The Toastmasters Podcast

[33:03] Meet Distinguished Toastmaster Stefano S. McGhee, the 2026–2027 Toastmasters International President from Weymouth, Massachusetts. A senior IT executive and Toastmaster since 2005, Stefano is also an aviation enthusiast, motorcyclist, and yacht club leader who readily admits that becoming International President was never part of his original plan.
On today's episode, we explore Stefano's journey from reluctant guest to International President and the experiences that shaped his approach to communication and leadership. He shares how tagging along to his wife's club eventually led him to join, although one fellow member apparently predicted where he was headed long before he did. He also reflects on the confidence he gained through Toastmasters and why continually asking "why" has become central to how he leads.
He also talks about the impact we can have when we see potential in others before they see it themselves, and why giving someone our time and confidence can be one of the most valuable gifts we offer.
Listeners will also hear...
His approach to making complex, data-heavy information understandable and relatable.
Why asking "why" can be such a powerful leadership tool.
How helping someone move from "I can't" to "I can" can change a life.
Why he believes the future of Toastmasters rests in its clubs.
His challenge to clubs to support every member in achieving excellence.
Laura Amann's profile, "Meet Stefano McGhee, DTM, 2026–2027 International President: Doesn't Sit Still," can be found in the September 2026 issue of Toastmaster magazine.
About Stefano McGhee
Stefano S. McGhee, DTM, has been a Toastmaster since 2005. His home club is Network Voice Toastmasters in Weymouth, Massachusetts. A senior IT executive, he holds a master's degree in Military Operational Arts and Sciences. He is also a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, a yacht club leader, and an avid motorcycle enthusiast.
Born in Italy, Stefano lives in Weymouth, Massachusetts, USA with his wife, Jennifer. They have a son, Tucker who attends the University of New Hampshire, and a beagle named Trevor.
Stefano can be reached at smcghee@toastmasters.org.

[34:44] We've all heard the old cliché about first impressions. But what if the biggest lesson isn't about making a better first impression at all? In this episode, Accredited Speaker Lauren Parsons challenges us to think differently about those first 30 seconds, explaining why they're really about building trust, creating connection, and focusing on your audience rather than yourself.
Drawing on her years of professional speaking and presentation experience, Lauren shares practical strategies for preparing with purpose while remaining authentic in the moment. Greg also explores what goes through a speaker's mind during those opening moments, leading to an honest discussion about self-consciousness, nerves, and why shifting our attention from ourselves to the audience changes everything.
Lauren also shares why audiences are generally far more supportive than we often imagine when things go awry. Whether you're delivering a speech, leading a meeting, interviewing for a job, or simply introducing yourself, you'll come away with practical ideas to help you connect more authentically when those first moments matter most.
Listeners will also hear...
Why the first 30 seconds actually begin before you speak.
What many speakers are thinking during those opening moments, and how to shift that mindset.
Lauren's TEDx experience and what it taught her about authentic presence.
How to prepare thoroughly without sounding rehearsed.
Practical techniques for calming nerves before stepping on stage.
What to do when technology or unexpected challenges threaten your presentation.
Why audiences are usually cheering for you, not judging you.
Lauren's four-question framework for preparing presentations that connect.
How these same principles apply to meetings, job interviews, networking, and everyday conversations.
Lauren Parsons' article, "Make the First 30 Seconds Count: First Impressions Matter... Be Sure You're Making a Positive One," can be found in the July 2026 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.
About the Guest
Lauren Parsons, DTM, became an Accredited Speaker in 2024 and has been a Toastmaster since 2014. She is a speaker and wellbeing specialist with more than 20 years of experience and was named New Zealand Keynote Speaker of the Year. Lauren is also a Certified Speaking Professional, TEDx speaker, author, and host of the Thrive TV Show & Podcast. She is passionate about helping people thrive while inspiring leaders to create healthier, more resilient workplaces.
Lauren lives near on her lifestyle farm just north of Wellington, New Zealand, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, and a menagerie of animals and can be reached through LinkedIn, or through her website, Lauren Parsons Wellbeing.com, where you can find hundreds of articles and her podcast, The Thrive TV Show.
Other Resources Mentioned
Toastmasters Podcast #266: Meet Lauren Parsons, Toastmasters' 2024 Newest Accredited Speaker
Lauren’s, Ted Talk,
Toastmasters Podcast: #250 Nick Bendel - 500 Lunches with Strangers,
Toastmasters Podcast: #294 Nick Bendel – Beyond 500 Lunches - Lessons on Achieving Anything. .

[29:10] Sometimes all it takes is one invitation. In this episode, Greg Gazin talks with 16-year-old Runfeng Bruce Yu, whose first Toastmasters experience inspired him to help other young people discover the confidence and encouragement that changed his own life.
What began with a single club visit soon grew into a remarkable leadership journey. Bruce went on to charter the Sea Dragons Gavel Club, creating a supportive environment where students could grow as communicators and leaders. Along the way, he discovered that creating a welcoming community was every bit as important as helping members become better speakers.
Bruce also shares the unexpected challenges of launching a student-led Gavel Club, the creative ways he earned credibility and attracted support, and the leadership lessons he learned along the way. Whether you're looking to strengthen your own club, encourage younger members, or simply enjoy hearing how one person can make a difference, Bruce's story is an inspiring reminder that leadership often begins with a single invitation.
Listeners will also hear...
Why Bruce believes creating a sense of community comes before building communication skills.
How storytelling helped students understand what makes Toastmasters different from traditional speech and debate.
What Bruce did when some adult Toastmasters questioned whether his Gavel Club was real, including reaching out to Past International President Richard E. Peck and World Champion Mark Brown for help.
How partnerships with Rotary created new leadership and service opportunities for students.
Why volunteers from around the world now help support the Sea Dragons Gavel Club.
Bruce's advice for Toastmasters clubs hoping to attract more young people.
How one invitation ultimately inspired Bruce to create the same life-changing experience for others.
Bruce Yu's article, "From Inspiration to Action: Discovering Toastmasters launched my student journey into the program, “ can be found in the August 2026 issue of Toastmaster magazine.
About Bruce Yu
Bruce Runfeng Yu is a high school student and Charter President of the Sea Dragons Gavel Club, a student-led Gavel Club in China with an international reach. He serves on the Youth Advisory Board at Erika's Lighthouse, contributing to youth mental health initiatives, and advocates for youth participation through the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth. Passionate about expanding educational opportunities, Bruce is committed to helping young people develop the confidence and leadership skills to make a positive impact in their communities.
Bruce lives in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China and can be reached through his club's website: https://seadragonsgavel.org/ or his personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/runfengbruceyu/ or Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/runfengbruceyu/
Find out more about Gavel Clubs.

References: Supplied by Bruce Yu

Our club’s:
Website: https://seadragonsgavel.org/
Volunteer opportunities page (Idealist.org): seadragonsgavel.org/volunteer
Speech contests: https://seadragonsgavel.org/contests/
Online educational session page: https://seadragonsgavel.org/resources/educational-sessions/
History: https://seadragonsgavel.org/about-us/history/
Causes: https://seadragonsgavel.org/about-us/causes/
Linktree: seadragonsgavel.org/connect
Promotional video by Richard E. Peck: https://youtu.be/RkZrbhReG1E?si=sE3ysww3mewETroX
Promotional video by Mark Brown: https://youtu.be/e4tlpWN1Vzs?si=XexqUngMSjFnKbMY

[28:45] Some of life's best lessons come from the most unexpected places, even an animated fish. In this episode, Suneet Singh shares how an unlikely source of inspiration, Pixar's Finding Nemo, helped transform his club's approach to growth. Together, we explore the story behind the journey, the lessons learned along the way, and how one unexpected idea led to remarkable results.
The conversation goes well beyond membership growth. Suneet shares how curiosity, fresh thinking, and a willingness to challenge assumptions helped shape the club's culture and create an experience that people wanted to return to. Whether you're looking to strengthen your club, inspire your members, or simply see your club through a different lens, you'll come away with ideas worth exploring.
Listeners will also hear...
Why Finding Nemo became an unlikely blueprint for club growth.
The one question that changed everything for the club.
How one courageous Table Topics speaker inspired Suneet's own Toastmasters journey.
Why asking better questions often leads to better learning.
A simple networking idea Suneet calls the "multiplier effect."
What every club can learn about finding its own identity.
Be sure to read Suneet's accompanying Toastmaster magazine article, How Nemo Inspired Us to Grow Our Membership, or, if you're reading the PDF edition, A Wave of Success: How Our Club Doubled Its Membership, in the July 2026 issue.
About Suneet
Suneet Singh, CPA, MBA, is a finance and accounting leader with more than a decade of experience across the financial services and software industries. A Toastmaster for five years, he is the Immediate Past President of ART Advanced Royal Toastmasters, an online club based in Toronto, and has also served as a Toastmasters Area Director. He continues to develop as a communicator and leader.
Suneet lives in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and can be reached at sp1.suneet@gmail.com.
For more information about ART Advanced Royal Toastmasters (ART), or to arrange a club visit, email arttoastmasters@gmail.com. (Meetings: Wednesdays 12:00-1 Eastern)
If you haven't already done so, watch or rewatch Pixar's Finding Nemo. You may find yourself seeing it through a whole new lens.

[31:52] What happens after the gavel changes hands? In this episode Greg Gazin speaks with Distinguished Toastmaster António Mendes about one of Toastmasters’ most overlooked leadership roles: the Immediate Past President (IPP). Drawing on his experience serving as club president and Immediate Past President four times, António shares why this role may continue to influence a club long after a leadership transition.
António shares how what began as a search for stronger business pitches eventually became a 12-year Toastmasters journey that continues today.
You’ll also hear how encouraging newer Toastmaster Ana Natário to step into leadership helped shape António’s thinking about the IPP role. Watching her grow as club president and later continue supporting the club as Immediate Past President showed him how leadership continuity, encouragement, and a strong club culture can create lasting impact long after a term ends. That experience became one of the strongest examples behind his belief in the value of an engaged IPP.
Listeners will also hear:
• Why António believes leadership does not end when a presidency ends
• Why he compares the IPP to an airbag
• What it means to be a bridge between past and future leadership
• How supporting newer Toastmaster Ana Natário helped reinforce his view of the role
• Why a formal handover meeting can help set new officers up for success
• How clubs can preserve traditions while remaining open to change
You can read António’s article, The Unsung Hero of Toastmasters: Discover the Value the Immediate Past President Can Provide a Club in the July 2026 issue of Toastmaster magazine.
About António Mendes
António Mendes, DTM, has been a Toastmaster for 12 years and currently serves as Immediate Past President of Setúbal Toastmasters Club in Portugal. Over a 46-year career in technology, he worked as an IT manager, consultant, entrepreneur, and business leader and now advises organizations on cloud, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. He has served in multiple club and district leadership roles and helped establish and revive clubs while sharing ideas to help clubs grow and strengthen member engagement.
António Mendes lives in Setúbal, Portugal and can be reached via e-mail: mendes.ajs [at] gmail [dot] com, Instagram: @mendes.ajs, Facebook: mendes.ajs
LinkedIn: ajsmendes.