Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab

Toastcaster 67 Ummo App: Your Harvard Developed Personalized Speech Coach

[27:46] Ummo App is your personalized speech coach & crutch-word finder developed at Harvard University. Greg speaks with two of its developers from Dehli, India and the Bay Area in California, Anshul Bhagi and Sam Li who tell us what the app's about; how they developed it and how IBM's Watson plays a role. They also tell us how you can use it to analyze and improve your speaking skills and share how Boston Toastmasters have been involved and what the future has in store for the app.

Toastcaster 66 Whoosh! Wipes Out Your Gadget's Bacteria

[07:13] Smartphones & Tablets have 10x the bacteria of your toilet seat. Whoosh! Dragon's Den approved is a cool product that not only cleans, it disinfects and safe enough to spray in your mouth. In this episode, Greg puts Whoosh! to the test. You can also read the review at CanoeTech Blog. (Photos courtesy Whoosh!)

Toastcaster 65 Taking Advantage of Your Toastmaster Magazine

[07:43]  The Toastmaster Magazine is a valuable resource both in print and tablet versions. In this episode Greg gives us a little reminder as to why it's a good idea to check out either or both on a regular basis and let you in on a secret as to how the Official Toastmasters Podcast and on occasion Toastcaster get subjects for podcast interviews.

Toastcaster 63 iRig Mic Lav Suitable for Speakers & Podcasters

[09:08]  Finding a decent affordable Lavalier Mic is not always the easiest thing. This episode, Greg puts on his Gadget Guy hat and looks at iRig Mic Lav by IK Multimedia and why its a good idea to use one to record all your speeches and presentations. You can read the full review at Canoe Tech Blog.

Toastcaster 59 Entrepreneur Credits Toastmasters for $10K Prize

[20:29] Entrepreneur Rana Varma from Calgary, Alberta Canada credits Toastmasters as key in helping him win a $10,000 prize for a new product pitch at a recent health competition. He tells us about his pitch, his new invention the Slate Scale and how skills he learned in Toastmasters helped make all the difference.

Toastcaster 58 - Virtual Ticket -Toastmasters International Convention

[09:04] A Virtual Ticket to the Toastmasters International Convention is a marketing genius and the next best thing to being there. Listen to find out all about it  and how you can participate and once you buy you can listen again and again and again. Visit ToastmastersOnDemand.com. (photos courtesy: Toastmasters International)

Toastcaster 57 - Russ Dantu: Road to the World Championship - Las Vegas

[11:24] Greg speaks with Russ Dantu of Calgary, Alberta Canada and winner of the District 42 International Speech Contest, as he shares his experience in preparation for the road to Las Vegas for the 2015 World Championship of Public Speaking semi-final a possibly the finals at the Toastmasters International Convention. (Photo credit: Rhys Davies)

Toastcaster 56 - Spanish Train: A Journey in Vocal Variety

It's no secret that Vocal Variety can certainly enhance a speech or presentation. In this episode Greg proves that song lyrics can in fact be used to illustrate it. He uses Spanish Train, by Chris de Burgh, one of his favourite artists to do so. In fact this was speech #6 from the Toastmasters Competent Communicator Manual. If you wonder why he had to prove it, you'll need to listen to find out. (09:31) [Chris de Burgh is also famous for many other great songs, including: Lady in Red, High on Emotion, Don't Pay the Ferryman & more. I encourage you to check out his website]

Toastcaster 53 - Visual Productivity with Kevin Achtzener

Looking to jumpstart your productivity? DTM and expert Kevin Achtzener returns to Toastcaster and speaks with Greg Gazin about Visual Productivity the new Mind Mapping. He also introduces his new book appropriately entitled - Visual Productivity. (25:33)

Toastcaster 52 - Toastmasters 90th Anniversary Resources for 2015

Toastmasters is celebrating its 90th Anniversary, but what you may not realize is that the party is lasting a whole year. So here's some information, resources, too many to mention that you and your club can use to celebrate the milestone. It even help you attract new members.

Toastcaster 51 - A Toast and an Educational

I was asked to give a Toast (Special Occasions Speech Manual Project #1) and decided I would combine the honouring of our Sergeant at Arms along with a mini educational for the benefit of new member and guests so not only can they see how a Toast works, they get to know a little about what a Sergeant at Arms does and what they could get from taking on that role. Cheers! (03:32)

Toastcaster 50 - Toastmasters Location Crisis with Rich Hopkins

[17:02] Ever show up for a Toastmasters meeting only to find the doors locked? It recently happened to Rich Hopkins, a fellow Toastmaster, Speaker, Coach and Author.  In Toastcaster 50, Rich and Greg chat about how this can happen and how we sometimes take our locations for granted. Rich returns to Toastcaster and shares with us about a meeting that almost didn't happen and 4 key tips on what we can do to avoid a Toastmasters location crisis.

Toastcaster 49 - Humorous Speech Contest: Much Ado About Gadgets

After almost a decade on the District 42 Executive, I decided, ok, maybe shamed, into competing in our District's Humorous Speech Contest. We have almost 290 clubs. After winning at the Club, Area and Division levels, I didn't win, but placed 3rd at District.

I won't give too much away as to what it is about, but it involves Gadgets, Shakespeare and Frustration.

Nevertheless, if you've never competed, I encourage you all to do so. In a future podcast, I will talk about the exercise I went through, but for now, enjoy the next 7 1/2 minutes or so. You can also find this video on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbH_xbhFwSCiPaC7JZ1GS_A

Toastcaster 47 - Red Robinson Relives 50th anniversary of 1st Canadian Beatles Concert

[10:30] Legendary broadcaster Red Robinson introduced The Beatles at their first ever Canadian concert, Aug 22, 1964 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Host Greg Gazin, had an opportunity to recently speak with Red, who recounted the events of that day - and which might be a surprise to some and talked about an upcoming 50th Anniversary concert to commemorate that day. Full article: The Day the Beatles Shook Vancouver at Troy Media.

in 2004, Greg was managing a Beatles Tribute band and approached Red to ask him to emcee the 40th anniversary event in Vancouver. As a newer Toastmaster with knocking knees, he persevered.

Photo is actually a painting of Red holding the concert poster. (They're available as a limited edition. Artist is Glen Green, designer of Canada's Olympic Coins). Visit RedRobinson.com for more details.

Toastcaster 46 - 7 Gadgets & Tech Tools for Summer Trips

Whether you are a Toastmaster or simply a traveler, there's always a need for technology on the road to make the trip so much better. Here are a few Gadgets & Tech Tools and a few things to think about before heading out on the road this summer. You can also read the full article at Canoe Tech Blog.

Toastcaster 45 - Emcee Tips for Charity Fundraisers

As a Toastmaster you might be asked to host or emcee an event. Have you ever been asked to emcee a charity fundraiser? My first time is coming up, so to prepare, I checked in with good friend and Distinguished Toastmaster Jim Ewing, Pro-Vision Solutions, Edmonton who has experience on this area. Have a listen to our chat.

Toastcaster 44 - Greg Gazin talks Toastmasters - DEXIO 2014 (screen clip)

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Greg Gazin was one of the feature speakers at DEXIO 2014 in Edmonton (DEXIO.biz), along side Dr. John Gray, Arkadi Kuhlmann, Fran Hewitt and Nicole Farley.  Greg shared with the audience his entrepreneurial and Toastmasters journey. Here's a clip from the projection screen feed of Greg talking about how he discovered Toastmasters and how it can transform you.  (NOTE: This is a Projection Screen Capture)

Toastcaster 42 - Keep your Ahs for your Doctor

Crutch words can hinder our communication and even make us appear unprepared or not confident. Here's a way to recognize them and help keep yourself from using them. Listen to our podcast and if you like, you can also read the Troy Media article..

Toastcaster 41 - Do you Golf with only a putter?

When you play Golf, chances are that you will use more than just a putter. So why is that businesses sometimes have only one message? Same goes for communicators. Some deliver the same speech regardless as to who the audience is. Sadly the results are not always as you think. LIsten to our podcast and if you like, you can also read the article at Troy Media.