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 talks about cross cultural communication, the word of the week is OKEY-DOKEY and Shirley discusses different styles of podcast episodes.This episode is published on 14th February 2026 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 Kalpana Ramesh, immediate past president of Cambridge Confident Communicators, and a member of Chelmsford City Communicators and Chelmsford Speakers Club, Area Director for D71 Division H Area 1, Division Director candidate for next year and currently District Contest Chair.This episode is published on 7th February 2026 with Paul O’Mahony & Moira O'Brien DTM, 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

In this week's episode, Paul discusses becoming a district leader in Toastmasters, the word of the week is BENIGN, and Shirley asks what the purpose is of speech contests.This episode is published on 31st January 2026 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 Daniel Arda, a member of Chelmsford City Communicators.This episode is published on 24th January 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 muses on an article by International President Aletta Rochat DTM, entitled “Expanding Your Capacity”, which he calls “Progress Beats Paralysis”, the word of the week is ALIGN, and Shirley talks about good evaluations.This episode is published on 17th January 2025 with Paul O’Mahony, Dr Shirley Gallagher DTM & Moira O'Brien DTM, edited & produced by Moira O’Brien.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 Aletta Rochat, International President for 2025/26, recorded when Aletta was Region 10 Adviser.This episode is published on 10th January 2026 with 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 gives his predictions for 2026, the word of the week is BLISTERING and Shirley discusses the enhancements to Pathways and the implications for the Distinguished Club Programme.This episode is published on 3rd January 2026 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 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