In The News

Sometimes less is more. Just ask David Epstein, the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Range and The Sports Gene and Expert on the Science of High Performance. In his latest post in his Range Widely newsletter, Epstein writes about “The Christmas Tree Effect.” Epstein explains that our intuition is to add things—like more ornaments on a Christmas tree—to solve problems but sometimes we should take away. Epstein cites a study by two scientists, who researched the effect of electronic road signs that displayed the number of traffic deaths in a given year on the roads of Texas.

Production has begun on a movie based on APB speaker John O’Leary’s bestselling book—On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life. It stars William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney, DeVon Franklin and Stephanie Szostak. Sean McNamara (Soul Surfer, Reagan, A Wing and Prayer) is directing. In 1987, O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given less than a 1% chance to live. Together with legendary St. Louis Cardinals’ announcer Jack Buck, John’s family, his faith and the entire city of St. Louis, young O’Leary fought to live, and showed us “what’s possible.”

In this season of gratitude, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible speakers and clients. You are the reason that APB can continue its passionate commitment to delivering compelling, inspiring and thought-provoking events worldwide, unedited and unfiltered by mass media. May your day be filled with warmth, joy and all the delights this season has to offer. 

The Board of Trustees of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., has just announced a new school—the School of Global Health—that will create a new generation of health equity leaders dedicated to solving complex global health challenges through multiple disciplines. APB speaker Daniel E. Dawes J.D., is the founding dean and will lead the school. It is the first school of Global Health in the United States.

Over seven decades, Ralph Nader has been corporate America’s fiercest critic. But in his new book, The Rebellious CEO: 12 Leaders Who Did It Right, he may surprise both his fans and critics, alike.

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recently premiered portraits of three women who broke barriers in the U.S. military, including APB speaker and the First Female U.S. Navy Four-Star Admiral (Retired) Michelle J. Howard. Also featured are General (Retired) Ann Elizabeth Dunwoody, who made history as the first woman to become a four-star general in the U.S. military; and General (Retired) Janet C. Wolfenbarger, who became the first woman to achieve a four-star general rank in the U.S. Air Force. The portraits were shot by Photographer An-My Lê.

APB is proud and excited to share that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf—Africa's first elected female President, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and one of our most sought-after speakers—has been selected as an honoree of the TIME100 Impact Awards Africa. The awards recognize "visionaries who have gone above and beyond to make an impact and move their respective industries forward."

Every November on Veterans Day, we pause to recognize and bring awareness to the great physical and mental sacrifices our military makes to ensure our freedom. APB is proud to work with these sought-after leaders below and we thank them for their bravery and patriotism.

Coverage of the 2024 Election has returned to The New York Times podcast The Run-Up, which is hosted by APB Speaker, Times National Political Reporter and CNN Political Analyst Astead Herndon. The first episode, which dropped on Nov. 2, focuses on voters in the northernmost part of Washington, who have picked the presidential winner in every race since 1980.

In a special panel discussion recently held at Dartmouth College, current U.S. Surgeon General—Dr. Vivek Murthy—and six former Surgeons General, including APB speakers Drs. Richard Carmona, Joycelyn Elders, Regina Benjamin and Jerome Adams spoke about our growing mental health crisis.