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Chris Bashinelli

  • National Geographic Explorer
  • Speaker on Human Connection & TEDx Speaker
  • TV Host/Producer of "Bridge the Gap" on NatGeo (experience life in someone else’s shoes)
Fee range*
Keynote: $20,000
Travel Fees
US: $2,500 flat travel fee + up to 2 nights hotel & meals for 1
Traveling From
New York

Chris Bashinelli, better known as “Bash”, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Lebanese and Italian-American parents. After a decade-long acting career including an appearance on the HBO hit television show, The Sopranos, Bash decided to follow his real passion – using media to build bridges between cultures. He now traverses the globe from Uganda...

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Chris Bashinelli, better known as “Bash”, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Lebanese and Italian-American parents. After a decade-long acting career including an appearance on the HBO hit television show, The Sopranos, Bash decided to follow his real passion – using media to build bridges between cultures. He now traverses the globe from Uganda to Haiti as Host of Bridge the Gap, a television series featured on PBS and the National Geographic Channel, where he experience’s life in someone else’s shoes.

Bash has traveled the world for more than a decade sharing a message of empathy and understanding everywhere from Fortune 500 Companies, to inside prison walls, to the United Nations General Assembly Hall. His world view was shaped on his childhood “Stoop” where his friends shared a combined total of thirteen nationalities. He has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, the UN Secretary General and his mentor – Dr. Jane Goodall.

After studying Anthropology in East Africa at 20 years old, Chris Bashinelli returned home to discover his father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The death of his father sent him on  an international quest to better understand the human condition and the universal qualities that lead to a happy, meaningful life. Bash has lived with nomads in Mongolia, worked with suicide prevention activists in Pine Ridge and Sumo wrestled the heaviest Japanese human being in recorded history.  Through one of kind stories of adventure and authentic moments of human connection, Bash truly bridges the gap between self and other, helping us recognize our shared humanity.

Bash has spoken around the world – from TEDx, to Abu Dhabi, to Azerbaijan, at multi-million dollar corporations and Ivy League Universities. At 24 years old he became one of the youngest moderators in the history of the United Nations. Bash is a National Geographic Explorer, a UN Moderator, an Eagle Scout and has interviewed some of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on the Planet.

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"Human connection is not an edge, it's a way forward."

Chris Bashinelli in Media

Speaker Programs

Human Connection is the Foundation of Great Leadership
In today’s workplace, trust and empathy are no longer optional — they’re essential. Chris Bashinelli shows leaders and teams how to cultivate happiness from within, connect authentically, and create cultures where every voice is valued. ...more
In today’s workplace, trust and empathy are no longer optional — they’re essential. Chris Bashinelli shows leaders and teams how to cultivate happiness from within, connect authentically, and create cultures where every voice is valued. His approach goes beyond short-term influence or transactional sales, to foster long-term inspiration and success. Whether you’re in sales, AI, technology, healthcare, finance, or education, Bash’s message of trust, empathy, and authentic connection resonates across industries. With the rapid rise of AI, human connection is more valuable than ever. In a world of constant change his insights help organizations strengthen client relationships, inspire teams, and build cultures of resilience. By focusing on the universal drivers of human performance—purpose, happiness, and belonging—Chris equips leaders at every level to navigate disruption and thrive. Bash specializes in highly customized events for top performers, high-energy opening keynotes for large audiences, and curated workshops for C-suite leaders. He employs experiential learning, bringing audiences on an adventure, rather than lecturing behind a podium. With unparalleled authenticity, humility, and a deep curiosity for the human experience, Bash creates a transformative connection with audiences — setting a new standard in the speaking world. ...less
A Culture of Trust: Reignite Employee Inspiration and Bring Your Best Self Everyday
Because every team member brings a unique, irreplaceable gift—shaped by their personal story. The key to unlocking that potential? A culture of trust where people feel safe to show up fully, speak openly, and contribute ...more
Because every team member brings a unique, irreplaceable gift—shaped by their personal story. The key to unlocking that potential? A culture of trust where people feel safe to show up fully, speak openly, and contribute authentically. In this powerful and practical keynote, Chris Bashinelli—National Geographic Explorer and expert on human connection—draws from global adventures and his multicultural upbringing on a Brooklyn “Stoop,” where his friends shared a total of 13 nationalities. He shares a clear, actionable framework for building cultures that foster belonging, drive innovation, and unleash human potential. Through compelling stories, interactive moments, and Bash’s signature blend of humor and heart, audiences learn how to create an environment where employees—from the sales floor to the C-suite—don’t just feel included, but feel inspired to bring their very best every single day. Key Takeaways: A practical, human approach to building connection—without divisive buzzwords Bash’s “Bridge of Trust” framework, grounded in courage and vulnerability How to attract new business by making clients feel truly at home Ways to spark innovation by creating space for every voice to be heard The link between psychological safety and peak productivity How to build your own company “Stoop”—a culture of shared purpose and trust ...less
Leadership on Purpose: Discover Your Superpower and Unlock Your Team's Potential
Great leaders don’t just guide teams—they inspire transformation. And the most powerful form of leadership doesn’t come from authority—it comes from authenticity. Our greatest superpower is often hidden in our greatest challenge. A childhood of ...more
Great leaders don’t just guide teams—they inspire transformation. And the most powerful form of leadership doesn’t come from authority—it comes from authenticity. Our greatest superpower is often hidden in our greatest challenge. A childhood of poverty can lead to unmatched resilience. A struggle with illness may awaken deep empathy. The path to purpose isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about owning it and using it to empower others. In this deeply personal and energizing keynote, Chris Bashinelli—National Geographic Explorer and celebrated speaker on human connection—shares how he turned the pain of losing his father into a mission to bring the world closer together. With zero connections or budget, he built a global TV series, became the youngest speaker in the United Nations General Assembly Hall, and forged partnerships with global brands—all by living the values of courage, compassion, and purpose-driven leadership. Through compelling stories, powerful audience exercises, and actionable insights, Bash helps every leader in the room reframe their biggest challenges as the source of their unique superpower, and shows how leading from that place inspires teams to rise to their full potential. Key Takeaways: How to identify your personal leadership superpower by reframing adversity Interactive exercises to help you embody the qualities you most admire in others Mindfulness tools to build resilience, deepen presence, and embrace change How to turn obstacles into fuel for connection, innovation, and impact Why the most powerful leadership is rooted in action—not words ...less
Authentic Connection: The Superpower to Growth
In this game-changing keynote, National Geographic Explorer and Scientist of Human Connection, Chris Bashinelli, reveals the overlooked superpower in business: putting people first. Drawing on years of global research— from living with nomads on the ...more
In this game-changing keynote, National Geographic Explorer and Scientist of Human Connection, Chris Bashinelli, reveals the overlooked superpower in business: putting people first. Drawing on years of global research— from living with nomads on the Mongolian steppe to learning from financial advisors in Fort Worth – Bash shows that when we are fully present, deeply empathetic, and driven by service, we unlock the kind of trust that leads to exponential sales growth. This is not about manipulating your clients— it’s about meeting them with genuine care, turning “them” into “us,” and building bonds that last far beyond the sale. Whether you’re leading a sales team or building client relationships one conversation at a time, this keynote will transform the way you sell—and the way you connect. Key Takeaways: Bash’s patented “Discover Our In” method to build instant, lasting trust Practical tools to become fully present and emotionally attuned to clients How to shift from transactional selling to transformational relationships The science behind empathy—and how to apply it in real sales conversations Strategies to build a “People-First” Sales Culture that fuels growth and loyalty ...less

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