Celeste Headlee is an internationally respected journalist, acclaimed radio host, bestselling author, and celebrated TED speaker. With a career spanning over two decades, she has become known for her ability to combine sharp insight with practical wisdom, captivating audiences across the globe. Having presented for major networks such as National Public Radio and PBS World, and delivered keynote talks for some of the world’s most influential organisations, including Google, Apple, United Airlines, and ESPN, Celeste brings a wealth of knowledge and authority to every stage she steps on.
Celeste began her career as a reporter at KNAU before rising steadily through a variety of hosting and reporting positions. Her voice became a familiar presence on WDET Detroit Public Radio and across NPR, where she anchored a number of programmes and became Midwest Correspondent for the award-winning show Day to Day. She went on to serve as Managing Editor of NPR’s Next Generation and later co-hosted The Takeaway for PRI. Her talent for creating meaningful conversations led her to design and host On Second Thought for Georgia Public Broadcasting, a programme that highlighted her ability to connect with audiences on a deep and personal level.
Her achievements extend beyond the microphone. Celeste has authored various books, including 'We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter', 'Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving', and 'Speaking of Race: Why Everyone Needs to Talk About Racism and How to Do It'. She has been honoured with the Changemaker Award and selected as a Getty/Annenberg Journalism Fellow on two occasions. Her expertise has also been recognised through board memberships with ProCon.org, the Listen First Project, and the National Centre for Race Amity. She co-hosted season four of the Scene on Radio podcast and, in recent years, has led Headway DEI Training, reinforcing her leadership in matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As a motivational speaker, Celeste is both inspiring and transformative. Her TED talk, ‘10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation’, has been viewed over 34 million times worldwide and continues to influence how people connect with one another. With follow-up talks on mission-driven careers, tackling burnout, and encouraging open dialogue, she empowers audiences to communicate more effectively and live more balanced lives. Celeste’s talks are not only insightful but also deeply practical, offering clear tools that listeners can apply immediately. Whether addressing issues of race, diversity, or productivity, she speaks with warmth, clarity, and authority, leaving audiences energised and motivated to create positive change.
