Testimonials
Speaker Testimonials
Training Testimonials
Performance Testimonials
Joel is captivating. He stole the ‘show’ with an extraordinary blend of
warm generosity, deft poetry, powerful charisma and no ego. I left awed and authentically grateful to be in his presence.
Krista Monson – Creative Director – Cirque Du Soleil, Las Vegas
Very few people can engage people like Joel can...He is one of Australia's most compelling speakers. His ability to capture the attention of an audience in a moment is remarkable and breathtaking.
Helen Parker OAM – CEO, The Babes Project
Where creative genius meets poise and polish! Joel delivered such an impactful session that had our audience laughing at points and tearing up at others, all while activitating their individual creativity. A true professional to work with both on and off the stage. One of few keynote speakers who you never want to put down the mic!
Lindsey Leigh Hobson – Founder of the Learning and Development Collective
Book him! Don't even think about it. If you want a keynote speaker who will move hearts and minds with the mastery of and magic of words, then Joel is your man.
Anelli Blundell CSP – Speaker, Author, Leadership Expert
Joel is a once in a generation communicator. He masterfully weaves the robustness of his intellect with a striking empathy and compassion. Joel will deeply challenge your mind and above all- widen your heart.
Paul Flavel- Executive Director- Hagar Australia
Joel is a master craftsman with words, able to tell stories to entertain any audience, making them laugh, imagine, wonder, and think...Joel is a skilled communicator and I highly recommend him as a keynote presenter.
Dr Fiona Partridge – International Transforming Education Conference
Joel is a special human being who brings care and magic to everything he works on.
Our community of storytellers are among some of the most creative people in the world, and he displayed a unique ability to inspire and move them deeply.
Harris III – Director of STORY GATHERING – Nashville
Joel is a powerful presence in any room. He makes each individual feel seen, valued, and connected to a deeper place. His poetry is booming, spectacular; but his message even more. He is in the uppermost tier of speakers I've worked with, so much so that I hired him again, and again.
Brooke Shaden – Director – Promoting Passion Conference – USA
I have worked with Joel on multiple events and he comes remarkably close to being the perfect creative partner. He effortlessly blends into any event, often knowing where to do this better than myself, and he brings such meaningful words (sometimes in a moments notice) to take the event forward. He is remarkably gifted at reading a room and knowing where to take them. Honestly, he is an all round pleasure of a human to be around and to work with. So, if you’re thinking of working with him my suggestion would be: do yourself a favour and hesitate no more.
Willem Dekker – Director – Graceland Festival – The Netherlands
Training Testimonials
Working with Joel McKerrow is a truly transformative experience. I invited Joel to join me at my recent Leadership Retreat where he passionately engaged with my senior leadership team and successfully had them find their own creativity. His ability to inspire and challenge the group to tap into their inner writer was remarkable. Through his poetry and storytelling, he effortlessly evoked deep emotions, leaving us all captivated and passionate about the power of words. Joel is a true creative genius and his impact on my team was nothing short of extraordinary.
Clark Kirby — CEO Village Roadshow
The Centre for Public Impact invited Joel to come and work with us and he did not disappoint! A diverse workshop of community members and local business people. The group really enjoyed the session and were inspired by both Joel's performance poetry and the way he scaffolded their creative process. I have no hesitation in recommending Joel to others doing similar work.
Senior Program Manager – Centre for Public Impact
We at Tearfund are so proud to have partnered with Joel as our Artist Ambassador for over a decade. His ability to lead and engage through creativity, workshops, and training never disappoints. His workshops are designed to spark genuine change, and have left lasting impacts on our staff and our teams. I couldn't recommend his creativity training more.
Director of Australian Programs – Tearfund Australia
Joel has the remarkable ability of unlocking that which was hidden, that which was straining to be born. He created a safe space for creative engagement and introspection, allowing me and my clients to freely discover a version of ourselves unbound by prescriptive definitions of what creativity could be. I'd highly recommend him for any organisation seeking to connect their people with inspiration, creativity and purpose.
Myra Medhurst – Director – The Golden Path Experience
Joel is a man of clear character and passion.
His ability to connect and relate the creative process with meaning and relevance, is absolutely unique.
Speakers such as Joel are a terrific gift to come by, for any audience within any industry.
Michael Croaker – Head of Entertainment – Village Roadshow.
Performance Testimonials
Completely free, reckless and unbound in his expression.
Kate Cebrano – Singer Songwriter
Joel McKerrow reminds us why unplugged MC bards are as rock-n-rollin their art as any guitar band.
Andrew William Smith – English Professor
A man who can tear a roof down with his performances and bring tears with his subtle eloquence. Joel's writing reveals a wisdom beyond his years and his devotion to his work and to the greater good of all of humanity shines unwaveringly.
Luka Lesson ~ Australian Poetry Slam Champion
Joel McKerrow does what poets should do ... makes you laugh, think, cry, pray, hope, worship, wonder, and sit back and say, "Ahh, now I see!" In a time when politics, theology, and other important avenues of human intercourse suffer from a flatness of prose and a vacuum of meaning, Joel walks on stage just when we need him, sounding off with all the craft of a first-rate poet and all the verve of a first-rate performer.
Brian McLaren ~ Author/speaker/activist
The old windows are not letting in much light. Nor do they allow people to look out, through and beyond. We see it everywhere: in the cynicism of politics, the machinery of the market, the intransigence of religion passing for faith, and the ravaged quality of so many human lives. Light is not getting through. We have always waited and asked for better windows, a truer lens, some ways to see the brightness and goodness that we somehow know is there. It is to this deeper, already knowing, that Joel McKerrow appeals. He draws us through a much better window.
Father Richard Rohr ~ The Centre for Action and Contemplation
Joel McKerrow is not just some redhead... he's just some redhead who happens to be an exceptional spoken word artist. Fiercely political and humane... the fact that he's a redhead is inconsequential. He's a redhead.’
Shane Koyczan ~ Canadian poet