Tara Schuster
Best-Selling Author & Former VP of Talent and Development at Comedy Central
Tara Schuster
Best-Selling Author & Former VP of Talent and Development at Comedy Central
Biography
After overcoming a childhood of adversity, Tara Schuster quickly rose through the ranks at Comedy Central, becoming the network’s youngest Vice President of Talent and Development. In that role, she oversaw the production and creative direction of hit shows, including the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning Key & Peele.
What no one knew at work, however, was that privately she was battling crippling anxiety and depression. She was succeeding professionally but struggling personally. After a particularly dark experience, Tara made the decision to take control of her mental health, applying the same drive and creativity that fueled her career to begin a life-changing journey of self-healing and self-care. Over five years, she researched how to “be her own parent” and support her well-being, compiling a 600-page guide of practical insights and tools.
Tara studied and tested accessible, actionable self-care strategies that helped her build a healthier, more sustainable life while continuing to thrive in her career. She proved that success and well-being are not mutually exclusive and that no one should have to choose between the two.
She turned her experience with chronic anxiety and depression into two bestselling books on self-care. Buy Yourself the Fcking Lilies* has sold more than 250,000 copies, been translated into five languages, and was named one of the Best Non-Fiction Books of 2020 by Goodreads, with additional recognition from Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, Goop, and Publishers Weekly. Her second book, Glow in the Fcking Dark*, was released in 2023.
Her honest and humorous approach to mental health—grounded in practical action—has earned praise from voices ranging from Wharton professor Adam Grant to Academy Award-winner Anjelica Huston and bestselling author Glennon Doyle, who wrote, “You’re going to want Tara Schuster to be your new best friend.” Through her writing and her widely followed “Glow On” journaling club on Substack, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people build more supportive relationships with themselves. She has since re-entered the corporate world to offer others the tools she once needed.
Tara brings a deep understanding of workplace culture and helps individuals and organizations address burnout, improve communication across generations, and create environments where self-care supports stronger performance, innovation, and collaboration.
As an in-demand speaker, Tara works with companies, organizations, and professional communities to translate personal well-being into sustainable success at work and in life. Through a blend of humor, vulnerability, and practical tools, she equips audiences to care for their mental health, strengthen relationships, and build healthier, more effective workplace cultures. All of Tara’s offerings can be delivered as keynotes or workshops and are customized to meet the specific needs of each organization. Tara Schuster works in partnership with APB Speakers for speaking engagements worldwide.
Speaker Videos
Authentic Self-Care
Tara Schuster x KTLA
Gratitude Practice
Self-Care in Judaism
The Importance of Role Models | Tara Schuster
Self-care, Vulnerability, & Real Talk
Tara Schuster’s Guide to Thank You Cards | Penguin Random House
Why Is being Nice To Yourself So Hard?
Speech Topics
Journaling for a Healthier, More Enjoyable Workplace
The science behind the effectiveness of journaling to reduce stress, gain perspective and even hasten the healing of illness is staggering. A 2022 study found that employees who journaled took fewer sick days from work! Yet, journaling is often seen as trivial and not as one of the first lines of defense for mental health as it should be. Tara Schuster wants to change all that. After 12 years of developing her journaling practice and teaching sold-out workshops on the subject, Tara, in her hilarious and entertaining way, will teach you how to:
- Gain self-awareness and perspective.
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Better understand your emotions to prevent burnout and make better, non-reactive choices.
- Quell your inner critic to gain self-esteem and know your self-worth.
- Change your perspective to better understand the needs and communication styles of your colleagues and clients.
You’ll leave Tara’s workshop inspired and refreshed and take away practical, proven, enjoyable exercises you can use to feel less stressed, more motivated and just better at work.
Goodbye Imposter Syndrome: Using Our Inner Critic to Our Advantage
Having worked in comedy for 12 years, starting as an intern at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and ascending to one of the top jobs in Comedy television, Tara Schuster spent most of her career as the only woman in a room of 18 men and had to learn how to navigate the famously difficult corporate environment in Hollywood. In this funny, inspiring and practical keynote, Tara will help you overcome your inner critic, combat and even use imposter syndrome to your advantage, and finally create a protected yet collaborative and empowered version of yourself at work. Full of hope and lots of fun, you’ll walk away from this talk with the tools to make the most out of your career and empower others along your journey to success.
Telling Our Stories: Using Empathy to Combat Anti-Semitism & Hate
According to the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish people represent just 2% of the population but 60% of the religiously motivated hate crimes in America. In the past few years, Anti-Semitism has increased dramatically in every category: harassment, vandalism and assault. In this highly motivational, urgent—and, as always, funny talk—this comedy veteran and bestselling author reveals her own journey towards Judaism, why classic Jewish comedies don’t work anymore and how we can fight back against hate. This talk will resonate with any group that has been oppressed and offers tangible solutions that you can start using today.
What Do We Mean When We Say, “Be Authentic?” Choosing to Be Our Best Professional Selves at Work
“Authenticity,” seems to be the buzzword de jour in popular culture and many workplaces. But what do we mean when we say “authentic self?” Do any of us really have one authentic self? Or are we different in the company of our parents, children and colleagues? In fact, research shows that bringing “all of yourself” to work lessens promotions and mutual respect and can even lead to increased friction. In this inspiring and surprising keynote drawing from her experience of developing and helping to create Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television shows, Tara Schuster tells the hilarious story of her foible—trying to fit into Hollywood only to discover that being authentic did not mean bringing all sides of her to work. But instead, she brings her best, brightest and most engaged professional self to the office—both for her good and the good of the company. Using an Internal Family Systems framework, Tara gives us real tools to discover our agency in deciding who we want to be at work and beyond.
Testimonials
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