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.
Dr. Shirzad Chamine’s groundbreaking research introduces the concept of “Saboteurs”—internal voices that once helped us navigate real and perceived threats in childhood. While these mental patterns originally served as protection, they often persist into adulthood, operating as unseen forces that shape how we think, feel, and respond. Over time, these Saboteurs become embedded in our neural pathways, creating automatic reactions
Your family business survived the hard part — building something worth passing down or selling. But when leadership transitions to the next generation or new owner, most companies keep the old brand out of loyalty to the founder. That loyalty can quietly work against the new leadership's vision, credibility, and growth as well as the direction of the company. Jennifer
Leadership today is not failing because of a lack of talent or intelligence—it’s being strained by chronic pressure, fear-driven thinking, and disconnection from what makes us human. In environments that reward speed, certainty, and constant performance, leaders often lose access to their most powerful resource: a grounded, positive mindset that creates clarity, perspective, and empathy. This session reframes positive mindset
Did you know these alarming statistics? 70% of Players Played with Symptoms of Concussions; 40% of Coaches Didn’t Know About the Injury; 33% of Concussions Occur at Practice. A 10 to 30 minute presentation for coaches and parent meeting on the seriousness of concussions and how performance can be affected for athletes.
Helps business owners understand why profits and cash flow differ and how to manage the business more efficiently using this knowledge.
In this 90-minute interactive experience, Leilani guides participants through the process of writing and sharing their personal stories. The result? Deeper trust, increased empathy, and real connection between colleagues who usually only talk in metrics. Ideal for leadership retreats, ERG activations, or culture-building experiences, this workshop makes space for brave reflection and meaningful dialogue—and leaves teams more human than they
Growing up as a youth, my mother was a college educator, and my father was the President of the 2nd largest School Board in Illinois.I played football and Baseball, and sung for The Pepsi Generation Singer. I began to struggle with my grades, and my mother said that I needed to "keep the main thing, the main thing". She suggested
Hiring managers spend 6 to 10 seconds scanning your resume. That is all the time you have to make an impression. This session covers what a modern resume looks like, what has changed in the current marketplace, and how to position your accomplishments around measurable results instead of task descriptions. You will also learn how to use AI to pull
Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Your mindset determines your behavior and thoughts leading to your success, your performance and your impact on staff, co-workers, family, and friends. There are two mindsets, fixed and growth. If you have a fixed mindset you believe abilities and intelligence are determined early in life. Therefore, challenges and failure only
Anxiety is on the rise all over the country, stem the tide of anxiety in your life, family, business ... by learning anxiety management from Dr. Sassetti. He offers only the most reliable, accessable and effective strategies.
Women are often conflicted about money. On one hand, they're more financially powerful than they ever have been, according to the Federal Reserve, controlling 51% of all wealth in the United States.1 On the other hand, 60% of them describe their investing and planning skills as "below average."2 "Your Prosperity Picture" seeks to help financial advisors build assets by bridging
Pillars Community Health is available to make presentations regarding childhood grief. Our Buddy's Place is a childhood bereavement program serves the western and southwestern suburbs of Chicago.
"Live fast and hard, die young and have a good looking carcass!" Noel Duba, my father. It really does seem as though no one plans for what may happen as they age. If you have ever cared for an aging parent, then you know how important having a plan for aging can be. This fun, somewhat irreverent talk will provide
The number one desire of people as we age is to remain in our own homes. Yet many of us are one mobility impairment away from not even being able to enter or exit our homes. This challenge for society will continue to grow as Baby Boomers age. Most needs are short-term yet most commercial answers require permanent changes to
The schedule, process, protocol and results thus far of the HIPAA Audit Protocol will be discussed. The talk will include historical information and the top three preparatory steps an organization can take in case of an audit.
High-performing women in corporate roles deliver real results every day. And yet, many of them are still not being recognized and rewarded at the level they have earned. It is not because they lack talent. It is not because they lack confidence. It is because of the Articulation Gap: the distance between the impact they create and the impact leadership
Learn from Tom about the scientific consensus on climate change, as well as fossil fuel pollution, climate warming problems, and other challenges. Tom will also discuss the pillars of needed change and market approaches and business solutions for change. Also covered is: • The role of business in the convergence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) forces. • The value
Hiring is a two way street. It must be right for both the business and the employee. This workshop provides a different perspective on your biggest challenge and opportunity – hiring people who will thrive in the position and culture.
Technically, there is no such thing as a 60-minute strategic plan, but this session will provide the foundation, framework and next steps of building out your personal, team or organization’s strategies and plan. Participants will engage in the following: • Overview of Strategic Framework • What are your goals? • What is your purpose? • What does your environment look
We all have those awesome thoughts dripping with possibility, we get a smile on our face and consider how nice it would be then, out of nowhere comes "BUT". The whole show stops when the "BUT" gets in the way. The thinking then turns to all the reasons why we "CAN'T" realize the vision that we were given. We must
Leadership is hard work because the need to be socially connected at all time is a necessity for leaders to influence, impact, and direct organizations, people, and change. Business challenges require fast, direct decisions, therefore, leaders are relentlessly communicating with multiple stakeholders through email, phone, and technology. Yet, the most powerful leaders understand the demands of being a leader and
Turnover is one of the most expensive and frustrating challenges in manufacturing, yet the real reasons people leave are often misunderstood. This talk breaks down the human side of turnover, the moments when employees decide to stay or go and how leadership plays a bigger role than most realize. Through candid insights and relatable examples, John explains how clarity, consistency,
"10 Keys To Unlock Your Innovative Self" offers the reader a short, simple, easy and fun treatment teaching anyone how to use the basics of innovative behaviors for becoming a more effective problem solver leading to a higher quality of life. Specifically, this treatise touches on why every human being is an innovator at birth, how we can maximizes, this
In her highly acclaimed book, Being Wrong: Adventures in the margin of error, Kathryn Schulz says “As far as we know, then, error is uniquely ours. Our fallibility is what keeps us suspended between the kingdom of lessor animals and the kingdom of God.” How might we be different in the world if we knew a large percentage of what
Learn some simple techniques you can use to train your children (whether they are five or 25) to develop good money habits they can use for the rest of their lives.
In his book "Humanity's Journey Home," Roger talks about the future of the species Homo sapiens and our relationship to the biosphere. It is a provocative view and well received by those who are willing to take off rose-colored glasses and examine the perils we face and the paradigms that got us here. The perspective is hopeful in the long
Many factors lead to success, but none is more important than character. In an age where personal indiscretions consistently destroy the careers of leaders in all fields, commitment to character and integrity is crucial. Ted will discuss how this transformative trait may be the greatest secret to success.
My climate story. A brief tour of how as an active bicyclist I became an advocate for national action on climate change. In particular how an effective nonpartisan solution became a large focus of my retired life. Followed by a question and answer session focused on the interests and concerns of the audience about solving the climate problem. (30 minutes
Cherise Nicole speaks from a Chapter in her book "You Can Soar" on Courage Being The Master of Fear. Sometimes life's blows damage people's confidence and leave them with a broken or bruised wing? How can one soar when they've been broken on the inside? Cherise will motivate people to move out of their comfort zone and extinguish the excuses
Research shows everyone daily sabotages themselves. Uncover the saboteurs stopping YOU from experiencing: well being and peace of mind. This presentation will help you see what's actually going on, and guide you to make small changes, to live in greater ease. Awareness is power, and if it's hidden you're daily being undermined from your true well-being. Your current ways of
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