Peace.
It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
KEYNOTES FOR BUSINESSES
Don’t Take it Personally: Making peace with difficult people in the workplace
Most of us have heard the expression, hurt people hurt people. But how often do we view the behavior of a disgruntled customer or moody co-worker with empathy and understanding? Perhaps even more difficult is keeping our cool when someone mistreats us—finding the strength not to feel offended, lash out, or take unfriendly attitudes personally.
In this essential workplace presentation, Michael offers a compassionate yet courageous approach to dealing with difficult people at work and in everyday life. He will also provide tools for communicating in stressful situations, explore the benefits of constructive anger, and reveal ways to turn potential conflict into peace and resolution.
Highlights and benefits include a happier, more optimistic work environment, decreased tension among management and staff, positive client relationships, strategies to develop emotional resilience, improved focus and listening skills, and replacing anger and resentment with compassion, forgiveness, and kindness.
In addition to working with groups of employees, one-on-one coaching is available for managers and team leaders.
WELLNESS \ MENTAL HEALTH PRESENTATIONS
Love as Medicine: A heart-focused approach to positive mental health
In his most raw and personal keynote yet, Michael reveals how he became free from decades of anxiety and depression and the unexpected path that led him to genuine happiness. Through moving stories, humor, and viewing love as an “antidepressant,” he explains how focusing on intentional kindness and compassion liberated him from a painful past. Michael will also discuss other highly effective practices to support positive mental health, such as mindfulness, self-appreciation, connecting with nature, and the immeasurable value of authenticity. As he shares these and other wellness strategies, you will learn how an open and kind heart is the first step to healing an unsettled mind.
Highlights and benefits include alternative approaches to overcoming treatment-resistant depression, self-awareness tools, natural ways to support a positive mood, developing new self-care habits, feeling happier, reducing anxiety, strengthening relationships, discovering life’s true purpose, and recognizing love for oneself and others as effective ways to improve overall well-being.
Now reserving speaking dates for 2024-2025
Keynotes and workshops are available for conferences, businesses, universities, private events, and more.
Partial client list:
HAY HOUSE WORLD SUMMIT
UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS
OMNE: NURSING LEADERS OF MAINE
MAINE CREDIT UNION LEAGUE
FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF MAINE
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
PARTNERS FOR ENRICHMENT
ALCO MANAGEMENT
YMCA ALLIANCE OF NH & VT
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
SENIORS PLUS
YORK HOSPITAL
ASSISTANCE PLUS
WRITER FROM WITHIN CONFERENCE
FOGELMENT MANAGEMENT
DEPUY SYNTHES
MAINE COAST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
SOUTHERN MAINE HEALTHCARE
HILLSIDE
HAY HOUSE ICDI CONFERENCE NYC
HAY HOUSE ICDI CONFERENCE AUSTIN
HAY HOUSE ICDI CONFERENCE TORONTO
HAY HOUSE ICDI CONFERENCE VANCOUVER
HAY HOUSE ICDI CONFERENCE ATLANTA
HAY HOUSE ICDI CONFERENCE SAN JOSE
COLUMBIA GRAMMAR AND PREPARATORY NYC
BOW HIGH SCHOOL
HERMON MIDDLE SCHOOL
FRYEBURG ACADEMY
WAYNFLETE
FALMOUTH SCHOOLS
RYLA
CAPE ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL
C.K. BURNS SCHOOL
MEMORIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
WINDHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL
BIDDEFORD HIGH SCHOOL
BIDDEFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL
DEXTER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
SANFORD HIGH SCHOOL
CENTER DRIVE SCHOOL
MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE
CAPE ELIZABETH MIDDLE SCHOOL
SCARBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
THORNTON ACADEMY
BONNY EAGLE HIGH SCHOOL
WINNISQUAM
ERSKINE ACADEMY
REICHE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
MASSEBESIC SCHOOLS
STONEHAM PUBLIC SCHOOL
FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA
KING PHILIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
BONNY EAGLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
WELLS JR HIGH SCHOOL
YARMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
CHESTER ACADEMY
AUGUSTA SCHOOL DISTRICT
HAMPDEN ACADEMY
FORT KENT SCHOOLS
EASTERN MIDDLE SCHOOL
LAKE REGION MIDDLE SCHOOL
VAN BUREN DISTRICT 24
SANFORD JR HIGH SCHOOL
WASHINGTON ACADEMY
PRESQUE ISLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
MADAWASKA SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
GLENBURN ELEMENTARY
MT ABRAM REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
MARSHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY
MORSE HIGH SCHOOL
SUMNER MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
MAINE SENIOR COLLEGE NETWORK
MAMLE
SACO SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
HOBY
KENNETT HIGH SCHOOL
KEARSARGE
FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL
GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER SCHOOLS
HOLBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL
MAHONEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
SWEETSER
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL
SEDOMOCHA MIDDLE SCHOOL
DAY ONE
MAHONEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
RSU 74
LINCOLNVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL
APPLETON VILLAGE SCHOOL
HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ST ANSELM COLLEGE / STAND BY ME
MARSHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
MARSHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
THE NEW SCHOOL KENNEBUNKPORT
KIND WORDS
“Your time with our group of YMCA professionals inspired us all. I can’t tell you how many people came up to me throughout the rest of our conference to talk to me about changes they plan on making in their lives due to your message. It was such a great way to kick off our conference!”
— Joseph W. Manzoli, Jr. - CEO, YMCA
“Thank you so much for your inspirational and uplifting messages of hope and love. It reaches beyond cultural norms, racial issues, and international borders. A simple message with profound and long-lasting effects.”
— Teresa, Bern, Switzerland
“We truly enjoyed having Michael come and speak to us! His talk has improved our company so much. We have enjoyed being a kinder business!”
— Assistance Plus, Inc.
“Thank you for the moving and motivating start to the school year for Saco School Department staff. Your message of kindness and love is so important and will make a difference in the lives of the children we are privileged to work with.”
— Joan, Saco, ME
“I can honestly say that you were by far the best speaker I’ve listened to in my career. Your positive energy and outlook are contagious.”
— Jared B.
“Out of the 100 speakers at the Hay House World Summit this year, you moved me. Thank you. Continue to be exactly who you are. It works.” — Paul T.
“I cannot get over how your presentation has made me feel. I have always considered myself a positive person and work really hard to spread it to everyone around me. But somehow, you have motivated me to work even harder and make more goals.”
— Alyssa D.
“Defining success has been something I've struggled with, but now I think I've finally got it. What's the truest, rawest form of success? KINDNESS. Thank you, Michael!”
— Lance P.
“It was a wonderful day for our school—the response from children, teachers, and parents has been amazing. Your visit and message will have a long-lasting impact on our school community for years to come!”
— Margo Keniston Potter, Columbia Prep School, NYC
“Fantastic presentation at the Maine Health Care Association Conference! It was very encouraging and motivating. I can't wait to get your book!
— Heather, Rockland, Maine
“I am the mother of a 14-year-old boy. You spoke at his middle school about a month ago. I want to thank you with the deepest gratitude for your talk. My son has been depressed, and I worry for his well-being as I see him retreating from me. I fear drugs, alcohol, self-harm, etc., are lurking in the shadows. I love him profoundly but find him unreachable sometimes.
So you can imagine he doesn’t do too much more than grunt a hello at me and ask for food when he gets home from school, then be left alone. However, on the day of your talk, he came home from school with a gentle light around him. He said, “Mom, we had this speaker today, and he said some profound things...he told some personal stories that I can't stop thinking about.” He said, “Mom, I'm going to be kinder...I'm going to be more loving.”
You reached him. A good, brilliant kid who is often feeling lost, alone, sad, and angry. He generally checks out. But he heard you. Thank you for this one moment of light that I hope can grow. Bless you and your work.”
— Jennifer B.
Disclaimer: I offer services as a speaker, teacher, and coach, teaching primarily from personal experience—sharing the tools I’ve learned and utilized to overcome childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, and general dissatisfaction with life. I am not a psychologist, therapist, or licensed healthcare professional, and I do not provide professional health or medical advice.