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Speaking Overview

Stephen Banick & The Gulliver Project

Summary of Presentations

Stirring the Global Gumbo: Markets, Merchants & Maniacs in the New World (Click for Detailed Program Page) This presentation is an Edu-tainment exposé of the megatrends, challenges and opportunities of the emerging global community. The “New World” is here now – whether we like it or not; whether we even realize it or not. Every level of society is affected, and without a strategy to maneuver through it, it can be intimidating. Through story, joke, analogy and revealing statistics, Steve addresses how we can prepare ourselves for, respond to and prosper from the dominant commercial and cultural paradigm of our time – globalization – while enjoying ourselves.

Exploring the (formerly) Impossible, Impassable and ‘Unpronounceable’: Connecting with the Emerging Global Community (Click for Detailed Program Page) A content-laden and funny overview of how the shrinking world is ever-more accessible at the end of the tarmac, gangplank or computer screen. In this New World sporting two billion internet users, crashing trade barriers and burgeoning means of travel, “not-connecting” is “not an option.” From aardvark to zygote and Albania to Zanzibar, the world is increasingly at our fingertips as we can tap into countless new ways to enliven travel, commerce, education, arts and customs. You’ll learn about the Who/What/When/Where/How stuff.

Overworked & Under-Recreated? Outrageous Vacations and the Corporate Chill Pill (Click for Detailed Program Page) A lively and informative introduction to “New World” vacation profiles that entertain, connect and relax us. Next to Japan and Korea, Americans are the First World’s most overworked stressed employees. But there is a way to relax without sacrificing productivity – or sanity. Are you a Leisure-Timer or a Culture-Clasher? An Intrepid Interloper or a Curious Curator? Serendipitous Shopper, perhaps? Even, a “Volun-tourist?” From Club Meds to ancient ruins; and museums to white water rapids, the world is waiting – for you to take a break.

Passion, Purpose & Profit: Gulliver’s Guide to New World Vocations (Click for Detailed Program Page) This program is a rich and inspirational treasure chest for high schoolers and collegians deciding how to navigate the shifting occupational seas of the emerging global community. Your next boss might hail from China; your vendor from India; your colleague from South Africa and your customer from Chile. Get the “real education” about those things you might not hear from your guidance counselors or your parents. Want a job – or a passionate vocation? Take a peek at what the New World has to offer…

Enlightened Self-Interest: Feeling Better, Having More & Being More in the Shrinking World (Click for Detailed Program Page) An intriguing inquiry into the nature of Enlightened Self-Interest (ESI) Hint: it’s not narcissism, apathy or selfishness! Too long have we abdicated our choices or interests to the expectations – or dictates – of others; others who (intentionally or not) may not always have our best interests at heart. When we respond to our highest callings for vocation, spirituality, recreation and aesthetics, we not only enjoy more fulfilling lives – we also become more empowered to help “lift the world.”

Where’s Your True North? Navigating the Mindscapes, Soulscapes and Landscapes of the New World (Click for Detailed Program Page) The “Old Gulliver”of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels was adventurous and intelligent, but naïve and “gullible.” The emerging global community demands that we become New Gullivers – informed, engaged “travelers.” Indeed, travel is no longer just about latitudes and longitudes, or “landscapes”; it’s also about navigating through “mindscapes and soulscapes.” This colorful “compare and contrast” prepares us for dealing with shifting trade winds, tricky ballast, welcoming ports and dragons on the horizon.

Journey from Fear to Freedom: 7 Principles to Lift Your World (Click for Detailed Program Page) A riveting discussion about universal, observable behaviors that have forged the state of human interactions. Learn how to recognize and leverage our inherent “good” while minimizing and mitigating the challenges wrought forth by fear, ignorance and naivety. See how our troubling age can be transformed into the “Best of Times.”

The Best of Times: Closer Than You Think! (Click for Detailed Program Page) The emerging global community embraces aspects of “Worst of Times” and “Best of Times”. Yet, never have so many tools and resources existed to tilt the balance – and believe it or not, we’ve come a long way! This substantive, power-packed program provides colorful perspectives, grounded facts and lighting-jolts of encouragement that “good times” may be closer than we think…