The Toastmasters Podcast

[31:15] The Toastmasters International Golden Gavel is the prestigious annual award bestowed upon an individual distinguished in the fields of leadership and communication. In this lively and insightful episode, Greg Gazin and guest co-host Ryan Levesque reconnect with Matt Abrahams, celebrated Stanford lecturer, podcast host of Think Fast, Talk Smart, and the 2025 Golden Gavel Award Honoree. Matt shares personal stories, practical communication strategies, and his excitement for his upcoming keynote, From Silence to Brilliance: How to Craft Compelling, Clear Communication. The episode blends humor, warmth, and wisdom as the trio explores communication in modern contexts, executive presence, and the evolving landscape of public speaking.

[33:14] In this episode, we speak with the dynamic and energizing Anne Bonney, who will light up the stage with her opening keynote, Ignite Your Next Move: Courageously Dancing into the Future, at the upcoming Toastmasters International Convention, to be held in the "City of Brotherly Love" — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, August 20--23, 2025.

[31:37] We rarely consider how skills from one profession apply to another—especially aviation. Beyond flying and landing a plane, what can pilot training teach us? You might be surprised! Today, our guest, Phil Wilkes shares how lessons from the flight deck benefit anyone, anywhere.

[34:13] Mentorship is more than just guiding someone — it’s about building lasting relationships that empower both the mentor and the mentee to grow. For our guest today, veteran Toastmaster Marty Dickinson, mentorship has been a cornerstone of personal development, club growth, and lasting connection. In Toastmasters, a strong mentoring program can be the key to building vibrant clubs and helping members thrive.

[26:58] Toastmasters International was founded in 1924, but women weren’t admitted as members until 1973. Since then, they’ve made a lasting impact on the organization’s leadership. In 2025, four of the five Executive Committee members are women—and none were born in North America. In today’s episode, just in time for International Women’s Day, we honor all women and speak with Toastmasters Immediate Past International President Morag Mathieson, DTM.

[26:31] It’s not every day that Bill Hernandez gets a golden opportunity to put his communication skills to the test on network television—let alone bare his soul while searching for love in front of millions of viewers on an American dating reality TV series for 55+. But that’s exactly what happened to this charismatic, now 69-year-old retired videographer when he appeared on  ABC’s The Golden Bachelorette.

Joel Schwartzberg, a seasoned communications coach and award-winning speechwriter, shares his insights on the pitfalls of overspeaking. He highlights how excessive talking disrupts meetings and offers strategies to enhance clarity and focus during discussions. Schwartzberg emphasizes the importance of knowing when to stop speaking to foster productive interactions. He also explores the value of open-minded leadership and active listening in enhancing collaboration. Listeners gain practical tips to manage communication more effectively and ensure their conversations are impactful.

[30:33] Maureen Zappala is one of two members who successfully completed the final step of the Accredited Speaker (AS) application process at the 2024 Toastmasters International convention in Anaheim, California. She was subsequently awarded the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation joining an elite group of only 95 individuals to receive this accreditation and honor since the program began in 1981.

[33:59] Lauren Parsons is one of two members who successfully completed the final step of the Accredited Speaker (AS) application process at the 2024 Toastmasters International convention in Anaheim, California. She was subsequently awarded the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation joining an elite group of only 95 individuals to receive this accreditation and honor since the program began in 1981.

[27:02] With the holiday season upon us, many workplaces everywhere are buzzing with festivities. But not everyone celebrates the same holidays—or even at the same time. Our guest today, Dean Foster, tackles an essential question: How can we ensure holiday celebrations are inclusive and respectful of everyone’s traditions in a multicultural environment?