Brad Meltzer

From uncovering plots to kill George Washington to exploring the secrets behind the Lincoln assassination, Brad Meltzer has spent his career illuminating the hidden stories behind America’s most pivotal moments. A current board member of the National Archives Foundation and an official appointee to the America 250 Committee, Brad brings unique authority and insight to this historic milestone. In a keynote crafted for the nation’s 250th anniversary, he brings these events to life—showing how history’s lesser-known figures helped define the American experiment. With the precision of a researcher and the heart of a storyteller, he invites audiences to reflect on the past not as a closed book, but as a guide for shaping a more unified future.

In today’s world where cruelty and venom have become sport, how do you make magic and find empathy? In his viral commencement address at the University of Michigan, Brad Meltzer electrified the country and the 2024 graduating class, including his son, who also graduated that day. In election years, the Michigan commencement address is usually delivered by the President of the United States. This time, they wanted someone non-political and chose Brad, who has dedicated his career to kindness and empathy.

To prepare, Brad consulted with friends and social scientists Adam Grant, Simon, Sinek, Tim Urban and others. The result was a national sensation, shared over a million times. In MAKE MAGIC, Meltzer offers your employees tools for creating an extraordinary life, one magic trick at a time.

Brad reveals that there are only four types of magic tricks:

1. you make something appear,
2. you make something disappear,
3. you make two things switch places, and
4. you turn one thing into something else — the hardest trick of all, transformation.

For that third point — making two things switch places — Brad talks about empathy, pointing out that cruelty and venom aren’t signs of strength. They’re signs of weakness and petty insecurity. What takes strength is switching places and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.

Brad Meltzer’s reach is unparalleled. He is the author of bestselling thrillers, bestselling works of nonfiction, writer of Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Star Wars, and creator of the bestselling Ordinary People Change the World series. In his daily social media posts, he shares personal stories, amusing and insightful reflections, all shared with warmth and authenticity.

At a time when the world can feel divided and disconnected, MAKE MAGIC is the antidote we need: beyond a simple feel-good book, this is filled with real social science from the world’s top experts — while also brimming with hope and heart. It also demonstrates that we’re all magicians at heart — and we all…always…have another trick up our sleeves.

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.

Who will remember your name? It’s a potent question, isn’t it? When you’re gone, who will remember you? What will your legacy be? For nearly 30 years, Brad Meltzer has helped the largest companies answer that question. In the process, he also delivered one of the best commencement addresses of all the time in front of 70,000 people at University of Michigan Stadium.

Throughout his career, Meltzer has written best-selling thriller novels. And non-fiction. And comics books. And starred and produced his own Emmy-nominated TV shows. Indeed, it is tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad Meltzer thrive in all these different professions?

Yes, it’s because he puts out quality (Presidents Bush, Clinton, and Biden are all fans). And yes, it’s because he fills his books with incredible research (President George HW Bush told USA Today, “All of Brad’s books are a fascinating read. He is a master storyteller who keeps all of us on the edge of our seats.”)

But still, of all the authors out there, why did the HISTORY Channel decide to give Meltzer a TV show — and why do nearly two million viewers tune in for each show — making him one of America’s most accessible historians? Because people know EXACTLY what Brad Meltzer stands for.

“I believe ordinary people change the world,” Meltzer says. And that is Brad Meltzer’s core belief. He doesn’t care where you went to school. Or how much money you make. That’s nonsense to him. Brad Meltzer believes in regular people and their ability to effect change in this world. And it is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects. See why he is consistently ranked as one of the best speakers in the country.

What’s the greatest risk you’ll ever take in your life? It’s admitting what you want. We all know what we want. But we rarely admit it. Why? Because putting yourself out there—especially emotionally—is scary. If you admit what you want, you risk not getting it. And failure terrifies us. So how do you actually pull it off? How do you take the greatest risk you’ll ever take in your life and admit what you want? You need to do three things: Remember what you love, remember what got you’re here, and most important, remember what terrifies you. See the commencement address that will leave you breathless.

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.’

Brad’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.

This unique offering is a two-hour session, where Brad presents his inspiring keynote, “What’s Your Legacy?, followed by an interactive group session. In this divided world we live in, this meaningful presentation will bring your people and organization together, helping them embrace their history and legacy. Brad will help you find and identify future growth, both personally and professionally.