Experience the World Championship of Public Speaking as host Mickey Bennett, DTM, talks with one of the top eight public speakers in the world, James Harris, EH5, about competing in the Bahamas in August 2023. James is a member of VA Speakers Extraordinaire in Dallas.
Mickey Bennett, DTM: Welcome to episode four of D50 After Dark! Today, we're talking with District 50 champion speaker, James Harris, Jr.
James Harris, EH5: [01:05] I'm a motivational speaker and author. I teach public speaking at a college in San Antonio. I love encouraging people and changing lives.
You're also the District 50 International Speech champion. How did that feel?
[1:42] What a great experience! After my speech, someone came up to me and told me they needed to hear that speech. Impacting people is what matters most to me.
Why do you compete in speech contests?
[02:27] I grew up competing, and I love pushing boundaries. Competing lets me live my message, facing pressure, engaging audiences, and making a difference.
You made it to the World Championship of Public Speaking. How was backstage?
[04:05] Backstage was both calm and exciting. You're in the moment, realizing it's what you've prepared and prayed for. Encouraging fellow speakers is crucial, too. [05:30] At pre-warmup, we met. It felt like a community, not just competitors. We celebrated each other's potential.
Did you prepare two speeches, one for the semifinals and one for the finals?
[06:46] Yes, I came prepared with both speeches, each practiced over a hundred times. Both had strong value which delivered my best in each round.
How did you decide which speech to lead with?
[07:55] It's tough. It’s subjective. I led with the one that got me there. I advise speakers to go all out in every speech, rather than trying to game the system.
What's your biggest takeaway from competing in the World Championship?
[09:12] There is a big world out there. Connecting with people from various cultures and ideologies was eye-opening. I learned to make my words have global impact while speaking from my regional point of view.
What advice do you have for Toastmasters aiming for the World Championship?
[10:28] Remember that every speech is for the audience and what they need to hear in that moment. Don't focus on trying to game the system by choosing the "best" speech. Make every speech high-quality and valuable to the audience.
Besides competing, what else do you do?
[12:26] I teach public speaking at the college level, which helps me adapt messages for diverse audiences. I also enjoy improv comedy, spoken word, and anywhere I can connect with audiences.
How can our listeners find you and hear more of your wisdom?
[16:50] You can find me on YouTube and various other platforms under "Undefeated Speaker." I also have a podcast called "Ten Years War" where I give away free speeches and motivational content.
Any call to action for our listeners?
[18:56] We live in a divided world, and speech is under attack. I challenge you to share Toastmasters with someone you care about whether at work, church, college, or your community. Inspire others to find their voices, as it can be a powerful force for positive change.
