Bio:

Heroes, Villains, and Drunk old men | lessons for your journey 

You’re going eleventy-billion miles an hour each day, leading and serving others like a pro while trying to listen well, fight fair, resolve conflicts, build relationships, and be unbelievably awesome. But how do you do all that? How can you keep everybody in your personal and professional lives happy while not completely burning yourself out?  This session has the answers. It will share lessons from a former financial services executive, the most influential storytelling technique ever created, and a motley crew of (formerly) drunk old men.  You'll leave with practical skills that will help you build a company full of heroes, keep the villains at bay, and help you build a brighter future for everyone you serve at work and at home.

Cancer, Covid, and 2 Good Dogs | lessons from the worst best years of my life

When Andy's wife Karla was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, he thought that would be the toughest test he and his family would ever face. But then the pandemic hit, along with another near-fatal health challenge, and that's when Andy's family knew that nothing would be the same again.  In this heartwarming, funny, and powerful keynote, Andy relates what they learned about navigating a marriage, life, and career turned inside out almost overnight.  You'll leave with practical lessons you can use when the world stops making sense, wisdom to help you find peace during life's trials...and maybe an urge to get yourself a couple good dogs of your own.

Hugging the Spider | improving your public speaking skills

If you're like most people, public speaking is scarier than a room full of spiders, a fear that may be holding you back, personally and professionally.  But what if we embraced that fear, understood its source, and overcame it? During this session, we'll do exactly that.  You'll learn a few simple and powerful techniques for crafting and delivering messages that will resonate with members, customers, and colleagues, and give you more confidence in front of audiences of any size.

Happily Ever After | how to tell great stories

We've known for years that powerful stories are vital for boosting the relevance, visibility, and impact of companies of every size and in nearly every industry.  In this keynote, I share the lessons I’ve learned during my career as a professional storyteller to improve the narratives your company produces, including:

• The two words that transform stories from good to great
• The four stories your customers, members, and colleagues crave
• Growing great stories from the inside out
• Storytelling secrets from an orphanage and a hospital
• The psychological blind spot that can damage every story you tell
• The wisdom of Mother Nature, South Park, and bad Halloween costumes