MEET BEN GLENN
EIGHT REASONS TO BOOK BEN
1. He brings REAL world experience. Drawing from a diverse life journey that includes overcoming learning disabilities, founding his own speaking business, and being a dedicated husband and father, Ben brings a wealth of experience to his roles as an author, entrepreneur, and global speaker. His insights on leadership and success resonate across sectors, from corporations to classrooms, and from Australia to China.
2. He’s completely original. Skip the dull PowerPoint slides and canned speeches; what you’ll get is an electrifying, purpose-driven performance that will leave your audience grateful and inspired.
3. Zero drama; High Impact. Ben is the ideal blend of low-maintenance and high-impact, making him a dream speaker for any event organizer. His knack for delivering seamless, hassle-free presentations is why he’s a repeat choice for many clients.
4. His reputation precedes him. Ben’s diverse clientele ranges from major corporations and CEOs to educators, Christian faith communities, colleges, administrators, and global associations, all of whom consistently give him high praise and repeat business.
5. More than just a speaker. Ben is more than just a speaker; he’s a dynamic host and emcee who will electrify your event with live art performances. His unique blend of comedy, showmanship, and poignant messaging ensures your awards show or conference will be both entertaining and impactful.
6. Relatable across multiple audiences. Ben’s message transcends age and industry, resonating from teens to Baby Boomers across various professions. He’s a one-man powerhouse, skilled at captivating, entertaining, and enlightening audiences in transformative ways.
7. The SPEEDSCAPE experience. Ben’s jaw-dropping live art presentation is an exciting feature that adds appeal and energy to your event. It’s a unique experience — moving audiences to get on their feet – and inspired to take positive action!
8. Ben is laugh-out-loud funny. A natural story-teller constantly mining his past and present for humorous stories – he instantly elevates the audience experience with humor and fun.
ABOUT BEN
Award-winning artist and speaker, Ben Glenn has been entertaining audiences since 1995. His dynamic and highly relatable presentations have been received with great enthusiasm by groups as large as 70,000 people at the old Pontiac Silverdome, and as small as 65 football players before a season game.
Ben’s presentations are customizable to fit your group’s needs. A common theme of overcoming life’s challenges is part of every presentation and Ben skillfully intertwines it with your event’s theme by utilizing a blend of engaging stories with practical application and a live art demonstration. Ben’s passion and life’s work revolves around personal growth, mental wellness and becoming the best possible version of yourself.
For close to 30 years, Ben’s charisma and energy have helped him to meaningfully engage groups as varied as insurance industry professionals, optometrists, truck drivers, nursing home caregivers, cafeteria workers, salespeople, educators, and everyone in between. His presentations are perfect for event planners in search of “something different” to make their events more impactful and memorable.
Ben is prompt, professional and cheerful in all interactions. His team will ensure all details are communicated and handled ahead of time, meaning no stress and no surprises.
Finally, as much as Ben loves being a speaker and performing artist, he loves being a husband and father more. Married for almost thirty years, he, his wife and two teenaged daughters live in a great Midwestern city called Indianapolis.
“I couldn't spell to save my life, and reading was almost impossible, but I did like art. So instead of a foreign language, the school gave me a choice - music or art. I chose art. Decades later, I am still reaping the benefit of having come into this world "different".” - Ben Glenn
Ben’s speaking engagements began spontaneously after his short-lived collegiate career when he was presented with the opportunity to tell his story at small church camps and conferences. He has since expanded his outreach by working with corporations, schools, and professional sports teams across the US and internationally. Since Ben is not your typical speaker, but also a performing artist, his presentation captivates any group, regardless of age, gender, or professional background.
CHOOSE YOUR KEYNOTE TOPIC
Keynotes can be customized to fit the theme of your event.
SIMPLY SPECIAL
“Simply Special” is a compelling keynote presentation where Ben Glenn shares his inspiring journey of turning ADHD-related challenges into a canvas of success. This keynote goes beyond the traditional underdog story by integrating Ben’s artistic journey, which mirrors his life’s challenges and triumphs. Addressing corporate audiences, Ben’s narrative underscores the importance of a positive mindset in both personal and professional realms. His story is a powerful reminder of how embracing individuality and unique talents can transform obstacles into stepping stones for success. The session is skillfully designed to be 60% entertaining and 40% inspirational, providing practical strategies for resilience and growth, making it an invaluable experience for corporate professionals at all levels.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Embracing Challenges as Opportunities: Learn from Ben’s life how to view challenges as avenues for personal and professional growth, turning adversity into an opportunity for development.
Cultivating Resilience: Discover the importance of adopting a positive approach to adversity, and how this mindset can lead to greater resilience in both work and personal life.
Transforming Obstacles into Success: Gain insights into converting life’s obstacles into stepping stones for success, mirroring Ben’s journey from facing learning disabilities to becoming a successful speaker, author and artist.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset: Acquire practical strategies for sustaining a positive mindset in challenging situations, emphasizing the power of attitude in overcoming difficulties.
TEACHING WITH PURPOSE: A STORY OF RESILIENCE AND INFLUENCE
Growing up with a learning disability, Ben faced challenges that led him down a path of anxiety, fear, and self-doubt. However, it was the unwavering support and love of several exceptional teachers that helped him get back on track. Fueled by this experience, Ben pursued his passion to become a teacher, but never made it to the classroom. Nevertheless, he continues to be dedicated to inspiring and empowering educators. In this presentation, Ben will share his personal story and pay homage to the teachers who made such a profound impact on his life.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understanding the Impact of Learning Disabilities: Learn about the challenges and emotional journey of students with learning disabilities, and how educators can play a crucial role in their academic and personal development.
Empowering Through Empathy: Gain insights into the power of empathy and support in the classroom, and how these tools can help students, particularly those with learning disabilities, overcome obstacles and build self-confidence.
Fostering a Resilient Learning Environment: Develop strategies to create a classroom atmosphere that nurtures resilience, encourages perseverance, and celebrates diverse learning styles and abilities.https://youtube.com/shorts/L2RzmC26wdc?si=jv1Kb66gQ6D8kqok
SHAPING FUTURES: GUIDING OTHERS TO THEIR POTENTIAL
This program combines Ben Glenn’s personal experiences of overcoming ADHD with his impactful roles as an artist, pastor, coach and mentor. This presentation delves deeply into how personal challenges can become powerful tools for recognizing and nurturing the hidden potential in others. Ben’s unique journey illustrates the vital role of educators and mentors in identifying and supporting talents in students, particularly those who may not stand out initially or face their own struggles. By sharing personal anecdotes from his life, including his work in coaching and pastoral settings, Ben demonstrates how embracing and overcoming one’s obstacles can lead to inspiring and elevating others. This session highlights the transformative power of mentorship and its far-reaching effects beyond the classroom, extending into the realms of family and community. It emphasizes the universal importance of believing in and fostering potential, showing how a single act of mentorship can profoundly change lives and shape futures.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Recognizing Potential in Every Student: Learn to identify hidden talents and potential in students, including those who might not excel in traditional academic measures.
Fostering Individual Growth: Develop strategies to nurture and encourage students’ unique abilities, particularly in those who may be overlooked or deemed challenging.
Impact Beyond the Classroom: Understand how the principles of recognizing and nurturing potential can be applied in various relationships, including family and friends, to foster positive development and success.
Utilizing Personal Experiences for Mentorship: Understand how to leverage personal adversities as a foundation for empathetic and effective mentorship.
LEGO Leadership Workshop
Ben’s workshop blends LEGO building with key leadership skills, offering a fun and interactive experience for up to 50 participants.
Join Ben in an entertaining and interactive leadership workshop that brings back the joy of LEGO building. This workshop incorporates valuable leadership principles through a fun and engaging experience. With a capacity for 50 participants, divided into five rounds of 10 each, attendees will have the opportunity to build with LEGO, while learning key principles such as handling pressure in a positive manner, recognizing the good in others, quick thinking, proactively approaching change, teamwork, and effective communication for improved results. Don’t miss this unique and educational leadership workshop!
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of this program, attendees will:
Creative Problem-Solving: Participants will learn to apply creativity and innovation in problem-solving, using LEGO as a tool for visualizing and overcoming challenges.
Effective Team Collaboration: Attendees will understand the importance of teamwork, gaining skills in collaborating effectively with diverse groups to achieve common goals.
Adaptability and Quick Thinking: The workshop will teach participants how to adapt to changing situations and think quickly on their feet, essential skills in dynamic leadership environments.
Communication and Positive Influence: Participants will learn how to communicate effectively and positively influence others, utilizing LEGO activities to illustrate the power of clear and motivational leadership communication.
And more!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Understanding the Peaks & Pitfalls of ADHD
This 60 minute workshop (45 min teaching; 15 min audience QA) is designed to provide educators with an overview of ADHD. In this session, Ben Glenn brings his personal insights and professional knowledge to demystify ADHD, explaining how it can be both a superpower and a challenge in the learning environment. Teachers will gain a deeper understanding of ADHD-related behaviors, learning to distinguish them from other issues. This workshop aims to equip educators with the knowledge to better understand and support their students with ADHD, recognizing the unique strengths and challenges they bring to the classroom.
Teaching ADHD Students Without Losing Your Mind
In “Teaching ADHD Students Without Losing Your Mind,” Ben Glenn offers practical, effective strategies for engaging and supporting students with ADHD. This 60 minute (45 min teaching; 15 min audience QA) workshop focuses on actionable techniques that educators can use to help their ADHD students become more productive and successful in the classroom. Teachers will learn how to adapt their teaching methods to meet the unique needs of these students, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. The session aims to provide educators with tools to not only manage but also enhance the learning experience for students with ADHD, ensuring they reach their full potential.
FAQs
Ben’s presentation consists not only of a powerful, inspiring message, but also of a live, and rapid creation of a beautiful drawing on a canvas that measures 6×8 feet that he calls Speedscaping. He doesn’t speak while drawing – he’s moving too fast to do that. The drawing is accompanied by beautiful and moving music with the house lights down and a spotlight on the canvas. It’s fun to see the drawing come to life!
A typical presentation is 45-90 minutes long. Ben is very flexible and can adjust his programing to fit any time frame. That said, you want to allot a minimum of 25 minutes for him to speak and do the drawing.
Yes!
We require the client to build the frame and stretch the canvas ahead of Ben’s arrival. Here are simple directions and diagram, to help do this quickly and pain-free. Ben brings the “legs” to which the frame will be attached if he is driving. If he is flying, he asks to be provided additional lumber so he can build the legs when he arrives. The details of exactly what is needed is listed in his Rider.
Assuming that the frame is ready as required and all other A/V/Set-up needs have been met, Ben can be set up and ready to go in about 30 minutes.
The total cost of all supplies is between $50-60 per frame. This includes the drop cloths, so if you are providing multiple frames, additional frames are more.
Yes. If a date is available, Ben’s program coordinator is happy to tentatively reserve it while you finalize your event details. Because Ben’s calendar fills quickly, dates are not officially held until a contract is signed and a deposit is received. If another organization inquires about the same date, you’ll be given 48 hours’ notice to either confirm the booking with a deposit or release the date. This helps ensure fairness and allows us to serve as many groups as possible.
Ben’s presentation can be recorded only for non-commercial/non-distribution purposes. Selling or making multiple copies of the recording is not permissible. If a recording is made, a copy will need to be provided to our office.
Ben strongly encourages the purchase of a large piece of lucite or plexiglass and drilling it directly onto the frame on which the drawing is stretched. No spacers are necessary. A professional framing job is always a great way to go, but is unfortunately very expensive. The drawing can be hung as is, if hung where people won’t be able to touch it and in a location which avoids drafts.