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Brad Meltzer

  • #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Escape Artist and 11 Other Bestselling Thrillers
  • Host, Brad Meltzer's Lost History on H2 and Brad Meltzer's Decoded on The History Channel
  • Philanthropist

#1 New York Times bestselling political thriller novelist, TV show creator, and comic book author Brad Meltzer is a dynamic speaker with the powerful belief that ordinary people change the world.

Named to The Hollywood Reporter's "25 Most Powerful Authors," Meltzer is behind many bestselling books including, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy―and Why It Failed (an instant NYT Bestseller), The Inner CircleThe Book of Fate, The Tenth Justice, The First Counsel, The MillionairesThe President’s Shadowand The Viper. He is also the author of books of advice, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter; Children’s Books, I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln; and even a comic book, Justice League of America, for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.

Meltzer is the the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History on H2, in which he hunts down artifacts, and famously found the missing 9/11 flag the firefighters raised at Ground Zero. He's also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel, in which he searches for answers to some of history's most provocative, perplexing mysteries.

Beyond his work in media, Meltzer supports many worthy causes including putting mentors in underserved public schools with City Year, fighting breast cancer with Sharsheret, and serving on the Board of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.

In recognition of his work, Meltzer has been selected to join America250 to help commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, and will be serving on the Arts & Culture Advisory Council.

Sought-out to speak everywhere from TED to the Library of Congress, Meltzer provides bold inspiration for us all to dream big and work hard in order to leave our mark, shares lessons on heroism and leadership drawn from his work, and shares a fascinating look into some of the most perplexing and important moments in history. 

 
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Past Hosts Include:
  • Chesmar Homes
Brad fully met our expectations. His talk was appropriate, informative, inspirational, and carried a powerful message that will be heard for months or years from Chesmar Associates.

Brad Meltzer talks new book ‘The Viper’ on Good Morning America - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Brad Meltzer
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What’s Your Legacy?

In these tumultuous times, when employees and top leaders are managing through exhaustion and burnout in a remote environment, this is one of the most important questions you can ask. BRAD MELTZER uses his trademark storytelling to highlight the importance of this message on what really matters. It will leave the audience refocused and reenergized around the fundamental reminder of the very source of their resilience in the first place: their legacy.  

While saving the house where Superman was created, Brad Meltzer started a quest to find out what his legacy might be. Hear the funny, inspiring, and always entertaining story that will never let you look at your life the same way again. Weaving together the historical stories of Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, and yes, Superman, Meltzer helps you reevaluate what’s truly important: family, friends, and those whole lives you touch by making an impact in your workplace. Are your employees and top leadership stressed out? Give them the one thing money can’t buy: Help them reveal their legacy.

Make This Event Interactive with an Unforgettable Toast: 

For the first hour, Meltzer gives his sought-after legacy talk. He then expands into an interactive group session for targeted opportunities to identify future growth strategies for your firm, ending in an unforgettable champagne toast. 

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Make Magic

"If you really want to shock the world, unleash your kindness."

Based on his viral commencement address at the University of Michigan, bestselling author BRAD MELTZER’s Make Magic speech offers an uplifting and inspiring message for anyone seeking more in life—more authenticity, empathy, gratitude, and fulfillment. In this heartfelt talk, Meltzer uses the metaphor of magic to illustrate how small, yet powerful, changes can create a life of wonder and transformation. Drawing from his own remarkable life and career, Meltzer breaks down the four essential "magic tricks" that can shape our lives: making something appear, making something disappear, switching places, and the most profound of all—transformation. By embracing these principles and unleashing kindness and empathy, Meltzer encourages audiences to craft lives filled with awe, purpose, and possibility. His message is a reminder that magic is not just for the stage; it’s something we can all create in our own lives every day.

See a version of this speech Brad delivered at the University of Michigan Law School >> 

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How To Be A Hero

On the night BRAD MELTZER’s first son was born, he began collecting heroes for his boy. And for nearly a decade, Meltzer studied these heroes throughout history. From Thomas Jefferson (who had the humility to never publicly take credit for writing the Declaration of Independence) to the Wright Brothers (who brought extra materials to every test flight, anticipating their own failure) to George Washington to Rosa Parks to Mr. Rogers, Meltzer reminds us that their stories are not about fame  they're about what we are all capable of on our very best days.  See why Meltzer’s book on heroes–from Jackie Robinson, to Abraham Lincoln, to Eleanor Roosevelt–shot up the inspirational bestseller list.  Let Meltzer teach you how to find the real hero in your life.  And the power of never letting anyone tell you ‘No.’

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Don’t Let Anyone Tell You ‘No’

BRAD MELTZER’s family moved from Brooklyn to Miami with only $1,200 to their name.  A decade later, he got 24 rejection letters for his first novel.  A year after that, he started his climb to the #1 spot on The New York Times Bestseller List and his own television show.  The adventure between is a classic tale with a truly incredible ending.

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Leadership Lessons From History’s Greatest Leaders

The best Presidents in history aren’t the ones who make the best speeches or the most promises—they’re the ones who, when faced with a great disaster, can pivot, adapt, and deal with that disaster, making them the perfect person for that moment in time.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer has written non-fiction books about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt. Now, he’s teaching their most vital lessons. Best of all, Meltzer has studied them in a way few others have, at the earliest parts of their careers.

  • In his first battles of the Revolutionary War, George Washington was out-maneuvered by the British. He didn’t have the experience of the British generals. It’s a moment George Washington where should’ve died. Instead, Washington did the best thing any leader can do in an impossible situation: he improvised and pivoted, taking care of his men first…and then himself. 
  • In his first days after being elected, Abraham Lincoln was the most hated man in America. But instead of dividing the country, Lincoln took key and vital steps to bring the country together.
  • During WWII, FDR’s greatest strength was his own belief in his ability to know and charm both his allies and enemies. That “charm offensive” is what untied Churchill, Stalin and FDR as The Big Three, changing the world forever.

As Meltzer proves, leadership isn’t about being in charge—it’s about taking care of those in your charge. Current former Presidents have invited Meltzer to private meals and discussions at the White House and to their residences. Now you’ll hear this lost history firsthand.

Books by Brad Meltzer
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Biography
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