Jason Barger

Jason Barger

Keynote Speaker: Global Thought Leader, Author of "Thermostat Cultures", Founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting LLC

Jason Barger Biography

Jason V. Barger is an author, keynote speaker, leadership coach, and organizational culture consultant whose work has reached audiences worldwide. As founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting LLC, Barger collaborates with organizations focused on culture change, leadership development, innovation, and mission-driven service. He works to engage individuals in strengthening leadership, workplace culture, and organizational clarity around mission, vision, and values.

Barger first gained recognition as the creator of the Step Back from the Baggage Claim movement. He spent seven consecutive days traveling 6,458 miles to seven cities, remaining in airports to observe and reflect on how airport experiences can inform personal and professional life. The movement was featured in New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Kiplinger, Book TV, and other media outlets. Editions of "Step Back from the Baggage Claim" were tailored for specific industries and included collaborations with Howard Behar, former president of Starbucks Coffee; Dr. Chip Souba, dean of Dartmouth Medical School; and Christian Long, an educational consultant.

Barger is the author of four books on organizational culture and leadership, including "Thermostat Cultures" and "Breathing Oxygen," and hosts the podcast "The Thermostat with Jason Barger." His books "ReMember" and "Thermostat Cultures" have been distributed internationally, and "Breathing Oxygen" reached top rankings in categories related to organizational culture and learning. In "Breathing Oxygen," Barger examines six key mindsets—clarity, inclusivity, agility, grit, rest, and ownership—that contribute to team productivity and organizational growth.

Prior to his writing and speaking career, Barger spent a decade in community service, leading thousands of volunteers to build 125 houses internationally for families experiencing poverty and developing programs to serve the homeless in Columbus, Ohio. As director of First Community Church's Camp Akita, he designed programming for more than 1,900 campers each summer, emphasizing values such as joy, compassion, and service. Barger is a graduate of Denison University, where he served as captain of the men's basketball team, and holds certification in nonprofit executive management from Georgetown University.

Barger has delivered keynote speeches at global leadership conferences and for organizations including IBM, Kaiser Permanente, Discover Card, Alliance Data, TEDx, the Society for Human Resource Management, Nationwide Insurance, Caribou Coffee, Deloitte, and Wendy's. He received a Jefferson Award for community impact and was named one of Business First's 40 Under 40 Award winners. PeopleHum recognized Barger as a Top 200 Global Thought Leader to Follow, and Step Back Leadership Consulting was named a Top 20 Leadership Development Training and Coaching Company by HR Tech Outlook.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Jason Barger and other top speakers and celebrities.

Jason Barger Speaking Topics

Seeing With New Eyes: how the most innovative people think and move in today’s world

What does Sky Mall magazine, Heinz 57 Ketchup, the Pop-a-Shot arcade game, a British grocery store chain, and Pike’s Place Fish Market all have in common? Why was Dunkin’ Donuts able to expand their growth globally while Winchell’s Donuts growth inched along? How do innovative thinkers think and how is it impacting our world in the age of Amazon, Airbnb, Netflix and Uber? In a world that is changing so rapidly, the best leaders, teams and organizations must learn to practice innovation in small ways in their operations, keep their eyes open for big moves, and agile enough to keep their mission alive. In this fascinating keynote, participants minds will be flung open and at the same time delivered tangible questions to lead the next innovations along their path.

Change-ology: navigating through times of change in a “busy” or “effective” world

Are you busy or effective? Technology and the world as a whole are changing rapidly every day. You must have a philosophy for how you and your team will approach the change. What was here to stay yesterday is already gone today. In times of constant change, leaders must have a mindset that visions for the future, but embraces agile thinking in their plans. They preserve the core and stimulate progress at the same time. The best leaders, teams and organizations teach their people to utilize the 6 A process for leading change in order to effectively navigate their way through times of change. This keynote gives a thought-provoking look at the change we all are experiencing and equips you with a framework to move forward.

The Future of Leadership: the power shift from Top Down to Participatory

Welcome to the future and the participatory world of leadership. Power has shifted and it no longer sits in the top down style of leadership. Hierarchy has been put on the shelf and tribes of influence are being deployed. The future of leadership and the effectiveness of teams and organizations lie in the hands of those who engage the minds and hearts of their people with a participatory style—connected to a compelling mission and movement. From global brands to one office shops, this leadership revolution is here to stay. In this keynote you will learn about the profound leadership styles influencing people in the world today and strategies to bring your people into the creation of your culture.

Thermostat Cultures: how the best proactively shape the culture they desire

The best leaders and groups of any kind engage the minds and hearts of their people and proactively shape the culture for HOW they move, together. Thermostat Cultures is about the proactive process the best leaders and teams lead in order to inspire and engage the people around them. What temperature will you set with the people in your life and career? This engaging keynote showcases the process iconic brands and teams use to intentionally shape the culture they want for tomorrow! Based off his hit book Thermostat Cultures!

Jason Barger Videos

Keynote Speaker, Jason Barger, talks about the Courage
Keynote Speaker, Jason Barger, talks Engaging Younger
Your Building Is Not Your Culture

How do I book Jason Barger to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jason Barger for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jason Barger, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jason Barger or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Jason Barger for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Jason Barger, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jason Barger are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jason Barger, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Jason Barger speak about?

Jason Barger is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Futurism, Human Resources, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Innovation, Business Leadership, TED, Motivational, Leadership, Business and Inspirational.

Where does Jason Barger travel from?

Jason Barger generally travels from Columbus, OH, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Jason Barger?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jason Barger for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jason Barger for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jason Barger or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Jason Barger is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Author, Futurism and Human Resources. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jason Barger for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Jason Barger generally travels from Columbus, OH, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Adam Markel, Cassandra Worthy and Erica Dhawan. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jason Barger for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/10/2026.

Jason Barger Speaking Topics

  • Seeing With New Eyes: how the most innovative people think and move in today’s world

    What does Sky Mall magazine, Heinz 57 Ketchup, the Pop-a-Shot arcade game, a British grocery store chain, and Pike’s Place Fish Market all have in common? Why was Dunkin’ Donuts able to expand their growth globally while Winchell’s Donuts growth inched along? How do innovative thinkers think and how is it impacting our world in the age of Amazon, Airbnb, Netflix and Uber? In a world that is changing so rapidly, the best leaders, teams and organizations must learn to practice innovation in small ways in their operations, keep their eyes open for big moves, and agile enough to keep their mission alive. In this fascinating keynote, participants minds will be flung open and at the same time delivered tangible questions to lead the next innovations along their path.

  • Change-ology: navigating through times of change in a “busy” or “effective” world

    Are you busy or effective? Technology and the world as a whole are changing rapidly every day. You must have a philosophy for how you and your team will approach the change. What was here to stay yesterday is already gone today. In times of constant change, leaders must have a mindset that visions for the future, but embraces agile thinking in their plans. They preserve the core and stimulate progress at the same time. The best leaders, teams and organizations teach their people to utilize the 6 A process for leading change in order to effectively navigate their way through times of change. This keynote gives a thought-provoking look at the change we all are experiencing and equips you with a framework to move forward.

  • The Future of Leadership: the power shift from Top Down to Participatory

    Welcome to the future and the participatory world of leadership. Power has shifted and it no longer sits in the top down style of leadership. Hierarchy has been put on the shelf and tribes of influence are being deployed. The future of leadership and the effectiveness of teams and organizations lie in the hands of those who engage the minds and hearts of their people with a participatory style—connected to a compelling mission and movement. From global brands to one office shops, this leadership revolution is here to stay. In this keynote you will learn about the profound leadership styles influencing people in the world today and strategies to bring your people into the creation of your culture.

  • Thermostat Cultures: how the best proactively shape the culture they desire

    The best leaders and groups of any kind engage the minds and hearts of their people and proactively shape the culture for HOW they move, together. Thermostat Cultures is about the proactive process the best leaders and teams lead in order to inspire and engage the people around them. What temperature will you set with the people in your life and career? This engaging keynote showcases the process iconic brands and teams use to intentionally shape the culture they want for tomorrow! Based off his hit book Thermostat Cultures!

Jason Barger Videos

Keynote Speaker, Jason Barger, talks about the Courage
Keynote Speaker, Jason Barger, talks Engaging Younger
Your Building Is Not Your Culture
Breathing Oxygen: 6 Leadership Mindsets That Give Life To Winning Cultures
Healthy Leaders & Culture-Shaping: Allow vs. Teach
  • How do I book Jason Barger to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jason Barger for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jason Barger, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jason Barger or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Jason Barger for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Jason Barger, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jason Barger are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jason Barger, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Jason Barger speak about?

    Jason Barger is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Futurism, Human Resources, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Innovation, Business Leadership, TED, Motivational, Leadership, Business and Inspirational.
  • Where does Jason Barger travel from?

    Jason Barger generally travels from Columbus, OH, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Jason Barger?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jason Barger for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jason Barger for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jason Barger or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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