Speaking

Thank you for exploring my speaking page.

I know how hard it can be to find just the right speaker. When I was the Assistant Director of the Catholic Information Center in Washington DC, I was responsible for booking speakers and organizing Catholic events. 

How Do You Find the Right Catholic Speaker?

I am convinced that great speakers either make or break a planned event, fundraiser, or conference. In my own experience planning events, I found that a successful event depends on booking a speaker who has the following five traits:

1. The speaker possesses a polished appearance and honors punctuality. In other words, he’s professional.
2. The speaker demonstrates authenticity, integrity, and transparency.
3. The speaker is “natural” in front of people. He just has the knack.
4. The speaker communicates an explosive message that brings about a “Wow Experience” for the audience.
5. The speaker is available before and after the presentation to meet with the audience, sign books, and answer questions. In other words, the speaker is “present” both on stage and off stage.

If a speaker doesn’t deliver on these five elements, the event tends to be unsuccessful. A bust. However, if the speaker is able to shine in these five categories, the event is an immense success. People leave your conference edified, informed, and excited about their Catholic Faith.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a small retreat or a conference of 1,000 participants. You need more than a decent speaker. You need a GREAT speaker.

With this in mind, I hope that you find my speaking page helpful. I strive to be a speaker that excels in the five categories described above. Please continue reading if you think that I might be the right speaker for your next event:

What You Can Expect From Me

Here’s what you can expect from me:

1. I'll present an exciting, energized, and engaging presentation that has been custom designed for your audience.
2. I'll call you and speak with you personally about your event. I want to understand your goals and then prepare a message that will be relevant and exciting for your audience.
3. Prompt, professional replies to your phone calls and email messages.
4. If you desire to publicize your event, I will promote it with a blog post, which will be extended to my 28,000 subscribers via my blog and followers on Twitter & Facebook.
5. A brief and friendly follow-up conversation after the event, to make sure that I met your expectations. I want you to be happy. Moreover, I’m always interested in learning what was successful and how I can improve for future experiences.

What You Should Know About Me

I have been speaking publicly for more than a decade. I have been the keynote speaker for dozens of events. I have appeared on EWTN’s The Journey Home twice. I have been on more than 100 nationally syndicated and local radio shows. My YouTube Channel has had over 43,000 viewings. I have a popular podcast on iTunes. As a College Professor, I stand in front of people and speak for a living. This means that I have daily practice in public speaking.

People know me chiefly through my blog and my books. My blog is one of the top Catholic blogs in the world with about 120,000 unique visitors per month. I have about 5,500 daily subscribers, 8,000 Facebook followers, and 15,000 Twitter followers. The readership extends to all six inhabited continents. In 2011, I was invited to the Vatican for the Holy See’s summit for Catholic bloggers.

I have written three books. My most popular book is The Crucified Rabbi: Judaism & the Origins of Catholicism and I am often asked to speak on topic related to this book. My most recent book is The Eternal City: Rome & the Origins of Catholicism (December 2012).

I have been joyfully married my wife Joy for 12 years. Our Lord has blessed us with seven children. We make our home in Irving, Texas outside of Dallas. I am the Chancellor the College of Saints John Fisher & Thomas More. In my spare time I enjoy fishing, hunting, brewing beer, smoking meats, and fitness. I’m a voracious reader.

Video Footage of Me Speaking

My experience tells me that the number one thing that event planners want to see is a video example of speaking experience. Videos reveal everything.

Below are some examples of me speaking. There are three videos. The first clip is just me speaking into the camera giving an informal talk on Marian Devotion in the Second Century. It’s more personal. The second video features me on an EWTN television show talking about my conversion to the Catholic Faith – The Journey Home with Marcus Grodi. The third is one a video of me in front of about 300 people at a Catholic conference telling my conversion story. I hope that you can get the feel for my style and approach to speaking.

I am able to speak on topics ranging from Mariology, Fatherhood, Marriage, Old and New Testament topics, Thomistic Philosophy, and the Priesthood. Most people want me to share my conversion story – my path from being an Episcopal priest to a Catholic.

I can create a talk that meets your needs, is heavily researched, and excites your participants. I have given talks to a room of lawyers, a collection of scholars, a Legatus meeting, lay conferences, a priest retreat, to seminarians, high schoolers, to college students, and even to the Prince of Lichtenstein. I am flexible and ready to customize.

Below are the talks that I am asked to deliver most frequently:

1. How I Left the Episcopal Priesthood for the Catholic Church
   This talk brings laughs and tears. It is the story of how Christ opened my heart to the Catholic Church through a variety of meetings with Rabbis, Cardinals, and even a Mass with Pope Benedict. It is my favorite talk to give.
2. Judaism and Catholicism
3. Old Testament Liturgy and Catholic Liturgy
4. Old Testament Architecture and Catholic Architecture
5. Saint Paul vs. the Protestant Reformers on the Holy Mass
6. Was Saint Paul a Catholic Priest? Saint Paul and the Priesthood and Celibacy
7. Introduction to the Philosophy and Theology Saint Thomas Aquinas
8. Thomas Aquinas on Natural Law
9. Natural Law and Civil Law (for lawyers)
10. How to Remain Catholic in College
11. Saint Joseph: His Virtues and Purity
12. Mary: Is She the Mediatrix of All Graces? 

Please Check My Availability for Your Event

For the sake of Joy and the children, I tend not to book more than one event per month–so about twelve talks per year.

If you are interested in having me speak to your group, please check my availability.

Dr. Taylor Marshall is honored to be a member of the Catholic Speakers Bureau, CMG Booking.