Talk Proposal

Mental Health Awareness Month for AFS

with Dr. Carylynn Larson

Dear Mitch, Brittany and Ashlyn,

Thank you so much for taking the time to connect with me yesterday. I loved our conversation, and I’m inspired by the heart and intentionality you’re bringing to improving mental health at AFS.

I especially appreciated you being vulnerable about each of our own personal mental health challenges—and how embracing that vulnerability can create a powerful bridge to healing and connection for you and your colleagues. It gave me even more clarity (and excitement!) about how Break|Through can meet your audience where they are, and leave them with a powerful strategy for bridging the gap between stigma and support.

Please see below for a detailed session description, approach, and standard fees. As mentioned, I never want cost to be a barrier, so let’s negotiate as needed.

Please also let me know what days of the week - and times of the day - are best for both a live and virtual audience, along with any “blackout” dates (e.g., dates of competing corporate events), so that I can hold one or more dates for you.

Warmly,
Carylynn

Featured Keynote:

Break|Through

How Healing Communities Drive Success

Session Description

You want your company to thrive, but in today’s high-pressure world, even the most capable people are running on empty—juggling too much, sleeping too little, and bracing for the next crisis. Today, 80% of employees say that the workplace undermines their mental health. And when mental health suffers, work suffers: Conversations get strained, mistakes happen, burnout spreads like wildfire, and the best people leave. 

Thankfully, many organizations have stepped up, offering robust mental health benefits and resources. But there's a disconnect: most people don’t use them. Why? Because saying “I’m not okay” still feels risky. People worry that reaching out will make them look weak or derail their career. Meanwhile, those who care hesitate to say something, for fear of saying the wrong thing, overstepping, or oversharing. 

The result? We build programs—but not trust. We offer support—but people still suffer in silence. 

In this relatable, provocative, and compelling speech, Dr. Carylynn Larson brings warmth, humor, and real-world insight to a conversation we can no longer avoid. With decades of research in workplace psychology and powerful storytelling, she offers a fresh framework for a future where people don’t just function—they flourish.

You’ll walk away with Dr. Larson’s “Recipe for a Healing Community”—a three-part blueprint to: 

✔️ Shift from surviving to thriving

✔️ Build human-centered, high-performing teams

✔️ Create a culture of care that fuels well-being

Break|Through will rewire your thinking and give you actionable tools—along with the confidence to use them. You’ll laugh, reflect, and experience the power of connection. If you're ready to lead the way in creating communities that foster true well-being, this talk is for you.

The Experience

Before Your Event

I'm passionate about helping audiences shift the way they think about leadership, mental health, and connection—so they can create the kind of impact they didn’t think was possible.

I want the experience to be more than just a talk—I want it to spark reflection, curiosity, and conversation that lasts well beyond the event.

I also believe that a powerful experience is never one-size-fits-all. Every group has its own story, its own culture, and its own challenges. That’s why I always take time to tailor the talk to your audience.

In preparation, I:

- Customize the keynote based on what I learn from you and your team

- Rehearse and refine to ensure it’s clear, resonant, and right on target

My goal is to meet your audience where they are—and help move them forward with insight, humor, and heart.

During Your Event

I believe the real power of a speaking experience isn’t just in the ideas shared from the stage—it’s in the conversations that happen afterward. When people have the chance to ask questions, share their own experiences, or explore an idea more deeply, that’s where real learning—and real change—begins.

Some ways I love to inspire real connection and conversations include:

- Engaging the audience with humor and heart

- Encouraging meaningful interaction during the talk

- Being open for questions and comments toward the end of the hour

After Your Event

I know how much heart and effort goes into planning any event—and how important it is that the experience doesn’t end the moment people walk out of the room.

My hope is that Break | Through doesn’t just spark a moment—it becomes part of an ongoing conversation in your community. I’m here to help make that happen.

All Inclusive Fee

My speaking proposals are all-inclusive so there are no surprises along the way.

I like to keep things simple, clear, and hassle-free, so you can focus on creating a great event without worrying about unexpected costs or extra logistics.

In-Person Fee: $4,050

Virtual Fee: $2,000

Includes:

  • 45-Minute Talk

  • 1-minute promo video to share with AFS

  • Local (DMV) travel expenses

  • PDF of the “Recipe for Healing Community” (downloadable or printed for live audience)

Next Steps

I’m really looking forward to the possibility of joining you for Mental Health Awareness month at AFS. The need for mental health advocacy is more necessary than ever before—and we can be part of the solution.

Looking forward to our next conversation!

Warmly,
Carylynn

About Carylynn Larson

Dr. Carylynn Kemp Larson is a dynamic keynote speaker who brings research, real-world experience, and personal insight to every stage. A recognized expert on leadership, team dynamics, coaching, and mental health, she has delivered dozens of speeches at corporate events, leadership summits, and professional conferences, inspiring audiences to rethink workplace well-being and build cultures of resilience and connection.

Dr. Larson holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University, and is an ICF Professional Certified Coach with thousands of hours of coaching experience. She has spent her career helping leaders and teams thrive through change and uncertainty. Her work spans sectors - government, corporate, and nonprofit, in addition to serving on the faculty of renowned universities including The George Washington University, George Mason University, the United States Naval Academy, and The American University.

With a unique combination of leadership and mental health experience, Dr. Larson bridges two critical but often separate worlds—organizational success and human well-being. In 2008, she founded Rock Recovery, a national nonprofit dedicated to bridging mental health treatment gaps, designing innovative community-based recovery programs, and fostering healing through education and empowerment. Over the past 17 years, she has led the organization in multiple roles, including Executive Director, President, and Board Member.