The power of storytelling can transform your life.
Award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader is one of New Zealand's top storytellers. For two decades, he has challenged, entertained and inspired Kiwi audiences, with a unique perspective on what makes our country tick.
Jehan’s remarkable journey began in Lower Hutt at age 13, when he convinced TVNZ’s “Holmes” programme to give him a camera crew, and allow him to film his first TV story. At 15, Jehan found himself in the Beehive, interviewing Prime Minister Helen Clark in her office. At 17, he scored a weekly slot on breakfast television. By 19, he was filing stories from Cairo to New York.
What followed: a rapid rise through the fast-paced world of primetime TV, reporting for current affairs shows like “Close Up”, “Seven Sharp” and “Sunday”. At 28, Jehan was named Reporter of the Year at the New Zealand Television Awards. He also won Best Political Columnist at the Voyager Media Awards.
Jehan built a reputation for telling powerful stories about people who had overcome huge adversity. But behind the scenes, he had a secret: his own deep struggle with depression. While he was reporting from the Christchurch terror attack or filming in Hollywood, Jehan’s colleagues – and the people watching at home – had no idea that he was suicidal.
In 2020, Jehan opened up about his mental health journey in a book called “This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life”. He started his own business, helping Kiwis to understand the power of storytelling in three key areas: mental health, leadership and workplace culture. Now, Jehan is one of New Zealand’s most-booked personal development speakers.
As an MC and facilitator, he leads courageous conversations at live events – from multi-day conferences, to internal staff events and glitzy awards nights. As an experienced interviewer, Jehan can draw the very best out of panellists and guests from every walk of life, having interviewed politicians, murderers, scientists, Olympians, film stars (and everyone in between).
Jehan has a degree in public policy, and loves to explore the big issues that will shape the future of New Zealand. As a Kiwi-born Sri Lankan, he represents the growing diversity of our country, and is passionate about giving a voice to people we don’t often hear from.
Talking Points
The Power of Stories
From the outside, Jehan had a great life. He was an award-winning TVNZ journalist – interviewing Prime Ministers, reporting from Hollywood, and winning awards. But Jehan was hiding a secret: he was depressed and suicidal. In a moving and uplifting keynote, Jehan explains how “rewriting” his story saved his life. He’ll introduce you to inspiring Kiwis who have done the same. This is not another cookie-cutter presentation about mental health. Jehan’s unique messages have already changed lives – and saved lives.
The Power of Stories
The Key To Influence
Do you want to change how people think or act? Storytelling is the key to influence. But many of us don’t know how to tell great stories - or we’re afraid to open up. As a result, our most important messages are never heard. As an award-winning journalist, Jehan tells stories that resonate with Kiwis from all walks of life. His remarkable toolkit will help you to build trust, grow your influence, and show others why your work really matters. Learn how to cut through the noise – and connect deeply with the people who matter to you.
The Key To Influence
Tell Me The Good News
We're drowning in negative information. From breaking news to social media, we're bombarded with bleak, anxiety-inducing content all day long. How can we stay informed, without being overwhelmed? How can we process information that makes us feel worried about the future? How can we find reasons to be optimistic? Jehan offers a unique "insider's view" on how the media works. From clickbait to algorithms and everything in between – he explains how you can take back control, and find the good news.
Tell Me The Good News
Common Ground
Our world feels more polarised than ever. Left or right. Urban or rural. Old or young. Rich or poor. Right or wrong. In or out. Often, we struggle to bridge these divides in our workplaces, communities - and even our own families. As a journalist, Jehan knows how to quickly build trust and rapport with complete strangers, often in high-pressure situations. He'll teach you how to form deep connections with people who don't look, think or behave like you. When we find common ground, we can avoid conflict – and build stronger relationships.
Common Ground
Generation Next
The Kiwi workforce is changing dramatically. By 2040, the Asian community will be our second-largest ethnic group. NZ’s labour force is ageing fast. And now, Gen Z is knocking on the door. Jehan explains how these seismic shifts will change the face of your organisation and sector. He’ll share his own remarkable journey, from growing up in a migrant family, to winning “Reporter of the Year” – and the professional obstacles he overcame along the way. Jehan offers a unique perspective on how to secure the future of your workforce, by attracting, nurturing and retaining talent from all walks of life.
Generation Next
Video
Lead With Stories
The Power of Stories
Jehan Casinader Showreel
The entire audience felt that Jehan had very relevant content, connected well with the audience and presented it in a very engaging fashion. ... keep reading Ministry of Defence
We had a great briefing discussion with Jehan prior to our event. He took everything on board and styled his presentation to our specific needs. Jehan is engaging, professional and relatable, he held the attention of our 100 plus participants right up until the last minute. The feedback received from attendees was a resounding vote of excellence that he had firmly instilled the belief in our people to go forward and tell their own stories with confidence! We are hugely grateful for the motivation and potential now sown in the minds of everyone who attended. Sincere thanks and appreciation Jehan for achieving this outcome for our members.
Jehan was so engaging, he has confidence and intelligence, and he immersed himself into the topics of our profession. He led our conference with ease, with smooth transitions, and is one of the most professional MC's I've worked with. I highly recommend booking Jehan to MC your event!
Jehan stepped in at the last minute for us and was very professional, warm, and engaging. We knew we were in great hands as soon as he came on board!
It was an outstanding presentation pitch perfect in its content and delivery. I've received so many positive comments from those who attended, saying Lead With Stories' will help them to drive change. Jehan held the audience in the palm of his hand, while offering real nuggets
We were delighted with the manner in which Jehan undertook his role. His preparation was thorough, and he was most effective in quickly making a strong connection with the audience. He worked very closely with me throughout the day so as to ensure our programme ran smoothly. The following piece of feedback I received after the event sums it up: The MC is a rock-star. He did his job brilliantly!
Jehan was superb. We're delighted with the vibe and verve he brought to the EPICNZ Conference as our MC. It was a dynamic role, given he wasn't just the MC but also the facilitator and moderator of panel sessions and delivered that role with great style and effectiveness. Importantly, this included a snappy pace and he really supported the speakers to shine.
We highly recommend Jehan as an MC and facilitator. We engaged Jehan to facilitate the Government's Just Transition Summit in Taranaki. This was a pivotal event, requiring a facilitator that could respectfully manage the differing views of our five key stakeholder groups, Government, business, workers, Iwi and community. Jehan did this masterfully There are not many MCs and facilitators that can be this agile and accommodating, while presenting a professional and seamless face to the audience.
Jehan is an exceptional speaker with a unique ability to hold the room. Jehan presented to us during Mental Health Awareness Week 2020. His message was timely, honest and relatable. We truly appreciate the korero he gave us
It goes without saying that Jehan is an exceptional communicator, but what struck me was the open, honest way and vulnerable way he shared his journey. He brought real clarity to many mental health and wellbeing issues critical to our sector.
Having seen the effect his story and the tools he offers to help people reshape their own stories had on my Senior Leadership Team I have no hesitation in commending him as a keynote speaker and presenter of rare talent.
I was absolutely blown away by his professionalism, the sincerity of his message and the power behind it One of our delegates told me how personally he was impacted by Jehan's keynote speech, and that his presentation alone was worth the whole conference registration fee.
