Rick Martin

Rick Martin is a three-time Peabody Award-winning journalist, communications strategist, and motivational speaker with decades of experience guiding audiences through moments of crisis, transformation, and renewal. A former CNN newsroom leader, Rick has covered some of the most consequential events of our time, including the September 11 terror attacks, the Beltway sniper shootings, Hurricane Katrina, the Boston Marathon bombings, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond reporting history, Rick has lived it. During the pandemic, he led communications efforts for local government while simultaneously fighting for his life, spending 17 days hospitalized with COVID-19, including five days on a ventilator. That experience reshaped his purpose and fueled his passion for helping others manage stress, navigate adversity, and reclaim clarity in the midst of chaos.

Rick is the creator of the L.A.S.E.R. Strategy—Listen, Assess, Support, Execute, Respond—a practical framework designed to help individuals and organizations manage stress, sharpen focus, and achieve meaningful goals. He is also the author of *Unmasked: Overcoming Death*, a powerful memoir about faith, resilience, and forgiveness.

Areas of Expertise

• Journalism and storytelling
• Crisis communications and media strategy
• Stress management and resilience
• Mental health and wellness
• Men’s health and fatherhood
• Leadership under pressure

1. Manage Stress Before Stress Manages You: The L.A.S.E.R. Strategy

A practical and empowering keynote that equips audiences with tools to manage stress, focus on priorities, and tackle challenges head-on.

Key Takeaways:

• How to manage stress proactively
• Clarifying priorities to achieve goals
• Responding effectively under pressure

2. Own Your Story: Turning Life Lessons Into Legacy

Drawing from his journalism career and personal survival story, Rick shows how owning your story can transform pain into purpose and impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Using storytelling as a tool for healing and leadership
• Finding courage to tell your truth
• Building legacy through authenticity

3. Fatherhood, Faith & Presence

A heartfelt session focused on fatherhood, emotional intelligence, and the power of listening without judgment.

Key Takeaways:

• Practicing reflective listening
• Leading with humility and empathy
• Giving more than you receive

Professional Highlights

• Three-time George Foster Peabody Award winner
• 12 years as a newsroom leader at CNN
• Covered major global and national crises
• Creator of the L.A.S.E.R. Strategy
• Certified mentor in Douglas County, Georgia schools
• Board member, Children’s Voice Inc. CASA

Education & Credentials

B.S. in Journalism, University of Maryland – Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Graduate of The Poynter Institute Leadership Academy.

Books & Media

Author of *Unmasked: Overcoming Death – A Story of Family, Faith, and Forgiveness* (Morgan James Publishing, 2025).

Travel Availability

Available for speaking engagements nationwide.

Contact & Representation

For booking inquiries, keynote availability, and media requests, please contact TMG Speakers Bureau.