speeches and workshops

 
 

Ty is a passionate public speaker. His story of addiction and loss and recovery is a compelling example: an unflinching reminder that every one of us has potential, and change is always possible. His honesty and humor offer audiences the chance to apply his lessons to their own lives.

hr professionals, Employers, front-line managers, employees, and service providers will all benefit from his informative, inspiring, and entertaining brand of speech delivery.

all speeches and workshops listed can be done in-person or virtually.

learn more about having Ty speak at your lunch and learn or event.

for hr professionals, managers, and employers

Safety, Returns, and Second Chances: The Hidden Keys to Supporting and Building Your Workforce

While higher retention and more robust recruitment are stated priorities for most employers, companies' actions (or lack thereof) often do not support those goals. In many cases, the culture and policies in place do the opposite - leading to lower retention and longer times to fill available positions. In this informative, personal, and often humorous presentation, attendees will learn:

  • Why your EAP might not be as successful as you think

  • The best way to retain employees out on leave

  • How to hire from the untapped talent pool your company may have overlooked

Length: 60 minutes; slides are strongly recommended. Great for business owners and execs, managers, and HR professionals. This presentation is approved for SHRM and HRCI certification credits.

Taking Bias Out of the Box: How Curiosity Can help address Recruitment

This speech approaches diversity from a different perspective and focuses on how bias negatively impacts the hiring process for applicants with "unique" backgrounds, plus how bias keeps companies from getting the most value out of their current workforces. In this entertaining and often humorous speech, Ty uses his natural storytelling ability to show audiences:

  • The difference between bias and prejudice

  • How "the box" continues to impact hiring today

  • The number one way to overcome bias in hiring

  • The most important question to ask when evaluating candidates with criminal convictions

    Length: 20 minutes, 40 minutes, or 60 minutes. Great for general business audiences. This presentation is approved for SHRM and HRCI certification credits.

    This can be paired with a 60-minute workshop focused on how to craft second-chance hiring policies that work for specific businesses and discussion of scenarios companies might face

CREATING SAFE HAVENS AT WORK: THE ROLE OF MANAGERS AND EMPLOYERS IN PROMOTING RECOVERY-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS

Did you know that over 10% of the US population has had some sort of substance use problem at some point in their lives? This means that employers need to be aware of the challenges and opportunities involved with creating workplace cultures that are supportive of people who have overcome, and may still be dealing with, these hurdles. In this presentation, attendees will learn:

  • The prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD), also known as addiction

  • The substantial cost to employers of SUD

  • The benefits of employing workers in recovery

  • How managers can create psychological safety at work

  • Ideas for balancing compassion with consequences when managing people with SUD

Length: 45 minutes, and can be paired with a 60-minute workshop where attendees will consider their organization’s environment and begin to construct policies to take back to their organizations. This presentation is approved for SHRM and HRCI certification credits.

COMEBACKS WITH COMPASSION: HOW BEST TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEES RETURNING TO THE BUSINESS AFTER A PERIOD OF LEAVE

Companies do an excellent job of providing health insurance, PTO, FMLA, and EAPs to assist employees with issues that life can throw at them. Is your company prepared to help employees who leave the workplace for an extended period return and reacclimate? The answer for most organizations is “no.” Whether an employee is out for medical or mental health issues, the birth of a child, or a sabbatical, there is a framework for their return. In this informative presentation that has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from companies large and small, you will learn:

  • The three reasons why employee leave is likely to increase

  • The # 1 issue that managers face when dealing with an employee out on leave

  • How to "set the stage" for an employee's return

  • When the employee's transition back into the office actually begins

  • The 3 C's of easing an employee transition back into the office after a leave

Length: 45 to 60 minutes. Attendees will leave this presentation with a framework for how to set up their own return-to-work program

For: employers and managers of people

for employees

life after: Personal and Career Realizations That Make a Huge Impact

Our personal lives and career trajectories change after realizations that alter our thinking. And if we're brave enough to act (or not act), our quality of life and the career satisfaction we can enjoy both explode! In this entertaining, humorous, and inspiring presentation filled with examples and personal stories, attendees will learn:

  • Why it's crucial not to date someone because they like you or work for a manager just because they want to hire you, plus strategies to determine if it might be a good fit

  • That just because you think you’re an imposter doesn’t mean you are, and how to overcome imposter syndrome

  • The best ways to overcome the feelings of personal and professional loneliness

Length: 30, 45, or 60 minutes.

For: all employees, including management

Lunch and Learn - Substance Awareness Series

Welcome to our Employee Substance Awareness Series! This program educates employees on the impact of drugs and alcohol on health, productivity, and well-being through a series of focused presentations. Addressing substances from alcohol to hallucinogens, we explore their physiological effects and risks. Additionally, the series equips participants with skills to identify addiction in oneself or others, fostering a supportive atmosphere for those facing substance misuse. We also provide strategies to compassionately aid coworkers grappling with these issues. Through this education, we’ll help to diminish stigma and cultivate a healthy, understanding, and drug-free workplace.

Individual Topics available:

  • Alcohol

  • Stimulants

  • Opioids

  • Hallucinogens

  • Marijuana

Length: 30 to 45 minutes. These can be scheduled as a series of presentations or as single event for one substance. Attendees will leave this presentation with a deeper understanding of substance risks and when to ask for help.

For: employees of all levels within an organization


FOR JOB SEEKERS

GETTING BACK TO WORK: A PROCESS AS SIMPLE AS ABC

A big challenge for people in early recovery – especially for those with significant employment gaps – is simply knowing how to begin the journey back to employment. This workshop defines a straightforward approach to finding work for those in recovery from addiction and alcoholism and impacted by the criminal justice system. It’s designed for people starting over from scratch and those who feel stuck and are unsure how to advance in their current careers. Participants will learn:

  • The ABC Employment Path model

  • The three different types of jobs

  • How to protect your career against a potential relapse or mental health setback

  • Resources to help you find work opportunities

  • The three skills that every employer is looking for

  • How to recognize all your skills, including the less obvious ones

  • Ways to improve the skills that employers value the most

  • Resources for education and online learning

  • Developing a path to grow in your career over the long term

  • Understanding when you’re ready to take the next step on the path

Length: 60 minutes, this can also be paired with a 30-minute skills discovery workshop

For: anyone who has been out of the workforce for an extended time

HOW TO TELL YOUR STORY TO AN EMPLOYER

Explaining significant job gaps or a criminal history to a potential employer creates tremendous anxiety for job seekers. The key to overcoming this anxiety is preparation and a communication plan. In this workshop, attendees will learn everything needed to write an effective letter of explanation. This workshop is designed for individuals and can also help agencies craft effective letters on behalf of their clients. Participants will learn:

  • The four necessary elements in every letter of explanation

  • How to tell the truth strategically

  • Transforming an employment gap from a problem into an opportunity

  • What NOT to say in an interview

  • How to determine if there will be a criminal background check before the interview

  • How and when to address criminal convictions

  • The best places to apply for work with a criminal record

Length: 60 minutes, this can also be paired with a 30-minute workshop where attendees will build their own letter of explanation

For: individuals with barriers to employment, including legal issues and agencies that serve people in recovery

HOW TO FIND A JOB IF YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD

People with criminal records face the threat of discrimination at every interview. While employer attitudes seem to be softening, finding employment for those with arrest or conviction records can still be challenging. In this course, we develop resources and employ techniques that individuals with criminal records can use to find and keep employment. Attendees will learn:

  • The one tool that every job seeker with a criminal record must have

  • How to speak to an employer about your criminal record

  • The best places to apply for work

  • How to prepare for an interview

  • What to highlight in an interview and what to avoid

  • How to decide whether or not to tell an employer about your record

  • How to determine and highlight the skills that each employer wants

Length: 60 minutes, this can also be paired with a 30-minute workshop where attendees will get tools to help with their specific challenges

For: individuals with criminal records

HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF MORE VALUABLE TO EMPLOYERS IN EARLY RECOVERY

Employment hurdles for people in early recovery can be significant, but there are still ways to help establish and increase your value to employers. In this workshop, the concept of “personal value” is discussed, and attendees will be taught:

  • The four ways to make yourself more valuable to an employer

  • The three P’s of an employment comeback

  • The connection between recovery and employment

  • How to use the ABC Employment Path to increase your value

  • The importance of taking “Any Job”

  • The best free resources you can use to develop additional skills

  • How to ask for and get recommendation letters

Length: 60 minutes, this can also be paired with a 30-minute workshop where attendees identify their desired career path

For: individuals who have graduated from, or are about to graduate from, a recovery program