Inspiration fades. Real skills stick.
Jehan Casinader is an award-winning journalist and Speaker who helps organisations lift performance, culture and wellbeing through powerful live storytelling. Jehan blends head, heart and humour to make complex topics practical. He is trusted by leaders who want their teams to think clearly, communicate better and stay well-informed.
Jehan began his journalism career at 13 when he persuaded Television New Zealand to give him a camera crew for his first story. Over the next 15 years, he covered many of the region’s biggest events, including natural disasters and terror attacks. At 28, he was named Reporter of the Year at the New Zealand Television Awards. Behind the scenes, he was facing his own challenge, a long struggle with depression. In 2020, he shared that journey in his book This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life.
Today, Jehan works full-time as a Speaker and facilitator. He equips audiences with the hardest soft skills, from communicating with clarity in the AI era to leading multi-generational teams and improving everyday wellbeing. He researches every brief in depth and tailors his content to the organisation’s goals, creating sessions that are relevant, practical and easy to implement.
Jehan is also a sought-after MC for conferences and awards events. Drawing on his broadcasting background and deep library of real stories, he creates engaging, memorable experiences on stage.
With bases in Wellington and Melbourne, Jehan works with clients across Australia and New Zealand. Event planners value his professionalism, preparation and consistency, and many book him year after year.
Talking Points
MC & Facilitator
Jehan Casinader is a seasoned broadcaster and award-winning journalist who brings clarity, energy and professionalism to every event. As an MC, he creates a seamless experience for audiences and organisers, guiding conversations with confidence and warmth. Jehan is skilled at drawing out insights from diverse speakers, from CEOs and government leaders to emerging talent, ensuring panels and discussions are engaging and outcome-driven. His ability to combine sharp interviewing skills with storytelling expertise makes him the ideal choice for conferences, awards nights and high-profile corporate events.
MC & Facilitator
Generation Next
Gen Z is here, and they’re asking big questions. What’s the purpose of work? Does loyalty count for anything? And will a full-time job really satisfy their desires? It’s the first generation in history that won’t be satisfied with pay rises and promotions. If you want to secure your future workforce, you need a much better story to tell. As a self-described “recovering millennial”, Jehan Casinader flips the script on Gen Z. Going far beyond stereotypes and slang, Jehan provides mind-blowing insights and practical tools that will totally change the way you communicate with Gen Z.
Generation Next
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. Award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader will teach you how to cut through the noise and connect with the people who matter. Whether you’re a senior leader or brand new to the workforce, Jehan’s remarkable toolkit will elevate your communication. Learn how to capture attention, connect with your audience, and build trust and credibility with warmth, gravitas and personality.
The Key To Influence
Tell Me The Good News
Feel like you’re drowning in negative information? From breaking news to social media, we're bombarded with bleak, anxiety-inducing content every single day. But did anyone ever teach you how to manage the information you consume? In this compelling, uplifting session, Jehan Casinader reveals how our attention is being captured and manipulated: from clickbait to algorithms, and everything in between. Using powerful stories from his journalism, the latest neuroscience, and his journey through depression, Jehan explains how you can regain control and find the good news.
Tell Me The Good News
Make Them Care
People who thrive in business have one thing in common: they create exceptional client experiences. Jehan Casinader reveals the remarkable power of “non-transactional behaviours”, the small, often invisible choices that build trust and loyalty. The words you use. The signals you send. The details you notice. The energy you share. Drawing on real examples from media and business, Jehan will share powerful “micro-skills” that will transform your relationships and give you an invisible edge over your competitors. By surpassing expectations and making people feel truly seen, you can deliver unrivalled value, win more work, and build partnerships that last.
Make Them Care
Common Ground
Our world feels more polarised than ever. People are quick to judge and quick to take offence. Abuse and aggression are on the rise, even in the workplace. And some people don’t feel safe enough to speak their mind. How can we build bridges with people who don’t look, sound, think or behave like us? As a journalist, Jehan Casinader knows how to create trust and rapport with strangers, often in high-pressure situations. Drawing on his real-life interviews with a white supremacist and a Spice Girl, Jehan explains how we can move past our differences and find common ground.
Common Ground
Own Your Story
Your mindset is shaped by the story you tell. Jehan Casinader was an ambitious young journalist interviewing Prime Ministers, reporting from Hollywood, and winning awards. But for many years, he was also hiding a secret: he was depressed and suicidal. In a moving, uplifting session, Jehan explains how the power of storytelling saved his life. He offers a fresh perspective on mental performance and practical tools that will change the way you look after your wellbeing. This is not just another cookie-cutter presentation on mental health. Jehan’s unique messages have saved lives.
Own Your Story
Topics
Video
Jehan Casinader | The Power of Stories
In this short keynote excerpt, Jehan Casinader shares a powerful real‑world story that captures the impact of being truly heard. Drawing on his background as an award‑winning journalist, Jehan explores why stories matter and how creating space for honest conversation can strengthen trust, connection and culture at work. Blending warmth, insight and practical relevance, this clip showcases Jehan’s ability to use storytelling to drive meaningful human outcomes in modern organisations.Jehan Casinader | Broadcasting Showreel
Jehan Casinader is an award-winning New Zealand journalist, has made a significant mark in the field of storytelling and media. He has shared his personal battle with depression, detailed in his book, "This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life", highlighting his dedication to mental health advocacy. His journey underscores a deep commitment to empowering others through storytelling, establishing him as a prominent voice in New Zealand’s media and public speaking sectors.I was absolutely blown away by his professionalism, the sincerity of his message and the power behind it. One of our delegates told me Jehan's presentation alone was worth the whole conferen ... keep reading EVANZ
There are not many MCs and facilitators that can be this agile and accommodating, while presenting a professional and seamless face to the audience.
Our membership has provided exceptional feedback. Jehan speaks with confidence and wisdom, and we were impressed with the way he brought the audience along with him.
The feedback has been incredible, with one staff member saying Jehan’s keynote was: 'The most empowering, energetic and meaningful session I have experienced in my 16 years here.
Jehan is one of the best keynote speakers we have ever heard. His delivery was flawless and heartfelt. We recommend him as a speaker for audiences from all walks of life.
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.
The entire audience felt that Jehan had very relevant content, connected well with the audience and presented it in a very engaging fashion.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
