Sam Rad

Sam Rad

Keynote Speaker: The Change Futurist; Anthropologist; Four-Time Tech Founder; #1 Bestselling Author

Sam Rad Biography

Sam Rad (born Samantha Radocchia) is The Change Futurist: an anthropologist and entrepreneur who spent two decades inside technology revolutions, founding four companies across AI, blockchain, and connected hardware. Her keynote, "Change Has a Pattern," shows Fortune 500s, governments, and associations on five continents how to read the pattern behind every big change.

Rad’s first two companies used AI to map personal taste, starting in 2010. She went on to co-found Chronicled, the San Francisco company that brought trust to global commerce and supply chains, where she served as Chief Product Officer and later Chief Marketing Officer, and where her early blockchain protocol work was open sourced into the Ethereum standards, predating and paralleling ERC-721. She then co-founded NYOUM, a London-based generative AI communication platform. She is the first-named inventor on four granted US patents in identity and provenance.

Trained in anthropology and linguistics, Rad studies technology the way an anthropologist studies a culture: from the inside. She did ethnographic fieldwork inside Second Life in 2009, and in 2020 she built a working AI clone of herself. That work led to her research on perceptual security: what happens to a society when it can no longer agree on what is real.

Today Rad is Co-Founder and CEO of MISTIC Systems, a causal AI platform for strategic foresight and decision intelligence. She also leads RAD Original Creations (RADOC), the studio behind Illicit Shadows, an investigative documentary series on the global illicit economy. She has briefed the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, INTERPOL, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and the OECD.

Rad is the author of two #1 bestsellers, "Radical Next: Reclaiming Your Humanity in a Post-Human World" (2025) and "Bitcoin Pizza" (2019). She wrote for Forbes, which named her to its 30 Under 30 list in 2017, served on the faculty of Singularity University, and is a member of the Content Authenticity Initiative.

On stages across five continents, she brings the calm confidence of a former competitive skydiver and the energy of a rock star, so audiences don’t just walk out ready for what’s next. They walk out wanting it.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Sam Rad and other top speakers and celebrities.

Sam Rad Speaking Topics

Change Has a Pattern

Every powerful new technology is like a jetpack.

It promises new heights, and it scares you about where it might take you. Once everyone has one, not having one is how you get left behind. But owning it isn't the point, and neither is using it. Steering it is.

In "Change Has a Pattern," anthropologist and futurist Sam Rad shows audiences the cycle every big change follows, why the new tools aren't paying off yet, and the four moves that turn the corner. The pattern has repeated through five thousand years of recorded history, which is why the message works in any industry and lands with any room: it is universal, and above all, human.

In times of radical disruption there is no roadmap, and what got you here won't get you there. The natural reaction is to brace. Sam uses history, and a clear look at what's coming, to make the change feel less daunting.

People don't just walk out ready for what's next. They walk out wanting it.

THE FOUR MOVES

See the pattern. Let go of the old way. Lead the jetpack. Take it off. The arc underneath: recognition, reassurance, challenge, agency, practice, hope.

We don't have an adoption problem. We have a reinvention problem. The jetpack was handed to individuals while the organization around them stayed the same. That produces more output, not more progress. The returns happen after you redesign.

THE ROLE IN THE ROOM

Sam opens the day or closes it. Opening: break the room's brain gently, lift the overwhelm, and prime people to embrace the technical changes the rest of the offsite will present. Closing: send them out fired up about the future, with an optimism they didn't know they walked in with.

The catalyst, not the consultant.

Format: Opening or closing keynote, 45 to 60 minutes, in person or virtual

Sam Rad Videos

Sam Rad Speaker Reel
Sam Rad - TFWA Cannes
Sam Rad - Ivanti 2024

How do I book Sam Rad to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Sam Rad 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 Sam Rad, 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 Sam Rad or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Sam Rad for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Sam Rad, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Sam Rad are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Sam Rad, 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 Sam Rad speak about?

Sam Rad is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Futurism, Manufacturing, Human Resources, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Economy, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, FinTech, Supply Chain, Change Management, Digital Transformation, Future of Work, Resilience, Ethics & Integrity, Leadership, Healthcare, Women in Business, Women in Tech and Social Sciences.

Where does Sam Rad travel from?

Sam Rad generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Sam Rad?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Sam Rad 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 Sam Rad 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 Sam Rad 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.


Sam Rad is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Futurism, Manufacturing and Human Resources. The estimated speaking fee range to book Sam Rad for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Sam Rad generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Andrew Busch, Sharon Gai and Ayesha Khanna. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Sam Rad for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/11/2026.

Sam Rad Speaking Topics

  • Change Has a Pattern

    Every powerful new technology is like a jetpack.

    It promises new heights, and it scares you about where it might take you. Once everyone has one, not having one is how you get left behind. But owning it isn't the point, and neither is using it. Steering it is.

    In "Change Has a Pattern," anthropologist and futurist Sam Rad shows audiences the cycle every big change follows, why the new tools aren't paying off yet, and the four moves that turn the corner. The pattern has repeated through five thousand years of recorded history, which is why the message works in any industry and lands with any room: it is universal, and above all, human.

    In times of radical disruption there is no roadmap, and what got you here won't get you there. The natural reaction is to brace. Sam uses history, and a clear look at what's coming, to make the change feel less daunting.

    People don't just walk out ready for what's next. They walk out wanting it.

    THE FOUR MOVES

    See the pattern. Let go of the old way. Lead the jetpack. Take it off. The arc underneath: recognition, reassurance, challenge, agency, practice, hope.

    We don't have an adoption problem. We have a reinvention problem. The jetpack was handed to individuals while the organization around them stayed the same. That produces more output, not more progress. The returns happen after you redesign.

    THE ROLE IN THE ROOM

    Sam opens the day or closes it. Opening: break the room's brain gently, lift the overwhelm, and prime people to embrace the technical changes the rest of the offsite will present. Closing: send them out fired up about the future, with an optimism they didn't know they walked in with.

    The catalyst, not the consultant.

    Format: Opening or closing keynote, 45 to 60 minutes, in person or virtual

Sam Rad Videos

Sam Rad Speaker Reel
Sam Rad - TFWA Cannes
Sam Rad - Ivanti 2024
Sam Rad - SamRad.AI

Sam Rad Reviews

  • “I’ve heard dozens of blockchain talks and yours was the best! It was so applicable, which is hard.
    Singularity University - Jul 16 2019

  • "Sam is one of those rare individuals who has the ability to catalyze — whether it be an audience, her team, or her company’s customers. As a keynote speaker and panelist, she has the unique ability not only to distill complex topics surrounding emerging technologies, but also to make sense of why technologies like blockchain will impact the lives of individuals and businesses alike. She had a tough job, speaking to a room of 500+ accounting professionals on blockchain, and she didn’t cease to impress and inspire.”
    CohnReznickLLP - Jul 16 2019

  • “Samantha joined us for our annual CRN Trade Association Conference for Keynote address on how blockchain and other emerging technologies will impact the Supplements and Functional Foods Industry. She also facilitated an interactive, audience engaging panel covering the specifics of how blockchain directly impact and enhance the industry. Sam is an energetic, engaging, and astute speaking and I would recommend her for any event where complex technologies need to be broken down into digestible, and often fun, communications.”
    Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) - Jul 16 2019

  • "Sam joined us to deliver a keynote address for Cisco Supply Chain’s 2018 Development Day, where she took the audience on a mesmerizing journey through the paradigms that have shaped distributed and decentralized computing. Her unique and engaging take on blockchain as a backbone technology for the future was a great addition to our programming and we look forward to welcoming her back again!”
    Cisco - Jul 16 2019

  • How do I book Sam Rad to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Sam Rad 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 Sam Rad, 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 Sam Rad or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Sam Rad for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Sam Rad, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Sam Rad are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Sam Rad, 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 Sam Rad speak about?

  • Where does Sam Rad travel from?

    Sam Rad generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Sam Rad?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Sam Rad 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 Sam Rad 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 Sam Rad 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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SAM RAD

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