In addition to co-hosting the nationally syndicated public radio show A Way with Words each week, I offer lively, interactive presentations to groups of all sizes — conferences, keynotes, luncheons, lectures, commencements, graduations, classrooms. I also emcee lots of types of events, including galas, fundraisers, awards ceremonies, and even dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or private celebrations. I can also serve as a moderator or live interviewer for your event.
See testimonials from some of my clients about how I helped them solve their event-planning needs.
I’m happy to work with you to tailor my presentation to the needs of your organization, or talk about topics I’ve discussed in the news media. Contact me here.
I can entertain your group with a presentation on such topics as:
- The Joy of Lex: Falling in Love with Language
- The St8 of English 2day? Gr8!: Why English Is Healthier Than Ever
- Get Your Words’ Worth: How to Improve Your Email Efficiency
- You Say Pop, I Say Soda: A Talking Tour of Regional Dialects in America
- A Garden of Words: How Flowers Got Their Names
- Putting Words in Your Mouth: How Foods Got Their Names
- Where the Wild Things Are: An Appreciation of The Animals Hidden in Everyday Words
- A Way with … Birds: Spotting Our Feathered Friends Lurking in The Language
- Libraries: Your Key to Lifelong Learning
- My Best Failure Ever!: A Motivational Talk About Pursuing Your Passion
- Unwrapping the Gift of Language: Words for the Holiday Season
- Sticks and Stones: Language and Workplace Diversity
If you’d like to book an engagement, contact me. If you’d like to book both me and my radio partner Grant Barrett, just say the word!
Selected Upcoming Events
• Keynote speaker, Diversity Summit, Sempra Energy, Downie, CA. July 12, 2012.
• Keynote speaker and workshop leader. Writers’ Forum, Intuit Corporate Headquarters. Mountain View, California. September 12, 2012.
• Luncheon speaker, Community College Humanities Association (CCHA) Pacific-Western Division Conference, “Exploring Histories in the Humanties.” Portland, Oregon. October 26, 2012.
• Improv Comedy. Ongoing performances at public, private, and corporate venues with the San Diego-based improv comedy troupe, “Thunderprov!”
Selected Past Events
Check out my recent media appearances here.
• Commencement Address, National University graduation ceremony, Sacramento Civic Center, Sacramento, California. April 22, 2012.
• Keynote Speaker, Women’s Leadership Conference, Ferrum College, Ferrum, Virginia. March 13, 2012 (See a recommendation from the College Provost.)
• Auctioneer, Buena Vista Audubon Society fundraiser in Oceanside, California. February 25, 2012. (See a recommendation from the organizer.)
• Co-host of the Words Alive! Annual Authors’ Luncheon with my radio partner Grant Barrett. The benefit and fundraiser grossed more than $90,000. November 1, 2011. (See a recommendation from the Executive Director.)
• Courtside Announcer for the Mercury Insurance Open, a professional tennis tournament, at the La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. July 30-31, 2011.
• Lecture, Congregation Beth Israel. “The Joy of Lex.” March 17, 2011.
• Emcee, San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This dinner was a collaboration among the Women’s Museum of California, the Women’s Studies Department at San Diego State University, The Women’s Center at the University of California San Diego, and the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women. March 12, 2011. (See a recommendation from the organizer.)
• Auctioneer, Buena Vista Audubon Society fundraiser in Oceanside, California. After opening the program with a condensed version of my talk “A Way with … Birds.” February 26, 2011. (See a recommendation from the organizer.)
• Celebrity designated speller alongside my radio partner Grant Barrett. San Diego Council on Literacy Adult Spelling Bee. February 24, 2011.
• Sunday-morning Speaker, Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation, a church in Escondido, California. “Pursuing Your Passion.” February 20, 2011.
• Luncheon featured speaker, the Wednesday Club, the venerable women’s artistic and cultural organization founded in 1895. This a holiday-themed presentation was titled “Unwrapping the Gift of Words.” December 1, 2010.
• Luncheon featured speaker, Brandeis University National Women’s Committee, North County Chapter of San Dieguito. This organization philanthropic arm of the University raising money for scholarships as well as support of campus libraries. “Why I Love Libraries.” Morgan Run Club & Resort, Rancho Santa Fe, California. May 24, 2010.
• Lecture. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of California San Diego Extension. “The Joy of Lex.” April 13, 2010.
• Featured Speaker, La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary. December 4, 2009.
• Featured Speaker, Family Health Centers of San Diego Annual Luncheon. November 21, 2008.
• Closing Keynote Speaker for the training conference of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR). Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. “Getting Your Words’ Worth: Improve Your Business Communication and Email Efficiency.” October 22, 2008. (See a recommendation from the organizer.)
• Writing seminar, Baker & McKenzie LLP. My talk to attorneys and paralegals at this law firm was called “Get Your Words’ Worth!”: Increase Your Word Power and Improve Your Email Efficiency.” San Diego, California. July 29, 2008. (See a recommendation from the organizer.)
• Emcee, Annual San Diego Book & Writing Awards. May 17, 2008
• Speaker, Marion County Public Library, “A Garden of Words.” Indianapolis, Indiana. April 13, 2008.
• Guest Host and Speaker with my radio partner Grant Barrett for “Alphabet Affair,” a fundraiser for the Indianapolis literacy organization, Indy Reads. Hyatt Regency, Indianapolis, Indiana. April 12, 2008.
• Awards presenter at the 31st Annual American Crossword Tournament in Brooklyn, New York. This is the big event organized by NPR Puzzlemaster Will Shortz. Crossword Tournament: The Final Countdown, New York Press. March 28, 2008.
• Emcee for fundraising gala with sports legends Maria Sharapova and Pam Shriver at the Acura Classic Tennis Tournament. This event raised $256,000 for the Scripps Polster Breast Care Center to support breast care prevention, treatment, and early detection. La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. August 2, 2007.
