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.
this presentation addresses the problem of unlimited political money corrupting our democracy. We explain the problem clearly, and discuss the causes and possible solutions, including steps that we can take in our own communities to begin addressing this structural problem in our country. The presentation is non-partisan and brings issues to light which are of concern across the aisle.
Many organizations roll out operating systems with enthusiasm, only to watch them fade when production pressure hits. This talk explores why these systems often stall and how leaders can connect them to strategy in a way that actually lasts. John shares how to make operating systems meaningful to frontline teams, how to reinforce expectations through leadership routines, and how to
Are you a real estate agent that has been struggling with your sales since the real estate boom has ended? Are you wondering how you can turn your business around and have just as much, if not more success during a market downturn? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Master Certified Business Coach Tom Kelly will teach
Although we all know that training can have many amazing benefits, sometimes it can be hard to prove those benefits and attach a dollar value to training. Some topics, like sales training or time management, might have direct, tangible benefits. Other topics, like communication or leadership, might have benefits that you can’t put a dollar value on. Through this discussion
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
We've all met that dynamic, charismatic person that just has a way with others, and has a way of being remembered. Participants will identify ways of creating a powerful introduction, remembering names, and managing situations when you’ve forgotten someone’s name. The Interpersonal Skills discussion will help participants work towards being that unforgettable person by providing communication skills, negotiation techniques, tips
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,
The presentation will focus on strategies to target colleges for merit-based financial aid. Armed with this understanding and knowledge of the college aid process, a college education may become more affordable.
Increasing one's happiness can be done through the power of positive thinking. That is one skill that this presenttion will touch on to teach participants how to be happier. Happiness can spread throughout an organization, and have a positive effect on everyone. During this interactive and energetic discussion participants will engage in unique and helpful ways to increase their happiness.
Cherise Nicole speaks from her book "You Can Soar" encouraging her listeners to believe they can reach their dreams despite adversity, whether they grew up in a dysfunctional household, experienced poverty, divorce, physical or sexual abuse, an absentee parent, struggle with inadequacies, low self-esteem, or a sense of loss because of the painful effects of their past. The bald eagle
If you are a currently working too many hours, can’t seem to find the time to do the things you want to do, and would like to live a balanced life you love, then this presentation is for you! In this presentation, Master Certified Business Coach Tom Kelly covers the shifts you need to make to live a balanced life
In This Session Cherise Nicole speaks from a chapter in her book "You Can Soar" on You Have Everything You Need To Succeed! Cherise encourages listeners that they already have everything they need for success RIGHT NOW! She encourages people to stop waiting for "perfect conditions" before moving forward pursuing their dreams. People are waiting on your creativity, your crazy
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
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
Learn why we elect the US president via the Electoral College, how our Electoral College damages our demcoracy - and what we can do about it.
Life is lived on levels and arrived at in stages, at every new level you come to there is a stage that you must go through or you will remain where you are currently. The different levels in life are easy to see however, comfort and fear keep us from venturing out of our comfort zone. For me that comfort
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
This presentation focuses on Trump's tariffs and their impact on our country - not only the economic consequences, but also how they play out in the larger picture of trade, manufacturing, and everyday costs for families. In addition to exploring the topic of tariffs, Ed Spire will be sharing a look "behind the scenes" at how he use social media
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
In "Deportation Nation: America's Immigration Crossroads," Ed will analyze unprecedented changes in federal immigration policy, shedding light on how these actions impact families, communities, and the very fabric of our society. The Trump administration's approach to immigration marks a sharp departure from historic norms. With an enormous escalation in funding directed at enforcement measures, the federal debt continues to rise
While a discussion on workplace manners and courtesy may seem like overkill, the reality is: rudeness is an epidemic costing industry millions a year. Indeed, what society seems to be gaining in terms of both knowledge and technological advancement, it’s losing out on basic social values that directly impact the bottom line. This discussion introduces the concept of civility, its
Every decade, increasing gerrymandering has created more and more "safe seats", which have resulted in more and more extreme legislators on both sides of the aisle - creating a legislature where compromise is impossible, and very little legislative progress ensures. This presentation shows why this happens, and what we can do about it, using the recent example of the Alaska
Onboarding new employees is a secure investment that will assist newly hired employees in developing their skills, knowledge, and value within the company. It will help match the technically skilled Millennial workforce with new and emerging needs of your company, which gives your company an advantage within the market. Millennial Onboarding is a specialized type of employee onboarding. With Millennials
Economic inequality has been rising in the US for decades, damaging our economy and society in the process. This presentation will discuss how high it has become, why it happens, how it damages our country, and what we can do about it.
Neil Postman once said, "Children are the living messages we send to a future we will not see." When we change the life of a young person, we change the course of human history.
There's been a lot of discussion lately about tighter regulations on assault weapons like the AR-15. If we are going to regulate these weapons, we will need a legal definition describing them. And instead of a definition that depends upon specific configurations or cosmetic appearance, we propose a definition based on the factors that make this class of weapons so
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