Speaking Topics

Justin specializes in making complex science both entertaining and memorable through humor. He delivers complex ideas about leadership, innovation, and human behavior through unforgettable animal analogies and AI insights. Justin’s mastered the art of making people laugh while they learn about what makes us uniquely—and ridiculously—human. What Conference Organizers Love: Justin guarantees engagement through interactive presentations with humor, multimedia, and audience participation that keep attendees glued to their seats.

Too Human: The Psychology of Anthropomorphism in Tech, AI, and Design

Why do we name our cars, yell at Alexa, or fall in love with chatbots? In this entertaining and mind-expanding talk, scientist and bestselling author Justin Gregg (If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal) explores how human psychology tricks us into treating objects, brands, and AI as if they were people. Drawing on the science behind his forthcoming book Humanish (Little, Brown, 2025), Justin explains why we anthropomorphize everything—and how understanding this impulse can help leaders, designers, and marketers build better human-centered technology.

From building trust in AI to avoiding the creepy pitfalls of the uncanny valley, this talk gives audiences a fresh perspective on human-computer interaction and customer experience design. By understanding what makes biological minds truly irreplaceable, we can build a future where humans and AI complement rather than compete with each other. Perfect for tech, UX, and product teams, Justin’s research-backed insights help companies create more intuitive, engaging, and ethical products as well as healthier working environments and user experiences by tapping into one of the oldest psychological quirks of the human mind.

Target Audiences:

  • Industries: AI, Tech, Robotics, Product Design, Digital Marketing

  • Roles: Product Leaders, UX Designers, Innovation Teams, Marketers, Tech Executives

Three Takeaways:

  1. Why humans instinctively treat technology and brands like people—and how this shapes trust and loyalty.

  2. How to design human-centered products that build emotional connections without crossing into manipulation.

  3. Practical strategies to avoid the “uncanny valley” and build more ethical, engaging user experiences.

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

Based on his forthcoming book Humanish (Little, Brown, 2025), 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.

Perfect for science festivals, theater venues, and public engagement programs, Humanish Live offers both laugh-out-loud moments and surprisingly deep insights about empathy, technology, and human behavior. Whether audiences come for the comedy or the science, they leave seeing the world—and themselves—a little differently.

Target Audiences:

  • Industries: Arts, Theater, Public Science Engagement, Cultural Events

  • Roles: Festival Producers, Theater Programmers, Public Engagement Coordinators, Museum Educators

Three Takeaways

  1. Why humans are wired to anthropomorphize everything from pets to technology.

  2. How humor and science together can help audiences better understand themselves and the world.

  1. A live experience that blends comedy, science, and audience interaction to deliver both laughter and learning.

Outsmarting Ourselves: What Animal Intelligence Can Teach Us About Better Business Decisions

We like to think of human intelligence as our greatest evolutionary advantage. But what if it’s also our biggest risk? In this surprising and humorous talk, scientist and bestselling author Justin Gregg (If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal) challenges leaders to rethink the way they approach problem-solving and risk. Drawing on lessons from animal cognition, Justin reveals why animals often make smarter, safer decisions than humans — and how overthinking and overengineering can sabotage even the best strategies.

Perfect for leadership summits, strategy retreats, and innovation conferences, this talk helps executives recognize when their teams are making business needlessly complex. By learning from the animal kingdom, audiences discover how to cut through cognitive bias, simplify decision-making, and avoid the traps that lead to overconfidence and failure.

Target Audiences:

  • Industries: Business, Leadership, Strategy, Risk Management

  • Roles: Executives, Founders, Business Leaders, Strategic Decision-Makers, Innovation Teams

Three Takeaways

  1. Why human intelligence can lead to overthinking and risky overengineering.

  2. What animals can teach us about simplicity, sustainability, and smart decision-making.

  3. How leaders can avoid cognitive traps and guide teams toward clearer, more effective strategies.