[31:42] Generative AI can help you work faster and sharpen your message, but only if you stay in control. In this episode, Greg Gazin speaks with Joel Schwartzberg about how to spot and resolve common AI pitfalls so your communication remains clear, credible, and authentic.

Joel approaches AI as a tool—useful, but not a replacement for decision-making. It can improve clarity and efficiency, but it doesn’t understand your priorities, your audience, or your voice. AI is a powerful assistant, but a poor decision-maker without human guidance.

For Toastmasters, that distinction matters. Whether you are preparing a speech or refining an idea, AI can produce something polished that still misses the point. The value comes when you use AI to improve your thinking and not replace it.

Joel’s article, 7 Generative AI Pitfalls for Communicators; How to spot and resolve these blind spots before they cost you clarity and trust, appears in the March 2026 issue of the Toastmasters Magazine.

Listeners will hear…

• Why using AI does not make you a fraud as a communicator

• How AI can improve your writing when used properly

• How to spot and resolve common AI “Achilles heels”

• Why authenticity flaws matter—and how to sound like yourself

• How AI misplaces priorities and what to do about it

• Why running your content through AI is like using a pasta maker

AI can help you communicate more clearly and efficiently.

But the message is still yours to shape. Your voice and experience are what make it connect.

Joel will also be presenting at the Toastmasters International Convention in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday, August 21 at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, sharing insights on clear, focused communication.

You may also enjoy his previous appearance:

Stop Talking, Start Connecting: The Cure for Overspeaking (Episode #268)

About Joel Schwartzberg

Joel Schwartzberg, a long-time communications coach, a speechwriter, and the author of Get to the Point! Simplify, Sharpen, and Sell Your Message. And The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team.\

He’s a former U.S. national and state champion in collegiate public speaking, and was inducted into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame in 2002.

Joel’s insights on effective communication have been featured in many publications, including Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, CNBC, Newsweek, and Inc.com, as well as the Toastmaster magazine.

Joel Schwartzberg lives in New Jersey and can be reached at: www.joelschwartzberg.net.

[26:51] What happens when students are given a real stage and someone willing to guide them there? In this episode, Greg Gazin speaks with CeCe Espeut about helping students step onto South Florida’s TEDx Miramar stage and what unfolded along the way.

CeCe Espeut, a two-time TEDx speaker, five-time Distinguished Toastmaster, and creator of TEDx Miramar, brought together Toastmasters to mentor students preparing for their first talks. What began as a simple idea quickly became something more for the students, the mentors, and for CeCe herself.

Using a one-to-one mentoring approach, each student was paired with a Toastmaster. But it didn’t take long to realize this wasn’t just about coaching speeches. It was about learning how to listen, adapt, and meet each person where they are.

Listeners will hear…

• How a one-to-one mentor model changed the dynamic for both students and coaches
• Why “no crying allowed” forced mentors to rethink how they give feedback
• The surprising difference between youth talks and adult TEDx ideas
• How experienced speakers had to adapt—fast—to truly connect
• What “accomplishment bonding” looks like—and why it matters

Some of the biggest shifts didn’t happen on stage. They happened in the way people communicated—with each other, and with themselves.

And in the end, it wasn’t just about the talks—it was about what it took to get there. Youth didn’t just find their voice. They helped others rediscover theirs.

CeCe is featured in the March 2026 Toastmaster Magazine article Youth Take the Stage: South Florida Toastmasters Help Young People Find Their Voice with TEDxMiramar Youth by Kate McClare.

About CeCe Espeut

CeCe Espeut is a two-time TEDx speaker, five-time Distinguished Toastmaster, and creator of TEDx Miramar. A former U.S. Marine, she is also an author and leadership mentor dedicated to helping others find and share their voice. She has been a Toastmaster since 2016, is a past Division Director, and a member of three clubs in District 47.

CeCe lives in Miramar, Florida and can be reached at: Cece@tedxmiramar.com.

Additional Resources:

CeCe refers to Zone of Genius. You can also listen to Toastmasters Podcast Episode #285: Leading from Your Zone of Genius: Aligning Work with Passion, with Katie Stoddart.

[28:53] Across parts of Africa, Toastmasters has seen double- and even triple-digit growth over a 10-year period—at a time when global membership has slightly declined. So what changed—and why did it stick? Frank Tsuro shares his experience, what contributed to that growth, and what others can learn—while offering a closer look at Africa and Toastmasters across the continent.

Frank puts the growth into perspective, explaining that it was years in the making—built on long-term thinking, leadership continuity, and a willingness to expand beyond familiar territory.

He also points to a shift in how growth was approached—moving beyond simply adding clubs to thinking more strategically about how they support each other. That helped address one of the key challenges he describes: isolation, where single clubs struggled to sustain momentum on their own.

At the same time, Toastmasters met a real need. In many parts of Africa, people conduct business in English or French—even when those aren’t their first languages. It provided an accessible way to build communication skills, connect across cultures, and invest in personal growth—while opening the door for more people to step into leadership.

You can read Paul Sterman’s article, Africa’s Ascent: The continent has soared in Toastmasters growth, visibility, and performance, in the April 2026 issue of the Toastmaster magazine. You can also check out Family Ties and Toastmasters: Joining a Club Together Strengthens Bonds and Boosts Communication in the December 2025 issue.

Listeners will hear…

• What drove double- and triple-digit Toastmasters growth across parts of Africa
• Why a multi-year plan created momentum that carried across leadership teams
• How one leadership visit helped shift the trajectory of an entire region
• Why growing areas—not just individual clubs—leads to more sustainable success
• How isolation can impact clubs—and what helps them stay strong
• How younger leaders contributed to the growth and energy across the continent

Frank’s perspective reminds us that meaningful growth comes from consistency, shared vision, and people willing to step forward.

Along the way, it also offers a deeper appreciation for the diversity and potential across Africa—and the role Toastmasters can play.

About Frank Tsuro

Frank Tsuro works with first-generation leaders—individuals who have risen through talent and determination but were never handed the traditional leadership playbook. He has been a Toastmaster since 2012, is a Past International Director, and is a dual member of the Entrepreneurs Club and L’Avenir Toastmasters in Johannesburg. He lives between Harare, Zimbabwe, and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Frank Tsuro lives between Harare, Zimbabwe, and Johannesburg, South Africa, and can be reached via Facebook and LinkedIn or email: ftsuro@toastmasters.org