Jitesh Jaggi

Suitcase Stories

When Jitesh left his childhood home in Mumbai for Chicago, he had a fish-out-of-water (and into the deep freezer!) experience as he was greeted by the polar vortex. Until this time, “America” to him was only a concept, a still from a movie, a distant illusion. The food, the people, the language were all foreign- except love, the pursuit of which made him pack his bags and cross continents. Little did he know the harrowing- and often hilarious- immigration journey would only be the beginning.

Suitcase Stories follows this journey as he battles visa authorities, harsh weather, and a nagging call back to leave it all and return to safety. This stimulating one-man presentation is a collection of stories- many of which won him The Moth Story Slam and connected him with Americans of all stripes. It is a journey that asks questions about what a home means and lets the audience answer it in their own terms.

Find out what happens when the home you have always known is gone, the love you relied on changes, and the people you hope to belong to see you as an outsider. This keynote is for you if you have ever felt a longing for a home. Jitesh has plenty of laughter, suspense, and gut-wrenching stories for everybody. You will come to this presentation as an individual and leave as a community.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will learn:

• To recognize how immigrants have historically shaped America and her progress,
• To appreciate perspectives different than theirs,
• To build community consisting of diverse voices, and
• To be vulnerable and build empathy.

Your Story Can Change The World, Literally

Texting, emails, meet-ups, phone calls, video chats- so many ways to interact! But is your message getting through? Does it feel sometimes like you’re speaking into the abyss with no recognition on your listener’s face? It can be frustrating to have something to say- an idea, and so many ways to express it if you still feel unheard. College is an especially vulnerable time when you are challenged to form a voice for yourself in a sometimes intimidating academic environment.

In this keynote, Jitesh Jaggi breaks down how to make a compelling argument. Most times, we don’t want to change people’s minds, we just want our thoughts to be perceived as valid. Jitesh teaches a fun way of arranging the raw ideas in our heads into a persuasive narrative through Storytelling. He teaches effective communication methods like how to use humor and personal stories to get your audience’s attention. Regardless of who the audience is- professors, group of friends, work colleagues, interviewers; we all respond to certain cues that make us drop whatever we’re doing and listen closely. Jitesh helps students see that the ability to hold someone’s attention in the midst of a million distractions is nothing short of a superpower!

Students by participating in this keynote learn to be persuasive and effective in communicating their stories in applied ways. It is an approach that humanizes the person behind the data, the idea, the suggestion. Students learn that nobody can look away from a compelling story. Storytelling is for everybody who wants to be heard and struggles with getting their point across succinctly. By harnessing our personal stories, we can make our talking points memorable and nudge the listener towards action organically. Your stories pave the way for you to be heard. Jitesh helps you tell it!

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will learn:

• how to consolidate their ideas and suggestions,
• how to personalize their message by using storytelling,
• how to hold a listener’s attention, and
• how to persuade them to favorable action through our stories.

Doing Justice to Social Justice Initiatives

College campuses are epicenters for social justice issues, cultural thought, and political debate. With the age of the internet, students can gather information quicker and mobilize like-minded people to come together and form alliances. But when everyone wants to feel heard at the same time, the result is chaos. Chaos for the college and for students who feel like their voice is being drowned out in the commotion. Whether it’s about racism, sexism, politics, mental health awareness- there are ways to hold discussions that don’t end in students speaking over each other or rebelling without a goal.

By introducing storytelling, Jitesh Jaggi leads students to consolidate their thoughts, formulate an agenda, and foster healthy discussions that do justice to the topic at hand. This keynote brings a semblance of normalcy and stillness to students who feel overwhelmed with social issues and are struggling for a means of expression. Jitesh guides students in self-reflection and identifying issues they deeply care about. As an award-winning storyteller, he teaches students how to express their personal stories that are relevant to the issues close to their heart- thus linking the personal and the political. Students learn that movements like #metoo were impactful because of the personal stories shared by women, among others. This keynote is an exercise in collective healing via dialogue and empathy.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will learn:

• how to raise awareness for a cause close to their heart,
• how to hold productive discussions around the cause,
• how to channel personal stories to amplify the cause, and
• how to deal with obstacles and strategize for resolution.

Public Speaking: From Fear to Freedom

Research has shown, quite comically, that the fear of public speaking is more debilitating than the fear of getting bitten by a snake! How can students navigate this fear at campuses where they are more likely to encounter an audience of people than a reptile? Whether it’s giving a presentation in class, interviewing for a job, or a good-old getting on a soapbox to hold people’s attention, students are expected to be naturally skilled at talking to a crowd without freezing with fear, let alone being nervous.

Storytelling! In this keynote, Jitesh Jaggi teaches the basic principles of connecting our talking points to our life experiences. Students gain the essential skills of speaking confidently when faced with an audience, even if they are figures of authority. As an award-winning storyteller, Jitesh practices narrative traditions that humans have used since time immemorial to get their words across with conviction. Attending this keynote, students will learn not only how to be free from the fear of speaking in public but also enjoy giving presentations by using the strategic tools of storytelling.

Sweaty palms, nervous tics, stuttering can be embarrassing. Students especially are vulnerable to their classmates and their senior’s approval. Choking during a presentation or shying away from a group conversation can leave an emotional scar that can alter a student’s life and career path. By taking away the fear from public speaking and making it accessible in an everyday context, Jitesh guides the students to open up at their own pace and embrace talking to a crowd without fearing social rejection. Your stories can set you free!

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will learn:

• how to communicate without fearing disapproval,
• how to build a stage presence to captivate a diverse audience,
• tips and tricks to cope with microphone shyness,
• how to embrace speaking your mind in a group setting.