Karl Subban
KARL SUBBAN is the bestselling author of How We Did It: The Subban Plan for Success in Hockey, School and Life, speaker and award-winning educator. A school principal for many years, he is also a director of the Greater Toronto Hockey League and the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation. Subban was awarded an honorary doctorate of education by Lakehead University in 2022. He is a certified Maxwell speaker, coach and a trainer. His second book, The Hockey Skates was published in September 2023. Karl’s latest book, Raise Your Roof: The Hidden Power of Potential, will be published in April 2025. He lives in Toronto.
Speaking Topics
The Power of Potential
For more than three decades, Karl Subban has been honing his proven approach to building resilience, increasing perseverance, mastering goal setting—and bringing out the best in everyone. Every year we get bigger, but not necessarily better. Older, but not necessarily wiser. We’re not always set up for success, and despite our best efforts, we can get stuck in a place where we don’t think it’s possible to dream, let alone dream big. As a coach, educator, author and father, Subban knows that understanding and believing in our own potential are key to making changes that matter and bringing purpose to our lives and the lives of those around us. Packed with proven strategies including “raise their roof ” playbooks for leaders, parents and educators, Raise Your Roof is an inspiring and practical guide to creating meaningful change, realizing goals and finding fulfillment. The power of potential is at your starting line, not your finish line.
Developing Potential (Talk for educators)
Teachers plant seeds in the minds, bodies, and souls of young people and they don’t often see the fruits of their efforts. An example for me was Mr. Kangas, my very first teacher in Canada. He was the primary reason why I wanted to go to school. He pulled me up when I was feeling down and wasn’t aware of it until I wrote about him in my first book, How We Did It. He saw me, valued me and made me feel special. His impact on me helped me to identify the three vital qualities of effective teachers: know your students, care about your students, and inspire your students.
This keynote will explore two primary ways to empower growth in our student leaders:
- Creating a growth empowering environment
- Developing as a growth empowering leader
Potential is having the capacity to develop into something in the future. The potential of the school is directly related to the potential of the students and the staff. If we want better results, we must invest in young people.
It Always Seems Impossible Until It is Done (Talk for students)
This keynote, aimed at students, will focus on my journey, sharing stories and lessons learned working in my three worlds as an educator, hockey dad, and coach working with youth in several sports including coaching the men’s basketball team at George Brown College and being a hockey coach in the Greater Toronto Hockey League for approximately ten years.
My aim is to provide students with tools and framework to inspire them reach their unlimited potential.
Topics:
*Is your dream your dream?
*The power in your beliefs
*Facing and working through challenges and adversities
*Focusing on possibility not performance
*Using the 4 Ts to take effective action (Time, Task, Training, and Team)
*Navigating distractions
*Building confidence and overcoming fear and failure
*Are you teachable, coachable, and likable?
*Do you want to be good, or do you want to excel?
*You must FOCUS to make it.
Dr. Jean Marmoreo
Dr. Jean Marmoreo is a doctor, writer, athlete, advocate and adventurer.
For 45 years she was a family physician practising in downtown Toronto, and in 2016 became one of Canada’s first practitioners of MAiD, to provide Medical Assistance in Dying. In 2022, she also began practising family medicine in the High Arctic.
Jean is a Fellow of the Canadian College of Family Physicians; is affiliated with Women’s College Hospital; and is a Lecturer in the Family Practice Department of the Temerty School of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
Graduating in 1964 from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario with a degree in nursing, Jean became Head Nurse at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto, the predecessor to CAMH, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She then decided to pursue a career in medicine and in 1974 graduated with the highest marks in her class in clinical practice from the Temerty School of Medicine, one of the top handful of medical schools in North America.
For many years, Jean was a specialist in mid-life medicine and now in end-of-life issues, and was also a regular columnist for the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and Zoomer. Her Zoomer series, “This is what 70 looks like”, won a Silver Award in the 2014 National Magazine Awards.
The popularity of her columns led to her writing a book, The New Middle Ages: Women in Midlife which was published in 2002 by Prentice Hall. In the fall of 2022, Penguin Random House published a book by Jean and co-author Johanna Schneller titled The Last Doctor: Lessons in Living from the Front Lines of Medical Assistance in Dying, which was short-listed for the Balsillie Prize in Public Policy and is a national best-seller.
But it has been in the storied Boston Marathon that Jean Marmoreo has broken records. In seven different years, she placed first in her age group, and her 2013 time set a course record for her age group. In her final Boston Marathon in 2019, she finished first among women 75-79 with a time of 4:18.
Jean is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and has hiked 1,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail. She has also undertaken numerous treks in New Zealand, Australia, Spitsbergen, Patagonia, Bhutan, Tanzania, and to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest, and in 2019, she circumnavigated Manhattan by kayak.
In 2023, Jean was inducted into the Order of Canada, and in 2024, she was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Sciences from McMaster University.
Speaking Topics
Jean is frequently called on to speak to women as a media commentator or directly to women’s audiences. In 2005, Jean was chosen as one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.” Her keynotes cover a range of topics for audiences both male and female, from aging meaningfully, to menopause, to medical assistance in dying.
Live long. Die well.
Our attitudes to life and death have changed dramatically: we all want to live long and happy lives, but when it’s time to go, we want the best for ourselves and our families as well. Dr. Jean Marmoreo, the noted family physician and MAiD doctor, discusses what to do now to give yourself the best chance at a longer, happier life — and a good end.
What are you doing in the second half of your life?
Being over 50 doesn’t have to feel like a waiting room; it can be a supermarket. The trick is to do some very simple things to give yourself the best chance to stay healthy, functional and happy in your next 30 years. Dr. Jean Marmoreo says you get old when you slow down – and she shows the life-enhancing benefits of exercise, adventure and most of all, connecting widely and deeply with your world.
Finally, you can do something about your menopause.
For most women in midlife, menopause was something to be endured in frustrating silence. Yet its symptoms (there are many more than medicine thought before) can make your life and work miserable. While menopause isn’t a disease it can feel like you have a crippling one. Dr. Jean Marmoreo was on the front lines of menopause 30 years ago when she was a midlife women’s specialist and is again today as the medical advisor to an AI-driven online menopause service.
Dying on the day you choose.
The legalization of Medical Assistance in Dying has given Canadians the opportunity for something they never before: A Good Death. But how do you qualify for MAiD? What are the rules, the myths, the trends? Renowned MAiD doctor Jean Marmoreo explains it all.
To book Jean for an event, contact Rob Firing at rob@transatlanticagency.com
Miranda Newman
Miranda Newman is a journalist, editor, and author. Her debut memoir-in-essays, Rough Magic: Living with Borderline Personality Disorder was an instant national bestseller. Miranda’s award-nominated feature and opinion pieces have appeared in The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, The Walrus, Broadview, and more.
Miranda holds a bachelor of journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly, Ryerson). In 2022, she completed a fellowship at Yale University’s program for recovery and community health and went on to mentor incoming fellows. Miranda speaks regularly on topics related to mental health, psychology, and trauma at events across North America.
Speaking Topics
What does recovery from mental illness look like?
“What are your recovery goals?” This question was posed to Miranda Newman shortly after her third stay in psychiatric intensive care. It was a question that was both simple and daunting. Unlike recovering from physical illness, mental health recovery is harder to conceptualize and rarely linear. Was recovery fewer panic attacks and thoughts of self-destruction? Longer periods between hospitalizations? The ability to return to full-time work?
In this talk, Newman explores the complex and often storied reality of mental health recovery. Informed by her lived experience recovering from borderline personality disorder, an often fatal mental illness typically viewed as untreatable, and her fellowship at Yale University’s program for recovery and community health, Newman examines the best and worst practices in community-based mental health treatment, unpacks social attitudes toward mental illness, and highlights gaps in policy. A talk rooted in hope, Newman reminds audiences that recovery isn’t the sole responsibility of the individual. It takes a village to help a person recover from mental illness.
Supporting mental health in the workplace
Miranda Newman worked herself to the point of hospitalization. Twice. All the evidence of mounting burnout was there: poor sleep, panic attacks, missed deadlines, weight loss, irritability, and extreme emotions. But with no workplace mental health support and fewer coping skills, Newman just kept working until her suicidal urges grew so powerful that inpatient care was her only option.
In today’s fast-paced and high-pressure work environments, mental health challenges are increasingly common. According to the Canadian Psychological Association, at least 500,000 Canadians miss work due to mental illness every week, with an estimated cost of $51 billion annually. Unfortunately, the Canadian Mental Health Association notes that just 36 per cent of employees feel comfortable discussing a mental health concern with a manager.
Supporting mental health in the workplace can improve productivity, employee satisfaction, staff retention, and teamwork. In this talk, Newman offers strategies to foster mental wellness in the workplace. From accommodation, to education, to implementing wellness programs, Newman’s talk will equip audiences with the ability to make a meaningful impact on the mental health of those around them and address mental health concerns before they become crises.
Videos:
- Conversation with co-hosts Melissa Grelo and Cynthia Loyst on CTV’s The Social, May 2024
https://youtu.be/Zu05flHmqsk?feature=shared - Interview with Lindsey Deluce on CTV’s Your Morning, May 2024
https://youtu.be/xnC860oxI4s?feature=shared - Discussion with Tamara Taggart on the Telus Talks podcast, June 2024
https://youtu.be/bOiX-70eMPs?feature=shared
Rebecca Hosey, DC, MS, PA-C
Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Hosey is a licensed chiropractor, physician assistant, speaker, and writer, with degrees from the University at Albany, New York Chiropractic College, and the Le Moyne College Physician Assistant Program. With many years of unique clinical experience, her expertise is in the fields of pain medicine and psychiatry. A life-long learner, Becky has a strong passion for education and has held several academic positions, including Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine.
Becky was diagnosed with Sjögren’s Disease in 2015, and stage four endometriosis in 2021 after years of undiagnosed and severe symptoms. She began sharing her story to inspire others, and is currently writing a memoir documenting her experiences and advocating for patients with chronic illnesses. Becky is a regular speaker in the general public and medical community, and her work is centered around empowering patients to advocate for themselves. In her work with medical professionals, she focuses on the importance of leading with empathy, and on the vulnerability of the patient experience, which can be easily overlooked in the current medical model.
She has appeared on numerous podcasts, news interviews, and has partnered with several autoimmune organizations to share her story. Becky has also been the keynote speaker at various events. She has many published articles, and is a regular blog writer. Becky is the recipient of the 2024 Autoimmune Advocacy Leadership Award (the Autoimmune Association) which was presented during a reception in Washington D.C. She has participated in healthcare reform lobbying while in the Capitol, and during New York State Legislative meetings.
Awards & Honors:
Autoimmune Advocacy and Leadership Award (Autoimmune Association 2024)
Summa Cum Laude Graduate (Le Moyne College 2009)
William G. Allyn Award (“Commemorating Strong Academic Performance, Exemplary Professionalism, Leadership & Community Service” 2008)
Phi Chi Omega National Chiropractic Honor Society Member (2000-2003)
Clinic Class Representative (New York Chiropractic College 2003)
Speaking Topics
Becky’s keynotes can be tailored to medical professionals or the general public.
Medical Ableism
There has never been a more dire time for the reimagining of disease, especially in light of the growing population suffering from chronic illness and disability. With infrequent discussions occurring in medicine and society, Becky educates and empowers audience members on health related prejudices, and how to eliminate these detriments.
Oh, The Medical Humanity…
An engaging presentation for medical professionals and students alike. Audience members join Becky on a journey through her personal medical mystery to ultimate diagnosis, followed by a discussion of medical humanities and the importance of incorporating these concepts into to everyday practice in order to understand the vulnerable patient perspective.
The Stigma of Health Provider Sickness
A rarely discussed and little- known phenomenon of the unique stigma a medical provider experiences when chronically ill. Becky candidly shares her own personal struggles, as well as uncovering the unwritten truth in modern medicine that healthcare providers are expected to remain healthy, or suffer the consequences of failure.
Self-Advocating on Your Health Journey
An informative talk for attendees to learn about the importance of self-advocating while navigating medicine. Audience members will discover that healthcare is a consumer based industry, with no greater service more important than their own well-being. Participants will learn to get the most out of their health visits, and how to become empowered patients.
Sjögren’s Disease: It’s More than Dry Eye & Endometriosis: The Silent Pain.
These individual disease presentations are vital for healthcare providers to learn about two common, but misunderstood conditions. Significant research gaps exist in medicine with respect to women’s health issues, which makes health providers unprepared to properly care for patients. Becky delivers both the patient and provider perspective, as well as essential information that will leave audience members feeling confident and prepared for their next patient encounter.
Connect with Becky on Social Media:
Carli Pierson
Carli Pierson is an attorney, opinion columnist and the former opinion editor at USA TODAY. She speaks on a wide range of topics, including parenting (and imperfect motherhood), feminism and sexual and gender-based violence, law and social justice (and racism in policing), mental health and resilience, history (especially ancient Greece, Rome and Sicily), fashion and lifestyle topics (including cannabis), politics, Mexico-U.S. relations, U.S. law, international human rights law, and the war in Gaza.
Carli is also an experienced moderator and has moderated discussions on abortion rights, WNBA player Brittney Griner’s imprisonment in Russia, qualified immunity and other topics for USA TODAY.
She recently finished a consultancy for the international feminist NGO, Equality Now, on ending sexual violence in Latin America through good laws, with a special focus on rape laws in the Americas (including Canada and the U.S.).
Carli was the first person in the U.S. to receive a BA in Islamic World Studies from DePaul University in 2006, and in 2012, received her Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center, cum laude, with a concentration in international law.
In addition to academic publications, Carli’s work as a freelance opinion writer and reporter has appeared in: USA Today special edition publications, Open Democracy, Al Jazeera, PBS, Independent UK, National Catholic Reporter, Parents, Romper, Ravishly, and the Women News Network.
SPEAKER TOPICS
Carli approaches serious topics by helping audiences relax with a self-deprecating sense of humor but deep knowledge and compassionate, deeply thought out takes on big, sometimes controversial, issues of the day. She is a vivid storyteller who engages deeply with her audience and takes a solutions-oriented approach to her writing, moderating, and speaking. Carli is available for keynotes in Spanish and English.
- Sexual and gender-based violence (rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, digital sexual harassment, consent, trauma), gender-based violence (domestic abuse, working with survivors, femicide, parental alienation) from a feminist perspective.
- Parenting and the difficulties of motherhood in today’s digital, “Instagrammable” society, self-compassion, postpartum depression, “late-bloomers,” and drawing on global parenting concepts from other societies that we can draw on to be better to ourselves and our children.
- Writing and editing for non-journalism majors: How to get in, get better, get published, and how to be solutions-oriented.
- Law: U.S. Law (criminal, family, and immigration), international human rights law and international criminal law as it relates to current issues from Russia’s war on Ukraine, global heating and human rights, rape under international law, and other relevant, timely topics.
- Social justice: Racism in policing, gun violence, women’s rights, immigration, the war in Gaza.
- Cannabis: social justice issues surrounding its legalization. Lifestyle and cannabis.
- Politics: Progressive politics and finding humor and areas of agreement across the aisle (can work with conservative audiences on this same issue), political polarization and how it’s hurting our “bottom line.”
- Mental health and resilience: Failure and crisis as a source of opportunity
BROADCAST MEDIA EXPERIENCE
CNNE (IN SPANISH)
MSNBC – ABORTION BANS IN THE U.S.
ABC NEWS – PRESSURE ON MOMS TO BREASTFEED
USA TODAY – POLITICS AND FASHION AT THE MET GALA
RADIO ISLAM
NEWS NATION WITH LEELAND VITTERT – BIDEN PRESIDENCY AND POLLS (STARTING AT 22:21)
SMERCONISH PODCAST – WITH CNN’S MICHAEL SMERCONISH
Sarah Baldeo
Sarah Baldeo is an experienced neuroscientist, technologist, corporate strategist and entrepreneur, closing on 20 years of leadership experience. She holds an Executive MBA via the University of Toronto, a neuroscience degree from York University, and certifications from Princeton, Ryerson, and University of Illinois. Sarah has successfully founded and exited two consulting firms, while helping three companies IPO. A winner of the 2023 Global Business Elites Top 40 Under 40 Awards, Sarah is currently CEO at IDQ Advisory Group, a boutique IT firm founded in 2010. She lives in Miami, but is a proud Torontonian and recurring guest on Canadian National News for CTV, The Social in Toronto, and CTV Morning Live in Edmonton and Winnipeg.
In 2023 alone, Sarah graced more than 50 stages, gave 24 keynotes, was featured on 960AM radio, and was most recently nominated for the DMZ 2024 Women of the Year Award, as well as the Top 25 Women of Influence Award. You may have even seen her on TV during the Wimbledon Open Commercials!
Sarah has delivered keynotes at TED Conferences, ELEVATE Festival, CBC News, Build a Dream, Gaming Security Professionals of Canada, FEM for STEM, GirlStrong, Powerful Women in Cyber, WomenTech Global, Women in Cyber, Women Enterprise Organizations of Canada, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, University of Calgary Haskayne Business School and guest lecturing at University of Toronto Rotman Business School.
You can see her in action below:
The Neuroscience of Vacations on The Social CTV, Canada
Neuroscience of Resilience: Ballistic Process Interruption TEDxTrinityBellwoods
Media Interviews:
Sarah Baldeo’s Speaking Topics
Sarah’s keynotes focus on demystifying tech, science, and change, and illuminating the intersection between neural resilience, innovation, and change management.
- The Neuroscience of Change
Sarah explores the science behind change; explaining why change is not part of our survival mechanism and what makes it so challenging. Sarah takes the audience on a journey of delving into the mind and the brain; and enables teams with neuroscientific frameworks to enable change, drive innovation, and foster creativity.
- The Next Frontier of AI: Metacognitive Intelligence
An overview of Artificial General intelligence and the current landscape of sentient AI, how it’s tested, the results of tests and where self-aware AI is beginning to evolve. The keynote covers the implications for responsible AI and safety as well as concerns around bias in algorithms
- Quantum Computing
What is Quantum Computing? Some experts claim that it will take decades for quantum computers to be real but in late 2024 a 50-Qubit computer is slated to be released. How will quantum computers change our public key infrastructure, how we store data, and how we encrypt sensitive information. What are the risk mitigation approaches we can take in cybersecurity and fraud prevention
- AI & Deep Fakes
An overview of multi-factor authentication, KYC/AML, digital identity and the changing landscape of fraud and bias in AI as deep fakes becoming easier to create
Solutions to deep fakes and fraud
How to detect when ChatGPT or image generation has been used
- Neurotechnology – The Next Step
An overview of the newest neuro-tech available and how it will impact human relationships, brain damage, rehabilitation and the potential to become part of everyday life with wearables and even memory adjustments
Kai Thomas
Kai Thomas is an author and educator. His background and body of work span from land stewardship, carpentry, and small-scale farming to historical research and scholarship.
His debut novel, In the Upper Country, was awarded the 2023 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust prize for fiction and was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award for Fiction and the Amazon Canada First Novel Award. The work has been featured in news outlets such as NPR, CBC, The New York Times, and the Globe and Mail.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Writing from the Land
How can writing cultivate connection with nature? In this workshop, Kai facilitates exercises of storytelling from the land, offers reflections on how land-based work and play can invigorate and inform writing practice, and opens discussions on the role of storytellers in an era of environmental crisis.
Approaching the Novel
Novel writing can be a daunting task. In this presentation, Kai makes it less so by speaking candidly about strategies for managing some of the challenges of the process. From topic-selection and drafting techniques to research approaches, participants will learn and engage with valuable perspectives in the craft of prose fiction.
Story-ing the Past
Stories of our past are a powerful way to understand the present. Through personal storytelling and guided reflection Kai holds space to immerse in and meditate on the narratives that have shaped us.
Other topics or types of workshops, consultations, lectures, readings, or interviews may be developed for a particular group or event.
To book Kai Thomas, contact Rob Firing at rob@transatlanticagency.com
Peg Fong
Peg Fong is a journalist and an educator. She is the Vancouver writer for The Economist Magazine, a journalism instructor at Langara College and a business communications lecturer at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. The former western bureau chief of The Toronto Star, Peg was also a staff reporter at The Globe and Mail, Vancouver Sun and the CBC. In 2020, she was the creator and host of the podcast Alone Together: A Curious Exploration of Loneliness and the author of the young adult book of the same title published in March 2024 by Orca Books. The Spanish version of the show Juntos en Soledad reached the top 10 of the podcast charts in Mexico in 2023. Japanese and Korean versions of the show will launch in 2024.
Her writing has appeared in the Daily Telegraph, The Sydney Morning Herald, New Zealand Herald, the South China Morning Post and The New Quarterly.
Speaking topics
Loneliness and Curiosity
We are living in lonely times. Loneliness is now a global epidemic. The health risks associated with it have cost billions and have factored in everything from cardiovascular diseases to dementia to depression and anxiety. Our sense of isolation is universally recognized, yet it is an intensely private feeling. We all experience loneliness differently. Still, are there things we can share from being alone together? The biggest lessons we can learn about loneliness are found through curiosity and understanding the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
Students and Resilience
Students today face challenges and distractions that previous generations never did. An increasing number of competing demands on their time and attention can hinder their academic performance. We can’t blame it all on social media. First-generation students have even more unique obstacles and often can’t relate to other students who share the same classroom. Innovative communication and learning techniques can help create communities in the educational environment and bring students together.
Building Social Connections Anywhere at Anytime Through Storytelling
From boardrooms to classrooms, around family dinner tables, and around the world, the communities created by shared experiences bind us to each other. We can all learn to be better business leaders, colleagues and educators when we listen and become a community through the gift we can all give and receive: storytelling. This talk is a workshop with writing prompts and brainstorming ideas to use stories to solve problems, find solutions and build confidence.
Journalism, Communications and Public Interest
Imagine a world without journalism. Ethical journalism and communications have never been more critical in today’s world. We live in a time when truth and objectivity are considered untrustworthy and unattainable. How can we trump cynicism about how journalists and communicators inform and engage with the public? This talk is an interactive and hands-on workshop where small groups break down how trust is earned and maintained.
Selected Media
CBC TV News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Sam Sullivan’s Salon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Apostrophe podcast: https://apostrophepodcasts.ca/
To book Peg Fong, contact Rob Firing at speakers@transatlanticagency.com.
Brooke Bridges
Brooke Bridges grew up in Los Angeles California as an actress, appearing on TV shows like The Young and the Restless, 90210, Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, and more. Now, she is a certified Somatic Cognitive Behavioral Practitioner and also works as a mental health speaker, having spoken to over 10,000 people ranging in age from 5-65 years old. She is also an entrepreneur; making herbal remedies for skin, hair, and self-care. Through her small business Brooke’s Botanicals, she serves her community as a CSA Assistant Manager at an internationally recognized nonprofit Soul Fire Farm, and she mothers two young children.
Brooke speaks about what it was like growing up as a child actress and all of the anxiety and worries about perfectionism that came with it. She discusses her own experiences with mental health challenges throughout her childhood and into her young adulthood, and how those manifested in negative coping behaviors such as alcohol abuse and self-harming behaviors, hoping they’d help her escape from the pain she felt.
She discusses how after a cross-country move and a soul crushing breakup, she had planned to take her own life, but miraculously chose to seek help instead. She talks about how feeling completely hopeless actually opens doors for you to do things you never thought possible, and once you begin to realize that real change is available for you, you can be vulnerable and figure out how to turn your challenges into your greatest tools.
Brooke speaks from a place of understanding, love, and a reverence for nature, plant medicine, and an unwavering faith in our own ability to connect with our true selves and with one another to bring about personal and collective healing. She speaks about anxiety, vulnerability and healing through storytelling, the impacts of social media on our mental health, how you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, especially yourself, and anything about herbalism and nature immersion and how those things can contribute to our overall wellbeing.
Speaking Topics
Don’t Judge A Book by it’s Cover
In this talk, Brooke discusses what it was like growing up as a child actress, and her own struggles with mental health challenges when she was a teenager. She talks about how looks can be deceiving, and how the stress of saying and doing things the way other people wanted her to impacted not only her childhood, but the rest of her life.
She hopes that her vulnerability will allow others to truly see her, and to feel seen themselves, and she shares tips for developing self-care and self-compassion so that others might show us the same.
Do I Hate My Body? Or Am I just on Social Media?
Studies show that the average US teen spends 4.8 hours a day on social media, and nearly 70% of those teens are on it, despite it causing them to feel anxious, stressed, and depressed. 3 out of 4 children as young as 12 say that they dislike their bodies, because of triggering content they see on social media.
Growing up as an actress, model, and entertainer, Brooke endured severe disordered eating, unhealthy self-image, and body dysmorphia as a teenager. In this talk, Brooke talks about the parallels between being an actress and being a young, impressionable social media user who is presenting a curated version of themselves in order to be accepted, how these pressures inevitably lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt and how to overcome body image issues through being mindful and present in your amazing body.
Shame: Our Imperfections are Perfect
In this keynote, Brooke talks about how Shame has played a role in her healing, and how at times it has made healing hard because she almost felt like she didn’t deserve to feel better because of the negative coping mechanisms she used in the past to deal with her anxiety and depression.
Brooke shares the scary feelings of shame, and how to overcome them through recognizing behaviors that trigger feelings of shame and how to breed self-compassion despite those feelings of shame.
Healing through Nature
As an herbalist, farmer, and nature-lover, Brooke shares the magic of nature with audiences in hopes they utilize it as a resource for healing. This is a presentation best done outside when the weather is nice.
Brooke will lead participants on a foraging walk where they will identify wild medicinal plants, and learn grounding techniques in nature.
If desired, a gardening workshop where participants can plant their own flowers with pots, seeds, and soil provided by Brooke will be present.
To book Brooke Bridges, contact Rob Firing at rob@transatlanticagency.com
Matthew Dawkins
Matthew is a Jamaican award-winning author and poet whose writing explores subject matters including adolescence, race, nationhood, and mental health. His short story about a brave and relentless Black girl is featured in the forthcoming THE ANNETHOLOGY, a collection of Anne of Green Gables re-imaginings (Acorn Press, 2024).
In Matthew’s debut YA novel UNTIL WE BREAK (Wattpad Books, 2022), a Black ballet dancer grapples with grief after a potentially career-ending injury and the death of her best friend. Matthew is currently at work on an adult novel about queerness and masculinity in World War II–era Jamaica.
His work has been featured in Westwind Poetry, Indolent Books, Pinhole Poetry, and in advertising campaigns for Western University and IKEA. Matthew was the 2022-2023 Student Writer in Residence at Western University, where he graduated with a B.A. in Arts and Humanities and English Literature.

Selected Media
- CBC Radio Q interviews author Matthew Dawkins
- Quill & Quire interview on artistic sacrifice, mental health, and personal growth.
- TeenInk interview on writing process and inspiration from Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo.
Selected Speaking Topics
Spoken Word
In his performances, Matthew combines traditional poetic forms with contemporary subject matters such as adolescence, race, ecology, nationhood, and mental health. His engaging style is influenced by Toni Morrison and Amanda Gorman, and encourages audiences to snap, hum, and nod along. Matthew’s poetry is suitable for ages 16 and up.
Moderating
Matthew is an avid reader, interviewer, and moderator with a passion for exploring the intersection of literature and diverse cultural experiences. His B.A. in English Language and Literature, as well as his lived experience, equip him with a deep understanding of the realities of diverse youth, particularly within the Jamaican/Caribbean and immigrant communities. Matthew’s insightful questions and ability to create a welcoming atmosphere allow audiences to engage deeply with topics such as identity, belonging, and culture. His passion and intention ensures every event is thought-provoking and enlightening.

Your Voice is a Key – Start Opening Doors
For Matthew, classrooms represent more than just homework and required reading; they are spaces where problem-solving skills and creative thinking are developed. In this session, Matthew uses interactive storytelling exercises to empower students, helping them refine their voices and showcasing how their passion and ideas can make a real difference. This workshop is ideal for students ages 12 and up.
In Defense of Storytime: Why We Need More Art in Schools
Matthew’s writing career can be credited to approximately ten staff rooms; worth of teachers who not only sharpened his talent but also supported him with resources. His experience forms the bedrock for this discussion on the significance of deliberately fostering creative talent among young people. In this session, Matthew will underscore the transformative power of a strong arts education and explore how and why adults, mentors, teachers, and administrators can support students’ creativity.
The Art of Self-Care
In this session, Mathew facilitates a brave space to help professionals explore the therapeutic benefits of creative writing and reconnecting with their inner artists. Through a series of hands-on activities, organizations will learn how to use art as a tool for self-care, stress relief, and personal growth. This session will leave teams feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to tackle professional and personal challenges with renewed creativity and resilience.
To book Matthew contact Léonicka Valcius at leonicka@transatlanticagency.com