3I-Racer Technique for More Engaging Storytelling – Jock Mackenzie

Jock_IMG_2920.jpgIt’s not often we get a school teacher or principal on the show but there are things we might have learned back in the day perhaps we’ve forgotten or can still learn and add our skills repertoire.

Our guest, Jock D. Mackenzie has those credentials and more with 30 years in the field mostly teaching Language Arts to Middle School and Upper Elementary, now semi-retired, he takes those skills on the road. Jock is a published author having written the book, Essay Writing: Teaching the Basics from the Ground Up (2007). He’s also a Toastmaster with the Sunrise Club in Red Deer, Alberta Canada.  MORE ABOUT THIS PODCAST:

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ToastCaster Podcast 103: Is Leadership for Me? – Mohammed Murad

 

 

 

 

 

It’s hard to watch the news without hearing about leadership in some form or another. Whether it’s in politics, business or even in the non-profit area, just to name a few.  In the latest ToastCaster Podcast, Episode 103, we take a page from a well recognized leader – Mohammed Murad.

Murad believes that at every step of your life at one time or another,  we need to ask ourselves, the thought provoking question, “Is leadership for me?” [Read more…]

Memory Techniques to Remember Just About Anything – Kevin Achtzener

Ever wish you can remember a name, a face a phone number? We’re so busy and bombarded with information that it’s sometimes so hard to remember even the simplest things let alone details.

In my latest podcast, I speaks with regular Kevin Achtzener, DTM, a self-proclaimed Future Memory Expert who shares techniques for better recall.

Kevin’s obsession for remembering things and these techniques have helped him not only memorize a shuffled deck of cards in five minutes but also creative methods to recall large numbers – like part numbers and serial numbers to names and words. What might surprise you is some of his techniques involve using pictures, humor and even cartoon characters.

Have a listen and enjoy.

Presentation Too Long? Build it Like LEGO – Toastcaster 95

FreddiD.jpgIt seems it’s always easier to make speeches and presentation longer but to actually get them to be just the right length takes more than just podcast.

In this podcast, Greg speaks with Freddi Dogterom DTM, AS from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who offers up some serious lessons on crafting your speech or presentation. She also shares insights and practical takeaways on the perils, pain and passion of editing, in particular when timing is of the essence – one way, building your speech like LEGO.

Freddi is a Distinguished Toastmaster, Accredited Speaker (AS) and professional speaker for more than 20 years delivering keynotes, workshops, professional development and train the trainer sessions. She also has over 30 years experience helping people build their lives, careers and retirement futures.

Toastcaster 90 Leadership of Your Life: Create Visions Not Resolutions

[10:49] For whatever reason, over 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail within the 1st two weeks of February. Perhaps we’re going about this all wrong.  In this episode your host Greg Gazin shares a personal journey that shows perhaps why we might be more successful if we create visions rather that resolutions.

Listen to the podcast below. You can also read the companion article One step at a time: a simple solution to a better life on this site and at Troy Media.

The Origin of April Fool’s Day

Are you on red alert for pranks and fake news April 1st? It’s just an extension of centuries-old tradition to entertain and trick – or is it?

EDMONTON, Alta. Mar. 31, 2017 /Troy Media/ – On April Fool’s Day, we’re on red alert for pranks, hoaxes and fake news – and it’s been going on for centuries, from an era when court jesters were common.

With no TV, movies or Internet, jesters, jokers or fools were the entertainers of Medieval and Renaissance times. They often started out as travelling performers who, with minstrels, entertained at fairs and markets.

The fools who gained greatest prominence were those who entertained monarchs and noblemen, as part of the household staff.

Being a court jester was the career pinnacle for the quick-witted and talented few. They could rise above the simple nomadic existence, entertaining peasants living in filth, disease and poverty. Their new life was to entertain a captive audience, and enjoy stability, shelter and more to eat in one meal than others had in a week.

Read the full story at Troy Media.

You can also listen to the Podcast at Toastcaster.com.

Toastcaster 76 Being a Toastmasters District Social Media Manager – Glenda Sheard

[27:41] In this episode we speak with Glenda Sheard, DTM, Social Media Manager for District 99. While not an official Toastmasters position, her role is a critical component in attracting new members and engaging existing ones as this medium has gained widespread use. Glenda, a newly minted DTM enthusiastically shares how Social Media impacts districts and clubs and all Toastmasters, enlightening us on the importance of her role and how it works; how Districts can benefit from having a Social Media Manager and using Social Media along with some tips, tricks and examples how D99 uses these resources and how others can use them too.

Glenda Sheard DTM is a speaker, facilitator, presenter and fundraiser and lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

You can find more Toastcaster Podcasts at Toastcaster.com or iTunes.

Toastcaster 67 Ummo App: Your Harvard Developed Personalized Speech Coach

UmmoTeamPhotoCrop[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.  You can find more Toastcaster Podcasts at Toastcaster.com or iTunes.

Toastcaster 62 Lance Miller: Bad Super Bowl Interview/Dealing With Failure


[27:44]  Greg speaks with Lance Miller 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking as he shares his insights about Cam Newton’s defeated attitude during a post Super Bowl 50 media interview. Lance reflects on lessons learned, dealing with defeat and adversity taking a page from his own life both in business and journey to the World Championship.

Entrepreneur credits Toastmasters for $10K Prize – Toastcaster Podcast 59

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. In the latest Toastcaster Podcast, he tell us about his pitch, his new invention the Slate Scale and how skills he learned in Toastmasters helped make all the difference. ( Click MORE for MORE and access to the Podcast.)

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