Podcasts
#288: Reflections on 11 Years of Writing for the Toastmaster Magazine – Bill Brown, DTM
Greg Gazin, DTM, welcomes back longtime Toastmaster and speech delivery coach Bill Brown, DTM, for a reflection on lessons learned from more than a decade of writing for the Toastmaster magazine. Since 2014, Brown has written articles and columns for the magazine including Toastmasters Toolbox and The Answer Man.
Don’t miss Brown’s final Answer Man column in the December 2025 issue.
#287: Corporate Club Success: Gaining Executive Support is a Key – Lance Kotler
What does it take to build a thriving corporate Toastmasters club within a business and turn it into a catalyst for professional growth and company culture? In this episode, Greg Gazin, DTM, chats with Lance Kotler, a vice president at BNY Mellon and Vice President Membership for the BNY Mellon Toastmasters Club in New York City.
Kotler, one of five members featured in an October 2025 Toastmaster magazine article, shares how gaining executive awareness and sponsorship can transform a club’s visibility and impact. He also discusses how Toastmasters continues to bring people together across all levels of an organization.
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Archive
#286: Meet the 2025 World Champion of Public Speaking – Sabyasachi Sengupta
November 01, 2025
Get to know Sabyasachi Sengupta, the Toastmaster who captured the 2025 World Champion of Public Speaking title with his speech, “Just Nod”. Sengupta, a behavioral change expert based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a two-time TEDx speaker and host of the Method and Madness podcast. He helps organizations embrace the human side of change with energy, humor, and heart.
For more about the World Champion and his journey to the championship stage, read the November 2025 Toastmaster magazine article.
#285: Leading From Your Zone of Genius – Katie Stoddart
October 15, 2025
What if success wasn’t just about working harder but about working from your "Zone of Genius?" In this episode, Greg Gazin, DTM, chats with Katie Stoddart about how to identify and lead from that sweet spot where your strengths and passions align.
To learn more about the four zones of work and how to spend time in your Zone of Genius, read Stoddart’s July 2025 article.
#284: Singing: A Secret Weapon for Confident Communication – Jillian Mitchell
October 01, 2025
In this fun and hands on episode, host Greg Gazin, DTM, chats with Jillian Mitchell about why singing isn’t just for performers. Mitchell explains how singing strengthens your voice, sharpens articulation, improves pitch, and builds stamina. More than mechanics, she reveals how singing taps into the emotional side of the voice, helping speakers connect with authenticity and presence.
For more tips from Mitchell, read her October 2025 magazine article.
#283: Storytelling and Presentation Tips through Audio Book Narration – Karen Merritt
September 15, 2025
What do Shakespeare, children’s stories, and medical role-playing have in common? For Karen Merritt, they’re all part of her fascinating journey as an actor, voiceover artist, audiobook narrator, and Toastmaster. In this episode, Greg Gazin, DTM, and Merritt discuss how the art of audio and voice narration can sharpen your storytelling, boost your confidence, and bring any presentation to life.
For more insights from voice actors, read “Storytelling Tips From Narrators”.
#282: Inviting Opportunity: Meet 2025-2026 International President Aletta Rochat, DTM
September 01, 2025
Get to know the newest Toastmasters International President in this episode. Aletta Rochat, DTM, is an inner life skills wisdom partner and certified coach, accomplished author, global speaker, and TEDx speaker coach. In August 2025, she made history as the first International President from Africa.
Learn more about Rochat in the Toastmaster magazine.
#281: Hummingbirds, Helicopters, and An Underwater Guinness World Record – Eric Pittman
August 15, 2025
From bush pilot to wildlife filmmaker to Guinness World Record holder, this Toastmaster has lived a life full of bold pivots, creative stunts, and surprising impact. In this episode, Greg Gazin, DTM, chats with Eric Pittman about filming for BBC and Netflix, building a foundry, saving orcas, and how Toastmasters helped him find his voice.
Don’t miss Pittman’s profile in the Toastmaster magazine.