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.

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 (If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal) reveals how one of humanity's oldest psychological quirks secretly influences nearly every decision we make. Drawing on cutting-edge research from his forthcoming book Humanish (Little, Brown, 2025), 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.

From the marketing tricks that make developed personal relationships with brands to the reason some people fall in love with their AI assistants, this talk uncovers the hidden psychology behind anthropomorphism. Justin explains how this cognitive bias shapes everything from our relationships with our pets to our political views, and provides practical tools for recognizing when we're being influenced or manipulated, and when we can harness anthropomorphism to build deeper connections and make better decisions.

Perfect for anyone curious about human psychology, this research-backed presentation offers surprising insights into why we do what we do, along with actionable strategies for improving relationships with the people, animals, and even machines in our daily lives.

Target Audiences:

  • Industries: Education, AI, Psychology, Product Design, Robotics, Tech

  • Roles: Educators, Marketers, General Audiences, Lifelong Learners

Three Takeaways:

  1. How to recognize anthropomorphism as a cognitive bias influencing your daily decisions and relationships.

  2. Practical ways to use anthropomorphism to build stronger connections with pets, loved ones, and even helpful technology.

  3. Tools for protecting yourself from manipulation while harnessing this natural tendency for personal growth and empathy.

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.

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 (If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal) 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, Justin reveals why creativity, imagination, and meaning-making remain distinctly human—and why these capabilities will become more valuable, not less, as AI transforms our world.

In a future where AI and human intelligence will be pitted against each other, understanding what each brings to the table becomes critical for navigating our shared future. Justin explains how the biological nature of human consciousness generates forms of creativity and insight that silicon-based systems simply cannot replicate, while also acknowledging where AI excels beyond human capabilities.

Perfect for leaders in AI-adjacent industries, educators, and anyone grappling with how to maintain human relevance in an AI world, this talk provides a roadmap for leveraging our species' greatest cognitive gifts. Special emphasis is placed on the vital role that arts, humanities, and creative disciplines will play in shaping ethical, meaningful human-AI partnerships.

Target Audiences:

  • Industries: AI/Tech, Education, Arts & Culture, Healthcare, Creative Industries, Research & Development

  • Roles: AI Researchers, Educators, Creative Professionals, Innovation Leaders, Policy Makers, Humanities Scholars

Three Takeaways:

  1. Why biological consciousness creates forms of creativity and imagination that AI cannot replicate—and why this matters for the future.

  2. How to identify and cultivate distinctly human cognitive strengths in an AI-integrated workplace and society.

  3. Practical strategies for building human-AI partnerships that leverage the irreplaceable contributions of both forms of intelligence.