Toastcaster Communication Leadership Learning Lab

[21:02] Video Bios are a great way to supplement your CV or Resume and an effective way to help show people who you are and what you do.

Heather shares with us how she came out of her comfort zone and why she decided to create a Video Bio; what she learned about the process and about herself along the way.

She also gives us tips and advice on creating a Video Bio and even how she used ChatGPT as part of her process.

We also review her first video - with a Toastmasters style evaluation and go over what she really did well and how perhaps she can add more value and more punch to improve her next one

Heather Flanagan is the Principal and Owner of Spherical Cow Consulting, a firm that helps organizations build a trusted and collaborative Internet. She is also the founder of The Writer's Comfort Zone, a community for people passionate about supporting each other as writers. 

Heather's passions and expertise lie within: Digital Identity, Identity Standards Development and Multi-Stakeholder Collaborations.

 I had the honour of of being a guest along with Heather on Oscar Santolalla on Time to Shine #196 where we had a wonderful fireside chat on How to Give a Tech Talk successfully.

Heather lives near Seattle, WA and can be reached via LinkedIn or her blog, Spherical Cow Consulting.

TC179: How Video Bios Supercharge your Personal Brand & CV – Heather Flanagan 

[36:11] In this fun and entertaining episode, Greg speaks with first-time novelist Jock Mackenzie who shares some of his adventures and misadventures in creating, writing, publishing and then promoting his newly published crime-novel, Dealing with Dymans.

Jock shares stories and offers some insights on how the novel came to be, including the creating and naming his characters. We hear how he leveraged resources with writing groups, experiences with editors, looking for publishers and how he went about finding places to promote and sell his book beyond places like Amazon.

And of course, as a former teacher Jock wares his heart on his sleeve with some of what he had gone through and deals out tips and advice for those who might be thinking of writing a novel, but may have this fear of starting or plagued with writer's block.

Jock also introduces us to the Scattergram (see below), a pencil  and paper picture outline method he uses to organize his thoughts and prepared himself for this interview.

Jock Mackenzie is a former teacher and administrator with the Red Deer Public School Board in Alberta Canada for 31 years.  A long-time Toastmaster, Jock has enjoyed speaking at teacher conferences across Canada as well as emceeing a variety of events. 

He's also the author of a teacher reference book on essays, Essay Writing: Teaching the Basics from the Ground Up (2007), numerous magazine articles. 

More recently, Jock has self-published a crime drama, Dealing with Dymans, about a shyster jeweler who switches out real gems for fake ones. Ex-RCMP officer, Jack Schmidt, finds out and the fun begins. And you don’t know Jack Schmidt until you’ve read it. You can get it directly from Jock and find it on Amazon.

Jock also appears on  Episode 104 - 3I-Racer Technique for More Engaging Storytelling.

Jock Mackenzie can be reached by e-mail  mackenzie.jock AT gmail.com and on his blog, Teacher Man, Teacher Ms.

[26:57] Yoga is something in the past this podcast host (Greg Gazin) would have never considered. The way it’s portrayed, it conjures up images of slim fit women who contort themselves into pretzels. But now I truly think different. I realize that Yoga is really for everybody. In fact I now practice it weekly and it’s been transformational in terms of my well being.

In today's episode we speak with Sharon McMullan-Baron, a yoga instructor but also a cancer survivor who I met through Wellspring Alberta.  

Sharon's motto is: Remember to Live Simply, Speak Kindly, Care Deeply and Love Generously - and in this light-hearted episode, Sharon generously shares a little about her inspiring journey, how she discovered Yoga, what it has done for her and what it can do for you so you can take leadership of your mind, body and soul - regardless of age, gender or physical condition.

Sharon dispels some of the myths about Yoga - how easy it is for anyone to do and how it's more than just a series of body movements.

We learn about Wellspring - a no-cost, donor-funded, registered charity, community-based non-medical centre of support for cancer. Wellspring Alberta in Edmonton is where Sharon delivers her classes and has been instrumental in bringing her Yoga Thrive for cancer patients program to help them and their caregivers through challenging times.

You'll also hear about how you can get started practising Yoga. Sharon shares resources - books, videos, names of people she admires in the Yoga world so you can check them out. .

We also get a little hands-on Yoga practise you can do in real time while you are listening to the episode.

Resources mentioned:

Wellspring Alberta and Wellspring (National)

Book: Meditations from the Mat - Daily reflections on the Path of Yoga - Rolf

Companion book : Meditations on Intention and Being - daily reflections

Yoga sutras by Patanjali.

Sharon McMullan-Baron has been teaching Yoga since 2009 focussing in the areas of Restorative Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Her certifications include Hatha Yoga, Yoga for the Low Back, Yoga Thrive for Cancer Patients, Healthy Breast, Tru North (a prostate cancer programme) Relax and Renew and more. 

A cancer survivor herself, diagnosed in 2006, Sharon was instrumental in bringing, Yoga Thrive for cancer patients to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton in 2010 and to Wellspring Edmonton when it opened its doors 

Sharon strives to keep a balanced approach to every day. 

When she’s not on her mat, her survivorship includes a dedication to family and friends, extensive volunteer work, athletic, artistic and creative pursuits which may include wordsmithing poems and stories or playing with fabrics, creating quilts and other textile treasures. You can catch her on the bicycle or XC  ski trails, or out with her dog, if you can!

Sharon lives in Edmonton, Alberta Canada and can be reached via email or via LinkedIn.

[35:25] In this episode speak with Matt Abrahams—a return guest and a name synonymous with spontaneous speaking - about mastering the art of speaking on the fly.

This is a special cross-over companion podcast to The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin & Ryan Levesque #235: Think Faster, Talk Smarter in the Moment with guest Matt Abrahams.

We're also thrilled to have Ryan Levesque also co-hosting today's episode.

Today's episode

Today we dive a little deeper into the concepts in Matt's book. He starts off by sharing what it's about and how you can use it.

Matt explains why there’s no right or wrong way to communicate–only better and worse ways. He demystifies a cognitive psychology concept of heuristics and explains their importance. 

Matt suggests a helpful reframing of speaking opportunities as “Conversations, Not Performances.”

He touches upon how improv has shaped his approach to communication and introduces us to the playfully-named “F-Word of Public Speaking.” 

Matt offers additional examples of structures you can use to master your Q&A session, gives an easy-to-use format for apologizing successfully, and more. Sorry about that! :)

Matt Abrahams is a Lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He’s the author of two books, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, and his brand new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot, and the host of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast. 

You can reach Matt and get his book at MattAbrahams.com. You can also find him on LinkedIn.

Resources from Matt Abrahams at FasterSmarter.io.

TC176: Think Faster, Talk Smarter—A Deeper Dive – Matt Abrahams

[41:08] Being a Buddhist and a CEO may seem like two extremes – one symbolizes Zen and calmness and the other the epitome of corporate chaos. But Thane Lawrie - a.k.a The Buddhist CEO is both, and successfully so and has seemed to have found just the the right balance. 

In this episode we speak with Thane about his journey but also about his new book - appropriately titled The Buddhist CEO. It's classified as a fictional biography but as we find out in out chat, it's loosely based on his life.

Thane shares his thoughts on Buddhism and how some of its principles from his perspective that resonate with him can really apply to anyone of any faith for betterment of one's personal and especially in one's corporate life.

He also shares some leadership tips by enlightening us with stories and explanations of some of the stories from the book - and more.

We also hear how he created a  Fellowship of CEOs - where CEOs of different companies can share and help one another when they they find themselves alone at the top.

Thane Lawrie is an award-winning CEO in his home country of Scotland. A graduate of the University of Aberdeen and University of Glasgow, Thane has had a diverse career, culminating in leading and transforming a once struggling social enterprise and going on to win numerous prestigious business awards both locally and nationally, including being placed in the Sunday Times top 100 companies to work for in the UK. Thane is married with two sons and has been a practicing Buddhist for over twenty years.  

You can reach Thane Lawrie at ThaneLawrie.com where you can also find ways to purchase his book in addition to Amazon & Barnes & Noble. On his site he also has a blog where he discusses leadership topics in his own way, progress on the book also some of his poetry.

[39:37] Wonder what it takes to be a great Emcee and Host? It takes more than just being able to be a good talker with an ability to wing it off the mic. Our special guest today Nathan Cassar is an award-winning professional and one of Australia's Premier Wedding & Corporate Emcees and known as the go-to guy for making any event unforgettable.

Nathan Cassar has over a decade of experience and a strong reputation in the entertainment industry, this includes being a former Entertainment Host for prestigious Princess Cruise Line for several years. Nathan has also had the privilege of performing for thousands of happy guests spanning 40+ nationalities across the globe.

Nathan shares with us a little about his journey starting with his humbled origins as a young bullied introvert who overcame adversity to today where he has become a world-class host and Master of Ceremonies.

Nathan also shares many tips and best practices on what makes a great emcee for those who may want to entertain that career path.

You’ll also hear many do's and don'ts and learn how to create your own improv treasure chest that can be used both onstage and offstage and in many other impromptu speaking environments.  In addition to many entertaining stories full of his invaluable wisdom, Nathan also shares tips on what to look for if you are searching for an emcee for your event and more.

Nathan Cassar lives in Sydney, Australia an can be reached via his website NathanCassar.com.au as well as on his various social media platforms below.

• Facebook:

[56:30] In the first half of 2023, Generative AI and apps like ChatGPT have hit us like a tidal wave and is already impacting our lives. Our expert guest today, Robert Lavigne always seems to ride ahead of the curve. Rob is a Generative AI and Digital Media Specialist and joins us today to help demystify this wild frontier for both techies and those new to AI.

Robert Lavigne is a Generative AI and Digital Media Specialist with a passion for audio podcasting and video production. He is the owner of The Digital Grapevine committed to serving as a thought leader in aligning digital branding and marketing strategies with a client’s business goals and objectives. With decades of experience, Robert helps guide clients in defining their digital vision by helping structure and present digital programs and recommendations to business owners and their respective decision makers He also provides ongoing support, mentoring, professional development and training to staff of client establishments when required. 

In addition, Robert is also the host / producer of numerous podcast and video interview series. The Digital Grapevine recently re-launched their Content Creator For Hire platform to focus on Generative AI projects. 

Rob is also the first person on the planet to have his own digital avatar complete with synthetic speaking in 10 languages modeled in his own vocal tone.

Robert Lavigne is from Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He can be reached on LinkedIn (rlavigne42) and at The Digital GrapeVine. You can also view many of his creations on YouTube.

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Rob generated the show notes below by feeding his side of the audio into AI tools.

AI Generated Show Notes:

Generative AI: Lavigne discusses the domains of generative AI, which include text, audio, video, and image generation, and stresses that they are machine learning systems, not self-aware entities.

Applications of Generative AI: Potential applications are identified across various sectors, including both white-collar and creative industries. Lavigne cites his use of ChatGPT-4 as a valuable tool in his creative process.

Concerns over AI (The Ugly): Job loss, misinformation, deepfakes, and potential misuse are cited as major concerns around AI. The potentially devastating impacts of AI misuse are likened to that of a nuclear bomb.

AI and Work: The potential for AI to take over mundane aspects of work is discussed, along with the challenges of achieving this ideal state.

Impact on Jobs (The Bad): Lavigne talks about how the rise of AI and automation, along with remote work and the gig economy, is intensifying competition for jobs.

Benefits of AI (The Good): Despite the potential downsides, Lavigne appreciates how AI has helped him deliver complex projects rapidly and improve the initial stages of his work.

AI in Creative Writing: Lavigne discusses his project, "The Digital Revolution," entirely written by GPT-4, highlighting the use of AI in creative writing.

Role of AI in His Work: Lavigne uses AI as a tool for producing desired outputs, leveraging its capabilities to aid his creative process.

Process of Using Generative AI: Lavigne explains his method of seeding the AI with basic factual information, leading to accurate, relevant outputs that can be used to generate impactful quotes and FAQs.

Quality of AI Outputs: The concept "garbage in, garbage out" is applied to AI, emphasizing the importance of good quality input to obtain valuable output.

Role of Prompt Engineers: The emerging role of "prompt engineers" who formulate prompts for AI is discussed, noting that those with a better understanding of language and question formulation tend to be more effective.

OpenAI and GPT-4: Lavigne speaks about OpenAI's role as a leading AI development company and their products such as GPT-4. He also talks about his use of ChatGPT, a product of OpenAI that uses GPT-4.

OpenAI and Microsoft Partnership: The partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft is discussed, with GPT-4 now powering Microsoft's Bing search engine.

New Features in GPT-4: Lavigne introduces the new features in GPT-4, including plugins that allow the AI to interface with other software and data.

Interpreting Internet Content with GPT-4: Lavigne uses GPT-4 to interpret web content directly, bypassing manual website navigation. He predicts this capability may change the future of SEO and web traffic patterns.

Real Data as Input: The importance of using real data to seed GPT-4 is emphasized to prevent the AI from generating unfounded information.

Impact on Industries: Lavigne discusses the potential impacts of AI on various industries, including job loss, especially in content creation and curation roles.

Advancements in Chatbots: The use of GPT-4 in newer chatbots, which can be trained on a document and interact in any language or style, is discussed.

Data Hallucination: Lavigne addresses the issue of data hallucination, where AI generates information that isn't based on input data, stressing the need for safeguards.

Importance of AI Ethics: The crucial role of ethics in AI development and use is emphasized, particularly given the potential for misuse and the inherent biases that can be reflected in AI outputs.

AI Legislation: Lavigne discusses the current state of AI legislation, stressing the importance of global cooperation in setting standards and regulations.

AI's Influence on Content Creation: Lavigne explores how AI is reshaping content creation, from writing scripts to editing video. He predicts that AI will allow creators to produce more while maintaining quality.

Future Predictions: Lavigne shares his predictions about how AI will evolve, especially in the context of content creation, and what implications this might have for society.

End Note: Lavigne wraps up by encouraging listeners to stay informed about the rapidly changing landscape of AI and to approach the technology with an open, but critical, mind.

Toastcaster 173: Demystifying Generative AI & ChatGPT - The Good, Bad & The Ugly - Robert Lavigne

[32:54] In this episode, Greg speaks with Oscar Santolalla about the Fireside Chat – a great alternative to a typical Q & A style one-on-one podcast interview. Oscar introduces us to the concept, where it originated and how he successfully adapted this 90 year old delivery format to his podcasts.

You'll also hear the pros and cons of the format and what you can do if you would like to try one for yourself.

Greg's shares his first experience with a recent Fireside chat on Oscar's podcast - what he learned, what surprised him - and more.

Oscar Santolalla is an accomplished speaker, author, coach, and Sales Engineer and Trainer for Ubisecure. His mission is to help people in technology companies present better, inspire others, and sell more.

Oscar is this author of:  Rock the Tech Stage  and Create and Deliver a Killer Product Demo.  He also hosts Time to Shine, a podcast about public speaking and as his company's podcast, “Let’s Talk About Digital Identity.” 

You can find Oscar's interview on The Toastmasters Podcast about using Metaphors - to power your presentations - episode #218.

An example of a fireside chat: How to Give a Tech Talk Successfully with Greg Gazin & Heather Flanagan on Time to Shine Podcast #196.

Oscar Santolalla lives in Helsinki, Finland but is originally from Peru.

You can reach him at RockTheTechStage.com or on LinkedIn. 

[12:35] Today, March 31st is #World Backup Day. This reminded this Gadget Guy of an article I was inspired to write for the Edmonton Sun 22 years ago not after watching the news or a show about Technology, but rather a TV Show about Women – specifically Bravo’s Sex and the City.

It's an update to the 2001 article with a humorous look at how I went about writing the article what transpired in Season 4 Episode 8 appropriately titled: My Motherboard, My Self, where Carrie Bradshaw - played by Sara Jessica Parker has her Mac PowerBook G3 laptops crashes and all the trials and tribulations around it including her questioning her relationship with her then boyfriend Aidan who interestingly is a PC user. 

The podcast also talks about backups and the importance of them as well a lessons Carrie learned about backups and relationships.

So do your part, take a pledge and take action on #WORLDBACKUPDAY. You can also visit WorldBackupDay.com for more info.

You can also read the updated article at Troy Media.

[56:05] The Accredited Speaker (AS) designation is reserved for Toastmasters who combine subject mastery with professional speaking skills at the highest level of proficiency. Since the program started in 1981, there have been fewer than 100, 90 to be exact at this time who have earned the coveted title.

This is the audio for the unique webinar: How to Earn the Toastmasters Accredited Speaker (AS) Designation.

It was hosted in January 2023 by AS We Speak, an advanced club dedicated to supporting members who are pursuing applying for the designation.

Sheryl Roush, DTM, AS, PDG, CVP (right) who earned her credential in 1993, invited her fellow AS colleagues to join the conversation and leads the session.  

You will hear them share their journeys, professional speaking suggestions, and tips not included in the official handbook.

If you are already familiar with the AS, please note the Board recently made changes in the Accredited Speaker program for 2023.

You can also view the full webinar - video at  https://youtu.be/wXeNeePm15M. 

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