Filter by:

The Lavin Agency Speakers Bureau

A speakers bureau that represents the best original thinkers,
writers, and doers for speaking engagements.

Shabnam Mogharabi

We have the power to radically transform our lives—by being our most authentic, joyful selves.

CEO and Executive Producer of Soulpancake | New York Times Bestselling Author

Now Playing

Is Joy the Same as Happiness? (5:11)

Now Playing

Why We Need Joy (1:36)

Now Playing

Three Tools for Bringing Joy Into Your Life (5:01)

In a world of political propaganda, online extremists, and social media clickbait, SoulPancake stands apart. A platform recognized for its positive, uplifting media—Fast Company dubbed it one of the most Innovative Companies in Video—it aims to celebrate humanity and explore life’s big questions. As its CEO and Executive Producer, alongside The Office’s Rainn Wilson, SHABNAM MOGHARABI is responsible for inspiring and growing an online community of over 10 million fans. Her riveting talks explore everything from fostering creativity and finding your authentic voice, to why purpose is the most powerful asset a business can have.

“I think it’s a true skill to be able to tell an important story in an entertaining and uplifting way, and that genuinely excites me.”

— Shabnam Mogharabi

Shabnam Mogharabi is a media powerhouse with over a decade of experience in digital entertainment, production, and news. As the co-founder of SoulPancake, she helps energize young people through optimistic, socially conscious videos about human connection—which, collectively, have reached over a billion views. The website is so wildly popular, Mogharabi even helped adapt it into the New York Times bestselling book SoulPancake: Chew On Life’s Big Questions, a bold exploration of philosophy, creativity, spirituality, science, and the very questions that make us human. In addition to her responsibilities managing the company’s mission and supercharging its growth, Mogharabi is a frequent speaker on the importance of joy, how to connect with Millennials, and creating meaningful online engagement.

An award-winning journalist and editor, Moghari previously served as the youngest Editor-in-Chief at Hanley Wood Business Media, where she oversaw a group of four print publications, eight websites, and three annual live events in the real estate space. Under her leadership, the group weathered downsizing and consolidation during the financial and housing crisis of 2008, yet surpassed annual revenue growth and profitability targets by 20%. For her outstanding journalism, she became one of the youngest winners of the Jesse H. Neal Award (the Pulitzer Prize of B2B Journalism).

Mogharabi is a member of the Henry Crown Fellows and the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She is on the advisory board of Wayfarer Entertainment and consults for several feature films in development. Mogharabi also advises SoulPancake’s parent company, Participant Media, and its board on strategic issues, acquisition opportunities, and the company’s social impact goals. She received her B.A. in Journalism and Business Administration from the University of Southern California and her Masters in Media Management from Northwestern University.

Lavin Exclusive Speakers

Angela Duckworth

Grit, more than talent, IQ, looks, or wealth, is a powerful indicator of success.

Nikole Hannah-Jones

There isn’t a beat you can cover in America—education, housing—where race is not a factor.

Greg Hoffman

Great brands don’t simply reach customers: they create real emotional bonds with them.

George M. Johnson

Stories of queer identity and Black joy have the power to educate us on diversity, inspire social justice activism, and build community.

Nicholas Thompson

Technology and science continue to make the world a better place—we can’t lose sight of that core truth.

Speech Topics

Entrepreneurship

SoulPancake Exploring the Rise of Meaningful Entertainment

Founded by actor Rainn Wilson, SoulPancake is a place to explore life’s big questions and figure out what it means to be human. It’s a mission-driven company that has figured out a way to cut through the noise and clutter of content creation, and rise up as the leaders of meaningful entertainment. Named as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies in Video,” SoulPancake has cracked the code to delivering inspiring stories, connecting with the hearts and minds of millennials, and activating an audience of over 7 million fans. Join SoulPancake’s CEO Shabnam Mogharabi as she shares the secrets to the community engagement, fan retention, and the creative secret sauce of SoulPancake.

Leadership

Powered by Purpose Why Doing Good is Good Business

In his 2018 letter to CEOs, BlackRock Chairman Larry Fink stated that in order for a company to survive, it must not only deliver financially but also show how it “makes a positive contribution to society.” The writing is on the wall—a company without purpose is a company without a plan… and without a future employee base, as more and more Millennials opt to work for companies who stand for something. SoulPancake has had purpose in its DNA since the beginning. In this leadership session, SoulPancake CEO Shabnam Mogharabi will discuss her company’s mission and origin story, and show why being powered by purpose not only creates impact, but drives revenue. If you believe storytelling has the power to shape the world and give us meaning, then this session will motivate you to think differently about what you stand for as a company.

Happiness & Wellness

Don't Just Be HappyBe an Ambassador of Joy

As a society, we have to unlearn what we have been taught about “joy”—because the truth is, when put into action, joy is a propelling and powerful force for good. It has the power to feed our sense of purpose and create an innovative company culture. In this insightful, interactive session, SoulPancake CEO Shabnam Mogharabi will share practical tips and easy-to-implement lessons—from her work creating uplifting and inspiring video content—about what it takes to truly bring more joy into your life both personally and professionally. The session will dig into the field of positive psychology, share videos about the importance of gratitude and finding your voice, and also get audiences participating in exercises that will shift their perspective on the infectious power of joy.

Happiness & Wellness

Get Awkward Tapping Into Your Authenticity

Positive psychology tells us that finding your authentic voice and having a clear sense of self and identity are critical to feeling fulfilled as a human being. But how do you find your way to authenticity? How do you know what your true voice is? In this keynote, SoulPancake co-founder Shabnam Mogharabi will share insights around how to force yourself to feel awkward and uncomfortable in an effort to tab into your vulnerability, and ultimately the authentic personal voice and interpersonal connections that make us who we are.