About Shaun
Bio
See Demo
Social Reach
Testimonials
Clients
Bio
Bio
Corporate storyteller, host, and engagement strategist Shaun Derik has dedicated his career to helping all dreamers reconnect with their passion and natural-born gifts.
Shaun uses music, movement, and storytelling to move his listeners from “IDEA” to “I DID IT.”
He is the creator and facilitator of Saying Something Inc., where programs are designed to encourage all participants,from students to staff members, to live a life worth talking about.
Shaun’s expertise in effective client engagement derives from his 15 years of experience in youth development, 8 years in prevention, and 6 years in corporate team building and philanthropic event planning.
His most notable work is in character development, serving such worthy causes as The Mississippi Department of Education’s Dropout Prevention program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York Youth Advocate team training, The National Police Activities League, and Youth to Youth International.
Just months before the historic worldwide shutdown, Shaun hosted the West Virginia Gamechangers Opioid Awareness Conference, where he engaged and inspired over 200,000 participants via live PBS broadcast and over 20,000 in-person students.
His work in education, philanthropy, and media has reached more than 700,000 dreamers and has been featured on CBS, NBC, Essence.com, and many other media outlets. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or in front of the camera, Shaun Derik continues to outline how to live a life worth talking about.
See Demo
Social Reach
Testimonials
Clients
Speaker
Programs
Hosting
Tell me a story
Storytelling
Grand Narrative
SpeakerHack Course
Personal Branding
Storytelling
Storytelling
Before tablets & smartphones, TV & radio, and even books, letters, or hieroglyphics, humans relied on the tradition of oral storytelling for entertainment, education, and important instructions. The griots of the past had methodology that helped their tribe with morality, memory, and entertainment. Prior to physical recording, these scribes designed stories to be so engaging that their impact would last for generations. After all, no one forgets a good story.
Storytelling helps us think spherically. A short story can change our perspectives and views, build respect for authority and process, and draw awareness to things that could be harmful or lethal for us and our surrounding communities.
But perhaps the most important part of storytelling is having a story to tell. At Saying Something Inc. we encourage our clients and participants toward a life worth talking about. This means taking healthy risks, challenging ourselves with new ideas, and daring to make mistakes.
We guide our clients through the art of engagement. We show them how to locate the highlights and low points in their personal story and business journey.
Whether you’re speaking to students, motivating a team, or choosing a backstory for your company name, find out how our storytelling coaching can create a narrative that will engage the audience of your dreams.
Grand Narrative
Grand Narrative
A Grand Narrative succinctly tells the story of what a company represents, how what they offer feels to the customer, and should inform how the organization will behave to honor that narrative.
Created by professional storyteller, narrative coach, and engagement strategist Shaun Derik, the Grand Narrative’s purpose is to engage future customers by explaining how a product could forever change their experience through a short story.
If we were writing a GN for Starbucks we might say:
“Wherever you see our brick and mortar, anywhere in the world… you’ll feel a little closer to home.”
Having everyone on board with this narrative will grow team spirit and lessen friction between your team and company goals.
SpeakerHack Course
SpeakerHack Course
Want to learn the art & business of professional storytelling? Want to change your outcome and income?
Delve into the professional storytelling business with my comprehensive, virtual narrative course and discover how to get paid just by telling your story… even if you don’t know what your story is yet.
My online course cuts to the heart of what makes a storyteller memorable and marketable..In just 10 lessons, you’ll have the ability to transform the lessons you’ve learned into compelling speeches.
Click this link to learn more about how to change your outcome and income by learning the art of storytelling from nationally acclaimed speaker and engagement strategist Shaun Derik.
Personal Branding
Personal Branding
Whether you’re in fashion, education, or religion; everyone has a personal brand. Your personal brand is what people think about when they encounter you. It’s not just first impressions…. it’s second, third, fourth, and fifth impressions as well. What do you want to say? Here’s your chance to be intentional about the mark you’ll to leave on the world. Go to “Book Now.”
PRESS & PARTNERS
Team Builder
Corporate Team-Building
Corporate Testimonials
Corporate Team-Building
Corporate Team Building
Engage your employees with a unifying team event! Through interactive group challenges and small circle share-outs, we foster growth and give a voice to all team members. Our team-building activities are designed to develop trust, build camaraderie, and process emotion in real time. Ask us about our Corporate Team Building day packages.
Challenges: Life-Sized Puzzles, Scavenger Hunts, Talent/Strength Showcase
Activities: Post-Mortem Analysis
Planning: Team Goals and Projections
Corporate Testimonials
Corporate Testimonials
Corporate Endorsement
“Earlier this year, my organization identified a need for internal team building and strategic planning in order to increase our effectiveness in serving our membership of Community Health Centers across the state. Faced with a short timeframe to do important strategic work, my job was to find a high quality professional team-builder and facilitator who could quickly assess our current team dynamics, understand our needs, and design a 2-day agenda for a team retreat that would initiate deeper relationship building for increased productivity in our teamwork.”
Director Endorsement
He was exceptional. He spoke to students, faculty, and community. He’s enthusiastic. He’s informational. He’s funny. He’s the best!”
Glenbard Parent Series
Advisor Endorsement
“Why did we hire Shaun Derik? He came preloaded with high recommendations.”
Rural Alaska Community Action Program
Previous
Next
Discover More
Upcoming Projects
The Hard Part Show
The Hard Part Show
“The Hard Part Show” is a hard-hitting, motivational web series that merges humor, intrigue, and inspiration in a way that’s never been done before. Imagine needing a boost from a close buddy to start your week. Just think of Shaun Derik as your buddy… who just happens to be a kick-ass motivational speaker in real life. Viewers write in with questions and Shaun Derik answers them on screen.
Episodes
Teaser
Season One
Season Two
Documentaries
Documentaries
Journey Me
JourneyMe spotlights the lives of individuals on the pathway to achieving their personal and professional dreams. Each week a new story will unfold as the featured character faces the opportunities and challenges of actualizing a dream. As every episode carries an empowering message to push yourself regardless of doubt or previous failed attempts, JourneyMe encourages viewers to do more than just watch. Painting the characters as highly relatable, everyday people will give our audience the encouragement they need to begin their own journey.
Episodes
Services
Youth Keynotes & Workshops
Adult Keynotes & Workshops
Team Building
Hosting
Youth Keynotes & Workshops
Youth Keynotes & Workshops
Use Your Inside V.O.I.C.E.S
Youth Keynote & Workshop: Strength Finding / Self Awareness
While social media proves that almost anyone can become famous, we must now ask what people become famous for. In this timely and highly engaging presentation, Shaun recounts his most burdensome years in school and how finding his voice gave him the relevance, confidence, and endurance to say “nah” to unhealthy influences and “yes” to the things most valuable to his peace of mind and future.
This presentation helps young people find value in their abilities. It encourages teens and young adults to re-enter workspaces with a healthy sense of self. Shaun shares how to be an example worth following and outlines how students can become agents of change in their homes, schools, and communities.
Dreams & Detours
Youth Keynote & Workshop: Healthy Decision-Making
Using the metaphor life is a song, Shaun teaches listeners to pay attention to the music (thoughts) playing in their heads, to stay on beat with their goals, and to be mindful of negative influences and how we treat others. As Shaun explains, “In life, there are dreams and then there are detours. Some decisions we make can lead to viable opportunities while others can lead to dead-ends.”Just like the components of successful production, this presentation challenges you to learn, practice, and perform positive habits.The H.A.R.D. Part
Virtual Youth Keynote & Workshop: Mental Health / Stress Relief
Shaun Derik explodes onto the virtual scene bringing high energy, humor, and a fresh perspective to participants. After the biggest shutdown in human history, young people are feeling the excruciating crunch to catch up. Though many influencers and presenters already focus on post-pandemic bliss, The H.A.R.D. Part boldly weighs the costs of denial, the rewards of reframing stressful situations, and emphasizes what it means to be an asset to your student body in these trying times. Shaun uses music, anecdotal humor, and group challenges to equip students with the tools and distinctions needed to complete a successful school year. Learn abouttoday’s biggest distractions keeping your students from their potential and cool new strategies to combat them.
Shaun & his team will create a high-octane, innovative program that aligns with your needs. You can expect a consultation meeting, ongoing communication while planning your program, and post-event debrief materials. All services utilize music, rhythm, pop culture references, and heavy audience participation to transform lectures into captivating live shows.
Adult Keynotes & Workshops
Adult Keynotes & Workshops
On Your M.A.R.K.
Keynote & Workshop: Goal Setting & Execution
Delve into the minds of some of the most celebrated figures of our time and explore four key components that made them successful:
Modeling. Adjusting & Adapting. Risk Assessment. Knowledge of one’s own Abilities.
“There are IDEA people… and there are I DID IT, people.” If you’re having trouble getting started or completing a task, you’re not alone. Whether you suffer from self-doubt, poor time management, or procrastination, this intensive workshop helps participants combat unhealthy habits and a fixed mindset. On Your M.A.R.K. uses rhythm, interactive partnering exercises, and large group challenges to equip participants with the tools needed for success.
Saying Something
Keynote & Workshop: Leadership
Using the metaphor, life is a song, Shaun teaches listeners to pay attention to the music (thoughts) playing in their heads, to stay on beat with their goals, and to be mindful of negative influences and how we treat others. As Shaun explains, “In life, there are dreams and then there are detours. Some decisions we make can lead to viable opportunities while others can lead to dead-ends.” Just like the components of successful production, this presentation challenges you to learn, practice, and perform positive habits.
Being T.H.E.R.E – Five Ways to Actively Engage Young People
Keynote & Workshop: Youth Advocacy
Want to connect with young people? According to a Microsoft study on “The Effects of Today’s Digital World”, the attention span of an average American is less than that of a goldfish. With the onslaught of smartphones, social media, and reality TV, connecting with young people is now more competitive. This team building workshop gives perspective to teachers and parents by drawing parallels to winning company practices and personal life patterns. Shaun’s high-octane, interactive activities are an instant cure for workplace fatigue and lethargy. Using workouts to encourage participants toward new habits, this session challenges participants to be open and honest about where they are emotionally so that they can best engage young people. . . Shaun & his team will create a high-octane, innovative program that aligns with your needs. You can expect a consultation meeting, ongoing communication while planning your program, and post-event debrief materials. All services utilize music, rhythm, pop culture references, and heavy audience participation to transform lectures into captivating live shows.
Team Building
Team-Building
Are you feeling disconnected from your team and your work? This Team Building Intensive helps participants get to the root of why they are not succeeding. As an artist and performer, Shaun guides participants to find passion in their work. “Instead of asking ‘Will it work?’ ask ‘Is it worth it to try?” With over 15 years of experience in personal development, Shaun combines his background in the arts, faith, and finance to help your team develop an unbeatable plan for success. Unlike other coaching programs, Shaun fuses goal-setting with expression and adventure, giving each participant their own personal victory and leaving them fulfilled.
Hosting
Hosting
Affectionately known as “The Speaker for the Dreamer,” Shaun is one of the most requested emcee/hosts in the field. Just months before the historic worldwide shutdown, Shaun hosted the West Virginia Gamechangers Opioid Awareness Conference, where he engaged and inspired over 200,000 participants via live PBS broadcast and over 20,000 in-person students.
Through his dynamic message delivery, a blend of live music and comedy, audience members leave Shaun’s events feeling motivated and energized to take massive steps toward the achievement of their life-long goals. Choose “Book Me” and see why most of his clients are return customers.
LaKeshia Orr
Outreach Coordinator
Caleb Boise
Operations & GrowthOur
Team
