Biography

Book Ken Schimdt through The Keynote Curators.

Ken Schmidt faced the same challenges in an impersonal world where many products and services are seen as easily-replaced, indistinct commodities. Whether you stand out or get lost in the crowd is a choice. A mindset. He gained acclaim for his role in the extraordinary turnaround of the legendary Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

That transformation was based on a change in mindset and a focus on answering three key strategic questions. While times have changed, what humans want and need from the businesses they buy from and work for hasn’t. In his high-energy speeches, Ken inspires companies and individuals to shift their thinking and ride a path to success by becoming memorable – not for what they do or make, but for how they connect with people. Ken Schmidt is author of Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance. He’s also host of the Tailgating with Geniuses podcast and co-founder of Torque Sessions Leadership Training. Ken brings an unconventional perspective in all his endeavors that helps organizations and individuals reframe how they engage with their marketplace.

Ken Schmidt’s career in the motorcycle industry began in 1985 as a specialist in corporate positioning and media relations for the then-struggling Harley-Davidson. He was tasked with helping the company restore its image, improve its competitiveness, and create demand for its motorcycles. Within a few short years, sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles skyrocketed, and the company returned to prominence as one of the world’s most respected, profitable, and frequently reported-on companies.

In 1990, Ken became director of Harley-Davidson’s corporate and financial communications, serving as its primary spokesperson to the media and the financial communities. He frequently appeared in mainstream and business media to offer insights on nontraditional communications, customer attraction, and brand-building. His expertise and success at Harley-Davidson ultimately led to consulting assignments and speaking invitations worldwide.

In 1997, Ken Schmidt left Harley-Davidson to take an ownership position with a highly successful Chicago-based marketing firm, VSA Partners. In addition to Harley-Davidson, VSA served a virtual who’s who of the world’s best-known brands. In 1999, he sold his portion of VSA to start his own business, Ken Schmidt Company, to combine two of his greatest passions, motorcycling and speaking. He uses motorcycles as a metaphor to expose people to proven ideas and concepts they’ve likely never imagined.

In addition to speaking and consulting, Ken Schmidt is co-founder of Torque Sessions Leadership Training. Through a combination of hands-on training and interactive workshops, these sessions help individuals and organizations re-position themselves to become dominant competitors, maximize leadership effectiveness, build a people-first culture of innovation and foster loyalty among customers and employees.

Ken is also the host of the popular podcast Tailgating with Geniuses, wherein he talks with some of the most innovative and successful leaders in various industries to discuss their unique perspectives on leadership, major challenges, and success. Ken’s relatable and engaging hosting style has made the podcast a hit, with listeners looking to learn from the best and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Ken authored Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance, which gives business leaders an easy-to-follow roadmap for improving their competitiveness, using many techniques he championed at Harley-Davidson. He considers his work on 100 Years of Harley-Davidson, a global best seller, one of his greatest and most rewarding achievements.

After all he has accomplished, Ken remains committed to his philosophy of standing out, taking risks, and having fun in his personal and professional life. He says, “Never do what’s expected, make yourself as noticeably different as possible, and have a lot more fun than you’re supposed to.”

Contact us for Ken Schmidt’s fees and availability.

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The Keys to Creating a Memorable Brand with Ken Schmidt

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3 Questions Drove Harley-Davidson's Turnaround

The Power of "The Positive They"

Your Most Important Asset

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Is Your Business Focused on the Wrong Things

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Make Some Noise: Change Directions, Open The Throttle and Dominate Your Marketplace

“Being known for what you do – no matter how well you do it – makes you a replaceable commodity,” says Ken Schmidt. “Competitive dominance comes when your market knows you for who you are, associates you with positive human attributes and rewards you with their loyalty.” This talk is rooted in the highly unconventional ideas that drove Harley-Davidson’s transformation and unlikely return to dominance, as Ken and his team shifted the company away from its commoditized “product-first” mindset to a fiercely committed “people-first” mindset that takes advantage of key drivers of human behavior. Ken’s high energy, humor, amazing visuals and actionable take-aways abound as he shows businesses of every size and scope how to tap into the behavioral drivers that ignite employee and customer passion, build marketplace preference and fuel tattoo-worthy levels of customer loyalty.

AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
· Discover the three questions that most directly impact your reputation and competitiveness
· Transform your company mindset toward being known for who you are vs. what you do
· Master how to harness drivers of human behavior to create preference and loyalty
· Uncover the secret to being memorable so customers refer you to others
· Learn the true meaning of misunderstood terms like “customer experience” and “loyalty”

Rev Up Your Reputation: Be Memorable, Preferred and Talked About

What does it take to get your customers to share compelling stories about your business and recommend it to others? Specifically, what would you want them to say? Engaging stories, paired with distinct and unexpected language, are highly memorable and help shape perceptions, boost advocacy, and drive demand. Ken Schmidt knows that powerful stories are essential for distancing your business from competitors and building a rock-solid reputation. In this presentation, Schmidt outlines simple, actionable strategies for companies to develop their own distinctive voice and create stories that resonate, leading to lasting differentiation and loyal, vocal customers. What are your customers saying about you right now?

AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS
· Elevate the likeability of your business by crafting stories that delight customers
· Uncover the three core elements behind every memorable story that’s ever been told
· Learn how to craft vocabulary that breathes new life into the seemingly familiar or mundane
· Find your three most memorable and distinguishing storylines
· Discover simple tools that encourage employees to become storyteller

Testimonials

Ken was amazing and our participants were extremely inspired and motivated by his keynote. Outstanding talk – off the charts. There was enormous buzz around his messages and, of course, we really enjoyed the delivery.
– Intel
There were so many good take-aways, participants were talking about it the following day. Thanks for all the advanced prep work you did.
– Pacific Life Insurance Company
Scored higher than any other speaker and I had to quit cutting and pasting superlatives out of the verbatim section. The pleasure was all ours.
– Ford Motor Company
Incredibly dynamic and engaging! Had the crowd at times stunned, introspective, puzzled, very amused, but predominantly learning! His ability to draw these emotions from the crowd made his points that much more memorable.
– Consumer Electronics Association (CES) Industry Forum
Terrific. Not only did Ken give a powerful speech that got people’s attention, but he was such a down to earth, easy going, fun to be around kinda guy.
– Motorola
Ken Schmidt was the perfect addition to our event. Ken exceeded our expectations and was incredibly knowledgeable about the topics presented.
– GE Healthcare Partners
Your keynote was very well received. Lots of enthusiasm and discussion generated – exactly what we wanted.
– BOMBADIER COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT
Your speech was incredible – nothing but stellar comments.
– TAPPI
Your message, tone, and energy were just the ticket. Great comments. We are just thrilled.
– THE CENTER FOR HEALTH DESIGN
Set the tone for our meeting and delivered an outstanding call to action – became part of our language through the rest of the session.
– WESTROCK
Absolutely LOVED your presentation! Reviews from the audience were wonderful.
– RETAIL SOLUTIONS PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION
There were so many good take-aways, participants were talking about it the following day. Thanks for all the advanced prep work you did.
– PACIFIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
You crushed it!
– EMPIRE SPORTS MANAGEMENT
Great job. Very entertaining delivery and meaningful connectivity. Thanks for putting in the time.
– VALASSIS
The feedback was unanimously positive. Made us all think about what we are currently doing and question ourselves as to why and how we can do better.
– CAPITAS FINANCIAL, INC.
You absolutely "wowed" our audience and created a buzz among industry leaders. Incredible energy -- on message -- engaging! The overwhelming majority of participants were "delighted" with your session.
– PNC GLOBAL INVESTMENT SERVICING

Booksby Ken Schmidt

Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance

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Ever notice how the best leaders aren't the ones constantly pushing and controlling? There's actual research on this: 55% of employees say they'd rather have consistent gratitude from their manager than a pay raise. Wild, right? Chris Schembra @chrisschembra3473 gets it. He wrote the Wall Street Journal bestseller "Gratitude Through Hard Times" and created the 7:47 Gratitude Experience, working with teams at Google, Microsoft, IBM, and the U.S. Navy to fight the loneliness epidemic hitting 51% of American workers. His whole thing? Teaching leaders to let go of the need to fix everything and instead just help things go right. Most of us were taught that leadership means having all the answers and keeping everything under control. However, Chris flips that completely. Sometimes the strongest move is stepping back, listening, and letting your team breathe. Here's what he's learned: • Accept what you can't change: Stop forcing behaviors or trying to fix people. They're humans, not problems to solve, so focus on connecting instead of correcting. • Ask better questions: Curiosity beats directives every time. Good questions show you actually value what your team thinks, and that builds trust without micromanaging. • Give when everyone else takes: The world rewards short-term thinking and hustle culture. Be different. Show up with real presence and put your people's well-being first. • Slow down on purpose: Create moments to pause. Your team will notice when you consistently choose gratitude over the grind, and it changes how they show up, too. Choosing gratitude over money isn't a weakness: it's what we all actually need. When you practice this kind of leadership, you're not losing control. Instead, you're building trust, loyalty, and a team that genuinely wants to be there. What would change in your workplace if leaders led with gratitude first? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 🎬 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/c-GouSP0X8I 🎤 Hire gratitude and leadership keynote speaker Chris Schembra for your next event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-chris-schembra/ 📅 Want to discuss building a gratitude-centered culture? Schedule a time: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators ✉️ Have questions? Email me: info@thekeynotecurators.com 00:00 The Difference Between Managing and Leading 01:15 Why 55% Choose Gratitude Over Raises 02:04 What Chosen Surrender Really Means 03:30 Choosing to Give When the World Takes "Through hard times, 55% of respondents prefer receiving more consistent actions of gratitude from their direct superior over a raise or a promotion." — Chris Schembra "Being a leader today requires the courage to do the opposite. It's to choose to be a giver. It's to choose to think about the long-term well-being of your people. It's to choose to show up with radical presence, helping people slow down and just be more human." — Chris Schembra #GratitudeLeadership #ChosenSurrender #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture --- Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine. For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS4wOUExQjQ1QTZENTBBRjdE

Why Top Performers Choose Gratitude Over Money

🤚 Raise your hand if you ever felt burnout while drowning in a sea of "shoulds"... Should respond to that email. Should say yes to that request. Should make everyone happy while somehow also making magic happen. Shelley Paxton gets it. She's worked with event planning organizations that are juggling impossible expectations while trying to create meaningful experiences. The secret to surviving burnout (and thriving in this industry)? Permission slips. Yes, you read that right. Simple orange Post-it notes that ask one question: What do I need permission to do, not do, or feel today? ✍️ This isn't cute self-help fluff. One organization partnered with 3M to create custom templates because this practice transformed entire teams! Here's how to break free from should-prison: • Write daily permission slips—they're your escape hatch from guilt and overwhelm • Choose pause over push when your gut says to stop grinding • Set boundaries that protect your energy for what actually matters • Pick your values over other people's approval when making decisions Event planning doesn't have to mean sacrificing your sanity. When you give yourself permission to be human while creating extraordinary experiences, both you and your attendees feel the difference. 🎬 See the full burnout prevention system: https://youtu.be/sWewAHGnxCU 🏆 Bring this empowering message to your event team: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-shelley-paxton/ 📋 Design your team's permission strategy: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators 📨 Get support for your planning team: info@thekeynotecurators.com 00:00 Why Event Planners Need Permission 01:11 Breaking the Shackles of Should 02:02 The Orange Post-it Note System 03:32 From Individual Tool to Team Transformation "A lot of us are stuck, are trapped by the shackles of should, so you know the, well, I should do that because if I don't do it, no one else is going to do it." — Shelley Paxton "What do I need to give myself permission to do, not do, and or feel, in order to show up as my most badass or my most powerful self?" — Shelley Paxton #EventPlanners #BurnoutPrevention #MeetingProfessionals #WorkplaceWellness #EventIndustry --- Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine. For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS41QkQ1MDFGQjMwMEU0MjND

How Event Planners Can Prevent Burnout

How to give yourself permission to quit and still keep going in your journey? Sounds impossible, but that's exactly what Tez Steinberg did during two solo ocean rowing expeditions. Tez completed two world-first solo ocean rowing expeditions, spending 197 days alone at sea. He's the only person to solo row from California to Hawaii without rowing experience, and he's also the only one to row solo nonstop from Hawaii to Australia. When storms hit, when equipment failed, and when he desperately wanted to be rescued, he told himself he could quit—"just not today." His expeditions are basically metaphors for what we all go through. Managing a huge event, leading a team through crisis, or just surviving a brutal week—we all have moments where we want to quit. During his journey at sea, Tez hit multiple breaking points, including equipment failures he didn't think he could fix and exhaustion that felt insurmountable. But here's the thing about rowing across an ocean: there's no elegant exit strategy. So he developed a framework anyone can use—acknowledge the part that wants to quit, recognize it's normal, then ask if you can hold on one more day. Here's how you can use this in your journey—especially when you feel you want to give up: • Give yourself permission to feel your frustrations—this honors the part of you that's struggling without making a permanent decision in a crisis moment • Don't shame the part that wants to give up—wanting to quit when things are hard is normal, and self-compassion actually builds resilience • Look for possibilities in one more day—instead of committing to the entire journey, just ask if tomorrow might be easier or if you might recover overnight • Say it out loud—verbalizing "I can quit, but not today" engages a different part of your brain and helps you see options you couldn't see before Security breakdowns, last-minute disasters, equipment failures, team conflicts—these are your waves washing overboard. Tez Steinberg shares strategies for surviving these storms without pretending to be superhuman—just human, honest about the difficulty, and open to tomorrow being better. 🎬 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/T1-UN8Kq7K0 ⚡ Book motivational speaker Tez Steinberg for your next event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-tez-steinberg/ 📞 Need resilience strategies for your team? Let's connect: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators 💬 Reach out anytime: info@thekeynotecurators.com 00:00 When You Desperately Want to Quit 02:05 Why There's No Elegant Exit at Sea 02:50 The Sweet Little White Lie That Works 03:32 Giving Permission Without Shaming Yourself "What helped me get through some of these hardest moments where I desperately wanted to be anywhere else, was giving myself permission to quit, but not today. (...) On the one hand, giving myself permission to quit would acknowledge the part of myself that needed to be acknowledged and affirmed and saying, yeah, what you're doing is really hard." — Tez Steinberg "I can quit, but not today. And that line was really valuable for me, and I would actually repeat it out loud. I can quit, but not today. And it helps me look out at the ocean and see a way through the treacherous seas and see a little bit more possibility." — Tez Steinberg #NeverGiveUp #Motivation #TezSteinberg #Resilience #KeepGoing --- For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS41RDlDNjkxMDgxRTI5QUJB

Keep Going in Your Journey, Even When You Want to Quit

Keynote speaker John O'Leary learned hard lessons about resilience early on in life. He survived a fire that burned 100% of his body when he was 9 years old and spent five months in the hospital, going through surgeries and amputations. Now, this first night home from the hospital should be one of celebration, right? With no fingers and bandages everywhere, you'd think everyone would do everything for him. ... Until his mom put dinner in front of him and walked out of the room. She made him feed himself. It took two and a half hours. He cried. She cried in the hallway. But she didn't come back in to help. That dinner changed his life. Not because it was easy—because it was brutal, and his mom believed he could do it anyway. As his main caregiver, she knew the difference between helping someone who needs assistance and enabling someone who needs to build resilience and grow on their own. Here's what she taught him about real independence: • Set the vision for what's possible—not what's comfortable, but what they're actually capable of • Stay present through the struggle—don't rescue them, but don't leave them alone either • Let failure teach—tears and frustration build strength and resilience you can't give someone • Celebrate their victory—when they succeed, it's theirs to own That dinner wasn't just about using a fork: it was about his mom seeing a future version of John that he couldn't see yet. She stayed close but didn't step in. Today, John travels the world, lives independently, wrote bestsellers "On Fire" and "In Awe," and speaks to audiences everywhere. All because his mom loved him enough to let him struggle and build strength on his own. If you lead a team, raise kids, or care about anyone's growth, this changes how you think about motivation and how it could help them develop resilience. 🍽️ Watch the complete interview here: https://youtu.be/dlQrpCvWW0I 💪 Hire resilience keynote speaker John O'Leary for your event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-john-oleary/ 📅 Want to talk about tough love leadership? Book a call: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators ✍️ Get in touch: info@thekeynotecurators.com 00:00 The First Family Dinner After the Hospital 01:23 When a Mother's Love Looks Like Cruelty 02:40 The Two-and-a-Half-Hour Struggle That Built Independence "Love is not about doing the easy thing. It's not about snowplowing the road to say, Hey guys, it's gonna be easy. Follow me. Sometimes love is about letting them fail forward and causing tears, and then leaving the room, crying yourself, wiping those tears, and coming back in." — John O'Leary "She cast a vision of what was possible, not what was easy. There's a difference." — John O'Leary #Motivation #ToughLove #Resilience #Leadership #Empowerment --- Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine. For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS45MDQ2MjlBRTY2REU1QjNF

Help Other People Build Resilience by Doing THIS

Sometimes the audience doesn't laugh when you expect them to. Sometimes they're way quieter than usual. Sometimes the energy feels completely off from what you planned. Here's what keynote speaker and emcee Scott Bloom learned after 20 years and thousands of corporate audiences: don't panic. From comedy clubs to C-suites, Scott has seen every possible room dynamic you can imagine. The biggest lesson isn't about technique or perfect timing - it's about trusting yourself when the audience reaction doesn't match your expectations. Those moments when you're thinking "this isn't working" might just be completely in your head. Here's what keeps Scott steady: • Don't judge your performance based on one person's reaction or by comparing it to other events • Trust your content and delivery even when the energy feels totally different • Have versatile material ready so you can adapt without losing confidence • Balance reading the room with trusting your professional experience Every speaker faces those moments of doubt right in the middle of their presentation. Scott's stories from the trenches show you exactly how to trust your experience and handle them like a pro instead of letting them completely throw you off your game. Because sometimes the audiences that seem the toughest end up being the ones who need exactly what you brought to the stage. 🎥 Watch the complete discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSEw1ukc8tc 🎯 Hire emcee and comedy keynote speaker Scott Bloom for reliable event expertise: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-scott-bloom/ 🗣️ Need speaker guidance for your event? https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators 💬 Let's discuss your speaking needs: info@thekeynotecurators.com 🎧 I also joined Scott Bloom on his podcast No More Bad Events. Give it a listen: https://nomorebadevents.com/episodes/consult-curate-and-deliver-ft-seth-dechtman-president-the-keynote-curators-C5wHGNuK 00:00 When Live Events Throw Unexpected Curveballs 00:36 How Professional Emcees Handle the Unexpected at Events 02:05 Why Silence Doesn’t Mean Failure 03:20 The Quantum Paradox Of Audience Energy 05:37 Trusting Your Material When The Audience is Silent 07:32 Why Quiet Audiences Don't Always Mean Poor Engagement "This is a live show. Anything can happen. Somebody doesn't show up backstage, and that's where I have to sort of go out there and vamp for a little while. I have a lot of material, I have a lot of common material, so I could always jump into something." — Scott Bloom "You could be reading the room and not relying on the room. So I know what's going on, but I'm not gonna determine whether I'm doing well based on how they're feeling." — Scott Bloom #LiveEvents #SpeakerTraining #AudienceReading #EventManagement #ProfessionalSpeaking --- Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine. For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
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The Most Common Mistake You Are Likely Making with Your Audience

John O'Leary was just a kid when his life changed forever. He's got burned on 100% of his body, and doctors gave him less than a 1% chance to survive. Months later, he was back home with no fingers and covered in scars, and he was angry. Why did this happen to him? His dad sat on the edge of his bed and asked a different question: "Why not you?" That conversation changed everything. Not because it magically fixed anything, but because it forced John to choose who he'd want to be in life: victim or victor. Here's what his dad taught him that night—a framework anyone can use when life punches you in the face: • Name the moment you're in—don't pretend it's not hard, don't sugarcoat the pain • Flip the question—instead of "Why me?" ask "Why not me?"—everyone struggles with something • Choose your identity every morning—wake up and decide who you're going to be that day • Find people who challenge you—not just comfort you, but push you to be better John's dad passed away recently. But that bedroom conversation still guides him every single day. Today, John's a bestselling author who speaks to tens of thousands at over 100 events every year. He also hosts the Live Inspired Podcast, which has over 7 million downloads. His story's becoming a feature film in 2025. The victim-or-victor choice? It's yours. Every day. Whether you're dealing with a health crisis, career setback, or just the weight of daily life wearing you down, you get to choose your response. 🙏 Watch the full conversation to hear how John turned his father's wisdom into a life of purpose: https://youtu.be/dlQrpCvWW0I 🎯 Book motivational speaker John O'Leary for your next event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-john-oleary/ 📞 Let's discuss bringing inspiration to your team: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators 💬 Questions? Reach out: info@thekeynotecurators.com 00:00 Are You Born Optimistic or Do You Choose It? 01:00 The Night John's Father Asked: Victim or Victor? 02:45 How Daily Choices Shape Your Life's Direction "My sweet father, who is my hero in life, shuts the bedroom door, comes back over to me, puts his hands on my legs, looks me in the eye, and says, 'John, darn it, why not you?'" — John O'Leary "Victim or Victor, your choice, not mine." — John O'Leary (quoting his Father) #Motivation #Positivity #Resilience #JohnOLeary #OvercomingAdversity --- Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine. For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
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The Question that Will Transform Your Life Forever

Before you let AI do your thinking, ask yourself this question: Is this making me smarter or making me lazy? Technology keynote speaker Theresa Payton has been in tech long enough to see every "revolutionary" tool that was supposed to change everything. As the former White House CIO and current AI entrepreneur, she's not anti-technology—she's just pro-human-brain. Here's her reality check: AI isn't the problem. It's how we're using it. Furthermore, you need to ask yourself—are you using it like a really smart research assistant, or are you using it like a replacement for your own thinking? Because one builds you up and the other breaks you down. Think about it for a moment—when GPS does all your navigation, you lose your sense of direction. Similarly, when spell-check handles everything, your writing skills get rusty. The same thing happens when AI does your reasoning for you. The professionals winning with AI aren't the ones using it for everything—they're the ones who know when NOT to use it. Here's how to use AI without losing yourself: • Ask yourself: Is this tool enhancing my skills or replacing them? • Set boundaries—decide what thinking you'll always do yourself • Practice without AI regularly—keep your reasoning muscles strong • Choose AI that teaches while it helps, not just gives you answers The goal of AI tools should be to enhance rather than replace human thinking and reasoning skills. Ultimately, the future belongs to people who can think critically AND leverage AI strategically. Not people who handed their brains over to machines. What's one thing you'll never let AI do for you? Drop it in the comments—I'm curious where everyone draws their lines. 🧠 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/7Dm-rF6eMrA 🎯 Hire AI strategy expert Theresa Payton for your event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-theresa-payton/ 🔍 Need help with AI governance strategies? Let's connect: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators 📩 Questions about AI boundaries? Email: info@thekeynotecurators.com 00:00 The Right Questions to Ask Before Using AI 01:17 When AI Becomes a Crutch Instead of a Tool 02:26 Governance and Guardrails for AI Adoption 04:08 Protecting Critical Thinking in an AI World "Ask yourself a question. And you know, the question is, if I were to leverage the technology at work or at home how could it improve things and why would I use it? And why would it be better than doing what I'm doing today?" — Theresa Payton "The line's gonna be different for everybody. But you said something really important, which is. You're doing these voice memos. So you take what's in your head, you're putting them into voice memo format, and you're using the technology to help you just get those voice memos organized." — Theresa Payton #AI #Technology #CriticalThinking #Productivity #Tech #Leadership --- Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine. For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
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Why You Should THINK & Set Boundaries Before Using AI Tools

Greatness requires more than one person's actions. Tez Steinberg knows this first-hand: he spent over six months alone on the Pacific Ocean and became the only person to solo row from California to Hawaii with no rowing experience. Here's something paradoxical about his story: Tez noticed a pattern in his life where he'd blame others when things didn't work out. So he got in a boat alone—by choice—where there was literally nobody else to blame. The ultimate accountability, with nobody else to point fingers at, right? However, while he was out there rowing, something else emerged: he also discovered that achieving anything audacious actually requires a team working toward something bigger than any one person. Both things are true, and that changes how we think about leadership and achieving greatness. When he shared a mission bigger than just his personal achievement—raising funds for ocean plastic and scholarships—a team naturally formed around him. What this teaches us: • Get comfortable with yourself first—before you can work well with others, understand your own patterns and how you respond to challenges • Own your choices completely—eliminate the reflex to blame by taking full accountability, even when things get hard • Share a purpose bigger than yourself—don't try to recruit people to your personal goal; communicate a mission that resonates beyond you, and support will show up • Set a goal that requires you to grow—choose something so audacious you have to become a different person, and that growth attracts the right people Planning a massive event? Launching something that feels impossible? The full interview dives into how Tez led a distributed team while spending 197 days alone, and it shows why personal accountability and collective support aren't opposites. 🌊 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/T1-UN8Kq7K0 🚀 Bring purpose-driven speaker Tez Steinberg to your event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-tez-steinberg/ 📅 Let's design a leadership experience for your team: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators ✉️ Get in touch: info@thekeynotecurators.com 00:00 Why Greatness Needs More Than One Person 01:31 Getting Comfortable With Your Own Company 02:21 The Accountability Experiment at Sea 03:49 How Purpose Builds Your Team Naturally 04:52 Set a Goal So Big You Grow Into It "What I found is it wasn't so much an issue of recruiting a team as much as sharing what I'm up to, and a team formed around me. And so when it comes to this dynamic, this interpersonal dynamic, and how we lead ourselves and lead others, for me, a big part of it is having a purpose that's a little larger than yourself, and that will create naturally a team that helps you in this very audacious goal of yours." — Tez Steinberg "Set a goal so big, you have to grow into the person who can achieve it." — Tez Steinberg #Greatness #Purpose #TezSteinberg #Leadership #TeamBuilding --- Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine. For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
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Why Greatness Requires More than Just Putting in The Effort

The universe has a way of getting our souls' attention, doesn't it? What would you do when your subconscious starts sending you emergency messages through your dreams? For Shelley Paxton, ignoring those messages wasn't an option anymore. As CMO of Harley-Davidson, Shelley had everything she thought she wanted—the title, the brand, the creative resources. But for an entire year, the same nightmare kept jolting her awake. Her deceased dog, malnourished and forgotten in a utility closet. That recurring dream wasn't random—it was her soul's way of showing her what was really happening. While she was succeeding by everyone else's standards, something essential inside her was starving for attention. Shelley's recurring nightmare served as a wake-up call about her burnout and disconnection from what truly mattered. Here's what she's learned about listening to your inner wisdom: • Your soul will whisper first, but if you don't listen, it'll find louder ways to get through • External success means nothing if you're dying inside while achieving it • Dreams and gut feelings often reveal truths we're too busy to notice during the day • Sometimes the most painful wake-up calls become our greatest teachers If you've been feeling disconnected from your soul and what really matters while chasing what looks good on paper, her story might be the permission slip you need. ✨ Watch the complete transformation story: https://youtu.be/sWewAHGnxCU 🎤 Bring Shelley's soul-centered message to your event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-shelley-paxton/ 🗓️ Explore your own alignment journey: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators 📧 Connect about personal transformation: info@thekeynotecurators.com 00:00 The Universe's Wake-Up Call 00:56 Living Someone Else's Success Script 02:06 The Nightmare That Changed Everything 04:13 Finding Your Soul in the Utility Closet "I got a wake-up call that I now say was like the universe and my soul conspiring, like grabbing me by the lapels and waking me up to my truth." — Shelley Paxton #PersonalGrowth #SoulTransformation #AuthenticSuccess #CareerChange #SpiritualAwakening --- Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine. For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch. Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/ CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/ Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics: SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED: Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more. TOPIC SAMPLING: Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.
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Why A Great Career Also NEEDS To Feed Your Soul

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