Jehan Casinader


  • Keynote Speaker
  • Master Story Teller | Mental Health
  • Based in Australia
  • Showreel
Book Jehan Casinader Now

Award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader has shared powerful stories with millions of people. Now, he’ll help to tell yours.

Jehan crafts live events that have a lasting impact, using incredible storytelling to spark courageous conversations – and improve mental health, performance and workplace culture.

Born in New Zealand, Jehan’s career began at just 13, when he convinced a primetime TV news show to allow him to film his first story. What followed: a rapid rise through the fast-paced media world, reporting from both sides of the Tasman.

Jehan built a reputation for interviewing fascinating people from all walks of life – from Prime Ministers to Spice Girls; white supremacists to gold medal-winning athletes.

At 28, he was named “Reporter of the Year”. But behind the scenes, Jehan had a secret: a deep struggle with depression. While he was reporting from the Christchurch terror attack or filming in Hollywood, his colleagues had no idea he was suicidal.

In 2020, Jehan opened up about his journey, in a book called “This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life” (HarperCollins). He explained how “rewriting” his life story helped him to survive.

Since then, Jehan has delivered keynotes and workshops for hundreds of public and private organisations – transforming the way audiences think, work and relate to others. Backed up by new research, Jehan’s keynotes offer powerful, practical tools that can be applied right away.

As an MC and facilitator, Jehan hosts high-profile conferences and events. A seasoned broadcaster and interviewer, with a public policy degree, Jehan can draw the very best out of guests and panellists, whether they’re government ministers, industry leaders – or young graduates who’ve never stepped onto a conference stage before.

With a stunning repertoire of mind-blowing stories and leadership insights, Jehan brings a wealth of experience, talent and creativity to each event. So, it’s no surprise that some clients have booked him for over a decade.

Since then, Jehan has delivered keynotes and workshops for hundreds of public and private organisations – transforming the way audiences think, work and relate to others. Backed up by new research, Jehan’s keynotes offer powerful, practical tools that can be applied right away.

Keynote Topics

GENERATION NEXT

Gen Z is here – and they’re asking big questions. What’s the purpose of work? Who should hold the power in the workplace? Does loyalty to an employer count for anything? And will their job really satisfy their wants and desires? This is the first generation in history that refuses to be placated by pay rises and promotions. If you want to secure the future of your workforce, you need to have a much better story to tell. As a self-described “recovering millennial”, Jehan Casinader flips the script on Gen Z – explaining how we can bridge the generational divide. This though-provoking session captures key trends, and will change the way you engage with Gen Z.

THE KEY TO INFLUENCE

Do you want to change how people think or act? Storytelling is the key to influence. But many of us don’t know how to tell great stories – or we’re afraid to open up. As a result, our most important messages are never heard. As an award-winning journalist, Jehan tells stories that resonate with people from all walks of life. His remarkable toolkit will help you to build trust, grow your influence, and show others why your work really matters. Learn how to cut through the noise – and connect deeply with the people who matter to you.

TELL ME THE GOOD NEWS 

We’re drowning in negative information. From breaking news to social media, we’re bombarded with bleak, anxiety-inducing content all day long. How can we stay informed, without being overwhelmed? How can we process information that makes us feel worried about the future? How can we find reasons to be optimistic? Jehan offers a unique “insider’s view” on how the media works. From clickbait to algorithms and everything in between – he explains how you can take back control, and find the good news.

COMMON GROUND

Our world feels more polarised than ever. Left or right. Urban or rural. Old or young. Rich or poor. Right or wrong. In or out. Often, we struggle to bridge these divides in our workplaces, communities – and even our own families. As a journalist, Jehan knows how to quickly build trust and rapport with complete strangers, often in high-pressure situations. He’ll teach you how to form deep connections with people who don’t look, think or behave like you. When we find common ground, we can avoid conflict – and build stronger relationships.

OWN YOUR STORY

From the outside, Jehan had a great life. He was an award-winning young journalist – interviewing Prime Ministers and reporting from Hollywood. But Jehan was hiding a secret: he was depressed and suicidal. In a moving and uplifting keynote, he explains how “rewriting” his story saved his life. He’ll introduce you to inspiring people who have done the same. This is not another cookie-cutter presentation about mental health. Jehan’s unique messages have already changed lives – and saved lives.

Testimonials

“Our 300-strong audience gave Jehan the only standing ovation of our conference. He expertly weaves up-to-the-minute knowledge of science and research about mental health, with powerful stories from his own life. For many attendees, Jehan’s keynote fundamentally reshaped how they approach mental health and wellbeing.” Social Service Providers

“We highly recommend Jehan. His session was exceptionally engaging and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Jehan’s insights on the power of storytelling were perfectly tailored to our audience, and his session sparked ongoing discussions about how we can share more compelling stories.” United Nations Development Fund

“It goes without saying that Jehan is an exceptional communicator, but what struck me was the open, honest way and vulnerable way he shared his journey. He brought real clarity to many mental health and wellbeing issues critical to our sector and facilitated an open discussion free from stigma. The feedback we received was incredibly positive.” Association of Consultants & Engineers

“The feedback has been incredible, with one staff member saying Jehan’s keynote was ‘The most empowering, energetic and meaningful session I have experienced in my 16 years at Southern Cross’. Jehan’s presentations have given our people the power to change their own stories.” Southern Cross