Justin Gregg
Justin Gregg- Sample Talk
Justin Gregg
Keynote Speaker
International Best-Selling Author of If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity
Justin specializes in making complex science both entertaining and memorable through humor. He delivers complex ideas about intelligence, leadership, creativity, and human behavior through unforgettable animal stories and audience interaction. Justin’s mastered the art of making people laugh while they learn about what makes us uniquely—and ridiculously—human.
Request Availability
Contact WSB for Justin Gregg's speaking fee
Dr. Justin Gregg is a scientist, bestselling author, and performer who has mastered the art of making people laugh while they learn about what makes us uniquely—and ridiculously—human. A senior research associate with the Dolphin Communication Project and adjunct professor at St. Francis Xavier University, Justin holds a PhD in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin and a BA in Linguistics from the University of Vermont.
He is the author of the international bestseller If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity—translated into 17 languages—and Humanish: What Talking to Your Cat or Naming Your Car Reveals About the Uniquely Human Need to Humanize, and Are Dolphins Really Smart?. Justin’s writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, Slate, Aeon, BBC Focus, and Salon, and he has been featured on CBS Mornings, CBC Ideas, ABC News Live Prime, ReThinking with Adam Grant, Ologies with Alie Ward, and The Daily Stoic with Ryan Holiday.
An improv instructor, musician, playwright, and voice actor, Justin has starred in acclaimed animated films—including playing the titular Thor in Thor: Legends of Valhalla. He fronts the Nova Scotia punk band Minivans and recorded multiple award-nominated children’s albums. He blends sharp science, quick wit, and creative storytelling to make his keynotes unforgettable—part science lecture, part comedy show, and entirely thought-provoking.
Justin has spoken internationally at academic conferences, literary festivals, and corporate events, including The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts. His talks explore how animal minds illuminate human decision-making, creativity, and empathy, and how humor helps ideas stick.
He serves on the boards of the Dolphin Communication Project, the Teasdale Arts Group, and Aquatic Mammals Journal, where he was formerly co-editor, and continues to publish peer-reviewed research on animal cognition and communication. Fluent in Dutch and conversational in Swedish, Justin lives in rural Nova Scotia, where he writes, teaches improv, and occasionally argues philosophy with the crows outside his window.
Featured Videos
Justin Gregg
Justin Gregg – Speaker Reel
Justin Gregg
Justin Gregg – Improv Clip
Justin Gregg
Justin Gregg- CBS Mornings
Justin Gregg
Justin Gregg- Sample Talk
Justin Gregg’s Speech Topics
-
Don’t Think, Do: How Improv Transforms Teams and Unlocks Creativity
What if the secret to better collaboration, faster innovation, and thriving in uncertainty was hidden in a simple improv exercise? In this interactive and hilarious session, scientist, performer, and bestselling author Justin Gregg reveals how the principles of improvisational comedy can transform the way teams communicate, create, and solve problems together.
-
The Future of (Human) Intelligence
What makes human intelligence irreplaceable in an age of artificial intelligence? In this thought-provoking and engaging talk, scientist and bestselling author Justin Gregg explores the unique biological foundations of human cognition that set us apart from both AI systems and animal minds. Drawing on cutting-edge research in cognitive psychology and his research into dolphin cognition and behavior, Justin reveals why creativity, imagination, and meaning remain distinctly human—and why these capabilities will become more valuable, not less, as AI transforms our world.
-
Humanish Live: The Science Comedy Show That Will Change How You See the World
Based on his book Humanish, bestselling author and performer Justin Gregg brings his signature blend of science, storytelling, and comedy to the stage in this unforgettable one-person show. Using multimedia, props, and audience participation, Justin takes audiences on a hilarious journey through the weird world of anthropomorphism, exploring why humans see faces in toast, talk to their cats, and fall in love with their cars.
-
The Future of Science Communication: Why Authenticity and Vulnerability Win
At a time when trust in science and universities faces unprecedented challenges, how scientists communicate matters more than ever. But effective science communication isn’t about starting a TikTok or launching a newsletter—it’s about showing up as a human being whenever you engage with the public. Drawing on his own journey as a scientist and science communicator with expertise spanning dolphin behavior, linguistics, psychology, and the arts, bestselling author Justin Gregg makes the case for vulnerability and authenticity in science communication. Through examples of communicators who lead with humanity and humility, he’ll show why dropping the “expert scientist” facade is the key to making people receptive to scientific ideas.
-
Humanish Wisdom: How Anthropomorphism Shapes Our Behavior
Why do we apologize to our cats, feel guilty throwing away childhood toys, or find ourselves bonding with our robot vacuum? In this eye-opening and entertaining talk, scientist and bestselling author Justin Gregg reveals how one of humanity’s oldest psychological quirks secretly influences nearly every decision we make. Drawing on cutting-edge research from his book, Humanish, Justin explores our universal tendency to see human-like qualities in everything around us and shows how understanding this bias can transform our relationships with animals, technology, and each other.
Works by Justin Gregg
As an Amazon Associate WSB earns from qualifying purchases.
REQUEST AVAILABILITY
Tell us about your event and the speaker you are interested in booking and we will be in touch right away.