[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 vigilant on April 1st, wary of pranks, hoaxes, and fake news. Yet, these antics have roots that...

[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 solution. You’ll be introduced to the datAshur PRO+C, a literally indestructible and secure USB...

[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. Heather shares with us how she came out of her comfort zone and why she decided to create a Video Bio;...

  [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 leveraged resources with writing groups, experiences with editors, looking for publishers and how he...

[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 with Sharon McMullan-Baron, a yoga instructor but also a cancer survivor who I met through...

[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-hosting today's episode. Today's episode Today we dive a little deeper into the concepts in Matt's...

[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 classified as a fictional biography but as we find out in out chat, it's loosely based on his...

[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 strong reputation in the entertainment industry, this includes being a former Entertainment...

[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 Digital Media Specialist with a passion for audio podcasting and video production. He is the...

[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 yourself. Greg's shares his first experience with a recent Fireside chat on Oscar's podcast -...

[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 Season 4 Episode 8 appropriately titled: My Motherboard, My Self, where Carrie Bradshaw - played by...

[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) Designation. It was hosted in January 2023 by AS We Speak, an advanced club dedicated to...

[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 speaks with Harry Glorikian —an influential healthcare entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and company...

[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 it works and why he refers to it as a “smart- mirror.”  He gives us a few examples and explains...

[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 a life book told through a sports lens and - everyone can relate to it. It’s not only an...

[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 few a few tips - for business, not golf! :) Image by Kevin Phillips from Pixabay  

[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 time, it could potentially create your worst possible nightmare - a phishing email which you've...

[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 your back pocket in case the media literally comes calling. It's great PR for you and for the product or service you're talking about. This is also where your Toastmasters International Table Topics...

[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 expert in both those areas. Stephanie Northcott, a former corporate project administrator from Calgary, Canada in the construction and electrical utility industries found herself in a position of having...

[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 fundamentals but important reminders that every speaker should remember if they want to make an impact on their audience and of course the organization who engaged them. You can also hear Kate in her...

[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 disguised, pass us by and are only noticed in hindsight.  In his opening keynote session, you’ll hear from Past District 42 Governor (Director) Greg Gazin, DTM.  You’ll hear ways you can recognize...

[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 professional speechwriter and newly published author Eddie Rice. Eddie shares with us some valuable tips and advice on preparing, delivering and mastering this ceremonial speech. He highlights his 7-step...

[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 instruction guide, Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert's Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales. You don’t have to be an introvert to benefit from Monica’s wisdom. In this fun and lighthearted...

[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 encouraging a future activity. In this episode we look at the milestone of 200th episode of the Toastmasters Podcast and how instead of looking back at the first 200 episodes as many do, the hosts Greg...