Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab

[27:53] Sometimes the opportunities that shape our lives arrive when we least expect them. In this special episode of ToastCaster, I share a recording of the opening keynote I delivered at the Toastmasters District 99 year-end leadership celebration. While the audience that day was made up of Toastmasters leaders, the message reaches far beyond Toastmasters. It's a story about unexpected opportuni...

[10:57] In this episode, I reflect upon the privilege of presenting the 2026 Toastmasters District 99 Communication & Leadership Award to Dr. Robert D. Steadward — better known to many simply as “Dr. Bob.” When people move into a new community, they rarely know much about the neighbours around them, the lives they’ve lived, the experiences they carry or the impact they may one day have on othe...

[38:41] Most of us spend a lot of time solving problems… without ever stopping to answer a much simpler question: What do you want? In this episode, I sit down with Joppe Quaedvlieg to explore how that one question can completely change the direction of a conversation, a decision, or even a life. Joppe introduces us to his concept of Descriptive Communication and the power of that one simple quest...

[38:54] AI is everywhere — from the tools we use to write emails to the algorithms shaping our news feeds. When it comes to personal health, however, the conversation often swings between two extremes: blind trust or outright fear. In this episode of Toastcaster, I speak with Dr. Earl Campazzi, Jr., a medical practitioner with more than 35 years of clinical experience and the author of the new boo...

[28:06] In this inspiring two-part conversation, host Greg Gazin explores the art of storytelling through video with Stewart Cohen, a creative visionary who leads with human compassion and brings people’s stories to life through film. In this episode , Stewart shares how his early experiences shaped his curiosity about people, culture, and connection—ultimately leading him to build SC Pictures, a...

[39:59] In this insightful and timely episode, host Greg Gazin delves into the realities of the refugee experience with accomplished entrepreneur, advocate and author, Dalton T. Sirmans. They unpack the common myths and misconceptions surrounding refugees, moving beyond the headlines to reveal stories of incredible resilience, ingenuity, and significant economic contribution. Dalton introduces the...

[14:51] In this episode, GadgetGreg explores why your phone, laptop, or tablet battery seems to drain faster over time and what you can do to extend its life. Learn about the impact of charge cycles, what drains your battery the most, and practical strategies to keep your devices running longer. Plus, discover Leo, a smart charging gadget that optimizes battery health and has won a CES 2025 Innova...

[32:25] In this episode, we speak with Rick Voight, CEO Vivid-Pix where we dive into the concept of reminiscence therapy, focusing on photo reminiscence and its powerful role in enhancing mental well-being and how Vivid-Pix technology technology can be used to enhance that experience. Reminiscence therapy uses personal memories to improve cognitive function and emotional health, and photo reminisc...

[08:35] April Fools’ Day – April 1st, is an extension of a centuries-old tradition to entertain and trick, – or is it? In today's episode we unravel this annual enigma that today we call April Fools’ Day. This is the audio from the article  published at Troy Media & Gadgetgreg. Com. The text, while not exactly a transcript is below: Here's the Article: In the modern era, we find ourselves ever...

[11:46] In this episode we change up the conversation and speak on Tech Leadership – kicking it off talking about safety. Of course, when we think of safety, the idea of personal or property typically come to mind, but not data safety – particularly with respect to USB Flash Drives, a.k.a USB sticks or Thumb drives   The solution? U.K.-based iStorage Ltd  seems to have come up with a solid solutio...

[21:02] Video Bios are a great way to supplement your CV or Resume and an effective way to help show people who you are and what you do. In this episode we speak with Heather Flanagan who recently created her first Video Bio. Heather is one of those individuals that unless you are familiar with her industry, you may not truly understand what she does - but her Video Bio helps demystify that. Heath...

  [36:11] In this fun and entertaining episode, Greg speaks with first-time novelist Jock Mackenzie who shares some of his adventures and misadventures in creating, writing, publishing and then promoting his newly published crime-novel, Dealing with Dymans. Jock shares stories and offers some insights on how the novel came to be, including the creating and naming his characters. We hear how he lev...

[26:57] Yoga is something in the past this podcast host (Greg Gazin) would have never considered. The way it’s portrayed, it conjures up images of slim fit women who contort themselves into pretzels. But now I truly think different. I realize that Yoga is really for everybody. In fact I now practice it weekly and it’s been transformational in terms of my well being. In today's episode we speak wit...

[35:25] In this episode speak with Matt Abrahams—a return guest and a name synonymous with spontaneous speaking - about mastering the art of speaking on the fly. This is a special cross-over companion podcast to The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin & Ryan Levesque #235: Think Faster, Talk Smarter in the Moment with guest Matt Abrahams. We're also thrilled to have Ryan Levesque also co-host...

[41:08] Being a Buddhist and a CEO may seem like two extremes – one symbolizes Zen and calmness and the other the epitome of corporate chaos. But Thane Lawrie - a.k.a The Buddhist CEO is both, and successfully so and has seemed to have found just the the right balance.  In this episode we speak with Thane about his journey but also about his new book - appropriately titled The Buddhist CEO. It's c...

[39:37] Wonder what it takes to be a great Emcee and Host? It takes more than just being able to be a good talker with an ability to wing it off the mic. Our special guest today Nathan Cassar is an award-winning professional and one of Australia's Premier Wedding & Corporate Emcees and known as the go-to guy for making any event unforgettable. Nathan Cassar has over a decade of experience and a st...

[56:30] In the first half of 2023, Generative AI and apps like ChatGPT have hit us like a tidal wave and is already impacting our lives. Our expert guest today, Robert Lavigne always seems to ride ahead of the curve. Rob is a Generative AI and Digital Media Specialist and joins us today to help demystify this wild frontier for both techies and those new to AI. Robert Lavigne is a Generative AI and...

[32:54] In this episode, Greg speaks with Oscar Santolalla about the Fireside Chat – a great alternative to a typical Q & A style one-on-one podcast interview. Oscar introduces us to the concept, where it originated and how he successfully adapted this 90 year old delivery format to his podcasts. You'll also hear the pros and cons of the format and what you can do if you would like to try one for...

[12:35] Today, March 31st is #World Backup Day. This reminded this Gadget Guy of an article I was inspired to write for the Edmonton Sun 22 years ago not after watching the news or a show about Technology, but rather a TV Show about Women – specifically Bravo’s Sex and the City. It's an update to the 2001 article with a humorous look at how I went about writing the article what transpired in Seaso...

[56:05] The Accredited Speaker (AS) designation is reserved for Toastmasters who combine subject mastery with professional speaking skills at the highest level of proficiency. Since the program started in 1981, there have been fewer than 100, 90 to be exact at this time who have earned the coveted title. This is the audio for the unique webinar: How to Earn the Toastmasters Accredited Speaker (AS)...

[37:29] Think of AI (Artificial Intelligence), particularly health care and your brain might conjure up The Doctor  - the Emergency Medical Hologram from Star Trek Voyager. But AI in healthcare is here, it’s real and it’s already disrupting healthcare and changing the ways in which we can -  in the words of Mr. Spock, “Live Long and Prosper.” In this non-technical and eye-opening episode, Greg spe...

[27:53] In this episode Greg speaks with Varun Puri co-founder of Yoodli a web-based platform, that helps individuals practice, record, upload and store speeches or interviews and provides feedback and AI enabled analytics as well as an auto-generated transcript of the speech. In our conversation, Varun enlightens us on a little more of what Yoodli is, why it was created it, how it was funded, how...

[29:17] “How Far? A Tale of Determination, DNA, and Drama” by Bob Wilber is a book written in the "historical fiction" genre, and features two fictional characters who "write" the book in their own voices. One is a baseball player from Southern California. The other is a hockey player from Roseau, Minnesota. When their very different lives intersect, they become friends and the drama begins. It’s...

[05:31] When you play a round of Golf, chances are that you will use more than just a putter. So why is that businesses sometimes have only one message or one sales strategy regardless of the demographic or who the potential client is? Same goes for communicators. Some deliver the same speech verbatim regardless as to whom their audience is. Sadly the results are not always as you think. Listen on...

[11:59] It’s Halloween time. Let me share with you something that’s perhaps a little scary and that’s email.  Boo! Before you chuckle, I want you to think about this... You’re trying to lead your team, get your projects done and get ready for that next meeting. You’re obviously multitasking and in so much of a hurry, you don’t realize that opening just that one email could not only put you behind...