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Irish Talkers

Interview with Tamara Evans

·47 min·4 clips
Tamara Evans moved from a Kiev apartment to a New Mexico farm with a swimming pool inside her greenhouse.
The episode features an interview with Tamara Evans, conducted by Paul O'Mahony on the Irish Talkers podcast. Tamara begins by describing her background, having moved from Kiev, Ukraine, to New Mexico after marrying an American she met online through an LDS church site. She contrasts her previous city life with her current farm lifestyle, which includes a greenhouse with a swimming pool. Tamara recounts her initial exposure to Toastmasters in Kiev, where her friend Zoya invited her to a club focused on English learning, and she served as grammarian. After moving to the U.S., she joined the Schilling Speakers online club three years ago upon retiring, attracted by the warm welcome and fun atmosphere. She discusses various Toastmasters roles, highlighting her favorite as Table Topics Master and her challenges with impromptu speaking. Tamara shares a memorable experience preparing for a humorous contest, where she froze for 40 seconds during a family practice session. She explains her current role as sergeant-at-arms in Schilling Speakers, where she writes original rhyming verses to introduce meetings. Tamara also mentions membership in the Masters of Evaluation club, attracted by recording opportunities for speeches. The interview touches on her teaching career in Ukraine, including winning a contest that brought her to the U.S. in 2003. Outside Toastmasters, Tamara enjoys activities like tricycle rides combined with listening to lectures, baking unusual breads, and watching Jeopardy. She concludes by emphasizing the value of friendly communication through Toastmasters and shares her favorite operas.

As heard by us

A warm Toastmasters conversation about confidence, voice, and patient encouragement.

Tamara Evans's conversation with Paul O'Mahony feels rooted in Toastmasters, but it keeps drifting into the small human moments that give it shape.

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Why you'd press play

Tamara Evans turns a Toastmasters chat into a calm, reflective look at voice, memory, and speaking craft.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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