Who Are The Best Public Speakers Alive Today?
Danny Riley | 5 min read
Last updated: 1/12/2025
The Best Public Speakers Aren't All From History.
Great public speakers aren’t just ancient historical figures – they’re alive today, shaping ideas and inspiring action to the masses.
If I asked you to name the best speakers ever, you might mention Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, or Steve Jobs. You’d be right, of course, but their techniques may not be as helpful to follow in today’s age.
Let’s instead focus on some of the best speakers that are alive today.
Here are some of the best public speakers alive in 2025: Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Mel Robbins, Tony Robbins, Amy Purdy, and Eckhart Tolle – a diverse group whose styles offer different lessons for all types of speaking and presenting.
They’re not ranked, so share your favourite in the comments!
1. Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek has a talent for making complex ideas feel simple and urgent.
His Golden Circle TED Talk became a viral video, emphasising that great leaders “start with why”.
Whether he’s unpacking purpose on stage, or talking about workplace resilience on a podcast, Sinek’s clarity and conversational style resonates deeply.
What to Learn:
His conversational tone and research-backed storytelling are ideal for corporate settings — it’s relaxed and friendly, but still professional.
Study his use of pacing, emphasis, and gestures. He builds trust by connecting his ideas to what his audience care about, and builds rapport with being relatable.
For all these reasons, he’s got to be one of the best public speakers alive today.
2. Brené Brown
Brené Brown’s speaking weaves personal stories with scientific research to create something that’s captivating.
I discovered her while researching leadership for my dissertation, and ‘Daring Greatly’ was a revelation.
Her TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, blends warmth and hard wisdom — which is why it’s racked up 23M views!
What to Learn:
Brown’s narrative style and authentic delivery gives her speaking a real sense of empathy.
She has an authoritative but nurturing nature about her vocal delivery, proving you can blend two very different styles of speaking together to create something new and captivating.
3. Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins is a powerhouse, delivering tough love with actionable advice in a uniquely enthusiastic way.
Her 5-Second Rule – a countdown to break hesitation – has transformed lives, and became a bestselling book.
Her TEDx Talk, How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over, is raw, honest, and motivating.
What to Learn:
Robbins’ high-energy, direct style and clear steps are perfect for corporate speeches as well as motivational talks.
Study her vocal variety, and audience connection, she has a great blend of firm but friendly delivery. She’s the type of friend every person needs.
(Before you ask, she’s not related or married to our next speaker, Tony Robbins!)
4. Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins is a motivational titan whose high-energy, transformative talks leave audiences ready to conquer their goals.
His Unleash the Power Within events are legendary for their size and intensity. Robbins talks for hours, blending stories, humour and passion — often speaking off-the-cuff for extended periods.
I first watched his TED Talk, Why We Do What We Do, and was struck by how he commands a room, making thousands of people feel like he’s speaking directly to them.
What to Learn:
Robbins’ strength is his dynamic presence and ability to connect emotionally. He uses bold gestures, vocal shifts, humour, and audience interaction to create an immersive experience.
If you’re aiming to energize or inspire, study his storytelling — personal tales of struggle and triumph — to see how he builds urgency and motivates change.
5. Amy Purdy
Amy Purdy’s story of losing both legs at 19 and becoming a Paralympic snowboarder is the backdrop to her keynote speeches, and bestselling book: On My Own Two Feet.
She inspires audiences to turn obstacles into opportunities, delivered with warmth, vulnerability, and a hefty dose of positivity.
What to Learn:
Purdy’s emotional storytelling and vivid imagery are a powerful combination. She balances humour and heart to keep people listening, and motivate people to change.
6. Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle is a bit of a wildcard in this list.
He’s the opposite of your typical extroverted, larger than life speaker. In fact, his style is the exact opposite of that — proof you don’t have to be loud to be heard.
For those not in the know, Eckhart is one of the world’s leading spiritual teachers, but that doesn’t mean his speaking is bland or boring.
Behind his quiet demeanour, there is an edge: a sharp humour, a quiet confidence, and a powerful presence that makes him extremely engaging to watch.
What to Learn:
Watch how Eckhart comfortably pauses in silence for extended periods, creating space for the audience to reflect. Also, notice how he uses short, humorous anecdotes that are highly relatable, to make his points stick.
Other Best Public Speakers - Notable Mentions
There’s a whole world of brilliant speakers out there, meaning any short list is going to miss out 99% of them!
Depending on your interests, your industry, and your location, you may have heard of all these speakers so far, or none of them.
Choosing six was tough, so here’s some other notable mentions:
- Jack Ma: Founder of Alibaba, this corporate giant is a master at weaving storytelling in strictly professional settings.
- Malala Yousafzai: Her quiet yet powerful advocacy inspires globally, using vulnerability as her strength.
- Gary Vaynerchuk: Better known as Gary Vee, his energetic and brash approach inspires many young entrepreneurs. Because he’s been speaking for years, you can see his evolution over time.
- Daniel Priestley: An entrepreneur, he uses powerful metaphors and historical examples to explain business lessons in simple terms.
Learn from the Best Public Speakers in 2025
To become a better public speaker, you need to study the best. Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Mel Robbins, Katie Piper, Amy Purdy, and Eckhart Tolle offer a many different styles of speaking.
The real secret? Finding your own style. If you’re extroverted and confident, great — use that to its full power. If you’re more introverted? Lean into that — there’s just as much power in presenting with a quiet confidence.
Ultimately, you want to take inspiration from any speaker who resonates with you. Mix and match the best, and find your own unique style of public speaking.
Who’s your favourite speaker?
PS. If you’d like to become a confident speaker in your space, it’s time we had a chat. Book in a free 30-minute call, and we’ll discuss your goals and challenges around speaking. If there’s a good fit, I’ll recommend a training option that’s tailored for you.
When you're ready, 3 ways to work with me...
Coaching Programme: Follow a proven system to build confidence, find your charisma, and step-up as a speaker in your niche.
1-Day Masterclass: Learn everything you need in 1 day to face your fears, and begin speaking with confidence.
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