Human Connection Speaker | Spoken Word Artist | 2x TEDx Speaker | 3x Author

Meagan O'Nan

Meagan O’Nan is a human connection speaker, spoken word artist, 2x TEDx speaker, and 3x author with over 17 years of experience helping individuals and teams strengthen communication, build meaningful relationships, and navigate differences with confidence.

Biography

In Meagan’s own words: “I help people stay connected when connection gets hard.”

She has worked with organizations such as Toyota, the American Red Cross, AT&T, HDR, United Way, and Inspire Brands to help leaders and teams create stronger, more connected environments where people can do their best work together.

Her work helps individuals, teams, and students build stronger communication, deeper understanding, and more meaningful relationships, so they can show up as themselves and connect with others in a way that actually works.

What makes her work different is the way she delivers it: practical tools combined with storytelling, spoken word, humor, audience participation and multimedia, including film, music and photography. The goal is always the same: people leave more connected than when they arrived.

Expertise

Human Connection
Communication and Difficult Conversations
Spoken Word and Storytelling
Navigating Differences
Team Culture and Belonging
Student and Campus Audiences

Published Books:

Held and Free: Coming Out of Your Story

Gold, Living Now Evergreen Book Awards · Finalist, 2023 Best Book Awards

“An engrossing story of love, growth, and changing times.” Kirkus Reviews

Courage: Agreeing to Disagree Is Not Enough

“Courage is a book that everyone ought to read because we all need this kind of courage.” The Right Rev. C. Shannon Mallory DD

Creating Your Heaven on Earth: Unveiling the Truth that Was Always There

Gold, Living Now Evergreen Book Awards

“Creating Your Heaven on Earth is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand and life-changing book.” Gary Quinn, bestselling author of Living In The Spiritual Zone

Watch

See her build the bridge

Speaker reel / 2026

Under four minutes with Meagan O’Nan

Communication, connection and the hard conversations most programmes skip. She gives a room a way to stay in the room.

Start here

What to Do When You Disagree With Someone You Love

TEDx talk

The Unify Experience

Programme film

Pride Month on FOX 13 Seattle

Television

How to Move Past Cancel Culture

Interview on The Social

Keynote Topics

The Courage to Connect: Why We Disconnect and How to Find Our Way Back

Signature keynote. 45 to 60 minutes. In person or virtual.

In this engaging and eye-opening keynote, Meagan breaks down what actually happens in the moments when communication goes sideways, and why even the best people struggle to stay connected when it matters most.

Through storytelling, spoken word, humor, and real-life examples, audiences learn how to recognize the Cycle of Disconnection, the patterns that lead us to shut down, get defensive, or miss each other completely, and how to shift into the Cycle of Reconnection, where understanding, clarity, and connection become possible again.

Audiences will walk away with:

A clear understanding of why communication breaks down and how to shift it in real time
Practical tools to communicate more effectively in high-stakes or emotional moments
A new approach to connection through shared values

The UNIFY Experience

A multi-sensory immersive experience of story, connection, and belonging.

A one-of-a-kind immersive keynote blending storytelling, spoken word, live audience participation, cinematic multimedia, music, and interactive moments.

Rather than simply listening, audiences become part of the experience, moving from passive observation to active participation and leaving with a shared experience they created together.

Custom Spoken Word Experience: Turning Your Story Into Something People Will Never Forget

(Custom Experience | Opening, Closing, or Featured Event Experience | In-Person or Virtual)

Every organization has a story: a mission, a purpose, a reason people show up every day to do the work they do.

Through interviews, research, and collaboration with event organizers, Meagan creates a completely original spoken word piece designed specifically for your audience and event. Whether celebrating a milestone, reinforcing organizational values, honoring a community, launching an initiative, or bringing a conference theme to life, each piece is written exclusively for the people in the room.

By weaving together stories, experiences, values, and shared purpose, Meagan creates a one-of-a-kind experience that helps audiences feel seen, connected, and inspired. The result is more than a performance, it’s a shared experience that reminds people why they do what they do and the impact they create together.

Audiences will experience:

A completely customized spoken word piece created specifically for their event
A meaningful reflection of their mission, values, people, and purpose
An emotional and memorable experience that brings audiences together
A lasting takeaway that continues to resonate long after the event ends

Perfect for: conferences, annual meetings, corporate events, leadership gatherings, award ceremonies, celebrations, milestone events, opening or closing general sessions

Pen to Paper: A Live Experience in Spoken Word, Music, and Human Connection

Interactive experience. In person. Co-created with renowned musician Kellie Rose.

Meagan and Kellie Rose guide the group through ideating, crafting, and creating an original spoken word piece or song in real time.

The session moves people from isolation or overwhelm toward clarity, confidence, and connection.

Testimonials

Her words were authentic and a powerful reminder of the importance of connection. Meagan’s message is important and relevant for our current environment.

Rich Reitter, Manager of Instructional Design - HDR

Meagan has such a way of making stories relatable. It was great to see people with different experiences find common experiences when Meagan shared her story.

Martha Wotring, Senior Quality Engineer - Toyota

Meagan’s talk was a transformative experience. She offered valuable insights and practical tools to create positive change in both personal and professional spheres.