The Toastmasters Podcast

[33:30] Hosting a Toastmasters International Convention is no small feat—but when it’s the first convention of the organization’s second century and held in historic Philadelphia, the energy and symbolism are unmatched. In this episode, we chat with Dilip Abayasekara , DTM, AS, Past International President, and the 2025 Host District Chair, all about it and what makes this year&r...

[19:50] This episode is Part 2 of our conversation on The Toastmasters Podcast , in which host Greg Gazin continues his discussion with Harvard Business School professor and behavioral scientist Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves . Together, they take a deeper dive into the underrated power of asking good questions, exploring the art...

[32:16] In this enlightening episode ( Part 1 of 2 ) of The Toastmasters Podcast , host Greg Gazin sits down with Harvard Business School professor and behavioral scientist Dr. Alison Wood Brooks , author of TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves . Together, they dive deep into the underrated power of asking good questions—revealing that it’s not just about what you ask,...

[31:15] The Toastmasters International Golden Gavel is the prestigious annual award bestowed upon an individual distinguished in the fields of leadership and communication. In this lively and insightful episode, Greg Gazin and guest co-host Ryan Levesque reconnect with Matt Abrahams , celebrated Stanford lecturer, podcast host of Think Fast, Talk Smart , and the 2025 Golden Gavel Award Honoree . M...

[33:14] In this episode, we speak with the dynamic and energizing Anne Bonney, who will light up the stage with her opening keynote, Ignite Your Next Move: Courageously Dancing into the Future , at the upcoming Toastmasters International Convention, to be held in the "City of Brotherly Love" — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, August 20–23, 2025. Our Interview In our lighthearted yet in...

[31:37] We rarely consider how skills from one profession apply to another—especially aviation. Beyond flying and landing a plane, what can pilot training teach us? You might be surprised! Today, our guest, Phil Wilkes shares how lessons from the flight deck benefit anyone, anywhere. Phil shares his background as a pilot, how his experience both helped and challenged his public speaking journey, a...

[34:13] Mentorship is more than just guiding someone — it’s about building lasting relationships that empower both the mentor and the mentee to grow. For our guest today, veteran Toastmaster Marty Dickinson , mentorship has been a cornerstone of personal development, club growth, and lasting connection. In Toastmasters, a strong mentoring program can be the key to building vibrant clubs and helpin...

[26:58] Toastmasters International was founded in 1924, but women weren’t admitted as members until 1973. Since then, they’ve made a lasting impact on the organization’s leadership. In 2025, four of the five Executive Committee members are women—and none were born in North America. In today’s episode, just in time for International Women's Day , we honor all women and speak with Toastmasters Immed...

[26:31] It’s not every day that Bill Hernandez gets a golden opportunity to put his communication skills to the test on network television—let alone bare his soul while searching for love in front of millions of viewers on an American dating reality TV series for 55+. But that’s exactly what happened to this charismatic, now 69-year-old retired videographer when he appeared on   ABC’s The Golden B...

[33:58] Overspeaking—a term heard less often than overthinking or overanalyzing—is more than simply talking too much. Yet, like the other two, it can negatively impact effective communication. Our guest today, communication coach and author Joel Schwartzberg , an expert in helping individuals navigate all three, will shed light on one in particular: overspeaking. In this episode, Joel enlightens u...

[30:33] Maureen Zappala  is one of two members who successfully completed the final step of the Accredited Speaker (AS) application process at the 2024 Toastmasters International convention in Anaheim, California. She was subsequently awarded the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation joining an elite group of only 95 individuals to receive this accreditation and honor since the program began...

[33:59] Lauren Parsons is one of two members who successfully completed the final step of the Accredited Speaker (AS) application process at the 2024 Toastmasters International convention in Anaheim, California. She was subsequently awarded the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation joining an elite group of only 95 individuals to receive this accreditation and honor since the program began in...

Dean shares invaluable tips and strategies to make workplace holiday celebrations a success while embracing cultural diversity. He explains how companies can learn about various holidays by actively engaging their teams and celebrating without overstepping personal or religious boundaries. Dean highlights the importance of thoughtful timing and including remote employees in the festivities. With s...

[28:38] Speech competitions are an excellent way to elevate your speaking skills. Our guest today, Dilip Abayasekara , DTM, AS, and Past International President, has had an extraordinary speaking career, extensive experience, and a wealth of knowledge. His achievements include five district-level titles, two appearances at the World Championship of Public Speaking (WCPS) finals, and an impressive...

[28:26] In this episode, we speak with Bob Palmer , a retired elementary school teacher and Toastmaster with a passion for historical research, who helps us uncover some lesser-known facts and hidden mysteries about the father of Toastmasters International, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley , and the early days of the organization before its official incorporation 100 years ago in 1924. Bob shares a wealth of...

[24:16] In Part 2 of Toastmasters 100 , Chief Executive Officer Daniel Rex returns as our special guest. This time, Dan joins us to discuss the organization's centennial celebrations and how World Headquarters has compiled a variety of resources and action items to help you explore, celebrate, and learn from the past 100 years of Toastmasters history. You'll also hear personal stories that may enl...

In the first episode, CEO Dan Rex enlightens us with stories and a bit of background and history about Toastmasters, Dr. Ralph Smedley’s vision, and the organization's progression and growth. Dan will also share insights on the education program—past, present, and future—plus a few personal anecdotes about his own journey and more. Watch for part 2 coming November 1st.

At 65, Luisa is a retiree and passionate dog rescue volunteer from San Juan, Texas, USA. She rose to the top, competing against seven other finalists after several elimination rounds that began earlier this year, with about 30,000 participants from 150 countries. However, she almost didn’t make it to the stage—last-minute uncertainty nearly held her back from competing. But in true cha...

You can also read her President's message each month in the Toastmaster Magazine including, " Fun and Friendship in Toastmasters ," in the September 2024 issue. Radhi Spear, DTM, is from Piscataway, New Jersey USA. She is a software engineer for AT&T and a veteran in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years. She has expertise in software development, systems administration, and accept...

We'll also hear how sometimes it's okay to be kind and not nice, and learn the three principles of Benefits, Focus, and Empathy that Ben shares to help show kindness when it comes to feedback,. Ben’s article: " Kind vs. Nice Communication: Learn how to deliver an effective and considerate evaluation ," can be found in the May 2024 edition of Toastmaster Magazine. Ben Guttmann is an experienced mar...

CHARLES DUHIGG is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and the author of three best-selling books: The Power of Habit, which spent over three years on The New York Times bestseller lists, Smarter Faster Better, and his latest book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, which was published in February 2024. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, Charl...

Joan and Jessica share their thoughts about this upcoming significant milestone event and how they became the host co-chairs. They enlighten us about what they have learned by taking on this role and how they used their family connection and skill and personality differences to help them excel in their roles. They give us a little sneak peek into what people can expect at the conference and share...

Lisa will be presented with her Golden Gavel award during the Toastmasters International's 100th Anniversary Convention being held in Anaheim, California August 14-17, 2024. The award ceremony and presentation can be seen live and live streamed on Friday, August 16, 1:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)/Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) -7.  You can also meet Lisa in person at 2:30PM following...

Todd recounts his daughter’s early interest in Toastmasters and her persistent desire to attend a meeting. We hear how she prepared, what transpired, and how she felt about the experience. Todd also shares how he discovered Toastmasters, what he has learned, and how it has helped him both as a professional and as a father. He also offers his advice to parents who want to encourage their chil...

[33:37] In this episode, we speak with renowned motivational speaker Shawn Ellis who has the honor of being the opening keynote speaker, marking Toastmasters' 100th anniversary at the 2024 Toastmasters International Convention to be held in Anaheim, California from August 14-17, 2024. Shawn shares with us a bit about his journey of resilience and adaptability, along with stories of some of the key...