About This Speaker: Joze Piranian
Joze Piranian is a Global Keynote Speaker, Author of Stop Holding Back: An Honest Guide to Turning Fear into Action (HarperCollins, 2026), and stand-up comedian who empowers people to turn fear into action. Born with a severe stutter, he spent over 25 years avoiding speaking altogether. Today, he delivers keynote speeches and comedy performances across three continents and in four languages, helping audiences transform what holds them back into a source of strength.
Joze’s journey is also the subject of the award-winning documentary Words Left Unspoken, which premiered in Los Angeles and New York and received multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations. He has delivered five TEDx talks and has been featured by Forbes, TEDx, CBC, Goalcast, and Breakfast Television, reaching millions worldwide.
Through his keynotes, Joze introduces the concept of the “inner stutter”: the hesitation, self-doubt, and inaction people experience in moments that matter most. Drawing from his own experience, he helps individuals and organizations reframe fear as a catalyst for growth, courage, and performance. His talks create lasting impact by empowering audiences to speak up, take initiative, and unlock their full potential.
Organizations including Google, Meta, IBM, BCG, Deloitte, BlackRock, Scotiabank, Rogers, and Bell have invited Joze to speak. He has also presented at the United Nations and at leading universities including McGill University and Queen’s University. Recently, he opened Bell’s national Let’s Talk campaign, helping drive conversations around mental health and psychological safety.
As a stand-up comedian, Joze has performed at Just For Laughs in Toronto, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, the Halifax Comedy Festival and CBC Debaters. His rare combination of humour, vulnerability, and insight allows him to connect deeply with audiences and deliver experiences that are both transformational and unforgettable.
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