Jason Marotzke

Jason Marotzke, M.Ed., is a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and emcee with a robust background in education, counseling, and presenting. He served as affiliate faculty member at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, teaching ethics and providing supervision for master's-level therapists-in-training for ten years, also having taught adjunct for several other Universities over the past 20 years.

He has been an executive leader in state, regional, and national counseling association boards, including serving as the Midwest Region representative on the American Counseling Association’s Governing Council, President of the North Dakota Counseling Association, and President of the North Dakota School Counseling Association.

In addition, Jason is a graduate of The Second City and completed all five levels of improv training, participating in sold-out shows.

He is a seasoned presenter for children, adolescents, and adults on a variety of topics related to counseling and wellness including the use of improv in team building, parenting, mental health awareness, communication and conflict resolution, inclusivity, and creating open and collaborative working environments.

As a skilled educator and trainer, Jason has a presentation style that is highly interactive and humorous, with engaging activities and exercises that facilitate team collaboration and create powerful learning experiences.

Most Requested Programs

Social Connection and Combating the Loneliness Epidemic
In today’s fast-paced and digitally connected world, loneliness has emerged as a pressing public health issue. Chronic loneliness can have profound psychological, physical, and social impacts, yet it is often overlooked. Organizations and individuals have the power to combat this epidemic by fostering meaningful connections and cultivating a culture of inclusivity and support. Through actionable strategies and research-based insights, this presentation equips participants to address loneliness at personal, organizational, and societal levels.

Participants will be able to:

Articulate key facts and data about the loneliness epidemic and its impact.
Analyze the root causes of loneliness and its effects on health and society.
Identify and prioritize actions that strengthen personal relationships and community bonds.
Apply learned strategies to initiate meaningful connections in daily life.
Advocate for practices and policies that address loneliness in organizations or communities.

Champion Neurodiversity: 5 Steps To Celebrate Differences & Collaborate Successfully
Neurodivergent conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia and others influence people’s learning, communication, and work processes, posing unique challenges (and opportunities!) in the workplace. Join us for an enlightening and interactive training session where participants will delve into the concept of neurodiversity and its implications at work.
Through this session, attendees will:

Increase their understanding of neurodivergence through relatable case examples.
Discover the benefits of a neurodiverse workforce.
Explore actionable steps to become strong allies and advocates for neurodivergent individuals.
Receive information and resources on how to successfully manage neurodiversity in ourselves and others.
Cultivate a conscious, inclusive and supportive workplace culture for those who think and work differently.

Create a Healthy Workplace Culture: 7 Tips to Optimize Communication & Emotional Intelligence for a Thriving Organization
Without emotional intelligence and psychological safety, workplace dynamics suffer. Organizations can address this challenge by creating compassionate workspaces where employees feel supported, respected, and empowered to thrive. By fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity, organizations can strengthen team cohesion and collaboration. Prioritizing emotional intelligence and psychological safety cultivates a culture of compassion and success.
Through this inspiring and informative presentation, participants will:

Foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity, promoting team cohesion.
Implement diversity initiatives and team-building activities.
Support employees in addressing diversity challenges.
Establish trust and openness, encouraging open communication.
Address conflicts constructively, viewing mistakes as learning opportunities.
Develop emotional intelligence through mindfulness and resilience practices.
Receive resources for ongoing support and development.

Ignite Collaboration Through Improv: Fun Techniques to Cultivate Effective Teams
Hybrid and remote work can leave employees and teams feeling disconnected and operating in silos, decreasing collaboration, efficiency, and teamwork. Strong rapport, communication, collaboration, and positive morale are essential elements for organizational achievement and success. This engaging workshop incorporates playful and interactive exercises designed to apply impactful communication and collaboration skills derived from improv.

Through experiential learning, participants will:

Deepen their understanding of themselves and their colleagues.
Acquire valuable tools for enhancing relationship development.
Foster synergistic team dynamics.
Bond through play, laughter and a unique, shared experience.
Identify actionable collaborative practices that can be effectively integrated into their workplace environment.

Mental Health Triage in the Workplace: 6 Strategies to Enhance Culture, Productivity & Well-Being
Workplace mental health challenges impact productivity and morale, demanding proactive leadership to protect employee well-being and organizational success.

This presentation equips leaders to:

Recognize mental health trends and addiction issues, identifying early warning signs.
Foster open communication and psychological safety through active listening and honest discussions.
Implement regular check-ins and performance reviews to monitor employee well-being.
Understand leaders' roles in supporting employees with mental health concerns.
Be aware of legal and confidentiality issues while prioritizing employee privacy.
Cultivate empathy and support, promoting a psychologically safe work environment.

Testimonials

“Jason is an outstanding educator and presenter. Having attended his breakout sessions and keynotes at counseling conferences, I've witnessed his engaging and humorous style. From Tech Tools to HRC's Welcoming Schools, Jason's expertise spans diverse topics. His unique approach, like the interactive "The Use of Improv in Counseling," makes learning enjoyable. Trained by the Human Rights Campaign, Jason excels in corporate and counseling trainings on intersectionality, LGBTQIA+ awareness, and discussions on race and culture. With 15 years as a school counselor and adjunct professor, he brings invaluable experience to education. Jason fosters a safe environment for crucial discussions. Highly recommend!” - Amy Mooney PhD, Ames & Des Moines Therapy & Consulting, Iowa Counseling Association

“I am pleased to recommend Jason Marotzke for any number of opportunities. Jason's strength is his adaptability and listening skills, which combine to create effective solutions. Jason's listening skills, adaptability, and attunement ensure relevant and useful outcomes, from creating meaningful content to providing clinical supervision, teaching courses, and constructing keynote talks for a wide range of audiences. I have witnessed Jason's ability to convey information in various settings and he is dynamic, engaging, and appropriately entertaining. Furthermore, he is very open to feedback and collaborates very well with our teams. Jason meets or exceeds expectations every time I have worked with him. Again - I am pleased to recommend him!” - Stephannee Standefer, PhD, LCPC (IL), LPC (TX), Program Director at The Family Institute at Northwestern University

“I am proud to recommend Jason Marotzke as a professor, professional speaker, educator, and leadership consultant. Jason's decades of experience position him to be knowledgeable in a variety of environments. I have had the opportunity to work with Jason in many positions, including at The Family Institute's Counseling Department, American Counseling Association Governing Council, and Midwest Region Leadership, among other settings. As a colleague, Jason's calm nature, dependability, and work ethic make him an asset to any team. I have also had the privilege to both present with Jason and hear him as a solo speaker. When presenting in a team, Jason's leadership abilities help him coordinate multiple perspectives and project-manage in a way where objectives are met and successful presentations are created. As a solo speaker, Jason is educational, engaging, entertaining, and effective. He has a special talent for listening to clients and creating speeches, workshops, and other educational opportunities that meet the organization's needs and goals. Additionally, Jason's experience working with a variety of developmental phases, from children to adults, positions him to have a unique perspective on problem solving, developing creative solutions, and helping people of different generations understand each other better. I would work with Jason anytime and highly encourage others to work with him, too.” - Dr. Michele Kerulis, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Community Engagement at Counseling at Northwestern

"Jason Marotzke gave a thorough and thought provoking presentation on Intersectionality and Allyship for our business community. His talk met the needs of our collective and provided key followup resources to assist with our continued learning." - Shey Banks, Director of Community Outreach at Cutters Studio

“Jason did a great job. If not sooner, we will ask Jason back to present again next year.” - Casey Solomon, Human Resources Generalist, City of Evanston