03.17.07

Walk with the Sages: Version 2

Posted in Quotes to Live By, Toastmasters, Self Help, My Life at 10:44 pm by Freeman Wicklund

This speech won my Toastmasters club’s inspirational speech contest. Yay! :D The purpose of my talk is to show you how to use the wisdom of the sages to cultivate your spiritual values and improve your life.

After giving an earlier version of this speech to the Dupont Circle of Speakers, I overhauled it based on their helpful suggestions. Thanks Dupont Circle of Speakers!

This version was given on February 27 at Capital 1 Toastmasters–my home group. Because I won the club competition, I will now compete at the area level on Wednesday, March 21. Wish me luck! ;-)

Here is the transcript for the new and improved “Walk with the Sages” speech: Read the rest of this entry »

03.12.07

My Life’s Passion: Helping Animals

Posted in Veganism, Social Justice, Animal Rights, Toastmasters, My Life at 1:27 pm by Freeman Wicklund

Farrah, my brothers, and me
Our dog Farrah with my older brothers Steve, Mike, and me when I was very young and frightfully fashion conscious.

Here is the transcript of the first speech I gave to the members of DC’s Capital I Toastmasters after I joined their group. The first speech is known as the “Ice Breaker” because its purpose is to introduce yourself to the rest of the club members. Enjoy!

My Life’s Passion: Helping Animals

Mr. Toastmaster, fellow members and guests, when I was in elementary school, my parents gave me an allowance of a dollar a week. I would take that money, bike to McDonalds, buy two hamburgers, and devour them. Considering how much I loved eating burgers, fish sticks, and sausage pizza, I could have never guessed that I would devote my life to promoting vegetarianism, and yet this is exactly what has happened. Read the rest of this entry »

03.05.07

Walk with the Sages: Version 1

Posted in Quotes to Live By, Toastmasters, Self Help at 1:54 pm by Freeman Wicklund

“Walk with the Sages” is a speech on how to use the wisdom of the sages to cultivate your spiritual values and improve your life. This speech was presented on February 24 to the Dupont Circle of Speakers Toastmasters. The speech transcript and a download of my handout follows. Read the rest of this entry »