Honest. Raw. Candid. Inspiring.

Stephen Panus offers audiences tailored motivational and inspiring messages, ranging from hope and resilience to leadership and integrity and turning pain into purpose;-all in the face of overcoming adversity, grief or hardship. His inspiring storytelling and dynamic narrative touches upon indispensable values and traits that illuminate a pathway for becoming the best version of ourselves. 

In confronting his own grief and tragedy, Stephen discovered the connectivity between agony and optimism, despair and self-awareness, forgiveness and accountability, and beauty and suffering. The line separating each is much finer than we may think.

Stephen artfully reveals that the answers towards leading a life filled with purpose and meaning reside within all of us. His powerful and engaging ability to relate to the audience and uplifting, authentic nature will inspire you to not waste another day of your life.

Choose hope over despondency. Courage over fearfulness. Light over darkness. And, inspiration over disenchantment. Ultimately, every challenge in our life comes to make or break us. The choice is ours whether we become a victim or the victor. What are you willing to risk to achieve what you want from life?

“I knew that there was something special and different about Stephen. I was blown away by his resolve and quiet strength in a dark time. I know he would be determined to turn a devastating tragedy into something positive.”

- Shane Beamer, Head Football Coach, University of South Carolina

“Stephen is a light in the world, having taken darkness and made a light for so many.”

- Marty Smith, ESPN reporter

“Stephen is making such a beautiful impact everywhere he speaks.”

- Rev. Dr. Alida Ward, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church

“Stephen captured the attention of 750 middle school and high school boys with his powerful and intimate story of loss, grief, resilience, and the search for meaning after a tragedy. Our students were profoundly affected by Stephen’s plea to “walk on” with kindness, compassion, faith, and service.”

- John Serafine, McQuaid Jesuit High School Principal

“It was an honor to welcome Stephen Panus to speak about his experiences of the life-changing of becoming a parent, and the earth shattering experience of losing his son Jake at age 16. In sharing his story, Stephen gives freely of hard-won wisdom distilled from the depth of grief and soul-work of moving through it with honor, gratitude, and compassion. As a pastor, it brought tremendous value to bring Stephen to speak, many among us carry the grief of child loss.”

- The Rev. Matt Lindeman, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church