Unplug and Unleash: Mastering Your Digital Wellbeing
“A cell phone by any other name would still distract.” – William Shakespeare (according to the internet)
We now average over five hours a day on our mobile devices—an astonishing 80 days a year. That is the equivalent of forfeiting an entire summer to the screen, often unintentionally.
But what if we could reclaim that time?
My goal is to help you break the cycle of unintentional scrolling and shift into an intentional mindset—one where you control your devices instead of them controlling you.
As Brené Brown famously noted, “Awareness gives us options” and those options are key to unlocking us from tech’s hold.
Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a clean comedian performing with the likes of Martin Short, Jim Gaffigan and Brian Regan, I bring a refreshing change-of-pace voice to the speaking stage. I combine smart humor, compelling research, and personal storytelling to provide actionable strategies that help you regain agency over your technology.
Ultimately, my goal is to help you regain control over your technology, making it easier to stay focused and intentional with your most valuable resource: your time.
What My Clients Are Saying:
- “PHENOMENAL! My all-time favorite session!!!” – National Recreation & Park Association
- “Best keynote I’ve ever heard!” – Melinda Simpson, Chair OASFAA
- “It’s great to find a speaker who can combine humor and genuine, impactful content so seamlessly. He is a true professional and a masterful communicator.” – Katie Sieverding, Head Start
- “Entertaining, educational, and transformational. One of the best speakers I have heard and would gladly hear again.” – Dewane Pace, Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium Chair
- “Exceeded my expectations once again! Highly recommend!” – Laura Earley, Assured Partners Summit
If you’re looking to add a fresh perspective to your next event, I’d love to help. I combine my background in comedy with research-backed strategies to help your group navigate the digital world, regain their focus, and get back to the work—and the lives—that matter most.
Presentations
Digital Wellness: Quieting the Online Noise
We can all agree that our electronic devices are amazing. But therein lies the problem – they’re too amazing. We can’t remove our eyes from our screens. Ultimately, we’re sacrificing our actual potential for an endless diet of digital distraction, leaving our best work, our deepest relationships, and our health in a constant state of inattentive neglect.
Using stage skills gained from more than 20 years on the national comedy circuit, I deliver a keynote that moves beyond the typical, dry lecture. Through my own screen-struggle story, I provide a high-energy, engaging presentation that is as entertaining as it is impactful—a session that frequently leads to conference rebookings. Attendees leave with clear, actionable strategies to break the reactive cycle, regain control of time, and re-engage with the priorities that truly matter.
Key Takeaways:
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Discover how constant digital noise impacts health – mentally, physically and emotionally.
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Learn the boundary-setting guardrails that high-performers use to protect their focus.
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Understand that every “yes” to the unimportant is a “no” to the important.
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Walk away with actionable tips on how to gain agency over our electronic devices.
Experience Famine: Too Much Viewing, Not Enough Doing
We are living in a time of unprecedented opportunity to connect, explore and learn. Yet, the very devices built to expand our world have become the very devices that have turned us into sedentary spectators. While we frequently vent about the time we lose to our screens, we rarely address the greatest loss: firsthand experiences.
Experiences are the architects of our lives. They build authenticity, shape our identities, and broaden our insights. They forge deep connections through shared moments and spark the courage to escape our comfort zones.
In this engaging presentation, I share the lessons from my own journey of reclaiming my attention. You will learn how to temper the lure of the screen and reinvest your attention into hands-on experiences that sharpen your perspective, boost your sense of self, and give you the clarity to prioritize what truly matters
Key Takeaways:
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- Identify how persistent digital habits act as barriers to new experiences and how to bypass those mental traps.
- Understand the critical difference between passive, screen-based consumption and the depth of firsthand experience.
- Learn how expanding your comfort zone and pursuing new experiences are scientifically linked to greater happiness and personal satisfaction.
- Acquire actionable tips on how to neutralize the compulsive need to check your phone.
Digital Distraction – Productivity’s Kryptonite
Today’s workplace is caught in an “always-on” cycle that is eroding focus and stifling output. While the constant influx of emails and instant messages promises connectivity, it often delivers the opposite: fragmented attention, plummeting morale, and a direct path to employee burnout. In this presentation, I shift the conversation from “how to manage distractions” to “how to build a culture of deep work.” We explore the benefits of reclaiming our attention, providing leadership teams and employees alike with actionable, sustainable initiatives to overhaul workplace digital practices and protect the most valuable asset you have—your people’s focus.
Key Takeaways:
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- Examine real-world examples of companies and nations that have successfully implemented digital moderation policies and “right to disconnect” laws to combat systemic burnout.
- Review the latest research demonstrating how constant digital distraction and the blurring of work/life boundaries create a measurable decline in productivity and long-term employee well-being.
- Discover how to implement digital wellness strategies into daily habits that improve team retention and creative output.
- Learn actionable office practices designed to curb online distractions.
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The Benefits of Inconvenience: The Overlooked Health & Happiness Factor
We are living in a time of unprecedented opportunity to connect, explore and learn. Yet, the very devices built to expand our world have become the very devices that have turned us into sedentary spectators. While we frequently vent about the time we lose to our screens, we rarely address the greatest loss: firsthand experiences.
Experiences are the architects of our lives. They build authenticity, shape our identities, and broaden our insights. They forge deep connections through shared moments and spark the courage to escape our comfort zones.
In this engaging presentation, I share the lessons from my own journey of reclaiming my attention. You will learn how to temper the lure of the screen and reinvest your attention into hands-on experiences that sharpen your perspective, boost your sense of self, and give you the clarity to prioritize what truly matters
Key Takeaways:
-
- Identify how persistent digital habits act as barriers to new experiences and how to bypass those mental traps.
- Understand the critical difference between passive, screen-based consumption and the depth of firsthand experience.
- Learn how expanding your comfort zone and pursuing new experiences are scientifically linked to greater happiness and personal satisfaction.
- Acquire actionable tips on how to neutralize the compulsive need to check your phone.
What People Are Saying…
“We thoroughly enjoyed Jeff as our Keynote Speaker for the Alaska Recreation and Park Association. He brought energy, humor, and very relevant information; perfect for our association! I would recommend Jeff for any audience, any venue, any profession: people need to hear his message!””
Michael Bork, Conference Chair, 2019 ARPA Annual Conference
“On behalf of the entire CCCEAC board, thank you so much for the awesome presentation! We were laughing as we learned all about the red flags of digital addiction. I wish we had an extra half an hour with you so that we could’ve heard more!”
Katherine Helms – Chair of the Contra Costa County Employer Advisory Council (California)
““Jeff was our closing keynote speaker at our big client summit this year. After a long day of technical information his presentation hit home with the attendees on digital distractions and his humor really was a great way to end the day”
Peter Sustr – IMA Financial Group’s 2022 Innovation Insights Summit
“Jeff’s closing General Session presentation was one of the reasons the participants called this year’s Symposium, one of the best ever. Jeff is a true talent!”
New York State Corrections and Youth Services Association
“Excellent presenter – please bring him back next year!”…”Funny, entertaining speaker, leaving me wanting to hear more.”…Funny, fun and informative!”
Appalachian Mountain Club Summit
“I’ve been to many presentations over the years through work but Jeff’s stood out to me more than most.”
Adam Graber – Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association
“Jeff was a fun, dynamic speaker who brought humor and an impactful message to our lineup of speakers. He drew a packed room and definitely left attendees asking for more.”