Speaking

POPULAR TALKS AND RETREAT TOPICS

jaypayleitner@me.com

O: 630-377-7899

C: 630-373-7899

jaypayleitner.com

Travels from St. Charles, Illinois

FOR 2026 ONLY

HAPPY SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL, AMERICA!

Fall in love with America again. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, your audience desperately needs to hear these 30+ reasons (humorous, heartwarming, patriotic) why America is still worth celebrating. Including Route 66, California Redwoods, Gettysburg, Mister Rogers, Ice in Drinks, Flamingos, Pearl Harbor, Mount Rushmore, Slinkys, Teddy Bears, and our National Anthem. Based on my just-released book!

FOR MEN ONLY (IRON SHARPENS IRON FAVORITES)

26 THINGS KIDS NEED FROM A DAD

In this talk, men laugh through true stories with lots of user-friendly takeaways. Jay never bashes dads. After all, God designed fatherhood to be a blessing and a blast. Includes video clips of classic movies. Inspired by 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad which has sold 200,000+ copies.

WHAT YOUR WIFE NEEDS FROM YOU (inspired by Jay’s book, 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands)
Put her needs first and you both win! That’s not being a wimp. That’s servant leadership. Fall on the grenade. Push her buttons. Kiss in the kitchen. Make her beautiful. Be a hero. (Alternate title for talk: “Less nagging, More nookie.”)

HOORAY FOR GRANDFATHERS! (from Jay’s book, Hooray for Grandparents!) Hey Papa, Gramps, or Pops! Get a dozen fresh strategies for giving love, receiving love, dispelling stereotypes, and being a rock star to your entire family. Are you new to the role? Do you live near or far? Most importantly, do you desperately want your grandchildren to join you in heaven someday? With laughter and love, Jay shares practical strategies for leaving a spiritual legacy.

FOR SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION (can be adapted for youth audiences)

THE NEXT VERSE (based on Jay’s 2022 book)
You have a few favorite verses from the Bible. They’re on your walls, coffee mugs, refrigerator magnets, and even tattoos. You even have several memorized word- for-word. But do you know the NEXT VERSE? John 3:17? Romans 8:29? Joshua 24:16? When you catch the context, you’ll be surprised and provoked by 17 Bible passages you thought you knew!

FIND YOUR SWEET SPOT (based on Jay’s book, The Prayer of Agur)
A quirky, obscure character named Agur wrote just one chapter in the Bible and gave us the only prayer in all of Proverbs: “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” (Proverbs 30:8) Are you seeking balance? Contentment? Purpose? Find it with Jay and Agur.

HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE (based on Jay’s 2024 book, Checking the Boxes Only You Can Check)
Today’s mainstream culture trashes Christians. They claim we’re narrow-minded, hate-filled, and don’t care about the world. But that’s just not true. To flip that script, we all need to identify our gifts and accept our assignments. Check the boxes next to your name and we can change the world. Objectives include: • Recognize You Have a Purpose • Expect Silver Linings • Exhibit Empathy • Defy the Lions • Think Generationally • Do What’s Right in Front of You • Get Out of Your Silo •Throw Starfish

FOR STRONGER FAMILIES

LOVING KIDS AT EVERY AGE AND STAGE (for moms and dads)
No more terrible twos. No more teen angst. Parents really can appreciate each season of life. That even means looking forward to adult children who want to hang out with you! Jay doesn’t point fingers or lay on any guilt. He delivers stories, laughs, lessons, warnings, and reminders that we are all in this together. And how it’s often wise to take the long view!

DAD SECRETS/MOM SECRETS/KID SECRETS (for families to hear together) Learn these secrets and life gets easier. Kids will feel loved and empowered. Moms will feel cherished and appreciated. Dads will feel heard and respected. Joy overflows. Caring and kindness rule the day.

YOUR HUSBAND HAS SECRETS (for women, based on Jay’s book)
Men have secrets women need to know. We actually like to cuddle. We have flaws and want your help. We need you to chase your dreams. We don’t need sex every night. Plus, learn the four words that capture our heart.

THE MISSION OF MARRIAGE (for couples of any age)
A weekend retreat or a single talk. Ideas explored: Leave so you can cleave. Flowers or chocolate? It’s not 50/50. Pushing buttons. Toothpaste in the sink. Buy two jars of peanut butter. Build hedges. Kiss in the kitchen. Hit bottom together. Put in your 10,000 hours. Love your life. See the seasons. Share dreams. Trust love. This event includes audience engagement, conversation catalysts, optional homework, and lots of laughter.

HOW TO PRAY FOR—AND WITH—OUR KIDS (for grownups...and kids, too!) Prayer works. Moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, friends, and all adults who interact with children can demonstrate how to plug into the power that comes from the Creator of the Universe. Jay covers how to knock and pray, pray watching the horizon, pray they get caught, pray Psalm 127, and discover prayable moments!

HOORAY FOR GRANDPARENTS! (from Jay’s book)
Hey Grandma, Grandpa, Nana or Papa! Get fresh strategies for giving love, feeling loved, and leaving a legacy, Pull out old photo albums. Buy a step stool. Pass on mad skills. Make stilts. Find prayable moments. Pray using their names. Be a video chat rockstar. Ask keen questions. Say “yes”...but not always. Vacation with a purpose. Ensure your grandkids join you in eternity. Be a blessing—not a burden— to your grandchildren’s parents. (You may even become the favorite grandparent!)

FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES (can be adapted for youth audiences)

WHAT IF GOD WROTE YOUR BUCKET LIST? (based on Jay’s book)
Typical bucket list items—bungee jumping, swim with dolphins, see the Eiffel Tower—are meaningless compared to what God has planned for you. This very popular talk ends with seven surprising strategies! It’s time to pour out your old bucket . . . and live full!

THE FOUR FACTORS FOR DE-ESCALATING CONFLICT (based on Jay’s book, Don’t Take the Bait to Escalate)
Calm the culture wars. Turn conflicts into victories. Apply the “Four Factors” to get that raise, nurture your marriage, heal your family, make new friends, stop World War III, get your teen to talk, resolve conflict with your neighbor, put faith in action, and more! Bring your conflicts...we’ll solve them together!

FOSTER CARE: LOVE THEM BEST  Rita and Jay have fostered 10 newborns. And the lessons we learned overflow: There’s no such thing as an unwanted baby. How to swaddle a baby through cocaine withdrawal. The church needs to lead the way on love. Applaud adoption. Clarify your worldview. Pierce the darkness. Be heroic.

LESSONS LEARNED EARLY (especially for a middle school audience!) Jay’s a grandfather. It turns out his voice and perspective is exactly what young teenagers yearn for. Kids really do need to: Get conned at the county fair. Eat the frog. Earn the right to ask. Notice armadillos. See the Glory. Make their bed. And throw starfish.

ON CREATIVITY AND PUBLISHING (can be adapted for youth audiences)

WORDSPORT WITH JAY PAYLEITNER

Etymology (the study of word origins) is a gateway to creativity. After looking at the history of everyday words — such as smog, scuba, sideburns, alligator, ukulele, marathon, leotard, Frisbee — we’ll use parallel thinking to brainstorm answers to any challenging question facing your staff or organization.

INTENTIONAL STORYTELLING

In this talk, Jay engages the audience with a batch of stories. Then rewinds to explain why they were so engaging! Your stories need to: Make a promise to readers. Grab early buy in. Use dynamics. Honor creative license. Ignore 20% of the audience. Follow rabbit trails. Shatter conventional wisdom. Avoid autopilot. Beware of dramatic crutches. Invite participation. Maybe...go for the big finish!

14 BOOK WRITING SECRETS I DON’T WANT TO TELL YOU

Shake your head, laugh, and learn as you track Jay’s own roller-coaster journey that led to 40+ book contracts. Discover 14 truths on creativity, tenacity, dismantling writer’s block, using ChatGPT, getting an agent, surviving as a writer/speaker, and unconventional ways to get your own book published.

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

“BE LIKE LINUS” AND OTHER CHRISTMAS MUSINGS (A holiday engagement) For any group, business, or ministry holiday gathering. Life lessons include: Be a Great Present Opener. Survive Your In-Laws. Break Open the Oil Paints. Hold Traditions Tightly Until It’s Time to Let Them Go. Be Like Linus. Pray Straw Into the Manger. Table talk and group sharing are a key part of this memorable engagement.

ANNOUNCING! JAY AS SANTA (Full Beard and Santa Suit!)
Back in college, I was the department store Santa Claus (with a fake beard) for two seasons at the Bergner’s in Bloomington, Illinois. This year, I am currently growing out a nice white beard just in time for your civic, corporate, school, church, or in- home event. I can emcee a tree lighting, marshal a parade, lead carols, listen to what kids (or adults) want for Christmas, hand out pre-purchased gifts, or even explain the real meaning of Christmas to any audience.