The Toastmasters Podcast

[18:39] The countdown is on for the 2026 Toastmasters International Convention taking place August 19 to 22, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In this annual convention preview episode, Greg Gazin speaks with Convention Host Co-Chairs Carole Murphy and Tom Jones for an early look at what attendees can expect and to learn more about the volunteers and leaders helping bring Toastmasters’ largest event to life.
You’ll get to know Carole and Tom as they share how they unexpectedly received the invitation to serve, what their role as co-chairs involves, and how their different personalities and leadership styles complement one another and what they’ve learned along the way. You'll also hear why Vancouver, often called Hollywood North, continues to be a favourite convention destination and the meaning behind this year’s convention theme: Wide Open Communication.
Highlights this year include keynote speaker Jody Carrington and 2026 Golden Gavel honouree Jennifer Moss presenting Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants.
You’ll also hear about some of the convention activities, including:
• Traditional opening ceremonies and the Parade of Flags
• Semifinals and finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking
• Accredited Speaker presentation and business meeting
• First-timers activities and networking opportunities
• Smedley Harbour Cruise and Smedley Fun Bingo evening events
• Education sessions and Toastmasters Journey workshops including a new AI-focused session designed to help attract prospective members...and more!
About:
Carole Murphy, DTM, has been a Toastmaster for 31 years and serves as Convention Co-Chair for the 2026 Toastmasters International Convention.
Tom Jones, DTM, is a Past International Director, entrepreneur, management consultant, and Convention Co-Chair for the 2026 Toastmasters International Convention.

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Convention details, agenda, volunteer opportunities, and Dear Boss resources.
You can also read:
1. Five Questions with Carole Murphy DTM and Tom Jones DTM: Behind the Scenes with the 2026 Convention Co-Chairs
2. Wide-Open Communication: 2026 Convention: Head to Vancouver, Canada, for inspiration, education, and connection.
Both articles appear in the June 2026 issue of Toastmaster Magazine.
Related Episode:
Episode #299: Championing Workplace Well-Being — Meet the 2026 Golden Gavel Recipient Jennifer Moss

[47:36] What happens when 20 years and hundreds of conversations change the way you communicate, listen, and tell stories? In this special milestone episode, guest host Ryan Levesque turns the microphone around on Greg Gazin to reflect on the journey behind The Toastmasters Podcast, ToastCaster, and the lessons learned along the way.
From launching a podcast as a Toastmasters High Performance Leadership project in 2006 to becoming host and producer of The Toastmasters Podcast, Greg shares how podcasting transformed not only his communication skills, but also the way he approaches conversations, uncovers stories, and connects with people.
Along the way, the conversation revisits unforgettable moments, including interviews that created vivid “movies in the mind,” emotional discussions that revealed the human side of leadership, and the unexpected lessons that emerged from hundreds of conversations inside and outside Toastmasters.
Greg also reflects on how his interviewing style evolved over time. What began as a focus on asking the “right” questions gradually became something else: learning to listen more carefully, follow curiosity, and help stories unfold naturally. The episode also includes a few behind-the-scenes stories, podcasting flubs, and some unexpected moments listeners likely will not see coming.
Listeners will also hear…
• How podcasting and Toastmasters helped supercharge Greg’s communication skills
• How Greg evolved from question asker to “story builder”
• Why curiosity matters more than asking the “perfect” question
• The conversation that literally gave Greg shivers while recording
• A few memorable podcasting flubs and behind-the-scenes moments
• The origin of Greg’s “conversational runway” interviewing approach
• Why some of the best podcast moments happen completely off-script
• Lessons learned from guest and former co-host

Some of the most meaningful moments did not come from carefully planned questions. They came from unexpected turns, honest reflections, and the willingness to go a little deeper.
And after hundreds of conversations, one lesson stands out above all: when people feel heard, remarkable stories often emerge.
Greg’s article, Reflecting Back: How a Simple Podcasting Project Developed into an Incredible Journey, appears in the June 2026 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.
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Some additional episodes and resources mentioned in this conversation include:
• #082 Introducing Greg Gazin - Newest Host of The Toastmasters Podcast
• #084 Meet the 2014 World Champion of Public Speaking, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi
• #100 Meet the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking, Mohammed Qahtani
• #104 Surviving Everest & the Nepali Earthquake with Sara Safari
• #169 Vision Beyond Eyesight with Deborah McAlexander
• #172 Confessions of a Podcast Host
• #179 Finding Healing Through Service and Leadership with David Jones
• #208 Don't Let Fear Hold You Back with Robert A. Navarez
• #222 Enhance Your Presentation with Clown Presence - Don Colliver
• #225 This is Us: Greg Gazin & Ryan Levesque - The Toastmasters Podcast
• #250 500 Lunches with Strangers: Breaking Bread for Personal Growth
• #266 Meet Lauren Parsons, 2024 Newest Accredited Speaker (Snack on Exercise)
• #275 & #276 Better Conversations, 1 Question at a Time - Dr. Alison Wood Brooks (Part 1 & 2)
• #267 Meet Maureen Zappala, 2024 Newest Accredited Speaker (Impostor Syndrome and “My Dot”
• #294 Beyond 500 Lunches with Strangers: Lesson on Achieving Anything - Nick Bendel
• #297 What Happens When Toastmasters Give Youth Voices a TEDx Stage with CeCe Espeut
• #298 Spotting & Resolving Generative AI Pitfalls for Communicators with Joel Schwartzberg
• TC056 Spanish Train: A Journey in Vocal Variety (ToastCaster)
• TC150 The Hardest Speech You’ll Ever Have to Give (ToastCaster)
• YouTube: Spanish Train: A Journey in Vocal Variety (YouTube video)

About Greg Gazin
Greg Gazin, DTM, is host and producer of The Toastmasters Podcast and creator of ToastCaster: Communication & Leadership Learning Lab. A 24-year Toastmaster, writer, speaker, and technology columnist, Greg has spent nearly two decades exploring communication, leadership, storytelling, and personal growth through podcasting.
Greg is a Past District Governor and recipient of a Toastmasters International Presidential Citation. He is also a member of Spiritual Living Toastmasters in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

[37:05] The Toastmasters International Golden Gavel is the prestigious annual award presented to an individual distinguished in the fields of leadership and communication. In this insightful and thought-provoking episode, Greg Gazin speaks with Jennifer Moss, award-winning author, workplace culture strategist, and the 2026 Golden Gavel Honoree. Jennifer shares personal stories and practical insights as the conversation explores communication, resilience, gratitude, workplace culture, and the evolving relationship people have with work in a rapidly changing world.
Jennifer also reflects on the deeply personal experiences that shaped her work, including The Smile Epidemic, a gratitude project started by her husband during a serious health crisis that eventually spread to more than 100 countries. The experience reinforced Jennifer’s belief in the power of gratitude, connection, and small behavioral shifts to positively influence people and organizations.
Listeners will hear:
• How Jennifer overcame intense fear before her first TEDx talk
• Why preparation and subject mastery reduce speaking anxiety
• Why conversational speaking can work better than memorizing scripts
• How gratitude practices shaped Jennifer’s work and leadership philosophy
• What organizations often misunderstand about burnout and wellbeing
• Why trust, fairness, and purpose drive engagement more than perks
• Why communication and analytical thinking remain essential workplace skills
Jennifer Moss is featured in the May 2026 issue of the Toastmaster magazine in Stephanie Darling’s article, “Golden Gavel Recipient Jennifer Moss Champions Workplace Wellbeing.”
Jennifer will receive the Golden Gavel award during the Toastmasters International Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, August 19–22, 2026. The award presentation will take place Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7).
Jennifer will also deliver a presentation based on her latest book, Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants, exploring hope, purpose, belonging, and psychological fitness in today’s evolving workplace.
TEDx Talk: The Epidemic of Smiles and the Science of Gratitude.

About Jennifer Moss:
Jennifer Moss is an award-winning international speaker, journalist, author, and workplace culture strategist. She is the author of Why Are We Here?, The Burnout Epidemic, and Unlocking Happiness at Work. Jennifer’s research and insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Fortune. She is also co-host of the podcast How to Change Culture in 20 Minutes or Less.
Jennifer Moss is from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and can be reached at: Jennifer-Moss.com.
Register here: for the Toastmasters International Convention.

[31:42] Generative AI can help you work faster and sharpen your message, but only if you stay in control. In this episode, Greg Gazin speaks with Joel Schwartzberg about how to spot and resolve common AI pitfalls so your communication remains clear, credible, and authentic.
Joel approaches AI as a tool—useful, but not a replacement for decision-making. It can improve clarity and efficiency, but it doesn’t understand your priorities, your audience, or your voice. AI is a powerful assistant, but a poor decision-maker without human guidance.
For Toastmasters, that distinction matters. Whether you are preparing a speech or refining an idea, AI can produce something polished that still misses the point. The value comes when you use AI to improve your thinking and not replace it.
Joel’s article, 7 Generative AI Pitfalls for Communicators; How to spot and resolve these blind spots before they cost you clarity and trust, appears in the March 2026 issue of the Toastmasters Magazine.

Listeners will hear…
• Why using AI does not make you a fraud as a communicator
• How AI can improve your writing when used properly
• How to spot and resolve common AI “Achilles heels”
• Why authenticity flaws matter—and how to sound like yourself
• How AI misplaces priorities and what to do about it
• Why running your content through AI is like using a pasta maker
AI can help you communicate more clearly and efficiently.
But the message is still yours to shape. Your voice and experience are what make it connect.
Joel will also be presenting at the Toastmasters International Convention in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday, August 21 at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, sharing insights on clear, focused communication.
You may also enjoy his previous appearance:
Stop Talking, Start Connecting: The Cure for Overspeaking (Episode #268)
About Joel Schwartzberg
Joel Schwartzberg, a long-time communications coach, a speechwriter, and the author of Get to the Point! Simplify, Sharpen, and Sell Your Message. And The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team.\
He’s a former U.S. national and state champion in collegiate public speaking, and was inducted into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
Joel’s insights on effective communication have been featured in many publications, including Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, CNBC, Newsweek, and Inc.com, as well as the Toastmaster magazine.
Joel Schwartzberg lives in New Jersey and can be reached at: www.joelschwartzberg.net.

[31:42] Generative AI can help you work faster and sharpen your message, but only if you stay in control. In this episode, Greg Gazin speaks with Joel Schwartzberg about how to spot and resolve common AI pitfalls so your communication remains clear, credible, and authentic.
Joel approaches AI as a tool—useful, but not a replacement for decision-making. It can improve clarity and efficiency, but it doesn’t understand your priorities, your audience, or your voice. AI is a powerful assistant, but a poor decision-maker without human guidance.
For Toastmasters, that distinction matters. Whether you are preparing a speech or refining an idea, AI can produce something polished that still misses the point. The value comes when you use AI to improve your thinking and not replace it.
Joel’s article, 7 Generative AI Pitfalls for Communicators; How to spot and resolve these blind spots before they cost you clarity and trust, appears in the March 2026 issue of the Toastmasters Magazine.

Listeners will hear…
• Why using AI does not make you a fraud as a communicator
• How AI can improve your writing when used properly
• How to spot and resolve common AI “Achilles heels”
• Why authenticity flaws matter—and how to sound like yourself
• How AI misplaces priorities and what to do about it
• Why running your content through AI is like using a pasta maker
AI can help you communicate more clearly and efficiently.
But the message is still yours to shape. Your voice and experience are what make it connect.
Joel will also be presenting at the Toastmasters International Convention in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday, August 21 at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, sharing insights on clear, focused communication.
You may also enjoy his previous appearance:
Stop Talking, Start Connecting: The Cure for Overspeaking (Episode #268)
About Joel Schwartzberg
Joel Schwartzberg, a long-time communications coach, a speechwriter, and the author of Get to the Point! Simplify, Sharpen, and Sell Your Message. And The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team.\
He’s a former U.S. national and state champion in collegiate public speaking, and was inducted into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
Joel’s insights on effective communication have been featured in many publications, including Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, CNBC, Newsweek, and Inc.com, as well as the Toastmaster magazine.
Joel Schwartzberg lives in New Jersey and can be reached at: www.joelschwartzberg.net.