facebook: The Talk Show for Talkers

Our interview guest this week is Mairead Dillon, District Director for District 71 (UK and Ireland), and a member of U.S.S. Emerald Isle Toastmasters.Apologies for the late upload, as you will hear on the podcast, it has been a very busy time.This episode is published on 11th October 2025 with Paul O’Mahony, edited by Paul O'Mahony & Moira O'Brien, produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

Our interview guest this week is xxxThis episode is published on 11th October 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

Our interview guest this week is Mark Reynolds, a member of More than Words Toastmasters Club.This episode is published on 4th October 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

Our interview guest this week is Tom Flynn, president of The West’s Awake Advanced Toastmasters Club, former past president of Westport Toastmasters and a member of Emerald Isle Toastmasters,This episode is published on 20th September 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

In this week's episode Moira talks about asking a question, the word of the week is TASNMOGRIFY and Shirley discusses how to find your voice.This episode is published on 13th September 2025 with Dr Shirley Gallagher & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us:Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠Facebook: The Talk Show for Talkers

Our interview guest this week is Finbarr O’Sullivan, President of Warwick Speakers and Leaders and a member of Spa Speakers.This episode is published on 6th September 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited by Paul O’Mahony & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

Our interview guest this week is Donagh McKeownThis episode is published on 23rd August 2025 with Paul O’Mahony, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org

Our interview guest this week is Christina Hessian, 2025/26 Poet in Residence at District 71 Toastmasters.This episode is published on 27th July 2025 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.Contact us :email: ⁠info@irishtalkers.com⁠Website: ⁠www.irishtalkers.com⁠District 71 Website: d71toastmasters.orgDistrict 91 Website: d91toastmasters.org.ukToastmasters International: toastmasters.org