Politically Speaking: Big Ideas, Not Big Price Tags
/When it comes to speaker research and programming for themes and events around politics, elections, government, policies and the like, it's easy to see that many of these speakers require big budgets, long riders, heavy security and little wiggle room for your event-specific needs.
Not here. We have speakers who have worked in the White House, who collaborate with government and nonprofit organizations, who actively involve the military and veterans in conversations, and who have a clear understanding of the storied history and future projections of our collective future—politics or not. And they can share this with your audience without breaking the bank.
Looking to touch on the elephant in the room without bringing the elephant to the main stage? Check out these speakers who can keep hot topics in the mix without making it about red vs. blue.
Helping to build a more perfect union
VETERANS/MILITARY ENGAGEMENT | PROTECTING VOTING RIGHTS | FIGHTING MISINFORMATION
Ellen Gustafson, a recognized leader in social impact and a military spouse for over a decade, has more recently dedicated her career to advocating for military families and veterans. Through her involvement in initiatives like the "Vet the Vote" campaign, she has highlighted the critical role veterans play in safeguarding democracy. This campaign, which partners with organizations such as NASCAR, aims to engage veterans in the election process, emphasizing their unique perspective and commitment to the nation's core values. Ellen's work underscores the importance of leveraging the experience and leadership of veterans, not only to protect our democratic processes, but also to strengthen the fabric of our communities.
Ellen's recent op-ed emphasizes the powerful act of voting in honor of veterans, recognizing their sacrifices and service as foundational to our democratic freedoms. By encouraging voters to reflect on the contributions of veterans when participating in elections, Ellen and Vet the Vote are fostering a deeper connection between civilian duties and military service, reinforcing the importance of active civic engagement in safeguarding democracy.
NEW TOPIC:
Combating Misinformation and Hate: A Civic Duty
Ellen delves into the critical role that veterans and military families play in upholding democracy and combating misinformation. In this talk, Ellen highlights how the trust and leadership within this diverse community can be harnessed to counter hate-fueled ideologies and political violence as well as actively protect the democratic process at home.
Politics, but make it fun(ny)
EMPATHETIC STORYTELLING & ENGAGEMENT | POLITICS VIA HUMOR | AAPI (& DIVERSE) REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT
Brad Jenkins is an expert at turning belly laughs into beltway advocacy. Formerly from the comedic production Funny or Die, he uses the power of storytelling and comedy to engage the American public, especially young people, to care about democracy. From his time in the Obama White House, particularly his role in promoting the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Brad understands how to create innovative and celebrity-driven campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences.
Recently featured in the Hulu documentary series Black Twitter: A People's History, Brad remains mixed in pop culture moments and engaged in multi-faceted conversations on representation. He knows the importance of meeting people where they are, using entertainment and humor to make political campaigns and conversations more effective and engaging. Through his stories and speeches, Brad urges audiences to use laughter and storytelling to bridge political divides and show empathy, encouraging engagement with those holding different views.
SPEAKING TOPIC:
The Power of Laughter: How Comedy Saved Millions of Lives
At a time when people's trust in institutions are at an all-time low, comedy has become the last refuge for speaking truth to power. Learn how Brad used the power of comedy to reach as many Americans across the aisle by breaking through misinformation and partisanship in order to "sell" Obamacare via the award-winning comedy campaign with Zach Galifianakis and President Obama that reached millions of Americans and inspired them to get healthcare for their families.
Teaching history while it's being made
HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLITICS | VOTING BEHAVIORS | WOMEN'S RIGHTS & POLICY CHANGES
Natalia Petrzela is a distinguished historian and scholar specializing in American political history, with a particular focus on the intersections of politics, culture, and social movements. As an associate professor at The New School and frequent contributor to the HISTORY Channel, her research delves into the political and cultural implications of various historical periods, examining how shifts in American society shape and are shaped by political discourse. Her work is informed by a deep understanding of how historical events influence contemporary political landscapes, making her a valuable voice in discussions on American history and its impact on modern political trends.
In her recent MSNBC piece, Natalia explores the misconception that young voters are overwhelmingly radical in their political views. She argues that while young people are often portrayed as extreme or polarizing, their actual political behavior and preferences are more nuanced and moderate than commonly believed. She examines how media narratives can skew perceptions of youth political engagement and emphasizes that young voters are primarily driven by pragmatic concerns rather than radical ideologies. By dissecting these narratives, she provides a clearer understanding of the real dynamics at play among younger generations in the political arena.
SPEAKING TOPIC:
American Feminism, American Values: How the Fight for Women's Rights Has Been (Mis)understood
In this talk, Natalia charts the history of feminism in the United States, and how the struggles for gender equality have reflected and reshaped politics, culture, and the workplace—and still do today.
Outspoken Agency is a women-owned speaking agency representing leaders, founders, public intellectuals, authors and entertainers for paid keynotes, workshops and panels at in-person and virtual events. Learn more about our female founders here.