Adam Olenn shows how powerful storytelling drives connection, influence, and results in business and beyond.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
Adam and I have worked together on the design and programming of several web sites. I always enjoy working with him; his energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Adam brings intelligence, experience and a lot of creativity to all of his projects!
Sandy Kane
Communications Manager at Acentech
With more than 25 years of experience in branding and marketing leadership, Adam Olenn has built his career around one powerful idea: stories shape how we connect, communicate, and persuade. Through his work with Rustle & Spark, he has helped organizations across four continents, from nonprofits to global corporations, unlock the potential of storytelling to drive meaningful results.
Adam Olenn has spent over two decades helping organizations understand one of the most powerful tools available to them: storytelling. With a background in branding and marketing leadership, he has seen firsthand how stories influence decisions, shape perceptions, and build lasting connections.
Through his company, Rustle & Spark, Adam and his team have worked with clients across four continents, supporting nonprofits, corporations, schools, and a wide range of organizations. His approach is grounded in real-world experience, making his insights both practical and immediately applicable.
Adam’s keynotes go beyond inspiration, they are rooted in science. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics, he explains why storytelling is such an effective tool for communication and persuasion.
Audiences gain a deeper understanding of how the brain processes stories, why emotional connection matters, and how narratives can influence behavior. This knowledge becomes a foundation for using storytelling with intention—whether the goal is to drive sales, engage employees, attract donors, or align stakeholders.
Adam focuses on giving audiences tools they can use right away. His sessions are designed to be actionable, equipping participants with techniques to craft compelling messages and deliver them with confidence.
In his presentations, audiences learn how to:
Structure stories that capture attention and hold it
Communicate ideas clearly and memorably
Build emotional connections that inspire action
Adapt storytelling to different audiences and goals
This practical focus ensures that participants leave with more than inspiration, they leave with skills they can apply immediately in their work and everyday interactions.
Adam is known for his engaging and dynamic speaking style. He brings energy, empathy, and insight to every stage, creating an environment where audiences feel both inspired and empowered.
His ability to connect with diverse audiences, from corporate leaders to educators and nonprofit teams, has earned him strong reviews across the globe, from Boston to Borneo. No matter the setting, his goal remains the same: to help people communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform how we work and communicate, Adam emphasizes the growing importance of human connection. He believes that storytelling is more valuable than ever, serving as a uniquely human skill that technology cannot replace.
His mission is to empower as many people as possible to become confident, compelling storytellers, individuals who can cut through noise, build trust, and create meaningful impact in an increasingly digital world.
When you book Adam Olenn, you bring in a speaker who combines deep expertise with practical insight and engaging delivery. His keynotes are designed to leave a lasting impression, equipping audiences with the confidence and tools to connect, communicate, and convince.
Based in Rhode Island and working internationally, Adam continues to inspire organizations and individuals to harness the power of storytelling and turn it into real results.
5 of 5
Adam and I have worked together on the design and programming of several web sites. I always enjoy working with him; his energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Adam brings intelligence, experience and a lot of creativity to all of his projects!
Sandy Kane Communications Manager at Acentech
5 of 5
Adam is a dedicated, creative, and intelligent professional. His skills as a web producer and general problem-solver are top-notch. He brings a high level of innovation and know-how to any project put before him. I have worked with him for many years and have always found him to be a great collaborator and colleague.
Brian Grzelak Campaign Producer at Grand Circle Corporation
5 of 5
Adam is absolutely brimming with good ideas and has the skills to implement them. From concept to completion, Adam is a problem solver and play-maker. He's also a talented writer, photographer and accomplished musician. Can you say Renaissance Man? In his spare time Adam builds boats, makes his own pasta, and raises two lovely daughters.
Bryan Gould Director of the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media at GBH
Keynote by Adam Olenn:
The 21st century pits our ability to adapt against the fastest pace of change in human history. Technologies like artificial intelligence are growing logarithmically. Social networks have left us feeling more separated and lonely. And together, they have spawned an information environment so dense with static that it’s hard to hear the music.
Fortunately, you have within you a power that overcomes all of these challenges: the ability to create and share stories.
In this energizing, inspiring, and highly practical keynote, you’ll learn why stories are the preeminent form of human communication, the transformative effects they have on business, and how to achieve these results time after time.
Learning objectives:
Keynote by Adam Olenn:
Whether corporate, nonprofit, or personal, there are a few common reasons why branding efforts fail to connect.
The most common issue is being too self-focused. If branding is an answer to the question “what do we want to say,” you ‘re halfway to Troubletown.
In this inspiring, thought-provoking keynote, you’ll learn the essential mechanism that makes brand work and how to harness it for yourself.
Learning objectives:
Keynote by Adam Olenn:
Creating a vision is hard. But getting other people to buy in to your vision can be even harder.
Learn how inclusive co-authorship can combine these steps to create a stronger, more durable strategic vision.
Best of all, when the plan belongs to everyone, buy-in is a given, and your team can accelerate directly into execution.
Learning objectives:
Watch Adam Olenn in action!
Watch Adam Olenn in action!
