Free Speakers Chicago is a pro bono speakers bureau. Every presentation on this page is free to book, with no fees, no honorarium and no mileage. Browse the topics below and request a guest speaker for your next meeting, workshop or community event.
In today's fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become all too common, affecting entrepreneurs, leaders, and individuals from all walks of life. As a seasoned speaker and expert in stress management and anxiety reduction, I provide practical strategies and actionable insights to help individuals reclaim control over their mental well-being and unlock their full potential. My approach is rooted in
Business owners, retail or service-based, all say the exact same thing. ‘We need more customers so we can earn more money.’ It’s tough out there for business owners in 2021. Jean Kuhn “has the backs” of business owners and delivers the hard facts, the truth and some laughs, on what it takes to become the leader in their industry and
Black|Line's Security Essentials presentation focuses on the most common computer security issues facing people and businesses today. The talk describes the 4 primary threat categories and a series of technologies and best practices to protect yourself. The presentation can be made to fit a 30-60 minute format.
Are you or someone you know ready to begin receiving Social Security? If you are going to collect Social Security benefits in the next 10 years you should attend this educational session. In this session, you will learn: • When to take benefits - sooner or later? • Working while getting benefits • Taxation and Social Security • Spousal Benefits
The central proposition is powerful: your current “best self” is not the destination. Human beings can become increasingly conscious of how they are creating themselves, interrupt mistaken beliefs and automatic patterns, and deliberately move toward greater authenticity, fulfillment, relationship, and contribution. That is deeply grounded in Transformed! and the six-phase transformational process, as well as your recurring emphasis on lifelong
In this powerful keynote, Jason explores the reality of mental illness including, anxiety, depression and suicide while offering practical strategies for managing mental health. Deeply personal, honest and insightful, Jason shares his story of overcoming years of childhood trauma that led to decades of struggles with depression, anxiety and eventually teetering on the edge of suicide. Equal parts personal and
If you're nearing retirement or already retired you need to understand how taxes (including the new 2018 changes) impact your retirement income, as it may be possible for you to pay less in taxes on your hard-earned dollars. Since each person's tax situation is unique, and the tax rules can change year to year, it can be challenging to get
In today's dynamic and fast-paced business environment, effective leadership is not just about making strategic decisions or achieving bottom-line results—it's also about understanding and effectively managing the emotions of oneself and others. As a seasoned speaker and expert in emotional intelligence for leadership success, I provide invaluable insights and practical strategies to help leaders excel in their roles. The role
Old ways don't open new doors. We hear two things consistently these days: everybody sells or everybody is in sales. Nobody wants be sold. The question we ask ourselves is how do these two things coexist? The traditional way of selling leaves your prospects wanting something different and you, wanting more prospects! In The Games Buyers & Prospects Play session,
Having the technical skills and knowledge to successfully execute your job duties is only one part of being the best you can be in the workplace. In addition to these “hard” skills, we also need “soft” skills. Soft skills are those skills which allow us to effectively work with others. No matter what your position, organization, or industry, you work
Every plant wants lower turnover and higher engagement, but most overlook the one thing that drives both: leadership consistency. When expectations change from manager to manager, employees feel unstable — and instability sends people looking for the exit. This talk dives into how leaders shape culture through everyday behaviors. John shares practical, real‑world examples of how aligned leadership creates trust,
Interviews do not have to feel overwhelming. This hands-on session gives you a practical system to prepare for any interview and show up feeling calmer, clearer, and more in control. The session also introduces free AI tools like ChatGPT for ongoing interview practice. No tech experience needed. Whether you are changing careers, preparing for a promotion, or navigating an unexpected
Life is difficult. Our lives are constantly "under construction" and so are our goals and dreams both personally and professionally. What happens when life throws you a curveball you didn't expect? What do you do when it feels like all is lost and you want to give up? This session tackles the reality and fear of defeat. Focuses: • How
AI can speed up your job search when you know how to use it strategically. This session goes beyond the resume and covers how to use free AI tools across every stage of the job search process, from applications to networking to interview preparation. You will learn prompts that save time while keeping your unique voice, and how to build
Black|Line's "Digital Disaster" presentation explains how many businesses are failing to create and maintain some of their most valuable assets, their digital ones. Mr. Jankovsky explores what "Digital Assets" are, why they are important to a business/organization and how to avoid becoming a "Digital Disaster". The presentation can be made to fit a 30-60 minute format and can be tailored
Research consistently shows that the way we present ourselves influences confidence, credibility, hiring decisions, promotions, and earning potential. Drawing from years of experience helping thousands of professionals transform their wardrobes, Certified B Corporation CEO Sarene Alsharif explores the science behind first impressions and explains how intentional style can become a strategic business advantage. Participants leave with practical tools for building
Synopsis: 65% of businesses fail because of three things - complexity, confusion, and chaos. To avoid failure, modern day success requires businesses to relinquish expired “best practices” and embrace modern marketing and sales frameworks while leveraging fundamentals to succeed. Breakdown: • The 3 Cs Causing Marketing Strategies to Fail & How to Avoid Them • Improve MarketingOps Using the D.A.R.T.
*COVID-19 Update* I have conducted several online webinars and Zoom-based conferences for small groups and would be happy to do so for your organization as well. Most people know that they should have a will, but why? When should you have your first will drafted? What is the difference between a will and a trust? How do I make sure
If you thought the student loan bubble was only a Millennial problem, think again! The trillion dollar student loan bubble is bursting. This eye-opening program details the depth of this country’s student loan crisis, how it is spreading beyond the millennial generation, and why it is becoming your problem as well.
Learn how to establish a system whereby your organization can systematically improve its funding via the estate plans of potential donors. Most nonprofits receive periodic and inconsistent donations via this revenue stream, but I will explain how to utilize planned giving programs to improve fundraising across the board, not only via bequests. A small investment of time and resources on
Every leader has an impact on those being led. Dr. Van Meter discusses the IMPACT journey every leader takes to lead strongly in the world today. In his laid back midwestern style, Dr. Van Meter will share the stages of the that journey and what challenges have to be overcome to reach the next level.
Albert Einstein once said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Einstein believed you have to think about things differently and three rules, inspired by his work, provide us with the means do so. No one knows what will happen in the future. But, following these rules can get your business ready
You don't have the team you thought you did? Neither did I for many years until I finally discovered the secret to forming the team I always dreamed of. I'll tell you what you need to do for you to get your dream team too.
If you are looking to dramatically increase your sales, make more money with less effort, and build a sales system that produces predictable results, then this presentation is for you! In this presentation, Master Certified Business Coach Tom Kelly covers the 5 shifts that you need to make in how you approach your business so that you can attract what
The democratic party has seen a rise in candidates who declare themselves to be "democratic socialists". What does that label reallty mean? And what can we expect from those candidates? This presentation explains what labels such as "democratic socialist" and "social democracy" really mean, why these candidates are rising withing the democratic party, and what their rise means for the
The program will highlight the three key areas of opportunity to reduce the overall cost of a college education. The presentation will focus on strategies to maximize need-based financial aid eligibility, target the right colleges for merit-based financial aid, and exploit tax-saving opportunities.
According to the Social Security Administration: 94% of the Baby-boomers are not prepared for retirement. The sad reality is that retirement is a financial position not an age. Far too many people think of retirement in terms of time however; that is only half of the equation. Retirement is time+money and so many people miss the second part “money”. There
Manufacturing leaders know the feeling: fix one problem and two more pop up. It’s exhausting, expensive, and strangely familiar. This talk explores why so many plants fall into “Whack a Mole Leadership,” where quick fixes replace real solutions and teams spend more time reacting than improving. Through relatable stories from the plant floor, John shows how small leadership habits can
A culture by chance is the welcome mat which invites variation into a business, hurting performance and results. On the other hand, a culture guided by choice helps prevent variation that hurt results. Get insights on how to make sure your organization’s culture enhances your value proposition and the customer experience instead of eroding them. Including a close look at
While the media world continues to shift and change, companies of all sizes are still hungry for the valuable earned media mentions and features that bring an unparalleled credibility. So, what are they to do? Jennifer shares that today, PR is much more than just earned media. It's more than the newspaper story on a plaque on the wall. It's
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