Biography

Book Robert X. Fogarty through The Keynote Curators.

Dear World’s method of capturing the iconic stories of people begins with a simple request: reflect on your life. Its founder, Robert X. Fogarty, is a journalist by training but never worked at a newspaper, television, or internet media company. But Dear World has become a recognizable way to tell significant, meaningful stories. It has been published in over 30 countries with over 100,000 participants.

Fogarty is a graduate of the University of Oregon and founded Dear World in 2010 in New Orleans. That year, the city’s football team–the Saints–won the Super Bowl. He’s now a sought after advisor to companies, non-profits and communities who recognize that the stories of their people are a part of their foundation. Robert X. Fogarty has worked with national championship basketball teams, fortune 100s and extraordinary non-profits.

Robert X. Fogarty client’s include Duke University men’s basketball, Accenture, and the Nobel Peace Prize forum. DearWorld.org, the 501c3 charitable arm of Dear World, has worked with Syrian refugees, Boston Marathon bombing survivors, rescued child slaves, and several other people’s stories whose legacy will be an enduring part of the historical record of our time. 

Contact us for Robert X. Fogarty’s fees and availability.

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Videos

RX Fogarty, Dear World Founder // Keynote Speaking Reel

Dear World Virtual Keynote

What is Dear World? A Message from Our Founder

Brain Tattoo Experience // Behind the Scenes

Closing Experience and Story Reveal: Live Video aka Act 3

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Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

The New Way to See Each Other

Portraits are windows into ourselves. In this immersive and participatory experience, RX Fogarty takes the audience on a journey of reflection, sharing, and listening.

Fogarty has photographed more than 50,000 people and his work has been published in more than 30 countries. In this immersive session, Fogarty explains the power a camera has to create deeper connections and photographs audience members live. After the session, all audience members are encouraged to visit the Prtrait Studio & Prtrait Prty to take their very own Prtrait and get behind the camera to photograph their fellow attendees.

Learning Outcomes:
- Participants will gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
- Participants will learn that portrait photography is more about making a person comfortable than technical precision.
- Participants will share and listen to meaningful stories from their colleagues.

Testimonials

Some of the photographs suggest an untold story that gives your spine a shiver.
– Oprah.com
I've never seen an exercise break down barriers faster than this one. If you want a group to connect and bond quickly I would highly recommend Dear World.
– Malaika Myers, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hyatt
If you seek working for or building an organization that fosters belonging, increased engagement and believes in improving mental health, you need the right tools to help you. Dear World is the strongest tool I’ve seen that gives anyone in your organization a chance to understand themselves, connect with others and tell authentic stories, together.
– Daniel Raedel, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Because of Dear World, we are better able to tell our story and invoke curiosity from others to learn more about who we are, where we came from and where we are going. Thanks for your innovative and meaningful work. Every Airman has a story -- you made a huge difference in this Airman's life.
– Lt. Gen. VeraLinn "Dash" Jamieson, Ret., Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, United States Air Force
Dear World gives us the opportunity to share an intimate moment with the people that we love. There can be no more trust than to tell someone something intimate about themselves. And then when a whole team does that, we become much closer as a group.
– Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Head Men’s basketball coach, Duke University
My Dear World Digital group was touched that I shared my story. It helped them gain a new perspective of how we are going through the pandemic..
– Jill Tegels, Mutual of Omaha
Dear World will leave you convinced that beautiful things start simply.
– Katharine Wolf, Keynote Director Harvard Social Enterprise Conference
If you haven’t heard of Dear World, it’s likely to hit your radar screen soon.
– INC Magazine

Blog Posts

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Learn from Hall of Fame speaker Bruce Turkel how story transforms events from forgettable content into experiences attendees quote months later.

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Gratitude isn't about being nice; it's a performance tool. Learn how to design events that help attendees feel seen, process hard years, and leave inspired.

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