Michael Spehn

Live Generously!

Expert on

  • Leadership
  • Non-Profits
  • Behavioral Elements Guide
  • Team Building
  • Storytelling
  • Sales Closing Tactics
  • Negotiation

Fee Range

$10,000–$20,000

Travels from

MI, US

Biography

Michael is the author of the NY Times Bestselling book, The Color of Rain, which was adapted into a Hallmark motion picture. He co-founded the non-profit New Day Foundation for Families which serves families fighting cancer. In 2023 he gave a TEDx talk on the topic of agape love. He was contributing editor for Home Life Magazine, and co-host of Your Family Matters radio show on Salem Broadcasting Network. He has appeared on numerous media outlets including multiple appearances on The Today Show, ABC World News, Huckabee, FoxNews, Home and Family, Hugh Hewitt Show, and countless radio programs.

Michael was a member of the Second City Theater in Chicago, training under Del Close, Martin DeMaat, Jo Forsberg and others. As writer and performer, he learned from the architects of the genre how to create a “Yes, and” mindset.

Michael spent the majority of his professional career in consulting and finance, working with and for Anheuser-Busch, The Dwyer Group, Nordick Franchising, Thrivent, Allstate, Equitable Advisors, among others.

Michael is an avid golfer, begrudging pickleball player, and thinks that March Madness and any day game at Wrigley Field are the best things in sports. He also spent more than 30 years as high school basketball coach in California and Michigan. He and wife Gina have five grown children.

The message “Live Generously” is Michael’s passion. While the timeline of his life has been marred by tragedy, it has been continually restored by acts of generosity. The kindness of others is what has sustained and renewed his life, time and again. Being able to share those stories and this message is his mission.

LIVE GENEROUSLY

A stunning message of hope and perseverance, grit and growth. The ability to overcome hardships, great and small, is vital to personal and organizational success. In this unforgettable talk, Michael empowers and entertains audiences, creating new attitudes toward work and life that lead to higher levels of success, satisfaction, and happiness.

Takeaways: You will be a better person, a better friend, colleague, spouse, parent, and partner. You will have a new clarity of priorities, and the fact that you have the (super) power inside you to overcome any hardship. And that the great and curious truth to life is that selflessness is the greatest thing you can do for yourself.

THE TROPHY CASE

Perfect for team building

Michael offers your organization the same philosophies and methods that he brought to 32 years of basketball coaching. Winning is not the goal, it’s the result. High achieving teams focus on all of the elements coming together to create an ethos that results in winning. The goal should be to empower servant leaders to supervise and guide a generous workforce dedicated to a singular shared vision.

This is a funny, high-energy talk with real-life stories of teamwork, triumph, and tragedy.

Takeaways: More cohesive teams. Better prepared leaders. Clear understanding of roles and an appreciation of how each part serves the whole.

THE FAIRNESS METRIC

A deep dive into the culture and finding our place

One of the common themes in modern life is FOMO, the “fear of missing out”. We fear that the good life is happening to others, not us. That our experience is somehow “less than” everyone else. It makes us angry, envious, and anxious. This results in a less satisfied, less peaceful, and less productive life. And it infects all elements of our lives. Work, home, family and friends.

Michael drills down on the concept of fairness. What in life, if anything, is fair? And do we really want it to be? Audience interaction is high and everyone is entertained and educated in new ways.

Takeaways: A clearer understanding of what’s fair in life and what your expectations should be. With understanding comes peace of mind and less FOMO. A greater sense of place and value in this world, leaving you better prepared for the challenges and opportunities that come your way. Work and home-life become better, and relationships become stronger.