What if humor is not something you are born with, but something you can build? In this episode of Speak Arizona, Rupesh Parbhoo talks with Paul Pastore about why humor works like any other communication skill: it can be practiced, refined, and used with purpose. They explore how speakers can build confidence by learning jokes, telling better stories, and paying attention to audience response. The conversation also goes beyond laughs into mentorship, long-term commitment, and what change management looks like inside volunteer organizations. Along the way, Paul shares practical wisdom on feedback, growth, and why continuous improvement matters. Perfect for professionals, speakers, and club leaders who want to communicate with more confidence, connection, and impact.

- Humor becomes more accessible when you treat it as a skill instead of a personality trait.

00:00 - Intro

Paul Pastore has been a residential real estate broker in Arizona since 1977. He is also a longtime Toastmasters member known for his humor, mentorship, and commitment to helping others grow as speakers and leaders.

- Email: [email protected]

Career change can feel like a mix of rejection, identity shake-ups, and pressure to have it all figured out fast. In this episode, Rupesh sits down with Caitlin Magidson to explore how self-awareness can reduce stress, sharpen decision-making, and strengthen how you communicate when the stakes feel high. They connect mindfulness to career pivots, unpack what is really underneath public speaking fear, and talk through how to separate who you are from a single tough moment. You will also hear practical ways to build emotional vocabulary and self-trust so you can show up with more clarity in work and life. Perfect for professionals in transition who want to make calmer decisions and communicate with confidence.

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In Part 2 of our conversation with The Bridge Improv Theater, host Rupesh Parbhoo and cohost Rachel Perez dig into how improv skills translate directly to stronger leadership. Guests David Raftery and Jess Klemm share how "going with the flow" helps leaders navigate constant change, why leadership is a shared activity (not a single role), and how "Yes, And" creates momentum and trust on teams. They also explore the power of third spaces for community, and why authenticity will matter even more as AI and automation accelerate. Perfect for leaders and communicators who want to build trust, presence, and authentic connection.

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Jess Klemm is the education director at Bridge Improv Theater and began her improv journey in 2018.

In Part 1 of our conversation with Bridge Improv Theater, co-owner David Raftery and education director Jess Klemm join host Rupesh Parbhoo and co-host Rachel Perez (Composion) to explore how improv builds confident communicators. You will hear simple warm-up games to spark creativity, why presence and active listening beat memorizing a script, and the real meaning of "yes, and" as agreement and support. They also clear up common misconceptions about improv and share how a playful mindset can reduce speaking anxiety and strengthen connection with any audience. Perfect for professionals, leaders, and speakers who want to show up more present, confident, and connected.

Remote work makes communication more visible - and more fragile. In this episode, host Rupesh Parbhoo talks with leadership coach Kelly Soifer about how to create clarity across time zones, tools, and work styles without burning people out. They unpack why many meetings feel draining, how to balance asynchronous and synchronous work, and what it looks like to set expectations and boundaries around responsiveness. You will also hear practical ways leaders can model healthy norms, like clarifying response windows and removing pressure from late-night messages. Perfect for managers, team leads, and individual contributors who want to communicate with more clarity and less stress in remote or hybrid teams.

- Stop using meetings for status updates. Move updates to async and use meeting time for decisions and discussion.

00:00 - This could have been an email

Kelly Soifer is an ICF-certified leadership development and career coach at KS Leadership Development. For nearly 40 years, she has guided professionals through personal and career transitions, helping them clarify identity, values, and purpose. Her approach blends emotionally intelligent coaching with practical tools that support leaders navigating change.

- Website: ksleadershipdevelopment.me

Most speakers lose the room before the first slide. In this episode, Rupesh sits down with Serban Mare to break down the most common opening mistakes that kill momentum, and the simple fixes that help you earn attention fast. They walk through 10 “how not to start” tips, including the cold “Hi, my name is…” opener, nervous disclaimers, tech checks, purposeless questions, housekeeping first, time excuses, and more. Each tip comes with a better alternative that helps you establish value, confidence, and clarity in the first seconds. If you present to customers, leadership, or cross-functional teams, this one will upgrade your opening immediately.

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What happens when the story you tell yourself is “I can’t speak” - and you decide to rewrite it? In this episode, Rupesh sits down with Matthew Malan to unpack his journey from a childhood stutter and years of hiding to finding confidence on stage through Toastmasters, coaching, and consistent reps. Matt shares how fear shows up (and how it lies), why all-or-nothing thinking stalls growth, and how changing your words can change your future. You’ll also hear the role a mentor played in helping him practice, believe again, and keep showing up. Perfect for professionals who want to speak with confidence even when they feel nervous.

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Introverted and tired of networking that feels like forced small talk? In this episode, Rupesh Parbhoo sits down with Rachel Perez, Owner and Creative Director of Composion, to share low-pressure ways to build real professional relationships. They talk about why deep listening is an introvert superpower, how arriving early makes conversations easier, and simple icebreakers that feel natural. Rachel also shares how improv classes helped her get comfortable thinking on her feet. Perfect for introverts and quiet professionals who want to grow their network with confidence and authenticity.

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Rachel Perez is the Owner and Creative Director of Composion. She specializes in branding, logo design, and website design for small, service-based businesses in the human and animal health and wellness space, with 14+ years of experience and a degree in Visual Communication.

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