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.

Key takeaways

- Humor becomes more accessible when you treat it as a skill instead of a personality trait.
- Great speakers use stories, short jokes, and audience awareness to keep people engaged.
- Mentorship often starts with simple encouragement and consistent feedback.
- Change takes time, especially in volunteer organizations where trust and habits matter.
- Long-term growth in speaking and leadership starts with setting bigger goals.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro
01:48 - Meet Paul Pastore
03:44 - A joke
05:20 - Humor as a skill
10:35 - How Paul prepares
12:25 - What makes humor effective
16:32 - Why Paul keeps coming back to Toastmasters
17:24 - Mentorship, encouragement, and helping clubs improve
21:22 - Kaizen vs entropy
26:40 - Lessons in change management
33:17 - Using Notes
41:09 - Rapid Fire

Guest

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.

Connect

- Email: paulpastore@realtor.com
- Website: https://www.paulpastore.com/