Meet Justin

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, as well as Are Dolphins Really Smart? by Oxford University Press. 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. He writes the Elegant Arguments blog for Psychology Today, and The Narwhal Diaries Substack.

An improv instructor, musician, playwright, and voice actor, Justin produces and host multiple podcasts, including The Dolphin Pod, Why Are People Watching This?, and Let’s Talk Antigonish. He’s voiced characters in animated films (including playing the titular Thor in Thor: Legends of Valhalla), produced radio plays, and released three albums with the ECMA and Music Nova Scotia award-nominated children's group Bingly and the Rogues. He also fronts a Nova Scotia-based punk rock band called Minivans.

Justin has spoken internationally at academic conferences, literary festivals, and corporate events, including South by Southwest and The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts. His talks explore the shortcomings of human thinking, the brilliance of animal minds, and the power of creativity and comedy. Justin’s unusual background—dolphin researcher, improv performer, musician, science communicator—means he bring something different to every keynote, workshop, and event. He uses humor, storytelling, and unexpected comparisons to animal cognition to make complex scientific ideas feel both accessible and fun.

Whether presenting to 500 people or 50, his goal is the same: make them laugh, make them think, and give them something they'll actually remember months later. Drawing from his experience as an improv teacher and stage performer, Justin can read a room, adapt on the fly, and connect with wildly different audiences.

Current talks include:

• The Future of Human Intelligence

• Humanish Wisdom: How Anthropomorphism Shapes Our Behavior

• Don’t Think, Do: How Improv Transforms Teams and Unlocks Creativity

• Humanish Live: The Science Comedy Show That Will Change How You See the World

• The Future of Science Communication: Why Authenticity and Vulnerability Win

Want to Work Together?

If you're looking for a speaker who'll give your audience an unforgettable experience, get in touch with Justin to chat about how he can customize something that fits your event's goals. Justin is represented by The Washington Speakers Bureau and Leading Authorities for speaking, and Lisa DiMona at Writers House for writing. Booking inquires can be made via this form.