The 2015 Speaking of South Florida Speaker Series Lineup

Frank Abagnale     Appeared Jan 14, 2015

Frank Abagnale, a former con artist extraordinaire whose crimes inspired the memoir and movie Catch Me If You Can, is one of the world's most respected authorities on forgery, embezzlement, and secure documents. After a five-year international crime spree, he was arrested at age 21 for cashing millions in fraudulent checks worldwide and posing as a doctor, lawyer, and airline pilot. Following his five-year prison term, he was released after agreeing to help the FBI as an expert on fraud.

"Abagnale's lecture may be the best one-man show you will ever see."  -Tom Hanks

His riveting story provided the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's 2002 film, Catch Me if You Can, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Abagnale and Tom Hanks as the cop fast on his heels. The Tony-Award winning musical, Catch Me if You Can, directed by the legendary Jack O' Brien, opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre in April 2011.

"I chose to immortalize him on film because of what he's done for the country for more than 30 years."  -Steven Spielberg

In just over 36 years, Frank Abagnale has gone from a man in hiding to a man in the public eye as a highly sought-after and provocative keynote speaker. He takes audiences on a hilarious and poignant journey of his time as a criminal being pursued, and speaks of his personal transformation. His is a true morality tale that takes the listener from the depths of despair to the triumph of personal redemption.

J.B. Bernstein     Appeared Mar 4, 2015

As a 25+ year veteran of the consumer goods and sports marketing industries, J.B. Bernstein knows what it takes to receive positive results. As the CMO of Seven Figures Management, a sports marketing and athlete representation firm, Bernstein was the mastermind behind The Million Dollar Arm contest. This revolutionary reality TV show and talent search for baseball players in India yielded the first two Indian-born men to ever sign pro sports contracts in the United States, both signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bernstein's story is now the subject of the Disney motion picture, Million Dollar Arm, where he is portrayed by actor Jon Hamm, of Mad Men fame.

Aron Ralston     Appeared Apr 15, 2015

In 2003, Aron Ralston's extraordinary human drama grabbed headlines around the world. An experienced climber and avid outdoorsman, Ralston was descending a remote Utah canyon alone when an 800-pound boulder broke loose, crushing his right hand and pinning him against the canyon wall. After nearly five days -- without water and with no hope of escape -- Ralston made a life-or-death decision. He chose life by severing his arm below the elbow, rappelling a 65-foot cliff out of the canyon, and trekking seven miles to find his would-be rescuers.

"I stepped out of my grave and into my life again."   -- Aron Ralston

Ralston documented his life-altering experience in the New York Times best-selling memoir, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, which was adapted for the big screen in the brilliant film, 127 Hours. The film stars James Franco as Ralston, and his performance, as well as the movie, have been nominated for numerous awards.