Public Speaking

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Inspiring Students to Compete in the Oratorical Contest

Houston, we have a problem. 

American Legion Posts across the country are struggling to attract students to compete in the annual Oratorical Contest.  Simply emailing teachers and parents about the contest date and location is not enough to bring the students out.

District 8 Commander presents 1st Prize award to Benna Sanders. Photo by Steve Smull

I was saddened but not surprised that only two out of the nine posts in our District had contestants participate in the Oratorical contest held at Legion Post 25 in Cottonwood, AZ on Feb 28, 2026.

I’ve been hearing for years about how difficult it is to recruit young contestants to this Speech contest which was started in 1938.

The excuse list is long and as a Toastmaster with 30+ years of contest experience, I understand the common challenges.  

Root Causes

  • Media saturation and information overload.
  • Limited attention spans.
  • Lack of knowledge or interest in American history and government.
  • Fear of public speaking.
    • Oratorical skills are viewed as old-fashioned.
  • Polarization of politics.
    • Topic of U.S. Constitution and Amendments can be viewed as controversial.

What can we do about it?

What can the American Legion officers, members and contest chairs do to attract more high school students to the annual Oratorical Contest?

  1. Update and improve the PR and Marketing strategy to connect with Generation Alpha (those born after 2010).
    •  Engage with students, parents, teachers, and youth group leaders in more direct and modern ways.
  2. Highlight the benefits of participating:
    • Cash awards and Scholarships(up to $25,000).
    • Develop communication skills.
    • Achievements to include on resume.
    • Civic education and appreciation for our nation’s founding documents.  
  3. Provide support and personalized coaching to the contestants who may not be comfortable in speaking before a live audience (Toastmasters, Scouting, Teachers, etc).

My Experience in Prescott, AZ

One week before my Post’s contest in February 2026, I actively recruited two students. 

Here’s what I did:

  1. At my weekly Prescott Club Toastmaster meeting, I directly approached a well-spoken young member and told him that I thought that he was a strong speaker and that he’d make a very good contestant in the upcoming contest. I encouraged him to register for the event that morning and texted him within the hour with to the link to sign up.  He committed that day and applied online.
  2. I emailed a new Post member who is a retired Army Colonel and JROTC Instructor at a local high school and asked him to talk to his cadets about the contest the following week.  I sent him the event flyer and told him that we needed a participant or 2.  He wrote back the following day that one of his students was interested.  I emailed the interested student the registration link and they applied within 2 days.

Both students participated in the Post and District 8 level contests in February and received cash awards of over $200.

How to recruit more contestants

Recommendations for attracting students to the Oratorical Contest:

Call to Action

  • Engage with students in new ways:
    • Gamification, AI, Influencers, and short videos (30 secs –2 mins). 
    • Learning what these new concepts mean to the younger generation is key to reaching them and getting them to participate.
  • Marketing and Public Relations
    • Use Social Media- Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
    • Create online Evite link and share QR code.
    • Increase the promotion and awareness of the event in local print and online newspaper articles (use Legion’s Press Release templates and stock photos of young people speaking).
    • Create a simple flyer with color and engaging photo and post in at the library and local coffee shops.
  • Leverage and connect in small, trusted groups:
    • Toastmaster clubs- parents and students who are members
    • JROTC classes at High School
    • History teachers at local schools
    • Debate clubs
    • Local homeschool pods
    • Scouting troops
    • Boys and Girls Clubs
    • Church groups
    • 4H Clubs and FFA (Future Farmers of America

Call to Action

Help America’s future leaders learn about and appreciate the U.S. Constitution by connecting with them and encouraging them to get engaged.  

I encourage you to inspire and motivate the students of Gen Alpha with the recommended techniques and actions outlined above.

We can do this by:

Modernizing our marketing approach, highlighting the benefits, and reaching people directly in trusted settings.

Contest Chair Jerri Strande with District Commander and contestants. Photo by Steve Smull

Supplement Information:  Use of AI

To help with local, targeted recruiting based on your area/location:

Below is an AI prompt I used in the AI tool Grok.

“What are the best ways to recruit students for the Oratorical Contest held by the American Legion in the Prescott, AZ area”.

Below is the output from Grok (as an example):

                  Recruiting high school students for the **American Legion Oratorical Contest** in Prescott, AZ (typically hosted by American Legion Post 6, with local contests held at venues like the post building or Prescott Library) requires targeted outreach that emphasizes the contest’s benefits: scholarships (up to $25,000 nationally, plus local/district awards), building public speaking skills, leadership development, deeper understanding of the U.S. Constitution, and college resume boosts.

The contest is open to U.S. citizens or lawful residents under age 20 enrolled in high school (grades 9–12, including public, private, parochial, military, charter, or home school). Speeches focus on constitutional topics (8–10 min prepared oration + 3–5 min assigned topic).

Here are the **best, proven ways** to recruit participants, drawn from American Legion guidelines, department chairmen experiences (e.g., North Carolina), NSDA/speech-debate recruitment strategies, and local AZ/Prescott patterns:

1. **Direct School Outreach and Partnerships** 

   Contact high schools in the Prescott area (e.g., Prescott High School, Bradshaw Mountain High School, Granite Mountain School, homeschool groups, and nearby districts like Chino Valley or Mingus Union). 

   – Visit early in the school year (fall) or as soon as contest details are out—bring flyers/brochures from legion.org. 

   – Present to student assemblies, government/civics/history classes, speech/debate/forensics clubs, National Honor Society, or ROTC/JROTC groups (these students often excel in oratory). 

   – Partner with teachers/counselors—ask them to announce it or recommend strong speakers/writers. Local contests often feature Prescott High winners, so leverage past successes.

2. **Highlight Scholarships and Incentives** 

   Promote the big draw: cash scholarships (national top prizes $20,000–$25,000; local levels offer smaller awards) and NSDA points (double points for competing). 

   – Frame it as a low-barrier way to earn college money—no entry fee, just preparation and delivery. 

   – Share alumni success stories (e.g., Mike Pence, Lou Dobbs) to inspire.

3. **Digital and Social Media Promotion** 

   – Post on local Facebook groups (e.g., Prescott community pages, school parent groups, Yavapai County homeschool networks). 

   – Use Instagram/TikTok for short videos: past winners speaking, quick tips on constitutional topics, or “Why I competed” testimonials. 

   – Email blasts via school districts or post announcements in school newsletters/bulletins. 

   – Create a simple flyer/event page with details (e.g., date/time at Post 6, 202 S. Pleasant St., Prescott; deadlines often Jan/Feb for local rounds).

4. **Host Informational Sessions or Mini-Demos** 

   – Run a free “intro workshop” at the Legion post, library, or school—demonstrate a sample speech, explain rules, and let students practice a short topic. 

   – Invite current/former participants to speak about their experience (builds excitement and reduces intimidation). 

   – Schedule during lunch, after school, or as a club meeting to attract curious students.

5. **Community and Veteran Networks** 

   – Leverage American Legion Post 6 members/veterans to speak at schools or events—veterans’ stories resonate when tied to citizenship/Constitution. 

   – Reach homeschool families via county contacts or local co-ops. 

   – Announce in local media (e.g., Daily Courier, Signals AZ—they’ve covered past Prescott contests). 

   – Invite audiences (especially younger students) to watch the local contest—exposure often recruits for next year.

Legion Post 6 members and Contestants in the District 8 Contest. Photo by Steve Smull

6. **Personal Invitations and Peer Recruitment** 

   – Have teachers, coaches, or current participants personally invite strong students (e.g., good writers, confident speakers, debate team members). 

   – Use student-led outreach: Successful competitors recruit friends by sharing how it boosted confidence/resumes.

7. **Timing and Logistics Tips** 

   – Start promotion early (November/December for contests often in Jan/Feb). 

   – Make entry easy: Provide clear rules/eligibility from legion.org, application forms, and contact (e.g., Post 6 or AZ Department). 

   – Offer support like speech coaching resources or practice sessions to lower barriers.

These methods have worked nationally (e.g., visiting all school types, using flyers, building interest via showcases) and locally (Prescott contests draw from area high schools with winners advancing). Focus on the contest’s empowering aspects—it’s not just competition; it’s skill-building with real rewards. For the latest 2026 details/deadlines in AZ, check azlegion.org, legion.org/oratorical, or contact American Legion Post 6 in Prescott directly. Good luck—strong recruitment can lead to more participants and bigger impact!

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The Courage to Communicate: Charlie’s Legacy

When the courage to communicate means that you are killed for the words you speak, your impact and legacy on the country and the world are immense.

I, like millions of other Americans, mourn the death of Charlie Kirk and feel moved to share my feelings and thoughts about it.

The events of the last two weeks have hit me hard for many reasons. For one, I live in Arizona and attended a Turning Point USA event which Charlie skillfully led in at the Arizona Grand hotel in Phoenix in 2022.

The second reason that this tragic event feels so close and personal is that my business office while we lived in Phoenix was located within 400 meters of the Turning Point USA campus and I used to take afternoon walks by the location where there is now a huge memorial of flowers, signs and prayers.

I was so impressed with Charlie’s positive message of hope and the professionalism of the TPUSA event, I visited their website and searched for jobs to apply to.

Next, I wrote a book titled Strong Words and Simple Truths: The Courage to Communicate and I strongly feel that this combination words and their sentiment exemplifies Charlie’s life, vision, and mission.

Lastly, I am a Christian and American who stands up for God and Country as a volunteer in my community.

The Turning Point USA Campus in Phoenix, AZ

As someone who enjoys public speaking and writing, I admired Charlie’s ability to clearly and powerfully connect with others.

I aspire to be a happy warrior who has the courage to communicate what is right and what is important to our family, friends, community, and country.

Charlie Kirk spoke strong words and simple truths that impacted a generation and a nation.

May his memory be a blessing.

Mural of Charlie Kirk at the Apple Pan Restaurant in Prescott, AZ. Photo by Steve Smull

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Courage is Contagious

It’s time to tell a story. A story about two women leaders who are speaking a great deal this week about topics which are top of mind for many Americans. 

I had to the privilege and honor to see, hear, and meet one of these speakers in person at an event at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona. I was left inspired and motivated to spread the word of her important message and call to action. While only 24 years old, this elite athlete was one of the most impressive presenters I have seen in years. The clarity and focus of her message were strong and effective. Riley Gaines shared her story and experiences in the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championship competition with poise and grace. She left me with a memorable mantra: Courage is Contagious.

As someone who has been focused on improving my communication skills for the last 30 years in Toastmasters, I tend to analyze and evaluate every public speaker I listen to. I notice and silently grade aspects of an orator’s delivery, speech structure and audience impact.

The second female leader I heard speak this week was 35 years older than Riley Gaines but left me feeling unsettled and confused. Her message was light and airy with words like opportunity, unity, dreams and aspirations but the delivery was distracting and unprofessional for someone of her experience. I suppose I have very high standards and expectations for the communication skills of an attorney and a politician who is running for the office of President of the United States. But alas, Kamala Harris left me scratching my head trying to understand what she meant with her lofty words and rehearsed phrases. She left me with no memorable mantra or call to action. 

The stark contrast between these two speakers was felt in my head, my heart and my gut. 

As Riley Gaines courageously fights for fairness in sports for women and girls by presenting at U.S. congressional hearings, on cable news shows and in countless public events around the country, Kamala Harris is talking with Oprah Winfrey in a staged and inauthentic manner. Riley is rallying to protect Title IX while Kamala is focused on hot button topics and ideas that a good portion of the country is opposed to. 

When evaluating a speaker’s presentation, I strive to separate style from substance but in this side-by-side comparison I would have say that the young champion swimmer won hands down on both delivery and content. 

During the Q&A at Riley’s event which was titled “An Evening of Sanity and Satire”, I asked a question about self-censorship and her reply was “Don’t be afraid to speak the truth- it’s the easiest way to thing to say”. I believed her and will continue to share my thoughts, ideas and experiences. 

As I reflect on the impact of words spoken by Kamala Harris and Riley Gaines this past week, I can’t help but think that simple truth and clarity about strongly held beliefs connects and resonates more deeply with an audience than generalized concepts of how things could and should be. 

The Courage to Communicate is the subtitle of my book, Strong Words and Simple Truths, and I wish our elected officials would have more strength and conviction to verbally express their true values and ideas. Authentic expression and storytelling are a powerful ways to reach and connect with others and this speaker comparison illustrates that point as clear as the starting bell.

Steve Smull, Riley Gaines and Brenda Smull in Prescott, AZ

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Strong Words, One Year On

One year ago I published my first book, Strong Words and Simple Truths: The Courage to Communicate.

Now more than ever, the topics covered in this edition are critically important and relevant in our polarized world. Pervasive virtual communication has left many people feeling isolated, lonely and struggling to communicate effectively.

Areas of focus include: Communication, Toastmasters, Veterans, Agile, Health and Science.

Click on link below to order now.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HFTBDN8/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=291723f2-e7eb-4ad1-bb69-adba641bd9d5

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Losing the Magic:  Virtual Toastmasters is No Laughing Matter

Toastmasters International is losing more than clubs and members- it is losing its magic!  The nonprofit organization has 1,400 fewer clubs than it did in 2019.  As a result, there are 82,000 fewer people receiving the benefits of the educational programs.

The mindset of virus avoidance and remote meetings is taking its toll. In person meetings, training and contests are the exception while virtual events are the rule in 2022.

Many members are dissatisfied with the distant and disconnected experience of Zoom meetings and especially virtual contests at the area, division, and district levels. 

Delivering a humorous speech without a live audience is no laughing matter.  The lack of body language cues, emotion and feedback makes it hard for the speaker to connect and adjust to the audience’s reactions.  The lack of energy can add an extra burden to the speaker. 

A long-time Distinguished Toastmaster in Arizona recently shared this in an email, “Live entertainment in the Toastmaster world seems to be coming to an end. The winter contests have been eliminated and now the Spring contests in 2023 are virtual.”  This dedicated mentor and coach joins hundreds of people in expressing their frustration with the lack of live audience speaking opportunities at Toastmasters.

Nature abhors a vacuum and the live-speaking gap will be filled by other groups. The desire and demand for direct, in-person events is raising in 2022 and a growing number of clubs and people in Arizona are organizing to meet the challenge.  Innovative and creative ideas are being implemented to provide large-scale speaking experiences and competitions.  Once such event will be held on Oct.11, 2022 at the Tempe Improv where 8 finalists will perform in a humorous speech competition.  The laughter, fun and festivities are free and open to the public and is not an official Toastmaster contest. Click here for tickets to the event.

I have attended this high energy and boisterous competition for three years and am happy that the tradition continues.

Twenty-eight years ago, I joined Toastmasters for the communication and leadership training but I stayed for the friends and the connections.

I love the positive energy, support, and camaraderie of the clubs and had no idea that the program and the people would have such a profound impact on course of my life. The last two decades have been an amazing experience of growth, experimentation and achievement.

Some of my best friends were met at Toastmaster meetings in Arizona, Colorado, Texas and California. These close bonds would never have been made had I only attended meetings through a zoom portal.

A Toastmasters club holiday party

I am still active in three clubs in the Phoenix area but worry that some of the great power and magic of Toastmasters is being lost as fewer and fewer in-person training sessions, leadership conferences and contests are being held.

The value of live language connections should not be underestimated and Toastmasters Districts across the country should strive to meet the needs of all of its members.

I strongly believe that the benefits are of the strong educational programs are not fully realized when a speaker and an evaluator never get to meet and talk in person before or after the meeting. 

Virtual Toastmasters is falling flat and can be energized by creative and innovative leaders who think out the box to find in-person and hybrid event options.

Laughter is the best medicine and can be the prescription for what ails lagging club and membership numbers.

Energy, excitement, engagement and enthusiasm can all be recaptured.

Commitment, connection, confidence and coaching can be reinvigorated.

The magic of Toastmasters is not a mystery. 

The magic of Toastmasters is live and in person.  

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This Is Me: Family and Foundation

I watched the award-winning speech twice, first with my right brain and then with my left.

The first time I viewed the 2022 World Champion of Public Speaking, Cyril Junior Dim, I sat back and enjoyed the story, the humor and the emotional drama. The impactful message resonated with me and inspired to write this article.  My creative mind was activated.

During my second observation of the speech entitled “Ndini”, I used my left brain to analyze the structure, word usage, and delivery techniques. Click here to view the speech.

It is with both sides of my brain (with help from my corpus callosum) that I write this article.

The foundational phrase of the winning Toastmasters speech by Mr. Dim was “This is me” which translates to Ndini in the Bantu language Shona.   The repetition of this powerful message struck a chord in me and caused me to reflect on my own family and identity. 

Cyril Dim wove a powerful story around self-acceptance, family and tradition as he reflected on his middle name which came from this father’s language.  He boldly asked the audience, “Have you ever hated or been ashamed about some aspect of yourself?”  I wasn’t proud of my answer to that question but knew that this was an important topic and worthy of further contemplation.

I suppose that before I can proclaim “This is me!”, I need to ask “Who am I?”.

More than a result of the human reproductive process of my mother and father, I am a Heinz 57 blend of genes and traits from my ancestors from numerous countries across Europe (UK, France, Germany and Italy).  I am also a US citizen who represents the values and ethics of my family and friends.  My parents and home environment growing up surely shaped me and made me into the woman I am today.

I love and respect my parents and wish they hadn’t left the earth so soon. 

My parents pinning on my 2nd Lieutenant bars after the Army Commissioning

Who I am is strong and solid thanks to the love, support and encourage of my parents, my siblings and extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Me and my siblings

My foundation is a resilient and durable patchwork quilt of genetics, experiences, traditions, and values.

I lived at home with my parents until I graduated from college and received a US Army commission.   In retrospect, I should have spent more time with my parents and thanked them more for all that they sacrificed for me but, like most adolescents

 I didn’t appreciate what I had.  During my teenaged years, I wasn’t as proud of my Mom as I should have been and was often embarrassed by her hearing impairment and her simple words. It pains me to think of how badly I treated her when she couldn’t understand me.  My impatience and rudeness were horrible, and I am embarrassed by my immature and selfish behavior.  It wasn’t until I moved out on my own and was married that I fully appreciated who my parents were.

Like Cyril Dim, I came to embrace and be proud of my family name and my parents’ values.  I know that they are responsible for my strong foundation, my work ethic, and my patriotic spirit.

The words below were read to me recently by my Yoga Therapy coach, Nancy Martch, and truly hit the mark on idea of Ndini- This is Me.   

I am steady, resilient, direct and complete.  

“Foundation Stones”

by Danna Faulds

Here is my past—

what I’ve been proud of,

and what I’ve pushed away.

Today I see how each piece

was needed, not a single

step wasted on the way.

Like a stone wall,

Every rock resting

On what came before—

No stone can be

Suspended in mid-air.

Foundation laid by every

act and omission,

each decision, even

those the mind would

label “big mistake.”

The things I thought

were sins, these are as

necessary as successes,

each one resting on the

surface of the last, stone

upon stone, the fit

particular, complete,

the rough, uneven

face of these rocks

makes surprising,

satisfying patterns

in the sunlight.

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com
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Taking the High Road: Giving Feedback in a Polarized World

One of the things I love about Toastmaster meetings is the opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and stories from club members with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and political affiliations.  For some, Toastmasters may be the only place where members are exposed to viewpoints that differ from their own.

In July 2022, I witnessed two very different presentations while attending two community Toastmaster clubs in Phoenix, Arizona. The speeches also had many similarities, as both were well presented, dynamic and passionate. The speakers were intelligent, successful and respected baby boomers whom I know and admire.

The topics of the speeches were socially charged ideas given from the presenters’ point of view and frame of reference.  Based on the size and diversity of the audience, it was probable that not everyone agreed with the premise and points of talk. 

Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

What impressed me most about these specific Toastmaster meetings was the high quality and neutrality of the formal speech evaluations.  Providing verbal feedback on a topic that you may not agree with is not easy and the club members accomplished this should be praised and respected.  The Speech Evaluators did an outstanding job of providing quality input on the delivery and structure of the speech while avoiding judgmental statements on the content of the presentation.  They took the high road and made me very proud to be a Toastmaster.

I felt strongly about this topic in October 2016 and published a blog entitled “Objective Evaluations in a Polarized World”.  In this article, I emphasized that “the ability to give objective and neutral feedback on another person’s speech is hard enough without the many external and internal factors influencing us. Pesky things like human nature, emotions, personal biases, insecurities, extreme political views, polarization of opinions and what I call the “siloed, echo chambers” of social media”.

Now more than ever, my advice from six years ago on giving objective evaluation is important and relevant.

Below were my key recommendations:

  1. Remember that as a speech evaluator, you are there to observe and provide neutral and constructive feedback, recommendations and suggestions on the basic tenants and techniques of effective communication and public speaking. 
  2. Focus on the Delivery and Structure of the presentation with specific examples.
  3. When commenting on the Impact of a speech (especially if you disagree with the content), try to set aside your personal emotions and biases and look at and assess the overall audience response to the speech.
  4. Honestly ask yourself if the topic/point of the speech is clouding your ability to provide positive and objective feedback on the Delivery and Impact. If it is, then:
    1. Try to put yourself in the shoes of someone who supports the topic and reflect on how they would respond to the speech.
    2. Run a “What if” scenario in your mind by replacing the content of the speech with something that you agree with and see how you would view and analyze it.
  5. Open your mind, take off your biased filters and focus on how the speaker is connecting, delivering and making their point.
  6. Ask yourself: Was the speaker able to motivate, educate, influence or inspire?
  7. The purpose of your evaluation is to encourage and help club member improve and develop strong communication skills, not to impose your views, values and opinions about the subject matter.
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Building a Keynote Speech, One Story at a Time

I’ve begun working on a keynote speech and thought I’d share with you my idea and the process I’m using to craft it.

The working title is of my presentation is The Power of Small:  Sys-bits for Big Results.  The initial speech will be 20 minutes in length and is the main deliverable for a Toastmasters Pathway project (Level 5 in the Presentation Mastery path).

The concept for this keynote has been swirling around in my mind for many months and features ideas and tales about systems, habits and methodologies that I have used in the past 40 years to accomplish my goals.  My personal experiences as a unicycle rider, a Toastmaster, and a published author will be highlighted as I weave together the stories and points in support of my Power of Small approach.

My first story will describe my experience of learning to ride a unicycle when I was ten years old and how I, without knowledge or formal training, employed the principles of Agile and experimentation to achieve my lofty goal.

The second story of my keynote speech will chronicle the techniques and visualize tools I used to compile and publish my first book in five months.  Leveraging my Project Manager and Scrum Master skills allowed me to know which systems and habits to use to get the job done on time and under budget.   I also think that my “Power of Small” method of book writing improved my creativity and increased my quality.

The final story of my big speech about small steps will feature an analysis of the Toastmaster educational program called Pathways.  This proven system is an incremental learning experience designed to help members build the skills they need to be better communicator and leaders.

Another big step I’ve taken in my speech creation in hiring a professional Coach to assist me in refining, shaping and optimizing my words and my delivery.   More to come on this endeavor.

So that’s what I have to share with you thus far. 

The small steps of my journey to an amazing Keynote have begun and I’m excited to report my progress along the way to you.

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A Spirited Launch at The Buzzed Goat

On November 4, 2021, I hosted a book launch party for Strong Words and Simple Truths in Phoenix, Arizona. The venue was a fun, independent coffee shop called The Buzzed Goat and Ernie the hedgehog fit right in.

Our spirited gathering included over 30 friends, coworkers, toastmasters and veterans. The energy in the room was electric and I was thrilled to be able to speak in front of a live audience.

Below is a video of my short presentation and tribute to military veterans.

Ernie and me at the book signing table

For more information on my book Strong Words and Simple Truths click here.

To order on Amazon, click here.

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Big News for Strong Words

I have exciting news to share!

I am working to publish my first book Strong Words and Simple Truths: The Courage to Communicate based on the contents of this blog.

Below is a sneak preview of the book’s Foreword. I plan to publish it on Amazon in Q4 2021.

http://www.thecouragetocommunicate.com

There are over one hundred and seventy thousand commonly used words in the English language, but most people employ just a fraction of them in their daily lives. Many people yearn to find and articulate the truth. The courage to communicate has many meanings; each of us struggling to get our voices heard brings our own understanding and desires to the process. I bring my understanding of communication and wish to be heard to this book.

Growing up in a large family in the northeastern United States, I learned the value of direct and powerful communication. I still appreciate the emphatic and heartfelt style of my New Jersey upbringing and have spent my adult life honing my skills through key programs, paths, and career choices. 

I believe that strong words have the power to catalyze change, that direct communication has value, and that words have energy.I believe that words are best when they are consumable, easily understood, and impactful.

I also believe that simplicity in communication is elegant. Simple is clear and honest and true. The most delicious recipes have five or fewer ingredients. My Mom’s delicious rice pudding comes to mind. But alas, communication is not always as simple as a recipe.

From this understanding came the title of my first WordPress blog, Strong Words and Simple Truths, which I began writing in 2013. The title encompasses everything I believe about communication, and I have not changed the focus or intent of the phrase in my nine years of blogging. 

I always have an idea that I’d like to share, so I’ve continued thinking, speaking, and blogging about communication since 2013. I am rarely at a loss for words.

Some of the articles I published on my blog were adapted from speeches I gave at Toastmaster meetings. Other times, I would challenge myself to convert a blog article into a speech. I found the challenges of the back-and-forth creations fun and fascinating. This process taught me the important lesson that the spoken word is quite different from the written word, and through this hard work I learned to be more flexible and creative in my communication style.

This book invites you to accompany me on a journey of discovery through a curated selection of over eighty articles from my blog. When I decided to compile these articles into a book, I knew that the same title, Strong Words and Simple Truths, would perfectly express what I am trying to convey. Little did I know when I started writing my blog that the extreme events of 2020 and 2021 would make my pithy title and subtitle all the more relevant and important.

So here I am, sharing in the most powerfully vulnerable way I have ever attempted. Blogging and public speaking are one thing, but publishing a book has brought me to a whole new level of commitment to my beliefs and my message.

The format of this book was inspired by author and fellow veteran, Ed Latimore. His book, Not Caring What Other People Think Is a Superpower: Insights from a Heavy Boxer, was an outstanding compilation of his tweets, which includes strong and powerful lessons of life.  

In this book, I blend the creative power of agility, communication, history, and science to create a patchwork quilt of my ideas, stories, and dreams.

I am honored to share the stories of the people and personalities who shaped who I am today. While I may not have been completely fearless as a child, the role models I emulated were feisty, strong, and spirited. Many of the themes in this book were inspired by my mom, Virginia, my brother, Bill, and my sister, Barbara. During elementary and high school, I was encouraged and guided by many amazing and motivational teachers and coaches.Ihad role models from the entertainment world as well. I desired to be as daring as Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett and as strong as Wonder Woman and The Bionic Woman.

These role models were heroes to me, and they inspired me to branch out and achieve the substantial and audacious goals I set for myself. I hope they will inspire you to do the same. 

As a young adult, I had two different career aspirations. In high school, I wanted to be a medical doctor. After college, I considered becoming a science teacher.The common thread through my life is the desire to help people, share knowledge, and train others to learn new skills.

In this book, I’ll also share lessons from mymilitary service, which taught me the importance of KISS- Keep It Simple Soldier (or Stupid as some would joke). As a US Army Signal Corps officer, I supported combat and support units on the battlefield with precise and effective communication infrastructure and procedures.When lives depend on clear, concise, and timely messages, you learn to value their quality greatly.

My wish is that you find this book entertaining and educational, and I hope that it motivates you in creative and unique ways. I also pray that these words, thoughts, and expressions pay adequate tribute to the brave and selfless heroes in our world. 

I have grouped the blog articles into eight sections. Each article includes the original publication date and appears as it originally appeared on the blog (with some proofreading to correct minor issues). I stitched the articles together much as a quilter would piece together colorful fabrics to create an intricate and appealing pattern. To keep things fun, I chose a theme from the magical world of the circus.

The sections of this book represent the main interests, influences, values, priorities, and passions in my life, each linked to a symbolic element from the circus.To aid the reader in remembering the sections and their symbols, I created a brief tall tale to open the book. 

  1. Ringmaster—Communication
  2. Big Tent—Toastmasters
  3. Juggler—Creativity
  4. Wheels—Agile
  5. Strong Man—Veterans, Remembrance and Traditions
  6. Laughter—Connections and Gratitude
  7. Unicycle—The 1980s
  8. Animals—Science and Truth

When you read the Table of Contents, you can think of it as a menu for a smorgasbord dinner which allows you to select the topics that most appeal to you. It’s a collection of various perspectives, angles, and tastes.

Come on, let’s run away and join the circus for a few hours!