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The Lavin Agency Speakers Bureau

A speakers bureau that represents the best original thinkers,
writers, and doers for speaking engagements.

The Biggest Factors that Help College Students Thrive (2:31)

The Ongoing Legacy of Historically Black Colleges (14:48)

How Did America’s Colleges Become So Unequal? (3:39)

Is Diversity For Asian Americans?: The College Admissions Crisis (8:18)

What Is the Point of College?

The College Essay Is Dead

Which colleges in America help the most children climb the income ladder?

Preparing students for college challenges reduces inequality

I Was a Low-Income College Student. Classes Weren’t the Hard Part.

New book ‘U Thrive,’ based on popular NYU class, all about college success

2021 Best 40-Under-40 Professors: Chia-Jung Tsay, University College London

The College Women Starting a Revolution Against Campus Sexual Assault

Diversifying College Campuses Empowers Students to Succeed (9:48)

The Reality of Social Mobility in College (3:53)

How “Persistence” Helps Students Make Sense of College

How Inequality Shapes the College Experience

Access vs. Inclusion: Why Getting Into College Is Only Half the Battle

How “Persistence” Helps Students Make Sense of College

Poverty & Equality: Who Gets to College, and Who Makes It Through? (9:21)

Diversifying College Campuses Empowers Students to Succeed

College Presidents Convening Panel – David Yeager

When did College Turn So Cruel? Paul Tough’s Upcoming Book Profiled in The New York Times

In The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us, bestselling author Paul Tough re-evaluates the state of higher education across the United States. Does college still work? What are the flaws in our current system? And how can we do better?  “In an increasingly pessimistic country with fewer manufacturing jobs than decades ago […]

Your Fall ’24 Events: Hispanic Heritage Month Speakers on Innovation, Diverse Stories, and More

Every Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we pay tribute to the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in America. Lavin’s trailblazing speakers—from the first Latina in space to the world’s most widely read Spanish-language author—celebrate the progress we’ve made and encourage us to play our part in the fight for inclusion.

Your Fall ’24 Events: Welcome Week and Orientation Speakers on Pop Culture, Thriving in School, and More

Welcome Week represents a vital moment for new and returning students alike to kickstart their learning, connect with their community, and get excited for the new year. Our Welcome Week and Orientation speakers offer encouraging talks on topics that matter to college audiences: from racial justice to mental health, and beyond.

Your Fall ‘24 Events: Speakers on the 2024 Election, Solidarity, Beating Polarization, and More

This election year, our students and colleges are polarized. But we can still come together in the pursuit of a stronger, more equal democracy. Lavin’s inspiring political speakers offer powerful, hopeful talks for your Fall 2024 semester.

“Talent” Doesn’t Predict Performance. Grit Does. Psychologist Dr. Danny Southwick

If your business strategy revolves around hiring the most talented people, you’re doing it wrong, says psychologist and former NFL player Dr. Danny Southwick. You can motivate people to persevere and reach lofty goals simply by changing the language you use around their skills.

Vanessa Grigoriadis

When we talk about sex, consent, and the college experience—and we must—how do we create an open, practical dialogue?

The Inquality Machine

How College Divides Us

The Privileged Poor

How Elite Colleges Are Failing Disadvantaged Students

U Thrive

How to Succeed in College (and Life)

Sales Agent

Are you the right person in the wrong job? Have you stayed up all night debating politics, music, civil rights and social justice, old philosophies, new technologies, the media, the economy—or, better yet, the intersection of them all? A real debate where minds get changed, including your own? Yes? Then maybe we’re the home you […]

Your Fall ’23 Events: Lavin Speakers for Orientation and Welcome Week

As the school year winds down, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your events for the Fall 2023 semester. Lavin’s speakers explore topics that matter to college audiences—from pop culture to inclusion to working through your climate anxiety—and inspire people of all ages to think more deeply. Drawing on their unique expertise, our […]

About

THE LAVIN AGENCY is the world’s largest intellectual talent agency, representing leading thinkers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, consulting, and endorsements. Our Team “We have a remarkable team here, and one reason is that the staff is very diverse, politically and intellectually. I like people who want to contribute to the debate. At The Lavin […]

Just 30 Minutes Can Transform The Way We React to Stress: David Yeager’s New Scientific Study in Nature

Sweaty palms, racing thoughts—when we face down stressful situations, our minds and bodies conspire to throw us off. And with anxiety levels spiking during the pandemic, we face down stressful situations every day. But psychologist and researcher David Yeager is proving that it only takes 30 minutes to transform the way we react to stress: turning it from a threat […]

Anthony Jack

Poverty and equality shape not just how students get to college, but how they make it through.

New York Times Bestselling Author Paul Tough Explores the Glaring Injustices of Higher Education

How did American colleges and universities go from being a powerful engine for social mobility, to a mighty force against it? In his explosive book The Inequality Machine, Paul Tough combines deep, authoritative reporting with the vivid stories of students themselves, to reveal where higher education went wrong.   For a long time, the relationship […]

The Inauguration and the Future of America

Now that the election cycle is complete, the peaceful transfer of power came to pass, and President Biden settles into his role as commander-in-chief, what happens next? And what can we expect from this new administration? These Lavin Speakers help us make sense of today’s most vital political news. Speaking to the cautious hope he has […]

Centering the Black Experience: Introducing Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman

If we want to achieve an inclusive economy that works for all, we must begin by giving Black women a seat at the table, says Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman. An activist and emerging researcher, she specializes in data-driven solutions that address the future of work and its implications for Black people in both corporate and academic […]

The Election, its Aftermath, and the Future of America

Everything about this election—from the global pandemic ravaging the nation, to the president’s claims of voter fraud—has been unusual, to say the least. And though the peaceful transfer of power will begin, Trump continues to contest his defeat and several lawsuits remain in motion. What happens next? And what can we expect from a Biden […]

Liberty & Justice for All: A Lavin Exclusive

The United States has historically been a nation in deep denial of its own past. But today, the country—indeed, the entire world—is facing a racial reckoning of epic proportions. Between a global pandemic that disproportionately affects Black communities, the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and a growing White Power movement, the staggering […]

Lavin Speaker Round-Up: Decoding the Most Important Election of Our Lifetime

This year has been an unforgettable one, to say the least. Marked by a global pandemic, a worldwide call for racial justice, and the worst economic recession we’ve seen since the Great Depression, 2020 also happens to fall on an election year. Soon, we will decide on the next President of the United States—a decision […]

Reimagining Higher Education in Response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history. Not only that, but this crisis is exacerbating pre-existing education disparities for many of the most vulnerable students. How are higher education institutions carrying on with teaching during this socio-economic, cultural and health crisis, and what do we know about the future of […]

A Beautiful Life: LaToya Ruby Frazier Photographs Breonna Taylor’s Family for Vanity Fair

Acclaimed photographer LaToya Ruby Frazier took portraits of Breonna Taylor’s family for the cover story of Vanity Fair’s September issue (guest-edited by Ta-Nehisi Coates, with words by Breonna’s mother Tamika Palmer). Below is LaToya’s powerfully moving statement on the project. I can’t stop thinking about Breonna Taylor, her murder and unjust criminalization made me so […]

How To Have Better Conversations About Race At Work

We, as a society, haven’t been the same since the horrifying video of George Floyd’s death circulated the Internet earlier this year. Beyond the international protests against police brutality, this tragic incident has sparked a wider conversation about racial bias in all areas of our lives—including at work. A new report by The Society for […]

Acclaimed Artist and Activist Molly Crabapple Provides Powerful Visuals for Project on Prison Life

The Zo is a groundbreaking new video project exploring the twisted realities of prison life, illustrated by superstar artist Molly Crabapple and narrated by The Wire’s Emmy-Award winning actor Michael K. Williams. Based on the essay by Yale student Patrick Doolittle and the archive of prison writings compiled in an open-source database invented by Professor […]

Acclaimed Artist and Activist Molly Crabapple Interviewed on NPR’s Democracy Now

On the latest Democracy Now, Molly Crabapple sat down with Amy Goodman and Juan González to discuss her time on the campaign trail with Bernie Sanders, the Electoral College system and the Democratic primaries—and how she is using her art and activism to fight for change.  “I was doing these illustrations from life, packed into these […]

Lavin’s Top Race Speakers Explore the Past and Present, and Share Their Solutions for the Future

As we enter a new decade, there’s a lot to look forward to—and a lot left to fight for. And unfortunately, racism isn’t a relic of shameful times past—it’s still very much alive today. Here at The Lavin Agency, our Top Race Speakers tackle this tough topic from all angles—public policy, pop culture, education, and […]

Lavin’s Top Happiness & Wellness Speakers Inspire Personal Growth and Positive Change

Everyone wants to be happy and healthy—but it doesn’t come easy. The pressure of performing well at work and having a fulfilling personal life can often be hard to manage—and that’s where Lavin’s Top Happiness & Wellness Speakers come in. Experts in how to actively enhance our inner lives and outer selves, they inspire audiences […]

Derek Thompson Reveals How Age Became the Democractic Party’s Most Important Fault Line

Age no longer merely divides Republicans and Democrats. In today’s political tapestry, there exists a third party—the young leftists—who veer sharply away from both platforms. In his latest for The Atlantic, Derek Thompson dives deep into the progressive movement happening throughout the current election.  Young Americans have gradually been shifting to the left. This trend […]

Three Lavin Speakers Make Variety’s Best Books of 2019 List

Lavin’s speakers have dominated the “end-of-year” and “best-of-decade” lists circulating the Internet lately. Most recently, Variety’s Best Books of 2019 list featured works by three Lavin Speakers: YA novelist Angie Thomas, Atlantic columnist and therapist Lori Gottlieb, and literary legend Margaret Atwood.   Lori Gottlieb—Maybe You Should Talk to Someone Therapist Lori Gottlieb chronicles not […]

Author Gabby Rivera Explores Art, Diversity, and Joy in NPR Interview

In this portrait for NPR’s Latino USA, acclaimed author, activist, and artist Gabby Rivera explores the importance of representation in the arts, dealing with hate, and her remarkable work and career. “I must remember, it's not mainstream culture that I'm a part of. I'm part of these little pockets of good people everywhere, doing their […]

The Novels That Shaped Our World: The BBC Names Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie in Literary List

The BBC has assembled a panel of British writers, curators, and critics to put forth a list of the books that have shaped their world. Part of the network’s year-long celebration of literature, the 100-strong list features work by contemporary icons Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie.   “We asked our prestigious panel to create a […]

How Does Giving Advice Benefit the Giver? Angela Duckworth and Lauren Eskreis-Winkler Explain

When it comes to advice, it might be better to give than to receive. Lauren Eskreis-Winkler and her doctoral adviser Angela Duckworth ran a large-scale experiment measuring the surprising motivational effects of advice-giving.   If you know your colleague is struggling to complete a project at work, chances are you might offer them some tips […]

The Top Climate Change Speakers Taking Action in the Fight for Our Future

A year ago, Greta Thunberg was an unknown Swedish teenager striking from school once a week to protest climate inaction. Today, she’s a global icon and climate activist that’s inspired a nation. Alongside Greta, these top Climate Change speakers are united in the fight to save our planet, and they show us—beyond activism—what we must […]

Paul Tough Talks to PBS’ Amanpour & Co., on Education Inequality and His New Book, The Years That Matter Most

Bestselling author Paul Tough sat down with Michel Martin on PBS to discuss how inequality and its widespread effects have come to define higher education. His most recent book, The Years That Matter Most explores this phenomenon in heartbreaking detail. Today's American students a jaw-dropping $1.5 trillion in student loans—making the average per student nearly […]

The Years That Matter Most—A New Book By New York Times Bestseller Paul Tough—Is Out Today

Who gets into college, who doesn’t, and why does it matter? Based on six years of reporting, education speaker Paul Tough’s hotly-anticipated new book explores how social mobility affects higher education—and what this means for America’s future generations.   In The Years That Matter Most, Tough shares true stories of students trying to find their […]

Pulitzer-Winning David Rhode and Acclaimed Illustrator Molly Crabapple Selected for Prestigious National Fellowship

New America’s National Fellows Class of 2020 includes 15 talented individuals—a combination of writers, educators, filmmakers, artists, doctors, and editors—who will be funded to pursue personal projects. Among them are Lavin speakers David Rohde and Molly Crabapple.   “Every year, we receive hundreds of applications, all worthy of a fellowship, but those projects that stand […]

When Should We Use Our Grit? Psychologist and Bestselling Author Angela Duckworth Explains.

Renowned psychologist Angela Duckworth joins Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, for an enlightening conversation about grit, bravery, and challenging yourself outside of your comfort zone.  How do you get better at things you’re not comfortable doing? Host Reshma Saujani is uncomfortable using her hands to fix things, whether it be putting together […]

Why Trump’s Re-Election Campaign Appeals to Liberals: Stanford Professor Robb Willer Explains

Common wisdom would suggest that Donald Trump’s campaign is targeted towards his most ardent supporters: fellow Republicans. Yet, a new study co-authored by Stanford Sociology Professor Robb Willer and his colleague suggests the opposite is true. Liberals, not conservatives, may be most swayed by the President’s re-election strategy.  It turns out that a subset of […]

How Does Instagram Affect Our Shopping Habits? Psychology Professor Adam Alter Explores for The Cut

Once a lifestyle app featuring beautifully curated images, Instagram has become the newest, easiest shopping destination. In a new article on The Cut, psychologist and bestselling author Adam Alter explains why we’re so addicted, and how we can manage our symptoms in a digital world of access and convenience.  Part of the addictive, shopping-fuelled influence […]

Hulu Series Based on Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale Will Return for Season Four

After an incredible response to its’ first three seasons, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is returning to television for a highly anticipated fourth run. Following the story of Offred and her fellow “handmaids” in a dystopian near-future, Margaret Atwood’s 1985 classic still strikes a chord today. The book-turned-series is Hulu’s most-watched show, not just in […]

Reforming Education: Top Ten Teaching and Learning Speakers

From boosting economic growth, to living healthier and happier lives, the benefits of education are rich and plenty. Lavin’s Top Ten Teaching and Learning Speakers address how we can reform our public institutions, deepen our knowledge, increase productivity, and ultimately, achieve more success.   With a New York Times bestselling book and Viral TED talk […]

Randall Lane’s Forbes Under 30 Summit Asia Kicks off in Hong Kong

Over 300 of the most influential entrepreneurs will gather for the fourth annual Forbes Under 30 Summit Asia. Creator Randall Lane discusses the significance of the event, and the Under 30 platform as a whole. Forbes 30 Under 30 is practically a cultural institution. Conceived in 2011 by the magazine’s Chief Content Officer Randall Lane, […]

“All Hands on Deck”: Uninhabitable Earth Author David Wallace-Wells Discusses the Motivating Force of Climate Change

We absolutely love it when two Lavin speakers get together to share world-changing ideas, and that happened on Douglas Rushkoff’s most recent episode of his Team Human podcast, “The Power of Panic,” when he and The Uninhabitable Earth author David Wallace-Wells got down to brass tacks around climate change, and the power of human anxiety […]

From NPR to Fast Company, Lavin Speakers Dominate the Summer Must-Reads Lists

A good book can be the perfect companion for balmy summer days. This year, Lavin speakers dominated the summer 2019 must-read lists, featuring in round-ups from INC, Financial Times, and the New York Post. From Safi Bahcall to Chuck Klosterman, check out these recommended reads from some of the literary world’s best and brightest.   […]

Learning to Care: Lavin Speaker Jamil Zaki Challenges Us to Exercise Kindness

Can human beings teach themselves to become kinder? According to science, all signs point to yes. Stanford psychologist and author of The War For Kindness Jamil Zaki has designed a week-long kindness challenge to push people outside of their comfort zones—and into connection with each other. Humans are the world-class champions of empathy, superior to […]

Political Debate or Political Circus? Lavin Speaker Matt Taibbi Explores the Media’s Influence on the Democratic Debates

As the democratic debates kick off, Contributing Editor at Rolling Stone Matt Taibbi joins broadcast journalist Warren Olney on KCRW to discuss how the rise of social media has dramatically altered America’s political landscape.   The democratic debates take part in two two-hour sessions, each featuring ten candidates and five moderators. Each candidate has no […]

The Washington Post Round-Up of Best Books for Every Age Features Four Lavin Speakers

The time in your life that you read a book will alter the impact it will have on you. The Washington Post has rounded up the best book for every age, a list of recommendations chosen based on the “age-appropriate wisdom they impart.” Included in the round-up are Lavin speakers Angie Thomas, Margaret Atwood, Salman […]

NASA celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing—along with Special Guest Charles Fishman

NASA has teamed up with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) for a one-night-only musical and visual tribute to Apollo 11. Joining the festivities is journalist, Lavin speaker, and bestselling author of One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission that Flew Us to the Moon Charles Fishman. Apollo 11: A Fiftieth Anniversary—One Small Step, One Giant Leap, […]

Are We Living in 1984? George Packer Revisits Orwell’s Dystopian Novel for The Atlantic

1984—George Orwell’s seminal work—has enjoyed a cultural resurgence in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency. Now, award-winning journalist and author George Packer unpacks the novel’s newfound relevance for The Atlantic. “Orwell never intended his novel to be a prediction, only a warning,” George Packer writes in Doublethink is Stronger than Orwell Imagined, his latest article […]

Emily Bazelon’s Charged: Crucial Book to Understanding Hit Netflix Series When They See Us

Netflix’s new series When They See Us tells the story of the Central Park 5: the five teenagers who were wrongfully imprisoned for the violent rape of a female jogger in 1989. Following its release, The New York Times has chosen Emily Bazelon’s Charged as one of six must-read books to help viewers better contextualize […]

New Speaker Michael Green Has a Solution to Housing Shortages—And It’s Sustainable

With the climate crisis rapidly snowballing, how can we afford to house the 3 billion people who will need homes in the next twenty years? For sustainable architect Michael Green, the answer is building with wood. Almost half of our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are related to the building industry. The materials of […]

Cleaning Earth’s Orbit: Lavin Speaker Danielle Wood Appointed Head of Space Sustainability Initiative

Much like the environment on Earth, conditions in space are worsening. Today, 20,000 pieces of debris are threatening the safety of our planet’s orbit. MIT Space Lab Director and Lavin Speaker Danielle Wood is leading the charge on a new Space Sustainability Rating developed to solve the problem. There is a startling amount of debris […]

Is Nationalism Ever a Force for Good? Jared Diamond Weighs In for Big Think

In today’s political climate, nationalism tends to carry negative connotations. But in the latest video from Big Think, historian, geographer, and bestselling author JARED DIAMOND explores how—much like self-confidence for the individual—nationalism is something that countries should have, in healthy doses. Nationalism isn’t inherently bad—it just depends how much you have of it. Jared Diamond […]

Our Republic is at Risk: Eric Klinenberg Investigates in New Book Antidemocracy in America

“To confront the threats we face, we must recognize that the Trump presidency is a symptom, not the malady.” Eric Klinenberg’s latest co-edited project Antidemocracy in America: Truth, Power, and the Republic at Risk seeks to uncover the fundamental problems rooted inside America’s institutions—problems that existed long before President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Antidemocracy in America, […]

Can We Unite Society Through Empathy? Jamil Zaki Explores for The Economist.

How can empathy counteract political discord and alienation? According to Jamil Zaki, the answer is building it into our  institutions and interactions. The Economist’s Open Future Initiative spoke with Zaki on how we can begin to heal our fractured society, starting with his new book The War for Kindness. Empathy is the “psychological super-glue” that connects […]

How Do We Build Empathy in a Fractured World? Learn From Jamil Zaki’s The War for Kindness—Out Today.

As a child stuck in the middle of his parent’s contentious divorce, Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki had his first lesson in empathy. “That two people’s experiences could differ so drastically, yet both be true and deep is maybe the most important lesson I’ve ever learned,” he writes in his new book The War for Kindness, which […]

Can Libraries Fight Populism? Eric Klinenberg Explores for The Economist.

Populism is on the rise around the world—and it’s having an unprecedented disruptive impact on political disourse. Author Eric Klinenberg sat down with The Economist to discuss how a surprising space—public libaries—may hold the key to fighting back. A sociologist at New York University, Eric Klinenberg authored last year’s Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure […]

Nina Tandon’s Revolutionary Bone Reconstruction Company Approved for FDA Trial

Nina Tandon’s company EpiBone has received FDA clearance to begin its first clinical trial—making it one step closer to providing patients with precision-fit skeletal implants grown from their own cells. Nina Tandon believes we are close to unlocking the regenerative capabilities of our own bodies. As the founder and CEO of EpiBone, Tandon uses stem […]

Top Climate Change Speakers: Facing the Future of Our Environments

Greenhouse gases. Rising sea levels. Extreme weather conditions. Our Climate Change Speakers ask hard questions: how have human beings influenced the Earth’s temperatures? How will these changes affect communities and species across the globe? And, importantly, is there still time  to change our ways? These top climate change speakers say yes, vibrantly outlining what we must do on a personal, […]

New Speakers Heather Berlin and Nita Farahany Explore Neuroscience—and What It Means for Business.

How can business leaders better understand cognitive processes, thereby enhancing productivity, creativity, and performance? Introducing Lavin’s two newest neuroscience speakers, DR. HEATHER BERLIN and  NITA FARAHANY, whose science backgrounds—and unique takes on the brain—offer incredible new ways of thinking about workplace practices. Both of these exciting new speakers push the envelope as they talk about the brain, cognitive plasticity, and the […]

A Q&A With Emily Esfahani Smith, Lavin Speaker and Author of The Power of Meaning

Meaning, not happiness, is the key to a good life. That’s the vital message at the core of Emily Esfahani Smith’s book, The Power of Meaning, an essential guide to living a life that matters, as well as her popular TED talk—viewed over 7 million times—and her viral Atlantic article. In our recent chat with her, she explains how you can develop genuine cultures of […]

Lavin’s Most Powerful Voices in the Fight Against White Nationalism

White nationalism looks and sounds different than it used to—in many cases appearing, thinly disguised, in mainstream media and at the highest levels of government. Add to that the power of the internet, making it easier than ever to radicalize, and you’ve got a scary situation that needs strong, sensible, compelling voices on race, justice, […]

Admission Isn’t Acceptance: Anthony Jack Reveals the Plight of Low-Income Kids at Ivy League Schools in The Privileged Poor

Even though the Ivy League has opened their doors to a more diverse student body, less privileged students still struggle. Drawing from his own experiences, as well as dozens of interviews with undergraduates at one of America’s most prestigious colleges, Anthony Jack’s The Privileged Poor (out now) reveals what happens to students who don’t have […]

So You Work 120 Hours a Week—Daniel Lerner Tells You How to Find Meaning Beyond the Minutes

You change every day, so your sense of success does too, says speaker and positive psychologist Daniel Lerner. Lerner, author of U Thrive—a guide to prospering through the college years and beyond—teaches audiences of all ages to find success (and the more elusive measure: meaning) in daily work and life, whether you’re a lawyer, doctor, executive, or artist. Lerner is […]

How Can We Create an Open, Practical Dialogue Around Consent on Campus? Vanessa Grigoriadis Draws Clear Lines

Questions about power, consent, and assault on college campus have sparked difficult—but necessary—conversations. In this #MeToo moment, how do we engage in practical dialogue? New speaker Vanessa Grigoriadis embedded herself in colleges across America, conducting interviews with the survivors, the accused, the parents, the professors, and the administrators. The results, reported on in her bestselling book Blurred […]