Biography

Chris Bashinelli, also known as, “Bash”, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. After a decade long acting career including an appearance on the HBO hit television show, The Sopranos, Bash decided to follow his real passion – using media to build bridges between cultures. In his early 20’s, he became one of the youngest Moderators at the United Nations and made a documentary about his journey to Tanzania. He now traverses the globe from Uganda to Haiti, as host of “Bridge the Gap,” a television series featured on PBS and the National Geographic Channel, where he discovers what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes.

Of Lebanese and Italian descent, Bash knows what it takes to live in a diverse world. He has harvested buffalo with Native Americans in Pine Ridge, lived with nomads in Mongolia, and Sumo Wrestled the heaviest Japanese human being in recorded history. He is a United Nations Moderator, an Eagle Scout, a National Geographic Explorer, and has interviewed some of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on the Planet.

Bash has spoken around the world – from TEDx, to Abu Dhabi, to Azerbaijan – at multi-million dollar corporations, Ivy League Universities, and in the United Nations General Assembly Hall. He has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Dr. Jane Goodall and former United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.

The idea for “Bridge the Gap” spawned in 2007. It was the dawn of the era of the mindless reality television program, the kind that not only breeds gossip and judgment, but also serves to divide human beings against each other. It was also a time of immense suffering for people throughout our world, though when is it not? After appearing on The Sopranos (HBO), Chris traveled to Tanzania to experience life in another part of the world firsthand. Inspired by the people he met in East Africa, Chris returned to the USA with one mission- to use media to bridge the immense inner and outer gaps between people and cultures.

“From Haiti to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, I have met countless individuals living in incredibly difficult external conditions who are often more content and inspired than people I know in far more “better off” conditions. The common thread many of these individuals share is their concern for others, often even above their own welfare. Through these experiences I am reminded that happiness is a state of mind, not a state of the external world. Perhaps by walking in other people’s shoes and gaining a glimpse into their experience, we can tap into a deeper wisdom that will inspire each of us to live more conscious lives and reach our full potential.”– Chris Bashinelli

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THE POWER OF HUMAN CONNECTION – EMBRACING DIVERSITY, BUILDING STRONGER TEAMS

Embark with Bash on an international adventure, from the sweeping grasslands of Mongolia to the remote hillsides of China, coupled with stunning video footage and thought provoking exercises, where we learn to truly embrace diversity and harness the collective power of our shared humanity.

It is only when every single team member, from the office manager to the CEO, feels safe to bring their whole, most authentic selves to work every day, that our organization will realize its full potential. So long as anyone feels they must hide who they are, we leave untapped resources on the table – negatively impacting our bottom line. Embracing the powerful metaphor of his childhood “Stoop” in Brooklyn, where his friends shared a combined total of thirteen nationalities, Bash reminds us that it is only when our uniqueness is celebrated and all perspectives equally welcome, that we can truly tap into the power of human connection.

Takeaways

- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within a simple, powerful framework.
- How to encourage every employee to be their authentic selves.
- How to create a safe, inclusive environment in the workplace.
- The benefits of creating a “Stoop” with our teams.How to build lifelong bridges between cultures.

CREATING A CULTURE OF TRUST & EMPATHY – THE SUPERPOWER TO TRUE BUSINESS GROWTH

In this flagship keynote, Bash shares the profound method he’s used to build trust and forge lifelong friendships around the world as a National Geographic Explorer. From living with nomads in Mongolia, to Sumo-wrestling Japan’s heaviest human being of all time, Bash shares the superpower for true business growth in engaging, humorous and practical terms.

Without trust, business suffers profoundly – with it, our people and our company thrive. When our clients feel on a core level that we have their best interest in mind, they will be inspired to work with us, and business will flourish. As we live and work from a place of empathy we will naturally create an inclusive culture that inspires teammates to want to work together towards our mission and attract clients who trust us with their business.

Takeaways

- Discover our “In” – Bash’s trademarked secret to true human connection.
- Why focusing strictly on our bottom line undercuts our clients’ trust in us.
- The short and long term business benefits of emotional intelligence.
- How to create an inclusive culture where teammates are inspired.
- Why deep trust is the foundation to long term business growth.

INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP – REIGNITE EMPLOYEE INSPIRATION & BRING YOUR BEST SELF EVERYDAY

Join Bash on an international adventure, from the distant hilltops of Western Hunan, to the iconic Mongolian steppe, where we learn, through the power of story, that the most effective way to lead others is to become our best selves, each and every day. Pulling from his most memorable experiences in travels to over 40 countries, Bash shows that it is only because of challenge, not in spite of it, that we can realize our full potential – the space between who we are and who we can be.

When our leaders truly embrace empathy and show an unwavering commitment to realize their full potential, the result is inspiration. Leaders inspire us by what they say and do, but perhaps more than anything else – by who they are. In this revolutionary keynote we’ll explore how the results of influence are often short term and self serving, whereas the impact of inspiration lasts a lifetime.

Takeaways

- “Inspiration vs. Influence” – Why inspiration always outperforms influence.
- Re-Ignite your team’s passion for your mission and purpose.
- Inspire your team by becoming the best version of yourself.
- Embrace challenge as a means to realize your potential.
- Harness the magnetic power of selflessness.

THE POWER OF MENTAL WELLNESS – RENEW EMPLOYEE INSPIRATION, CREATING A HEALTHY WORKFORCE

We are working harder, under more pressure, and for longer hours than ever before – but without a mindful approach to work and life, one that values our well being as well as the bottom line – burnout and turnover are inevitable. Pulling from more than a decade of in-depth mindfulness and mediation studies, Bash shares how to incorporate positive mental health strategies into our work and life in order to increase productivity, profit and happiness.

Colored by Bash’s extraordinary adventures around the world as a National Geographic Explorer, this keynote brings to life the core lessons he’s learned to create a healthy workforce in fun, engaging and practical ways. No matter what our organization is struggling with – employee retention, company layoffs, or economic downturns – it can fuel our path to a wiser, more caring and more innovative culture.

Takeaways

- Mental Health tools to increase happiness, productivity and profit.
- The power of mindfulness to reduce stress and increase concentration.
- How to create work/life boundaries that empower joy & productivity.
- How embracing challenge gives rise to real innovation.
- The scientific link between “Happiness” and “Trust”.

STEP INTO YOUR POTENTIAL – CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR WORLD

Potential is the space between “where we are” and “where we can be”, it is our “unrealized abilities”, personally, professionally and as an organization. Stepping into our potential means understanding that it is only because of challenge, not in spite of it, that we can become our best selves. In this thought provoking keynote, colored with international stories of adventure, resilience and triumph – Bash shares the power available to each of us when we stop seeing challenge as an obstacle to success, and instead as the very vehicle by which we can achieve it.

From a remote Chinese village that rebuilds after a devastating fire, to a young Tanzanian filmmaker’s unimaginable dream come true, to Bash’s own personal experience of tragedy to triumph – this talk reminds us that when we change our minds, we truly can change our world. We will only realize our potential as an organization when every single team member is committed to realizing their strength individually. This keynote experience is at once a call to action for each of us personally as it is a reminder of the impact that’s possible when we tap into the collective strength of our shared humanity.

START AT STEP Z – A GUIDE TO REALIZING OUR POTENTIAL

In this interactive keynote Bash walks attendees through the step by step method of how to get from Step “A”, to Step “Z”, reverse-engineering the path to their goals. With total clarity, he emphasizes that the swiftest way to get from where we are, to where we want to be, is to be there first – on the inside.

From speaking in the United Nations General Assembly Hall at 23 years-old with no prior training, to attracting partnerships from some of the world’s most recognizable brands, to leading a National Geographic Expedition in Mongolia, Chris Bashinelli has forged his own path in life. This talk is a call to action for each of us to embrace our full potential – first by imagining it, then by believing it, and finally through definite action.

Takeaways

- Bash’s patented 4-step method for achieving seeming out of reach goals.
- Why mental wellness comes from focusing on what is in our control.
- How to reverse-engineer the pathway to our potential.
- How to embody the qualities that manifest our vision.
- The scientific link between confidence and action.

Testimonials

Chris Bashinelli is an inspiration to youth worldwide. He speaks with passion and his message is one of hope, cultural tolerance and call to action. He knows how to reach young and old alike. Bridge the Gap shares exciting and inspirational stories of daily life from the developing world and encourages us to realize that at the end of the day, we really are all the same and every single one of us makes a difference. We need more people like Chris in the world.
– JANE GOODALL, PHD, DBE Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
Dear Chris, It was a pleasure to meet you at the United Nations International Day of Peace. Your handling of the student panel discussion and your own speech were excellent. Your motivational skills and energy along with the positive message you send will truly inspire people to help make this a better planet. Congratulations and best wishes for a very promising future.
– MICHAEL DOUGLAS, Academy Award-winning Actor & United Nations Messenger of Peace
Chris is one of the most inspiring new voices on TV. He’s part Anthony Bourdain, part Anderson Cooper and 100% fresh.
– JERRY KOLBER, Executive Producer of Brain Games on National Geographic
Chris was one of the best, if not the best, public speakers I’ve seen on circuit in my 25 year history in this industry.
– GEOFF BALLOTTI, President and CEO of Wyndham Hotel Group
G'day mate! Great to meet you! I love your message and it fits perfectly in the corporate market. Who knew that traveling the world and living with nomads relates to work in an office setting!? I introduce a lot of speakers to events around the world and I rate your session very highly- Entertaining, engaging, compelling… All the good stuff!
– LARRY EMDUR, Australian Television Personality
Chris is a gifted speaker that has the uncanny ability to fill any venue with positive energy and excitement. He has a rare knack of being able to help bring out the best in every member of the audience. I'm very impressed with his ability to communicate complex messages in an easy to understand and entertaining way. His message as relevant in the cubicle as it is in the space station. I would highly recommend Chris for any speaking venue.
– RON GARAN, Col, USAF (Ret) NASA Astronaut
Bashinelli’s journeys are genuine and without pretense. Bridge the Gap offers a message that we should embrace and act on right now – chances are we’d all be better for it.
– CHRISTOPHER COLLINS, Executive Producer of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown"
What I love most about Chris is that he treats everyone exactly the same- be it the United Nations Secretary General or the hotel concierge. He does not distinguish between rich people, poor people, famous people, and everyday people. For Chris, everyone is equal. He has a great deal of respect for the ‘human being’ and this is a rare quality. Chris embodies what we say in Germany, ‘Wir sind alle gleich’, which means, ‘We are all the same’.
– BMW GROUP, Milena Pighi, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility
Bash! You brought a smile to my face when I really needed it. I must say your presentation was a departure from what we normally do at convention. I went into it a skeptic and borderline grumpy old man... I came out the other side a motivated believer. Keep on Bridging the Gap my brother!
– ALASKA AIRLINES, Scott Habberstad, Director of Sales & Community Marketing
Caesars Entertainment is committed to our core value of building community and “Bash” magnified the importance of that value in style… Chris Bashinelli’s powerful keynote at one of our flagship events helped drive home the true meaning of cultural awareness and compassion. By inviting clients and co-workers to sit on our “stoop”, we can strengthen any relationship. He reminds us to simply start where we are and we will see our partnerships and business relationships grow. When we care about each other and the communities we live and work in, the stakes become that much more important, and the positive results are evident. I highly recommend “Bash” for any corporate event.
– CAESAR’S ENTERTAINMENT, Melanie Harrje, Conventions

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