In a world ruled by AI, what sets us apart? Our ability to be human.
Your audience’s brains are overloaded. They don’t need more information. They need someone to translate it. Jehan Casinader cuts through the noise, giving people the confidence to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Jehan teaches the essential human skills we need for the future. His keynotes and workshops tackle generational change, communication in the AI era, leadership and mental health.
What sets Jehan apart: his ability to explain big, complex topics in a way that actually makes sense. He distils the latest research, finds the human story, and shares practical tools that audiences can use straight away.
The result? Much more than a “motivational” speech. His presentations leave audiences informed, surprised, energised – and more prepared for the future.
A former journalist, Jehan’s TV career began at just 13. By 28, he was named “Reporter of the Year” at the New Zealand Television Awards. He interviewed seven Prime Ministers – plus white supremacists, entrepreneurs, disaster heroes, pop stars, and everyone in between. In 2020, he wrote the acclaimed memoir “This Is Not How It Ends”, about his journey through depression and suicidal thoughts.
Now, as a full-time speaker for six years, Jehan has delivered more than 500 keynotes and workshops across New Zealand and Australia. There are no copy-and-paste presentations. He carefully researches each organisation, sector and audience, then tailors his content to what the client is trying to achieve.
Jehan is also an experienced MC and facilitator for conferences, strategic events and awards. He regularly leads on-stage interviews and panel discussions with ministers, business leaders, industry experts, celebrities and community leaders.
Based between Melbourne and Wellington, Jehan works with clients across Australia and New Zealand. Event planners value his preparation, professionalism and consistency, with some clients choosing to rebook him year after year.
Talking Points
MC & Facilitator
Jehan Casinader is a seasoned broadcaster and award-winning journalist who brings clarity, energy and professionalism to every event. As an MC, he creates a seamless experience for audiences and organisers, guiding conversations with confidence and warmth. Jehan is skilled at drawing out insights from diverse speakers, from CEOs and government leaders to emerging talent, ensuring panels and discussions are engaging and outcome-driven. His ability to combine sharp interviewing skills with storytelling expertise makes him the ideal choice for conferences, awards nights and high-profile corporate events.
MC & Facilitator
Generation Next
Gen Z is here, and they’re asking big questions. What’s the purpose of work? Does loyalty count for anything? And will a full-time job really satisfy their desires? It’s the first generation in history that won’t be satisfied with pay rises and promotions. If you want to secure your future workforce, you need a much better story to tell. As a self-described “recovering millennial”, Jehan Casinader flips the script on Gen Z. Going far beyond stereotypes and slang, Jehan provides mind-blowing insights and practical tools that will totally change the way you communicate with Gen Z.
Generation Next
The Key To Influence
Do you want to change how people think or act? Storytelling is the key to influence. But many of us don’t know how to tell great stories, or we’re afraid to open up. As a result, our most important messages are never heard. Award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader will teach you how to cut through the noise and connect with the people who matter. Whether you’re a senior leader or brand new to the workforce, Jehan’s remarkable toolkit will elevate your communication. Learn how to capture attention, connect with your audience, and build trust and credibility with warmth, gravitas and personality.
The Key To Influence
Tell Me The Good News
Feel like you’re drowning in negative information? From breaking news to social media, we're bombarded with bleak, anxiety-inducing content every single day. But did anyone ever teach you how to manage the information you consume? In this compelling, uplifting session, Jehan Casinader reveals how our attention is being captured and manipulated: from clickbait to algorithms, and everything in between. Using powerful stories from his journalism, the latest neuroscience, and his journey through depression, Jehan explains how you can regain control and find the good news.
Tell Me The Good News
Make Them Care
People who thrive in business have one thing in common: they create exceptional client experiences. Jehan Casinader reveals the remarkable power of “non-transactional behaviours”, the small, often invisible choices that build trust and loyalty. The words you use. The signals you send. The details you notice. The energy you share. Drawing on real examples from media and business, Jehan will share powerful “micro-skills” that will transform your relationships and give you an invisible edge over your competitors. By surpassing expectations and making people feel truly seen, you can deliver unrivalled value, win more work, and build partnerships that last.
Make Them Care
Common Ground
Our world feels more polarised than ever. People are quick to judge and quick to take offence. Abuse and aggression are on the rise, even in the workplace. And some people don’t feel safe enough to speak their mind. How can we build bridges with people who don’t look, sound, think or behave like us? As a journalist, Jehan Casinader knows how to create trust and rapport with strangers, often in high-pressure situations. Drawing on his real-life interviews with a white supremacist and a Spice Girl, Jehan explains how we can move past our differences and find common ground.
Common Ground
Own Your Story
Your mindset is shaped by the story you tell. Jehan Casinader was an ambitious young journalist interviewing Prime Ministers, reporting from Hollywood, and winning awards. But for many years, he was also hiding a secret: he was depressed and suicidal. In a moving, uplifting session, Jehan explains how the power of storytelling saved his life. He offers a fresh perspective on mental performance and practical tools that will change the way you look after your wellbeing. This is not just another cookie-cutter presentation on mental health. Jehan’s unique messages have saved lives.
Own Your Story
Topics
Video
Jehan Casinader Speaker Reel
"I'm not a motivational speaker. Motivating people is easy. Changing the way they see the world is far more valuable." Former TV journalist Jehan Casinader spent 20 years covering terror attacks, interviewing prime ministers and watching history unfold. Now he teaches the human skills that will set people apart in an AI-driven world: building rapport, communicating in a crisis, and influencing how people think and feel. Jehan speaks on communication, leadership, wellbeing and the future of work. He's available for keynotes, workshops and MC roles across New Zealand and beyond. Celebrity Speakers is New Zealand's leading speaker bureau, curating speakers who create moments audiences remember.Jehan’s opening keynote was the highest-rated session at our annual conference in Melbourne. Engaging and insightful, he delivered a compelling presentation from start to finish. He connecte ... keep reading Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency
We invited Jehan to speak at our leadership team’s business planning day. He is an impressive presenter who captures the room with storytelling, self-reflection and humour. He was highly professional in the way he engaged with us prior to the session, tailoring the content to our internal frameworks, and aligning his messages with our environment. Polished, thoughtful and highly engaging.
Jehan’s presentation was the highlight of our 2026 wellbeing conference in Sydney. Delegates were deeply moved by his powerful storytelling, and the authenticity, courage and hope with which he shared his experiences. His keynote left a lasting impression.
I have worked with Jehan on four annual national conferences. As an MC, Jehan is the consummate professional. He is generous with his time, and goes to great lengths to understand what we want from him, so that he can add value to our event. Jehan is thoughtful, considered, and intelligent in his approach, thorough in his research, and never fails to deliver.
We highly recommend Jehan. His session was exceptionally engaging and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Jehan’s insights were perfectly tailored to our audience, and his session sparked ongoing discussions. He is able to connect with diverse audiences and inspire meaningful conversations.
Jehan's storytelling skills are truly remarkable. As he spoke, I found myself drawn into his world, eagerly hanging onto every word. It was as if he had a unique ability to transport us into the very heart of his experiences.
Jehan’s closing keynote on communication was the perfect way to end our forum. He seamlessly tied his key messages to the theme of our event, and showed real adaptability by tailoring his presentation after listening to our athletes and other speakers. His energy was infectious, and his style kept everyone engaged. A fantastic contribution to the day!
