Speaking
Kevin H. Gary
His Ted Talk on his book Why Boredom Matters.
The Good Life
What is the good life? Drawing on Aristotle, Plato, Confucius, the Gospels, and other classical resources this talk examines the foundational virtues that constitute human flourishing. More than pleasure, work, or simply being useful, human flourishing requires changes in how we think, act, and feel. This talk examines practices for how to live well.
Finding Meaning And Purpose
This talk analyzes the problem of boredom. While many of us are adept at avoiding boredom, we often, without realizing it, live lives characterized as an endless stream of boredom avoidance. In contrast to the bored state and boredom avoidance, I consider how we might cultivate restorative forms of leisure, which encompass meaningful ways of living and engaging with the world.
Awakening Student Engagement
Pitched especially for middle and high school teachers, this talk diagnoses the problems associated with boredom, boredom avoidance, and student disengagement. I then offer a four-step framework for increasing student engagement, moving from boredom avoidance to meaningful, deep engagement.
Cultivating Resilience And Hope
Burnout is a real and growing problem across the workforce. Even more problematic is “burn-in”: workers who stay on the job but are no longer inspired. Rather than being a source of joy and meaning, so often work can become “just a job,” or worse, drudgery. This talk examines the causes of burnout and burn-in and provides steps for how to resist both.
Your Custom Topic
Interested in a particular topic that’s not listed here? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can design a talk for your specific audience.
TED Talk
TED Talk, “Why You Shouldn’t Trust Boredom”
November, 2023
POdcasts
The Whole Person Revolution, a podcast from Comment Magazine
Bored Out of Our Minds
Kevin Gary with Jeff Reimer
April 4, 2023
Pulled Up Short, a podcast from Boston College
Can Boredom Lead to Flourishing?
Kevin Gary with Jeffrey Frank
April 17, 2023
The Open Door, a podcast from WCAT Radio
Episode 254
February 15, 2023
Faith in Teaching, a podcast from Calvin University
Talking about Boredom
Kevin Gary with David I. Smith
September 28, 2022
Author to Author, a podcast from WCAT Radio
Episode 187
August 2, 2022