Chris Bashinelli

Chris Bashinelli – National Geographic Explorer & global keynote conference speaker – empowers organizations to cultivate trust, empathy, and authentic leadership through the Power Of Human Connection.

“We need more people like Chris in the world,” said (the late) Dr. Jane Goodall.

National Geographic Explorer and global storyteller Chris Bashinelli draws on eye-opening experiences in over 40 countries to help organizations boost sales, reignite employee inspiration, and build cultures rooted in genuine human connection.

Through unforgettable stories of adventure, dynamic audience engagement, and exclusive footage from his international TV series, Bash empowers teams to unlock the potential of their greatest asset—their people. With unparalleled authenticity, humility, and a deep curiosity for the human experience, Bash creates a transformative connection with audiences—setting a new standard in the speaking world. +

“Bash”, as he is affectionately known, has lived this message in 40+ countries, with Mongolian nomads to Japanese Sumo wrestlers, and even on stage at the United Nations alongside leaders like Stevie Wonder and Dr. Jane Goodall. Everywhere he goes, the lesson is clear: Human Connection is the foundation for authentic leadership and lasting success. Bash’s proven framework helps leaders and teams embrace authenticity and inspire others naturally — not through tactics or manipulation, but by embodying the highest ideals of the human experience.

A celebrated Diversity & Inclusion and Wellness speaker, Bash has traveled the world for more than a decade sharing a message of connection and understanding everywhere from Fortune 500 Companies, to inside prison walls, to the United Nations General Assembly Hall. His world view was shaped on his childhood “Stoop” where his friends shared a combined total of thirteen nationalities. He has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, the UN Secretary General and his mentor – Dr. Jane Goodall.

After studying Anthropology in East Africa at 20 years old, Chris Bashinelli returned home to discover his father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The death of his father sent him on an international quest to better understand the human condition and the universal qualities that lead to a happy, meaningful life. Bash has lived with nomads in Mongolia, worked with suicide prevention activists in Pine Ridge and Sumo wrestled the heaviest Japanese human being in recorded history. Through one of kind stories of adventure and authentic moments of human connection, Bash truly bridges the gap between self and other, helping us recognize our shared humanity.

Bash has spoken around the world – from TEDx, to Abu Dhabi, to Azerbaijan, at multi-million dollar corporations and Ivy League Universities. At 24 years old he became one of the youngest moderators in the history of the United Nations. Bash is a National Geographic Explorer, a UN Moderator, an Eagle Scout and has interviewed some of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on the Planet. --

OVERVIEW
Bash brings attendees on an inspirational journey, coupled with stunning video footage and thought provoking exercises. Through one of a kind stories of adventure and connection – he helps organizations reduce employee burnout, renew inspiration and tap into the power of their greatest asset – their people.

Live / Virtual Keynotes:

Authentic Connection: The Superpower to Better Sales and True Business Growth +

What if the real secret to sales success wasn’t persuasion—but connection?

Today’s customers are more discerning than ever. According to Edelman, 90% will walk away from a brand they don’t trust. And yet, in our rush to “influence” or “close the deal,” we often sacrifice the very thing that fuels long-term growth: authentic human connection!

In this game-changing keynote, National Geographic Explorer and Scientist of Human Connection, Chris Bashinelli, reveals the overlooked superpower in business: putting people first. Drawing on years of global research— from living with nomads on the Mongolian steppe to learning from financial advisors in Fort Worth – Bash shows that when we are fully present, deeply empathetic, and driven by service, we unlock the kind of trust that leads to exponential sales growth.

This is not about manipulating your clients— it’s about meeting them with genuine care, turning “them” into “us,” and building bonds that last far beyond the sale. Whether you're leading a sales team or building client relationships one conversation at a time, this keynote will transform the way you sell—and the way you connect.

Key Takeaways:

• Bash’s patented “Discover Our In” method to build instant, lasting trust
• Practical tools to become fully present and emotionally attuned to clients
• How to shift from transactional selling to transformational relationships
• The science behind empathy—and how to apply it in real sales conversations
• Strategies to build a “People-First” Sales Culture that fuels growth and loyalty --

The Happiness Effect: Why Starting from Happiness Is the Secret to Lasting Success +

In a world defined by rapid change—AI disruption, budget cuts, and burnout—one powerful force remains in our control: our ability to create happiness.

When National Geographic Explorer Chris Bashinelli returned from East Africa at just 20 years old, he was met with devastating news—his father had terminal cancer. That moment sparked a two-decade journey to uncover how people around the world live joyful, purposeful lives, even in the face of adversity.

Rooted in 20 years of mindfulness practice and first-hand experiences in 40+ countries, Bash reveals the unexpected truth: happiness isn’t a reward at the finish line—it’s the starting point for meaningful success.

From Tanzanian filmmakers to Mongolian nomads, and through deeply personal stories of loss and resilience, Bash shares transformative lessons that show how happiness fuels trust, boosts productivity, and drives high-performance teams. Backed by first hand research and brought to life with humor, vulnerability, and audience interaction, this keynote helps individuals and organizations unlock their most powerful resource—their mindset.

Key Takeaways:

• How to cultivate happiness even in challenging times
• Why abundance thinking often leads to greater wealth
• Simple gratitude practices that deepen trust and enrich relationships
• Mindfulness techniques to improve focus, reduce stress, and boost well-being
• The clear connection between happiness and business success --

A Culture of Trust: Reignite Employee Inspiration and Bring your Best Self Everyday +

Companies that embrace diverse perspectives generate 20% higher sales, according to Harvard Business Review. Why? Because every team member brings a unique, irreplaceable gift—shaped by their personal story. The key to unlocking that potential? A culture of trust where people feel safe to show up fully, speak openly, and contribute authentically.

In this powerful and practical keynote, Chris Bashinelli—National Geographic Explorer and expert on human connection—draws from global adventures and his multicultural upbringing on a Brooklyn “Stoop,” where his friends shared a total of 13 nationalities. He shares a clear, actionable framework for building cultures that foster belonging, drive innovation, and unleash human potential.

Through compelling stories, interactive moments, and Bash’s signature blend of humor and heart, audiences learn how to create an environment where employees—from the sales floor to the C-suite—don’t just feel included, but feel inspired to bring their very best every single day.

Key Takeaways:

• A practical, human approach to building connection—without divisive buzzwords
• Bash’s “Bridge of Trust” framework, grounded in courage and vulnerability
• How to attract new business by making clients feel truly at home
• Ways to spark innovation by creating space for every voice to be heard
• The link between psychological safety and peak productivity
• How to build your own company “Stoop”—a culture of shared purpose and trust --

Leadership on Purpose: Discover Your Superpower and Unlock your Team’s Potential +

Great leaders don’t just guide teams—they inspire transformation. And the most powerful form of leadership doesn’t come from authority—it comes from authenticity.

Our greatest superpower is often hidden in our greatest challenge. A childhood of poverty can lead to unmatched resilience. A struggle with illness may awaken deep empathy. The path to purpose isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about owning it and using it to empower others.

In this deeply personal and energizing keynote, Chris Bashinelli—National Geographic Explorer and celebrated speaker on human connection—shares how he turned the pain of losing his father into a mission to bring the world closer together. With zero connections or budget, he built a global TV series, became the youngest speaker in the United Nations General Assembly Hall, and forged partnerships with global brands—all by living the values of courage, compassion, and purpose-driven leadership.

Through compelling stories, powerful audience exercises, and actionable insights, Bash helps every leader in the room reframe their biggest challenges as the source of their unique superpower, and shows how leading from that place inspires teams to rise to their full potential.

Key Takeaways:

• How to identify your personal leadership superpower by reframing adversity
• Interactive exercises to help you embody the qualities you most admire in others
• Mindfulness tools to build resilience, deepen presence, and embrace change
• How to turn obstacles into fuel for connection, innovation, and impact
• Why the most powerful leadership is rooted in action—not words --

The Power of Mental Wellness – Renew Employee Inspiration, Creating a Healthy Workforce +

We are working harder, under more pressure, and for longer hours than ever before – but without a mindful approach to work and life, one that values our well being as well as the bottom line – burnout and turnover are inevitable. Pulling from more than a decade of in-depth mindfulness and mediation studies, Bash shares how to incorporate positive mental health strategies into our work and life in order to increase productivity, profit and happiness.

Colored by Bash’s extraordinary adventures around the world as a National Geographic Explorer, this keynote brings to life the core lessons he’s learned to create a healthy workforce in fun, engaging and practical ways. No matter what our organization is struggling with – employee retention, company layoffs, or economic downturns – it can fuel our path to a wiser, more caring and more innovative culture.

Takeaways

• Mental Health tools to increase happiness, productivity and profit.
• The power of mindfulness to reduce stress and increase concentration.
• How to create work/life boundaries that empower joy & productivity.
• How embracing challenge gives rise to real innovation.
• The scientific link between “Happiness” and “Trust”. --

Start at Step Z – A Guide to Realizing Our Potential +

In this interactive keynote Bash walks attendees through the step by step method of how to get from Step “A”, to Step “Z”, reverse-engineering the path to their goals. With total clarity, he emphasizes that the swiftest way to get from where we are, to where we want to be, is to be there first – on the inside.

From speaking in the United Nations General Assembly Hall at 23 years-old with no prior training, to attracting partnerships from some of the world’s most recognizable brands, to leading a National Geographic Expedition in Mongolia, Chris Bashinelli has forged his own path in life. This talk is a call to action for each of us to embrace our full potential – first by imagining it, then by believing it, and finally through definite action.

Takeaways

• Bash’s unique 4-step method for achieving seeming out of reach goals
• Why mental wellness comes from focusing on what is in our control.
• How to reverse-engineer the pathway to our potential.
• How to embody the qualities that manifest our vision.
• The scientific link between confidence and action. --

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