From the Meeting Room to the Radio Studio: A Lucan Toastmasters Journey
- Vice Pres Public Relations Lucan Toastmasters
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Recently, two Lucan Toastmasters members sat comfortably in a radio studio, live on air, discussing confidence, communication and growth from the power of public speaking.
For many people, live radio would feel intimidating.
For them, it was simply the next step in a journey.
🎧 Listen to the full Liffey Sound FM interview here
Where Most Journeys Begin: Nerves
Very few people join Toastmasters because they feel confident.
They join because:
Presentations at work feel overwhelming
Interviews don’t go as planned
Public speaking triggers anxiety
They know their ideas are strong — but delivery isn’t
For Shanel, the turning point came when she recognised her discomfort presenting professionally.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it, but I’ve got better at speaking in public.”— Shanel Williams O’Reilly
Tom joined during his master’s degree, when he realised he lacked presenting skills.
“I had no skills whatsoever in presenting.”— Tom O’Donovan
The starting point wasn’t confidence.It was awareness.
What Happens Inside a Toastmasters Meeting?
Lucan Toastmasters meets twice a month at the Springfield Hotel.
Each two-hour meeting is structured for growth:
Impromptu Speaking (Table Topics)
Members respond to surprise questions.They learn to think clearly under pressure.
Prepared Speeches
Members choose when they’re ready to deliver a 5–7 minute speech, aligned to structured learning pathways such as:
Presentation Mastery
Visionary Communication
Dynamic Leadership
Engaging Humor
Structured Evaluations
Every speech receives constructive feedback.
“There’s always one suggestion for improvement.”— Tom O’Donovan
The emphasis is progress — not perfection.
The Shift: From Fear to Confidence
Growth is gradual.
You begin by:
Holding onto notes
Standing behind the lectern
Speaking quickly
Over time:
You pause with intention
You move naturally
You trust your message
And eventually, you say yes to opportunities you once avoided.
That is what the recent radio interview represents.
It wasn’t just a conversation. It was evidence of development.
As Tom reflected:
“You don’t have to be perfect. Nobody’s perfect. It’s just getting up and doing it.”
More Than Speaking
Members consistently describe one unexpected benefit:
“The community was my biggest surprise.”— Shanel Williams O’Reilly
Lucan Toastmasters includes 35+ active members from diverse professions and backgrounds.
Meetings are structured. Feedback is honest.Phones are away.People listen.
Confidence grows in environments like that.
Imagine Your Journey
Today: You hesitate to speak up.
Six months: You volunteer to present.
One year: You deliver confidently without notes.
Two years: You represent your club live on radio.
That progression is real. It happened here.
Join Us
📍 Springfield Hotel, Lucan
🗓 First & Third Thursday each month
⏰ 7:45pm – 10:00pm
Guests are always welcome. There is no obligation to speak.
Your journey can begin at the next meeting.
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