National Geographic Explorer and TV host Chris “Bash” Bashinelli delivers inspiring keynotes on human connection, leadership, and purpose through global storytelling.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
“Chris is beyond inspirational. Before, I thought ‘I’m just one person, what can I do?’ But now I feel I can really make a difference.”
Mackenzie Stack
Student, COLLEGE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC- QATAR
Chris “Bash” Bashinelli is a National Geographic Explorer, television host, and keynote speaker who helps organizations unlock the power of human connection. Having traveled to more than 40 countries, Bash has immersed himself in cultures across the globe, translating these experiences into meaningful insights for leaders and teams. His keynotes inspire organizations to embrace diversity, build empathy, and create purpose-driven workplaces where people thrive. From the United Nations stage to Fortune 500 events, Bash brings authenticity, energy, and unforgettable storytelling to every audience.
Keynote speaker Chris “Bash” Bashinelli is internationally recognized for his work as a National Geographic Explorer and television host. Known simply as “Bash,” he has spent years traveling across more than 40 countries, fully immersing himself in local cultures from Mongolia to Uganda. These experiences have shaped his deep understanding of what connects people across borders, industries, and backgrounds. On stage, Bash transforms these global encounters into relevant leadership lessons that resonate with modern organizations.
At just 24 years old, Bash became the youngest person ever to moderate the United Nations International Day of Peace. This milestone reflects his rare ability to engage global leaders on meaningful topics with authenticity and confidence. Today, that same presence translates seamlessly into corporate keynotes that challenge leaders to think beyond borders, foster inclusion, and lead with purpose in an interconnected world.
Before stepping onto global stages, Bash built an early acting career, including a role on HBO’s The Sopranos. This background gives him a natural command of storytelling that few keynote speakers possess. His presentations are engaging, entertaining, and deeply human, blending humor with insight to ensure his messages are remembered long after the event ends.
Organizations that book Chris “Bash” Bashinelli for their event gain more than inspiration. His keynotes provide actionable tools that help teams strengthen communication, boost collaboration, and cultivate empathy in the workplace. By focusing on human connection as a performance driver, Bash helps organizations build cultures where people feel valued, motivated, and aligned with a shared purpose.
Bash has headlined events for Fortune 500 companies including Coca-Cola, Deloitte, and AT&T. These organizations trust him to deliver high-energy, impactful keynotes that connect with diverse audiences and support real organizational goals. Whether speaking to executives, managers, or entire teams, Bash adapts his message to meet the moment while maintaining authenticity and relevance.
Whether your organization seeks to inspire innovation, strengthen leadership, or create a deeper sense of belonging, Chris “Bash” Bashinelli brings the world to your stage. His unique blend of global experience, storytelling, and practical insight makes him an unforgettable speaker who sparks reflection, conversation, and meaningful change. Book Chris “Bash” Bashinelli for your event and give your audience an experience that connects people and purpose.
5 of 5
“Chris is beyond inspirational. Before, I thought ‘I’m just one person, what can I do?’ But now I feel I can really make a difference.”
Mackenzie Stack Student, COLLEGE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC- QATAR
5 of 5
What I love most about Chris is that he treats everyone exactly the same- be it the United Nations Secretary General or the hotel concierge. He does not distinguish between rich people, poor people, famous people, and everyday people. For Chris, everyone is equal. He has a great deal of respect for the ‘human being’ and this is a rare quality. Chris embodies what we say in Germany, ‘Wir sind alle gleich’, which means, ‘We are all the same’.
Milena Pighi BMW GROUP, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility
5 of 5
“Chris presents with a smooth confidence that both sets the tone of the event and captures the attention of the audience. He harnesses the ethos of social entrepreneurship, and would be an asset to any event requiring a quality speaker.”
Frank Fredericks WORLD FAITH, Executive Director
5 of 5
“Chris Bashinelli is an inspiration to youth worldwide. He speaks with passion and his message is one of hope, cultural tolerance and call to action. He knows how to reach young and old alike. Bridge the Gap shares exciting and inspirational stories of daily life from the developing world and encourages us to realize that at the end of the day, we really are all the same and every single one of us makes a difference. We need more people like Chris in the world.”
JANE GOODALL PhD, DBE Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute United Nations Messenger of Peace
Keynote by Chris Bashinelli:
What if the real secret to sales and success wasn’t persuasion- but connection?
Today’s employees and clients are more discerning than ever. An Edelman study revealed 90% of customers will walk away from a brand they don’t trust. Almost half of all employees have quit a job due to distrust in senior leadership. And yet, in our rush to “influence” or “close the deal,” we often sacrifice the very thing that fuels long-term growth: Authentic Human Connection!
In this game-changing keynote, National Geographic Explorer and Scientist of Human Connection, Chris Bashinelli, reveals the overlooked superpower in business: putting people first. Drawing on years of global research, from living with nomads on the Mongolian steppe, to connecting with financial advisors in Fort Worth – Chris shows that when we are fully present, deeply empathetic, & driven by service, we unlock the kind of trust that leads to exponential growth.
This is not about manipulating your clients or employees, it’s about meeting them with genuine care, turning “them” into “us,” and building bonds that last far beyond the sale. Whether you're leading a sales team or building client relationships one conversation at a time, this keynote will transform the way you sell and the way you connect.
Key Takeaways:
Bash’s patented “Discover Our In” method to build deep, lasting trust
How to shift from transactional selling to transformational relationships
The science behind empathy, how to apply it in real sales conversations
Practical tools to become fully present and emotionally attuned to clients
Strategies to create a “People-First” Sales Culture that fuels growth and loyalty
Keynote by Chris Bashinelli:
Change is no longer the exception in our organizations – it’s the environment we live in. Markets shift, structures evolve, people come and go. The question isn’t whether change will happen – it’s how we lead through it. When faced with uncertainty, the most impactful leaders are those who stay grounded, connected and authentic – creating stability not by controlling external events, but by strengthening the foundation within themselves and their teams.
When Chris Bashinelli returned from East Africa at 20 years old, his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. That moment – one breath to the next – forever changed the course of his life. This sparked a lifelong journey to understand how we navigate hardship, remain steady in the face of the unknown and how to lead and inspire others when we are hurting ourselves.
From working as a busboy in Brooklyn, to creating an international TV series from his parent’s basement, to becoming the one of the youngest Emcees in United Nations history, Chris discovered one profound truth: we cannot always control what happens around us, but we can always choose how we show up. And how we show up — our presence, our authenticity, our humanity — is what inspires others to move forward with us.
In this keynote, Chris leads audiences on a journey across cultures and continents, sharing real stories of resilience, wisdom and human connection. Together, we explore how embracing challenge can reveal our greatest potential, and how leading through change begins by reconnecting to what is real, grounded, and unshakeable within ourselves.
Key Takeaways
Lead from the Inside Out: Learn to ground yourself in presence and perspective — the two things we always control — even when the external environment feels uncertain.
Inspire Through Being, Not Telling: Discover why authentic leadership has a greater impact than motivational instruction — and how your presence influences your team more than your words.
Transform Challenge into Growth: Reframe adversity as an opportunity to evolve into the leader you are meant to become — individually and collectively.
Strengthen Trust Through Humanity: Use empathy, transparency, and care to build deeper connection with teams navigating change.
Adopt the Abundance Perspective: Understand how our mindset shapes our reality — and how to choose the one that supports resilience, unity, and forward momentum.
Keynote by Chris Bashinelli:
Teams don’t become resilient because they avoid challenge, they become resilient because they trust one another through it. Trust is the foundation that allows people to speak honestly, collaborate creatively, and show up as their authentic selves. When trust is present, teams innovate. When trust is absent, even the most talented groups unravel.
Chris Bashinelli has spent two decades studying human connection in over 40 countries, from the hillsides of Mongolia, to the Pine Ridge Reservation, to his childhood “Stoop” in Brooklyn, where thirteen nationalities came together every day. Across cultures, industries, and borders, the pattern is the same: people thrive when they feel seen, valued, and safe to be who they are.
In this keynote, Chris shares a clear, human-centered approach to building teams that are strong enough to withstand change and inspired enough to grow from it. Through powerful global stories, interactive moments, and the PACT of Connection (Present. Authentic. Care. Trust.), Chris shows leaders how to cultivate environments where every voice matters and every person feels at home.
This is how we turn groups into communities and communities into unbreakable teams.
Key Takeaways
Lead with Presence, Not Pressure: Create space where people feel grounded, respected, and able to contribute authentically.
The Bridge of Trust Framework: Build trust through shared humanity, not force, influence, or control.
Unlock Each Individual’s “Superpower”: Reframe challenges and personal story as the source of strength and creativity, in ourselves and others.
Inspire Innovation by Including Every Voice: When people feel safe to speak, teams unlock new ideas, speed, and resilience.
Create Your Company “Stoop”: A cultural foundation where belonging fuels performance, collaboration, and purpose.
Keynote by Chris Bashinelli:
In a world defined by rapid change, AI disruption, budget cuts, and burnout, one powerful force remains in our control: our ability to create happiness.
When National Geographic Explorer Chris Bashinelli returned from East Africa at just 20 years old, he was met with devastating news, his father had terminal cancer. That moment sparked a two-decade journey to uncover how people around the world live joyful, purposeful lives, even in the face of adversity.
Rooted in 20 years of mindfulness practice and first-hand experiences in 40+ countries, Bash reveals the unexpected truth: happiness isn’t a reward at the finish line, it’s the starting point for meaningful success.
From Tanzanian filmmakers, to Mongolian nomads, and through deeply personal stories of loss and resilience, Bash shares transformative lessons that show how happiness fuels trust, boosts productivity, and drives high-performance teams. Backed by first hand research and brought to life with humor, vulnerability, and audience interaction, this keynote helps individuals and organizations unlock their most powerful resource, their mindset.
Key Takeaways:
How to cultivate happiness even in challenging times
Why the Abundance Mindset often leads to greater wealth
Gratitude practices that deepen trust and enrich relationships
Mindfulness techniques to improve focus, reduce stress, and boost well-being
The clear connection between happiness and business success
Watch Chris Bashinelli in action!
Watch Chris Bashinell in action
Watch Chris Bashinelli in action
Watch Chris Bashinelli in action
Watch Chris Bashinelli in action
Watch Chris Bashinelli in action
Watch Chris Bashinelli in action
Watch Chris Bashinelli in action!
Watch Chris Bashinelli in action!
