[37:05] The Toastmasters International Golden Gavel is the prestigious annual award presented to an individual distinguished in the fields of leadership and communication. In this insightful and thought-provoking episode, Greg Gazin speaks with Jennifer Moss, award-winning author, workplace culture strategist, and the 2026 Golden Gavel Honoree. Jennifer shares personal stories and practical insights as the conversation explores communication, resilience, gratitude, workplace culture, and the evolving relationship people have with work in a rapidly changing world.

Jennifer also reflects on the deeply personal experiences that shaped her work, including The Smile Epidemic, a gratitude project started by her husband during a serious health crisis that eventually spread to more than 100 countries. The experience reinforced Jennifer’s belief in the power of gratitude, connection, and small behavioral shifts to positively influence people and organizations.

Listeners will hear:

• How Jennifer overcame intense fear before her first TEDx talk

• Why preparation and subject mastery reduce speaking anxiety

• Why conversational speaking can work better than memorizing scripts

• How gratitude practices shaped Jennifer’s work and leadership philosophy

• What organizations often misunderstand about burnout and wellbeing

• Why trust, fairness, and purpose drive engagement more than perks

• Why communication and analytical thinking remain essential workplace skills

Jennifer Moss is featured in the May 2026 issue of the Toastmaster magazine in Stephanie Darling’s article, “Golden Gavel Recipient Jennifer Moss Champions Workplace Wellbeing.”

Jennifer will receive the Golden Gavel award during the Toastmasters International Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, August 19–22, 2026. The award presentation will take place Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7).

Jennifer will also deliver a presentation based on her latest book, Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants, exploring hope, purpose, belonging, and psychological fitness in today’s evolving workplace.

TEDx Talk: The Epidemic of Smiles and the Science of Gratitude.

About Jennifer Moss:

Jennifer Moss is an award-winning international speaker, journalist, author, and workplace culture strategist. She is the author of Why Are We Here?, The Burnout Epidemic, and Unlocking Happiness at Work. Jennifer’s research and insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Fortune. She is also co-host of the podcast How to Change Culture in 20 Minutes or Less.

Jennifer Moss is from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and can be reached at: Jennifer-Moss.com.

Register here: for the Toastmasters International Convention.

[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.