The Toastmasters Podcast

[24:32] What can a busy restaurant kitchen teach us about leadership, communication and teamwork? Quite a lot, as it turns out.

In this special replay host Greg Gazin revisits an entertaining and insightful conversation with Chef Shelly-Ann Lovell of Trinidad and Tobago. Originally featured in 2015 Shelly-Ann shares how the pressures of a commercial kitchen helped shape her approach to leading people, encouraging creativity and building stronger teams.

One of her guiding principles is that you can be a boss without being bossy. She illustrates this through a story about an employee whose frequent absences had a reason that wasn't immediately apparent. By listening first rather than making assumptions, Shelly-Ann discovered how a small scheduling adjustment could make a meaningful difference.

Listeners will also hear:

·       Why Shelly-Ann initially mistook Toastmasters for an international alcohol company

·       How she prefers to lead from behind and help others discover their strengths

·       Why the same ingredients, like Toastmasters speech projects, can produce remarkably different results

·       How patience and understanding different learning styles help employees flourish

·       Why healthy competition and teamwork can coexist in a busy kitchen

·       How she became a Caribbean humorous speech contest winner and helped establish a Toastmasters club

·       A couple of practical grilling tips from the chef herself

The episode closes with a 2026 update on Shelly-Ann's journey. After celebrating 30 years in the culinary industry, she has shifted her focus from running a restaurant kitchen to pastry arts, cake artistry and international culinary coaching through Lovelly Cakes TT.

As Toastmasters prepares to explore food in its December 2026 magazine issue, this conversation is a reminder that some of the best lessons in leadership and communication can come from unexpected places.

References and Resources

·       Handling Heat in the Kitchen, May 2015 Toastmaster magazine, page 16

·       Shelly-Ann Lovell Loves the Sweet, Healthy Life, August 2026, Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

About Shelly-Ann Lovell (2026)

Shelly-Ann Lovell is a Trinidad and Tobago chef, culinary entrepreneur and Toastmaster with 30 years of experience in the culinary industry. Formerly an executive chef and restaurant operator, she now focuses on pastry arts, cake artistry and international culinary coaching through Lovelly Cakes TT. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes listening, patience, creativity and helping others discover their potential.

Shelly-Ann Lovell and Lovelly Cakes TT can reached via LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram @chef_shellyann_lovell and TikTok.

[32:22] What does it take to turn a difficult past into an opportunity to help others? Dr. Sherri Raftery, a college professor, six-time Distinguished Toastmaster and former foster youth, joins host Greg Gazin to share how her experiences shaped her passion for education, mentorship and advocating for young people in foster care.

Growing up in foster care, Sherri attended 15 different schools. Despite those challenges, she pursued higher education, eventually earning a doctorate. Along the way, she found herself asking a powerful question: “Where's the other 99% of us?” That question helped inspire her research into mentorship programs for foster youth pursuing higher education.

Sherri also shares how Toastmasters, which she joined in 2005, helped her grow as a communicator and leader, giving her greater confidence to share her experiences and strengthen her advocacy.

Listeners will also hear:

• Why Sherri chose to embrace her foster care experiences rather than leave them behind.
• How mentors, education and perseverance helped shape her journey.
• How Shirley Temple, theatre and stand-up comedy influenced her development.
• How Toastmasters helped her share difficult personal experiences without letting emotion overwhelm her message.
• What it meant to be honoured by The Home for Little Wanderers before an audience of approximately 900 people.
• How her involvement with Toastmasters prison clubs connects with her advocacy work.
• Why earning her sixth Distinguished Toastmaster designation was especially meaningful.
• Her advice for overcoming difficult experiences, finding mentors and making a difference in others' lives.

Sherri's journey reminds us that our past doesn't have to define our limits. Sometimes, the experiences that challenge us most can become the foundation for helping others build a better future.

Related article: Using Her Past to Impact Others’ Futures by Stephanie Darling, Toastmaster magazine, September 2026.

Dr. Sherri Raftery is a college professor and public speaker, teaching communication and speech at two Massachusetts colleges. She's also a court-appointed advocate and nonprofit volunteer for foster youth and speaks to community and child-welfare audiences about the challenges they face.

She holds an EDD in Higher Education Leadership and an M.Ed. in Arts & Learning from Endicott College, and a B.S. in Theater, Performance & Communications from Emerson College.

She is also a performer, artist, published poet, mother and grandmother.

A Toastmaster since 2005, Sherri has served a term as District 31 Governor and earned numerous speaking and leadership honours, including being a six Distinguished Toastmaster, Area Governor of the Year and Toastmaster of the Year. She also placed second in the District 31 International Speech Contest in 2022.

A fun fact about Sherri: she's ambidextrous and crochets blankets for foster babies in her spare time.

Sherri lives near Boston, Massachusetts and can be reached at [email protected] or Google her to find her on socials.

[43:04] Dirceu “Didi” da Silva is the 2026 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking. The Rotterdam, Netherlands, speaker rose above seven other finalists after a months-long competition that began with thousands of Toastmasters from more than 100 countries. In this episode, Didi takes us behind his winning speech, Best Decision Ever!, his long road to the championship, and the lessons he learned along the way.

Didi's championship speech begins with a basketball game, a ticking clock and a decision to make. It also ends with a question he deliberately refuses to answer. He explains why he took the risk of leaving his audience hanging, how a version of the speech dates back more than a decade, and why the outcome of that basketball shot isn't really the point.

Didi also shares how family, friendship and coaching became part of his championship journey, with different people providing the support, perspective and expertise he needed along the way.

Listeners will also hear:

• Why Didi once thought his life wasn't extraordinary enough to produce championship-worthy stories, and what changed his mind.
• How a road trip and shared dream connected Didi and 2025 World Champion Sabyasachi “Saby” Sengupta long before either became a World Champion.
• Why the right feedback matters, and how Didi learned to decide which advice to take and which to leave behind.
• What Toastmasters taught him about giving back, even after becoming an accomplished speaker.
• The camaraderie he witnessed among competitors at the World Championship.
• What his next chapter looks like now that he can no longer compete for the Toastmasters world title.
• A simple exercise for discovering stories in your own life and why Didi believes inspiration can be found in the mundane....and more!

You can read Didi's profile by Laura Mishkind in the October 2026 issue of Toastmaster magazine.

Watch Didi's World Championship-winning speech, Best Decision Ever!.

You can also listen to our interview with 2025 World Champion Sabyasachi “Saby” Sengupta in Episode #286.

You can also watch Didi's semifinal speech, What's the Worst That Can Happen? and find out who George is, by subscribing to the 2026 International Convention On-Demand.

About Dirceu “Didi” da Silva

Dirceu “Didi” da Silva is a consultant, speaker and trainer who helps people speak with clarity, confidence and impact. With more than 25 years of experience, he has worked across business, education and social innovation, coaching professionals, leaders and TEDx speakers. He has hosted and spoken at multiple TEDx events across Europe, and his work focuses on communication, leadership and personal growth.

Based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Didi has been a member of Sprekershaven Toastmasters since 2014 and was also a dual member of Rotterdam Toastmasters for five years. Offstage, he is a father of four and a passionate amateur photographer.

You can reach Didi at: https://dirceudasilva.com/

[39:18] Forty plus Voices from around the world. And one question at the heart of it all: What was it like to experience the 2026 Toastmasters International Convention in Vancouver, Canada? In this bonus episode and Part 2 of our convention coverage, Toastmasters Podcast host Greg and fellow podcaster & Toastmaster Michael Dugan turn the microphone over to the people who were there, including many experiencing their first International Convention.

You'll hear attendees share...

·       What brought them to Vancouver and what surprised them once they arrived.

·       Their takeaways from the educational sessions and World Championship of Public Speaking.

·       The people and moments that inspired them.

·       What first-time attendees thought of the convention experience.

·       Why meeting friends, mentors and Toastmasters from around the world meant so much.

·       What they hope to take back to their clubs, districts and communities.

Through all those different voices and experiences, one theme comes through again and again: Connection. Sometimes the most memorable convention moment wasn't a presentation at all. It was simply meeting another person.

If you haven't already, we recommend listening first to Episode #307: Vancouver 2026: Our Highlights & Takeaways From the International Convention for Greg and Michael's highlights and takeaways from Vancouver.

[34:30] The 2026 Toastmasters International Convention brought 1,137 attendees, including 392 first-timers, to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in August for four days of learning, inspiration and connection under the theme Wide Open Communication.

For this special episode, we're doing things a little differently. Greg is joined by fellow podcaster and 12-year Toastmaster Michael Dugan of Seattle, Washington, who travelled to Vancouver for his first International Convention. Together, they look back at some of the people, learning and memorable moments from Vancouver, with Michael adding the perspective of experiencing it all for the first time.

Their conversation touches on the energy of the opening ceremonies, Jody Carrington's keynote, educational sessions, the World Championship of Public Speaking, Golden Gavel recipient Jennifer Moss, the convention sing-along, some of the things you may have missed, and much, much more. Along the way, Greg and Michael share their own takes on what stood out, what they learned, and a few of the unexpected moments that made the Vancouver experience memorable.

Of course, listening isn't quite the same as being there. But if something catches your interest, many of the convention sessions are still available to watch on demand.

But that's only Part 1.

In Episode #308, Vancouver 2026: Let's Hear From International Convention Attendees  our bonus companion episode, we're turning the microphone over to the attendees themselves. Greg and Michael spoke with Toastmasters from around the world in Vancouver, including many first-timers, to find out what brought them to convention, what stood out, who inspired them, and what they'll take home from the experience.

Special thanks to Michael Dugan, who was instrumental in helping make our two-part convention coverage possible. In addition to sharing his first-timer perspective, Michael shared the interviewing duties with Greg and provided a huge assist during the editing process. Michael is the host and producer of the Voice4Chefs podcast, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Other Resources Mentioned

Article: Communicators Connect at Convention 2026, Toastmaster magazine recap, SEP 2026

2026 International Convention / On Demand 

Club Resuscitation Please – Kathy Draper, 26-page convention handout 

Previous TMP interviews we promised to link

• Joel Schwartzberg — #298: Spotting & Resolving Generative AI Pitfalls for Communicators
• Stefano McGhee — #306: Doesn't Sit Still - Introducing 2026-27 International President Stefano McGhee, DTM.
• Morag Mathieson — #270: Celebrating Women in Leadership and Toastmasters' Impact. Also links back to her original #236 International President interview.
• Aletta Rochat — #282: Inviting Opportunity: Meet 2025-2026 International President Aletta Rochat, DTM
• Luisa Montalvo — #260: Luisa Montalvo — 2024 World Champion of Public Speaking
• Jennifer Moss — #299: Championing Workplace Well-Being: Meet the 2026 Golden Gavel Recipient
• Blake Carver & Bambi Cash — #278: How to Take Great Photos: The Do's, Don'ts & Tips
• Carole Murphy and Tom Jones  #301: Meet the 2026 Int'l Convention, Vancouver Canada Co-Chairs – Carole Murphy & Tom Jones

Photo: Past Int'l President, Deepak Menon, Michael Dugan & Greg Gazin

[33:03] Meet Distinguished Toastmaster Stefano S. McGhee, the 2026–2027 Toastmasters International President from Weymouth, Massachusetts. A senior IT executive and Toastmaster since 2005, Stefano is also an aviation enthusiast, motorcyclist, and yacht club leader who readily admits that becoming International President was never part of his original plan.

On today's episode, we explore Stefano's journey from reluctant guest to International President and the experiences that shaped his approach to communication and leadership. He shares how tagging along to his wife's club eventually led him to join, although one fellow member apparently predicted where he was headed long before he did. He also reflects on the confidence he gained through Toastmasters and why continually asking "why" has become central to how he leads.

He also talks about the impact we can have when we see potential in others before they see it themselves, and why giving someone our time and confidence can be one of the most valuable gifts we offer.

Listeners will also hear...

• His approach to making complex, data-heavy information understandable and relatable.
• Why asking "why" can be such a powerful leadership tool.
• How helping someone move from "I can't" to "I can" can change a life.
• Why he believes the future of Toastmasters rests in its clubs.
• His challenge to clubs to support every member in achieving excellence.

Laura Amann's profile, "Meet Stefano McGhee, DTM, 2026–2027 International President: Doesn't Sit Still," can be found in the September 2026 issue of Toastmaster magazine.

About Stefano McGhee

Stefano S. McGhee, DTM, has been a Toastmaster since 2005. His home club is Network Voice Toastmasters in Weymouth, Massachusetts. A senior IT executive, he holds a master's degree in Military Operational Arts and Sciences. He is also a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, a yacht club leader, and an avid motorcycle enthusiast.

Born in Italy, Stefano lives in Weymouth, Massachusetts, USA with his wife, Jennifer. They have a son, Tucker who attends the University of New Hampshire, and a beagle named Trevor.

Stefano can be reached at [email protected].

[34:44] We've all heard the old cliché about first impressions. But what if the biggest lesson isn't about making a better first impression at all? In this episode, Accredited Speaker Lauren Parsons challenges us to think differently about those first 30 seconds, explaining why they're really about building trust, creating connection, and focusing on your audience rather than yourself.

Drawing on her years of professional speaking and presentation experience, Lauren shares practical strategies for preparing with purpose while remaining authentic in the moment. Greg also explores what goes through a speaker's mind during those opening moments, leading to an honest discussion about self-consciousness, nerves, and why shifting our attention from ourselves to the audience changes everything.

Lauren also shares why audiences are generally far more supportive than we often imagine when things go awry. Whether you're delivering a speech, leading a meeting, interviewing for a job, or simply introducing yourself, you'll come away with practical ideas to help you connect more authentically when those first moments matter most.

Listeners will also hear...

• Why the first 30 seconds actually begin before you speak.
• What many speakers are thinking during those opening moments, and how to shift that mindset.
• Lauren's TEDx experience and what it taught her about authentic presence.
• How to prepare thoroughly without sounding rehearsed.
• Practical techniques for calming nerves before stepping on stage.
• What to do when technology or unexpected challenges threaten your presentation.
• Why audiences are usually cheering for you, not judging you.
• Lauren's four-question framework for preparing presentations that connect.
• How these same principles apply to meetings, job interviews, networking, and everyday conversations.

Lauren Parsons' article, "Make the First 30 Seconds Count: First Impressions Matter... Be Sure You're Making a Positive One," can be found in the July 2026 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.

About the Guest

Lauren Parsons, DTM, became an Accredited Speaker in 2024 and has been a Toastmaster since 2014. She is a speaker and wellbeing specialist with more than 20 years of experience and was named New Zealand Keynote Speaker of the Year. Lauren is also a Certified Speaking Professional, TEDx speaker, author, and host of the Thrive TV Show & Podcast. She is passionate about helping people thrive while inspiring leaders to create healthier, more resilient workplaces.

Lauren lives near on her lifestyle farm just north of Wellington, New Zealand, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, and a menagerie of animals and can be reached through LinkedIn, or through her website, Lauren Parsons Wellbeing.com, where you can find hundreds of articles and her podcast, The Thrive TV Show.

Other Resources Mentioned

• Toastmasters Podcast #266: Meet Lauren Parsons, Toastmasters' 2024 Newest Accredited Speaker
• Lauren’s, Ted Talk, 
• Toastmasters Podcast: #250 Nick Bendel - 500 Lunches with Strangers, 
• Toastmasters Podcast: #294 Nick Bendel – Beyond 500 Lunches - Lessons on Achieving Anything. . 

[29:10] Sometimes all it takes is one invitation. In this episode, Greg Gazin talks with 16-year-old Runfeng Bruce Yu, whose first Toastmasters experience inspired him to help other young people discover the confidence and encouragement that changed his own life.

What began with a single club visit soon grew into a remarkable leadership journey. Bruce went on to charter the Sea Dragons Gavel Club, creating a supportive environment where students could grow as communicators and leaders. Along the way, he discovered that creating a welcoming community was every bit as important as helping members become better speakers.

Bruce also shares the unexpected challenges of launching a student-led Gavel Club, the creative ways he earned credibility and attracted support, and the leadership lessons he learned along the way. Whether you're looking to strengthen your own club, encourage younger members, or simply enjoy hearing how one person can make a difference, Bruce's story is an inspiring reminder that leadership often begins with a single invitation.

Listeners will also hear...

• Why Bruce believes creating a sense of community comes before building communication skills.
• How storytelling helped students understand what makes Toastmasters different from traditional speech and debate.
• What Bruce did when some adult Toastmasters questioned whether his Gavel Club was real, including reaching out to Past International President Richard E. Peck and World Champion Mark Brown for help.
• How partnerships with Rotary created new leadership and service opportunities for students.
• Why volunteers from around the world now help support the Sea Dragons Gavel Club.
• Bruce's advice for Toastmasters clubs hoping to attract more young people.
• How one invitation ultimately inspired Bruce to create the same life-changing experience for others.

Bruce Yu's article, "From Inspiration to Action: Discovering Toastmasters launched my student journey into the program, “ can be found in the August 2026 issue of Toastmaster magazine.

About Bruce Yu

Bruce Runfeng Yu is a high school student and Charter President of the Sea Dragons Gavel Club, a student-led Gavel Club in China with an international reach. He serves on the Youth Advisory Board at Erika's Lighthouse, contributing to youth mental health initiatives, and advocates for youth participation through the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth. Passionate about expanding educational opportunities, Bruce is committed to helping young people develop the confidence and leadership skills to make a positive impact in their communities.

Bruce lives in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China and can be reached through his club's website: https://seadragonsgavel.org/ or his personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/runfengbruceyu/ or Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/runfengbruceyu/

Find out more about Gavel Clubs.

References: Supplied by Bruce Yu

Our club’s:

Website: https://seadragonsgavel.org/

Volunteer opportunities page (Idealist.org): seadragonsgavel.org/volunteer

Speech contests: https://seadragonsgavel.org/contests/

Online educational session page: https://seadragonsgavel.org/resources/educational-sessions/

History: https://seadragonsgavel.org/about-us/history/

Causes: https://seadragonsgavel.org/about-us/causes/

Linktree: seadragonsgavel.org/connect

Promotional video by Richard E. Peck: https://youtu.be/RkZrbhReG1E?si=sE3ysww3mewETroX

Promotional video by Mark Brown: https://youtu.be/e4tlpWN1Vzs?si=XexqUngMSjFnKbMY

[28:45] Some of life's best lessons come from the most unexpected places, even an animated fish. In this episode, Suneet Singh shares how an unlikely source of inspiration, Pixar's Finding Nemo, helped transform his club's approach to growth. Together, we explore the story behind the journey, the lessons learned along the way, and how one unexpected idea led to remarkable results.

The conversation goes well beyond membership growth. Suneet shares how curiosity, fresh thinking, and a willingness to challenge assumptions helped shape the club's culture and create an experience that people wanted to return to. Whether you're looking to strengthen your club, inspire your members, or simply see your club through a different lens, you'll come away with ideas worth exploring.

Listeners will also hear...

• Why Finding Nemo became an unlikely blueprint for club growth.
• The one question that changed everything for the club.
• How one courageous Table Topics speaker inspired Suneet's own Toastmasters journey.
• Why asking better questions often leads to better learning.
• A simple networking idea Suneet calls the "multiplier effect."
• What every club can learn about finding its own identity.

Be sure to read Suneet's accompanying Toastmaster magazine article, How Nemo Inspired Us to Grow Our Membership, or, if you're reading the PDF edition, A Wave of Success: How Our Club Doubled Its Membership, in the July 2026 issue.

About Suneet

Suneet Singh, CPA, MBA, is a finance and accounting leader with more than a decade of experience across the financial services and software industries. A Toastmaster for five years, he is the Immediate Past President of ART Advanced Royal Toastmasters, an online club based in Toronto, and has also served as a Toastmasters Area Director. He continues to develop as a communicator and leader.

Suneet lives in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and can be reached at [email protected].

For more information about ART Advanced Royal Toastmasters (ART), or to arrange a club visit, email [email protected]. (Meetings: Wednesdays 12:00-1 Eastern)

If you haven't already done so, watch or rewatch Pixar's Finding Nemo. You may find yourself seeing it through a whole new lens.

[31:52] What happens after the gavel changes hands? In this episode Greg Gazin speaks with Distinguished Toastmaster António Mendes about one of Toastmasters’ most overlooked leadership roles: the Immediate Past President (IPP). Drawing on his experience serving as club president and Immediate Past President four times, António shares why this role may continue to influence a club long after a leadership transition.

António shares how what began as a search for stronger business pitches eventually became a 12-year Toastmasters journey that continues today.

You’ll also hear how encouraging newer Toastmaster Ana Natário to step into leadership helped shape António’s thinking about the IPP role. Watching her grow as club president and later continue supporting the club as Immediate Past President showed him how leadership continuity, encouragement, and a strong club culture can create lasting impact long after a term ends. That experience became one of the strongest examples behind his belief in the value of an engaged IPP.

Listeners will also hear:

• Why António believes leadership does not end when a presidency ends

• Why he compares the IPP to an airbag

• What it means to be a bridge between past and future leadership

• How supporting newer Toastmaster Ana Natário helped reinforce his view of the role

• Why a formal handover meeting can help set new officers up for success

• How clubs can preserve traditions while remaining open to change

You can read António’s article, The Unsung Hero of Toastmasters: Discover the Value the Immediate Past President Can Provide a Club in the July 2026 issue of Toastmaster magazine.

About António Mendes

António Mendes, DTM, has been a Toastmaster for 12 years and currently serves as Immediate Past President of Setúbal Toastmasters Club in Portugal. Over a 46-year career in technology, he worked as an IT manager, consultant, entrepreneur, and business leader and now advises organizations on cloud, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. He has served in multiple club and district leadership roles and helped establish and revive clubs while sharing ideas to help clubs grow and strengthen member engagement.

António Mendes lives in Setúbal, Portugal and can be reached via e-mail: mendes.ajs [at] gmail [dot] com, Instagram: @mendes.ajs, Facebook: mendes.ajs

LinkedIn: ajsmendes.