The pursuit of happiness is baked into our American culture, and the self-help industry is a multi-billion dollar -- well -- industry. Studies have shown that the pursuit of happiness actually makes us less happy, but we're still doing it! In this talk, bestselling author and host of the Terrible, Thanks for Asking podcast, debunks popular self-help tropes and leaves audiences with a healthier take on mental health and a daily practice for moving from self-improvement to self-awareness, and embracing what it means to be happyish.

Before it became a popular buzzword, resilience was an adjective used to describe goldfish or tires, something that didn’t need much taking care of. Even the dictionary says that resilience is about the “ability to return to the original shape.” Isn’t that a little ridiculous? How can we possibly be expected to return to our original shape when our lives fall apart? Don’t we want to allow ourselves to be altered by disruption, setbacks or change? Isn’t adaptation—a true change—something to celebrate in a rapidly changing world and workplace? In this talk, Nora McInerny uses stories from her own life and her podcast to introduce a new definition of resilience, one that acknowledges the changes we didn’t choose.

Why do we ask, “How are you?” when we don’t want to know the real answer? And why do we always say, “fine,” even when the truth is that things are not always fine? What are the three words to avoid if you want to connect with someone, or more importantly, with yourself? There’s an ongoing mental health crisis, and the invisibility of grief makes it that much harder to acknowledge. Utilizing stories from her award-winning podcast, Nora invites audiences to consider a less isolating, more honest answer to the question, “How are you?” This talk is also available as a 90-minute workshop.

Expanding on her viral TED Talk, “We Don’t Move On From Grief, We Move Forward With It,” Nora McInerny guides audiences through the impact of grief on their brain, body and interpersonal relationships, and how the language we use around death and loss can help grievers move forward with their loss into a life truly lived.

There’s nothing funny about brain cancer. But Nora McInerny and her late husband laughed all the time during his treatment. No one wants to be just another sad story. And even the heaviest experiences have moments of levity. Nora walks caretakers and healthcare providers through a more complex version of the patient experience—inviting audiences to laugh and cry alongside her and reminding us of the humanity that coexists alongside terminal illness.

If there is one thing the past few years have taught us, it’s that employees want to be a part of organizations that are concerned about their financial, physical, and mental health—not just the bottom line. And that’s good news because happy, healthy, engaged workers lead to an increase in productivity, morale and profits. But so many organizations get it wrong—and it’s costly. Presenteeism—employees who are at work physically but not mentally—costs the U.S. economy $150 BILLION A YEAR. In this talk, Nora McInerny shows audiences how to create a more empathetic work environment that truly meets people where they are. It’s a realistic, helpful and hopeful message for building a thriving workforce.

It’s no secret the last few years have been mentally tough on everyone. But none have been hit harder by the pandemic than students. According to recent surveys, anxiety, depression, sadness, and feelings of isolation and loneliness are all on the rise. In this talk, Nora McInerny lathers on her trademark humor and shares her journey as she tells audiences how to support students through their grief; how to build a community that treats each other with kindness; and how to use our shared experiences to connect on a deeper level with each other.