Chris Bashinelli

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

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

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

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

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”.