Motivational + Inspirational Speakers

These motivational author speakers not only deliver uplifting messages of hope and survival but also provide practical ways to initiate positive change.

Jane Fonda

Award-winning actress, bestselling author, and activist

Dr. Michele Harper

Emergency room physician and author of the New York Times-bestselling The Beauty in Breaking

Priya Parker

Facilitator, strategic advisor, and acclaimed author of The Art of Gathering

Cheryl Strayed

Author of the #1 New York Times-bestselling memoir Wild and "Dear Sugar" columnist

More Motivational + Inspirational Speakers

Eduardo Briceño

Growth mindset expert, CEO of Growth.how, and author of The Performance Paradox

Arthur C. Brooks

Harvard professor, PhD social scientist, #1 New York Times-bestselling author

Bill Burnett

Executive Director of the Design Program at Stanford and co-author of the #1 New York Times-bestselling book Designing Your Life

Alisyn Camerota

Author, journalist, and anchor of the CNN morning news program New Day.

Ed Catmull

Co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, former president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, and author of Creativity, Inc.

Jay Ellis

NAACP Image Award-winning actor, director, producer, and author of Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?

June Eric-Udorie

Feminist activist, Editor of Can We All Be Feminists? and DEI Programme Manager for Flexa

Dave Evans

Co-author of the #1 New York Times-bestselling book Designing Your Life

Dr. Marisa G. Franco

Psychologist, professor, friendship expert, and New York Times-bestselling author of Platonic

James Hatch

Retired member of the Naval Special Warfare Development group, author of Touching the Dragon, and founder of Spike’s K9 Fund

Therese Huston

Author of Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower

Valerie June

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist

Jean Kwok

Award-winning author of Girl in Translation

Lachi

Award-winning recording artist, disability rights activist, and CEO/Founder of RAMPD

Ariel Levy

Author of the New York Times-bestselling memoir The Rules Do Not Apply

Huey Lewis

Songwriter, actor, and lead singer for Huey Lewis and the News

Ian Manuel

Advocate for criminal justice reform, poet, and motivational speaker

Carine McCandless

Author of New York Times bestseller The Wild Truth and consultant and contributor to Jon Krakauer's book and Sean Penn's critically acclaimed film Into the Wild

Amy McGrath

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and founder of Honor Bound, Inc.

Chanel Miller

Artist, activist, and author of the New York Times bestseller Know My Name

Jenny Odell

New York Times-bestselling author of How to Do Nothing and Saving Time

Eve Rodsky

New York Times-bestselling author and creative leadership expert

Shaka Senghor

Author of Letters to the Sons of Society and Writing My Wrongs and leading voice on criminal justice reform

Bo Seo

Two-time world champion debater and author of Good Arguments

Suzanne Simard

Leader of The Mother Tree Project and author of Finding the Mother Tree

Linda Kaplan Thaler

Advertising Hall of Fame luminary, Chairman of Publicis Kaplan Thaler, and bestselling author of Power of Nice and Grit to Great

Melissa Urban

"The Boundary Lady," New York Times-bestselling author, and Whole30 co-founder

D.J. Vanas

Member of the Ottawa Tribe, author of The Tiny Warrior and host of the PBS special Discovering Your Warrior Spirit

Dr. Vint Virga

Distinguished veterinary practitioner and animal behaviorist, and author of The Soul of All Living Creatures

Holly Whitaker

Bestselling author of Quit Like a Woman and Founder of Tempest, Inc.
Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau