Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab
by Greg Gazin
Toastcaster is a communication and leadership learning lab — a place where ideas are explored out loud. Some episodes come From the Page, expanding on articles and written work. Others come From the Stage, capturing talks, presentations, and live conversations. You’ll also hear episodes From the Bookshelf, featuring authors and big ideas worth unpacking, and From Curiosity, where culture, technology, and everyday moments become lenses for better communication and leadership. There’s no single format — just a shared intent: to explore how the way we communicate shapes how we lead, connect, and make sense of the world.
Episodes
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TC189: The Accidental Leader: When One "Yes" Changed Everything - Greg Gazin
[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...
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TC188: The Neighbour Who Helped Build the Paralympic Movement
[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...
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TC187: What Do You Want? Descriptive Communication Answers that Question – Joppe Quaedvlieg
[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....
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TC186: Better Health with AI — What It Can Do, What It Can’t & Why It Matters for Everyday Life – Dr. Earl Campazzi Jr.
[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,...
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TC185: Storytelling through Video: Leading with Human Compassion – Stewart Cohen
[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...
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TC184: The Refugee Advantage: Resilience, Redemption & Reinvention – Dalton T. Sirmans
[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...
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TC183: Take Charge of your Phone's Battery, What's Killing it may Surprise You
[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....
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TC182: Preserving Memories, Enhancing Minds: The Power of Photo Reminiscence Therapy & Digitizing Tech - Rick Voight
[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.…
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TC181: Unraveling the Enigma of April Fools’ Day
[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...
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TC180: Tech Leadership: Take Your Data Safety Seriously (USB)
[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...
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TC179: How Video Bios Supercharge your Personal Brand & CV – Heather Flanagan
[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…
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TC178: Journey to My 1st Novel - Dealing with Dymans – Jock Mackenzie
[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...
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TC177: YOGA – Helps Anyone Take Leadership of their Mind, Body & Soul - Sharon McMullan-Baron
[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...
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TC176: Think Faster, Talk Smarter—A Deeper Dive – Matt Abrahams
[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...
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TC175: A Conversation with The Buddhist CEO – Thane Lawrie
[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…
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TC 174: Tips on Becoming a World Class Host & Emcee – Nathan Cassar
[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…
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Toastcaster 173: Demystifying Generative AI & ChatGPT –The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - Robert Lavigne
[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...
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Toastcaster 172: Fireside Chat – A Great Alternative to a Podcast Interview – Oscar Santolalla
[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....
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Toastcaster 171: (Data) Backup Lessons from TV’s Sex and the City #WorldBackupDay
[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...
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How to Earn the Toastmasters Accredited Speaker (AS) Designation - Sheryl Roush
[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…
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ToastCaster 169: How AI Can Help the Future You – Live Longer & Prosper – Harry Glorikian
[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...
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ToastCaster 168: Yoodli - Your AI-Powered Public Speaking Coach - Varun Puri
[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…
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ToastCaster 167: How Far? A Tale of Determination, DNA, and Drama – Bob Wilber
[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…
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Toastcaster 166: Is Your Sales Pitch like Playing Golf with Only a Putter?
[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...
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Toastcaster 165: 4 Tell-Tale signs to spot fake or phishing emails
[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...
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Bonus: GadgetGreg: CHQR Radio Interview: Nightbuds Earbuds - Kokoon
[06:31] Greg Gazin is interviewed on CHQR Radio about his Troy Media article Try Nightbuds Earbuds for a good night’s sleep. For anyone who offers a product or service, or in my case writes about one, it's always important to be ready and always have a few talking points and a story or two in…
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ToastCaster 163: Reinvention & Tips for When Business is Slow – Stephanie Northcott
[23:52] Ever wonder how to fill the gaps when business is slow? There are a number of productive things we can do - some we already know but are often forgotten. But what about when things are so slow and choices are so limited that you have to totally reinvent yourself? Our guest today is an...
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ToastCaster 162: 5 Lessons From My 1st professional Speech – Kate McClare
[25:23] What can you learn from your first professional speech (outside Toastmasters)? In this episode Greg speaks with copywriter Kate McClare who pulls back the curtain and shares five powerful lessons and more from her recent live presentation to a group of CPAs. These lessons are basic...
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Toastcaster 161: Recognizing and Harnessing Life Changing Moments
[31:19] Has the pandemic created for you or someone you know an unnerving unexpected and totally unprepared for, life changing moment? In reality, life-changing moments happen all the time. Many however, are not crises but unrealized opportunities. In fact, some of the best ones are often...
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Toastcaster 160: The Toast: Short Speech with a Big Impact – Eddie Rice
[29:23] Writing and delivering a good Toast might seem to be something you can just stand up and deliver off the cuff but many YouTube #fails say otherwise. A great toast that makes an impact needs to be well thought out, well written and delivered properly. In today’s episode we speak with...
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Toastcaster 159: Overcoming Awkward: Introvert’s Guide – Networking, Marketing & Sales - Monica Parkin
[37:21] Wonder how did a shy, socially awkward introvert turn into a successful serial entrepreneur and master relationship builder? Just ask Monica Parkin, who on today’s show will give us an insight into the answer to that question and more by telling us about her recent book, part memoir, part...
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Toastmaster 158: Celebrating Milestones Forward Can Yield Amazing Results
[18:33] Milestones are achieved and celebrated every day and recognized in a variety of different ways. Celebrations are also often backward looking going back to where one once was to where they are now. But what if you commemorated by celebrating forward? Using the milestone as a way of...
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Toastcaster 157: New Year’s Resolutions Not Working, Try Naming Your Year - Dave Fuller
[25:28] Resolutions for many just don't seem to work but our guest today, Dave Fuller uses "Naming Your Year" as a method to accomplish what resolutions are meant to do. In this episode Dave shares how he stumbled upon this method; what it does and how it works. You'll hear how puts it into...
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Toastcaster 156: Looking Backward, Looking Forward: Reflections of a Caregiver - Rick Lauber
[26:00] As we reflect back on this year, caregiving can mean many things to many people. Some people are caregivers in the traditional sense, others give care in many forms to others. In this episode we bring back author and former co-caregiver Rick Lauber. The idea of his return was prompted by…
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Toastcaster 155: Repetition Can Be A Good Thing - Greg Gazin
[06:05] Hearing things being repeated can often drive you absolutely crazy. In this brief episode you'll learn that if used effectively, repetition in presentations, conversations and even recordings can truly be an effective tool in getting your message across. If you think about speeches like…
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Toastcaster 154: Stepping Up Your Communication Skills with Livestreaming – Markus Seppälä
[37:43] With Livestreaming, you are both a producer and performer. These are words from our guest today, Markus Seppälä, who adds that it’s also public and live and lonely and dependent on tech which can certainly make it a challenge. It’s with his comedic side that he jokingly takes on a…
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Toastcaster 153: Making Freaking Meetings Fun & Productive - Matt Abrahams
[29:55] Many people avoid meetings at all costs - they feel they’re unproductive, a waste of time and simply a bandaid for bad communication in an organization. In this episode Greg speaks with return guest Matt Abrahams, educator and coach whose extensive exploration, research and experience has...
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Toastcaster 152: Unexpected Leaders that Leave a Lasting Impression - Guinness
[15:26] In this episode Greg speaks about two incredible individuals whom we can call unexpected leaders. These are people who positively impact others not really with any intention but simply by doing what they do. In fact they may not even be aware of the impact that they are having on others…
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Toastcaster 151: Starting Effective Conversations that Yield Results – Chris Fenning
[31:31] Conversations are fundamental to everyday life – at work or at home, yet little emphasis is ever put on improving it as a skill, particularly in getting one started and keeping them a succinct as possible. In this episode, Greg speaks with Chris Fenning - subject matter expert and author…
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Toastcaster 150: Hardest Speech You‘ll Ever Have to Give - Greg Gazin
[32:53] Imagine the hardest speech you'll ever have to give. In this episode you'll hear about that speech, the process that went into creating it and the speech itself and how on that day, I felt a rollercoaster of emotions the likes of which I’d never experienced in my life. That day I was...
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Toastcaster 149: How to Host a Live or Virtual TEDx Event Part 2 – Noel Bentley
[27:39] This episode, Part 2 is the final part of our conversation with Noel Bentley on how to host a TEDx event where he continues to share his expertise on being the best host you can be. Noel also talks about getting help by borrowing - not copying but rather be inspired by others and other…
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Toastcaster 148: How to Host a Live or Virtual TEDx Event Part I – Noel Bentley
[27:28] There’s a plethora of resources spotlighting do a TED Talk or speaking on the TEDx stage, but few realize that a great host or emcee can make or break that event. In this episode Greg speaks with Noel Bentley, a three-time TEDx host who’s hosted both live and virtual events at TEDx Bear...
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Toastcaster 147: Nurturing Young Minds Through Podcasting – Kevin Achtzener
[22:13] Kevin Achtzener, DTM is in the process of doing his practicum at a Spanish bilingual school to earn an after degree in Education. He had the idea to teach his students new material as part of a Spanish Language Arts curriculum by getting them to create their own podcasts. In this episode,...
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Toastcaster 146: Scientist’s View of Protecting You from Your Phone & Yourself – June Lai
[29:38] Everyone is trying to be better informed and protect themselves and others and reduce exposure to the Covid-19 virus. They’re social distancing, wearing masks and washing their hands, but how many of us think about our smartphone as a major source of a threat to our health? Or how many of...
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Toastcaster 145: Podcasting 101: Hosting & Interview Techniques - 2018 Live Educational [Toastmasters ]
[43:52] When I first started podcasting 15 years ago, the most frequently asked question was, ‘What’s a Podcast?” Five years ago, It was, “Why are you doing podcasts? It’s going the way of the radio, video is where it’s at. Today I’m often asked, “What are the benefits of podcasting?” And “How…
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Toastcaster 144: Stories & Leadership Lessons from a TopGun Instructor – Dave "Bio" Baranek
[39:00] Flying in a Grumman F14 Tomcat, a supersonic fighter aircraft at over 1500 mph (almost 2500 kph) in the middle of a conflict can certainly put one's communication and leadership skills to the ultimate test. A split second action, reaction or decision can mean the difference between life…
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Toastcaster 143: Avoiding Managerial Mistakes, Missteps & Misunderstandings – Blaine Little
[29:25] It's tougher now more than ever for Managers to successfully navigate through the seas of Managerial Mistakes, Missteps & Misunderstandings. In today's episode, Greg speaks with Blaine Little, speaker, corporate trainer, coach and author of a new book of the same name, who'll offer some...
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Toastcaster 142: Virtual Interview Mistakes to Avoid He Learned Interviewing Zoom's Head Recruiter – John Bowe
[22:05] The Internet is full of experts doling out advice at what not to do during a virtual presentation or interview - job or otherwise. In the episode, Greg speaks with John Bowe about his recent CNBC article, "4 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Next Virtual Job Interview -- Advice From Zoom's Head...
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Toastcaster 141: How to Use Subtle Words that Sell - Paul Ross
[27:37] Words are very powerful and this episode, Greg speaks with Paul Ross about Subtle Words that Sell. This is not only the title of his new book, but also a revolutionary concept he's used for the past 30 years to teach tens of thousands of people around the world the power of language not...
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Toastcaster 140: Grantasms: Making Communication Fun and Great Again – Grant Crowell
[29:21] Just when we thought the world had enough jargon, acronyms and other confusing verbiage, Grant Crowell, a self-professed social wordsmith comes along and creates his own words or “Grantasms.” His motives are sincere – his intention, to make communication fun again while helping people…
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About this show
Toastcaster is a communication and leadership learning lab — a place where ideas are explored out loud.
Some episodes come From the Page, expanding on articles and written work. Others come From the Stage, capturing talks, presentations, and live conversations. You’ll also hear episodes From the Bookshelf, featuring authors and big ideas worth unpacking, and From Curiosity, where culture, technology, and everyday moments become lenses for better communication and leadership.
There’s no single format — just a shared intent: to explore how the way we communicate shapes how we lead, connect, and make sense of the world.
Hosted by
Greg Gazin
Categories