I work with purpose-driven teams who want to think differently so they can create more change that matters. I do this as a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and coach. Over the past 25 years, I’ve presented at over 1000 live events for over 100,000 people. Gad, I’m a lucky guy!

I studied photography in university and was working as a photographer and photography educator when I met the lovely woman who was to become my wife. Her father is an amateur magician, so she grew up in the world of magic. They took me to a magic convention and I was hooked. I immediately started to use magic in the classroom to engage my students. Over time, I became a professional magician and left the photography world behind.

Even though I absolutely love to give people experiences of childlike wonder, it wasn’t long before I started to miss the classroom. So, I mashed entertainment and education together to develop my first keynote speech in 2003. I’ve been fortunate to continue on that path ever since.

Egads, no!

I see a lot of speakers, trainers, and ‘experts’ impose their content on audiences with no regard for the unique individuals in the room. “Here’s my 5-step process for improvement. Go do it and you’ll succeed.” I think that’s preposterous and presumptuous! This one-size-fits-all approach is not only ineffective, it’s insulting. 

That’s why I tap into my training as a coach to ask powerful questions and leave space for powerful answers. Sure, I provide proven tools, eye-opening new perspectives, and research-backed techniques from the field of positive psychology, but that’s just the beginning. Then I ask the questions that help each person (or team) find their own best answer to their specific challenges.

It’s human nature to get stuck in ruts - to do the same things in the same ways. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “well, we’ve just always done it that way.” (and I’ve certainly been guilty of that sort of thinking myself.) When we pause to consider our habitual thoughts and behaviours, we can uncover outdated ways of thinking. The whole world is constantly changing. Shouldn’t you too?

Quite simply, magic creates a sense of wonder and possibility that spark new ways of thinking. Magic is a powerful jolt that helps people shake out the cobwebs and find new paths forward. Plus, it’s a lot of fun. There’s a growing body of research that shows the valuable impact of fun on learning. It doesn’t matter how good the content is if no one is listening!

Yes! Magic literally demonstrates the “impossible” and impacts even the most skeptical. It’s a jolt to the system (in the best way.) When you see me do something that you KNOW is impossible, you’re forced to reconsider everything that you think you know. This can be a powerful moment of self-reflection that leads to improved problem-solving skills, increased creativity, and better relationships.

What you know for certain could be exactly why you’re stuck. When you’re stuck, magic can open your mind and change your heart. As a trained coach, I bring deep listening skills and curiosity to everything I do. This means that I ask powerful questions that allow you to discover your own ‘right answers’ that lead to lasting and meaningful growth.

95% of the time, when I begin working with new clients I deliver some form of my program, “We've Always Done It That Way” (either as a keynote or an interactive workshop.) In it, I explore the value of challenging assumptions and provide practical tools that empower audiences to get unstuck and make better decisions.

I’ve lived in Toronto, Canada since 2007. I’m a dual citizen of the USA and Canada, so it’s easy for me to travel and work anywhere in those countries without the hassle of visas or work permits. I’m also happy to present pretty much anywhere worldwide!

There’s a link at the bottom of every page of this website. There, you’ll also find my A/V requirements and an introduction to read before I hit the stage.

My A/V needs are really quite simple. Most likely, I won't require anything beyond what any of your other presenters will need. We want to ensure that everyone in the room can see and hear the presentation, so depending on the size of the room and audience, we adjust accordingly. You can download a PDF with all the details from this page.