Monique Bradley

Artist, Blogger, Brainstormer, Business leader, Business mentor, Change Agent, Connector, Consultant, Educator/Teacher, Entrepreneur, Event planner, Idea generator, Life mentor, Marketer, Musician, Performer, Promoter, Sales specialist, Social entrepreneur, World traveler, Writer/Editor

Monique Bradley is a dynamic keynote speaker, MC, and communication strategist whose mission is to empower people to find their voice and share their story with confidence. Known as The Confidence Queen, Monique has built a global reputation for transforming the way leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams communicate — by helping them rewrite limiting narratives, own their personal stories, and harness storytelling as a competitive advantage. With a career spanning over 20 years in television, live presenting, and professional speaking, Monique has hosted broadcasts reaching more than 200 million people worldwide. She has worked with some of New Zealand’s largest brands, including Xbox, Dilmah Tea, MBIE, AA Insurance, United Fire Brigades Association, and Diabetes NZ. Her work extends beyond presenting: she develops training programs, workshops, and toolkits that help individuals and organisations communicate with authenticity, clarity, and influence. Monique is the creator of the StorySHIFT™ Method, a groundbreaking approach that helps people reframe their inner narratives, transform fear into confidence, and share their stories to create meaningful impact. She is also the founder of One. Million. Stories., a global movement with the vision of empowering one million people to share their voices — online, on camera, and on stage — proving that one story can change a life, but a million stories can change the world. Her expertise is deeply rooted in both performance and research. Trained as an actor and presenter from the age of eight, Monique went on to complete a Master of Creative Practice with First Class Honours, becoming the first person in New Zealand to focus their postgraduate research specifically on the craft of keynote speaking. Her thesis, Te Ara o Te Harakeke, explores how Māori relational principles such as whakapapa, manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga can enhance dynamic co-presence in speaking and storytelling. By weaving together cultural heritage, academic research, and real-world practice, Monique brings a uniquely powerful lens to the global conversation on storytelling and authenticity. What sets Monique apart is her ability to blend stagecraft with strategy. She doesn’t just inspire audiences — she equips them with tools to build unshakeable confidence, communicate with impact, and lead with authenticity. Her talks are known for being high-energy, interactive, and deeply transformative, leaving audiences with both practical strategies and the courage to implement them. Beyond the stage, Monique serves as National Trainer for BNI New Zealand and was previously on the board of the Professional Speakers Association of New Zealand (PSANZ), supporting speaker development and new member onboarding. She is also the license holder for TEDxWynyardQuarter, dedicated to curating ideas that reimagine the future and bridge innovation with human connection. At the heart of Monique’s work is a simple yet powerful belief: Your story is the key to your confidence, your influence, and your success. Whether she’s working with executives, entrepreneurs, or emerging speakers, her mission is to unlock the voice within each person she encounters and help them share it with the world.

I am passionate about helping people find their voice, rewrite their story, and share it with the world. From the time I was a child, I knew the power of words. Growing up, I didn’t always feel confident. Like many people, I was bullied, I questioned my worth, and I learned to hide parts of myself to fit in. My parents, however, recognised my spark and encouraged me to step into performing arts. That stage became my training ground. It was where I first discovered that the moment you share a story — whether through a monologue, a presentation, or a conversation — something magical happens. People listen. They connect. They feel seen. And in return, you begin to feel seen too. That discovery changed my life. Over time, I realised that the greatest gift we can give ourselves and others is the courage to speak authentically. I became passionate about helping others find that same courage, because I saw too many brilliant people silenced by fear of judgment, imposter syndrome, or the belief that their story doesn’t matter. I knew that once they found their voice, everything could change: their confidence, their careers, their relationships, their impact on the world. I’m passionate about storytelling because it is universal. Across every culture, every generation, every corner of the globe, stories have been the way we pass on wisdom, preserve identity, and inspire change. Stories are not just entertainment — they’re how we remember who we are and imagine what’s possible. They shape our lives, our communities, and our futures. I’m passionate about confidence because I know what it feels like to live without it — and I know the freedom that comes when you finally claim it. Confidence isn’t about being the loudest in the room. It’s about alignment: when your words, your presence, and your truth come together. It’s about walking into any space — a boardroom, a stage, a family conversation — and knowing you belong there. I’m passionate about human connection. In a world full of information, we are desperate for connection. We don’t remember facts and figures, but we remember the story that moved us. I believe storytelling is the bridge between people — it creates empathy, understanding, and trust. And when people feel connected, they feel empowered to act, to change, to create. Most of all, I’m passionate about possibility. I believe one story can change a life, but a million stories can change the world. That’s why I created the One. Million. Stories. movement — to empower a million people to find their voice, own their story, and share it with confidence. Because every voice matters. Every story counts. And when we step into the fullness of who we are, we give others permission to do the same. What lights me up is seeing the moment someone realises: My story is enough. I am enough. Watching them stand taller, speak clearer, and share their truth is why I do this work. That’s the heartbeat of my passion. So what am I passionate about? I’m passionate about unlocking voices, rewriting stories, and creating a world where confidence, authenticity, and connection are the new normal.

We live in a world overflowing with information — yet starved of authentic human connection. Facts, data, and strategies are everywhere, but what people truly remember, trust, and act upon are stories. Stories don’t just inform us; they transform us. They give us confidence, connection, and meaning. But here’s the problem: most people silence their own stories. Fear of judgment, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and social conditioning stop them from speaking up. Public speaking remains the number one fear in the world, and as a result, millions of voices go unheard. This silence doesn’t just cost individuals their confidence — it costs businesses innovation, it costs communities their shared wisdom, and it costs society the opportunity to learn from the diverse stories that could shape a better future. My idea worth spreading is simple yet powerful: your story is the key to your confidence, your influence, and your success. By learning to rewrite the limiting narratives we tell ourselves and share our stories out loud, we unlock the ability to transform not just our own lives, but the lives of others. Through my research, I’ve discovered that storytelling is more than performance — it’s presence. It’s about weaving together text, subtext, context, and culture so that what we say aligns with how we show up. In my own whakapapa, the Māori relational principles of whakapapa (heritage), manaakitanga (care), and whanaungatanga (connection) reveal that storytelling is not about the individual alone — it’s about the shared energy created between speaker and audience. Storytelling is relational. It creates dynamic co-presence, where both storyteller and listener are transformed. The truth is, everyone has a story. But too many people believe their story isn’t important enough, polished enough, or powerful enough. That belief is the real barrier. When you learn to shift your story — when you see yourself not as broken or “not enough,” but as someone with wisdom and lived experience that matters — you reclaim your confidence and your voice. Imagine what would happen if a million people did this. If a million people chose to share their stories with confidence — in boardrooms, classrooms, communities, and on global stages. One story can change a life. A million stories can change the world. My idea worth spreading is that storytelling is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s not just for writers, leaders, or speakers — it’s for everyone. Because in a world where technology is advancing faster than our humanity, storytelling is the most human tool we have. It’s how we inspire trust, create belonging, and move people to action. The moment you rewrite your story, you rewrite your future. And when you share your story, you invite others to do the same. That ripple effect — of voice, confidence, and connection — is what will shape the next era of leadership, innovation, and human progress. So the call is simple: find your voice. Tell your story. Join the movement.

I started speaker and acting training when I was just eight years old. Even then, I realised that having a voice gives you power: the power to make people laugh, to help them reflect, to connect them with their emotions, and even with their self-judgment. My father, who was also a speaker, showed me that we can shift the entire state of an audience through the stories we tell. From him, I learned that words are like magic spells — when you use them in the right way, you can literally change someone’s life in a matter of seconds. Fast forward to 2022. At that point, I had built a diverse career — working in television, co-owning a digital agency with my partner Pete, and wondering what’s next? when life threw me into one of the hardest chapters of my story. Within three weeks, I lost two of my brothers. At their funerals, I was shocked to realise that I learned more about them in those ceremonies than I had known about them in their lives. That moment broke me open. It connected me back to my love of storytelling — and reminded me of my superpower: speaking. Speaking had always been my side gig, the thing I did alongside other work. And yet, not only am I highly trained as a speaker, it is my gift. Losing my siblings became the catalyst for me to pivot fully into this path. I returned to speaking with a new sense of urgency and embarked on my Master of Creative Practice, focusing my research on keynote speaking. At the same time, I launched training initiatives to help others begin their journeys as speakers and storytellers. Now, as I write this, I feel deep gratitude for the twists and turns that led me to this point. Those experiences — from my first acting classes at eight years old, to watching my father transform audiences, to the grief of losing my brothers — have guided me to my purpose: One. Million. Stories. This initiative exists to help a million people find their voice and share their stories safely and authentically, with the intention of inspiring, educating, motivating, and empowering audiences to do the same. Because one story can change a life. A million stories can change the world. When I created the vision for One. Million. Stories., I realised how strongly it aligned with TED’s values. TED has always been about spreading ideas that matter and giving changemakers a platform. And in many ways, that’s what my parents did for me when I was a child — they gave me the platform, the encouragement, and the belief to start my journey as a speaker. My TED story is really a story of voice, resilience, and purpose. It’s about recognising that our stories hold the power to connect us, to heal us, and to change us. And it’s about dedicating my life to helping others unleash that same power in themselves.

People often see me on stage or on camera and assume I’ve always been confident, polished, and in control. What they don’t know is that behind that presence, I’m good at a lot of unexpected things — and those hidden skills shape the way I show up in the world. For starters, I’m good at reading people. Years in theatre, television, and live presenting taught me to pick up on subtle cues — the way someone shifts in their chair, the pause before they ask a question, the spark in their eyes when something resonates. That ability to sense energy and read between the lines is what allows me to create connection so quickly with audiences. It’s less about performing and more about feeling into the room. I’m good at storytelling in ways that go far beyond words. I can take a jumble of thoughts, experiences, or emotions — mine or someone else’s — and weave them into a story that makes sense, that has heart, and that lands. Most people don’t realise this isn’t just a learned skill for me, it’s almost instinctive. It’s like seeing the golden thread in someone’s life and knowing exactly how to bring it to the surface. I’m good at turning chaos into clarity. Give me a mess — a tangle of ideas, a brand that’s lost its way, a person who can’t quite find their confidence — and I’ll help bring structure, focus, and a clear path forward. I don’t just thrive in complexity, I actually love it, because I see it as raw material waiting to be shaped into something meaningful. I’m good at the unexpected little things too. I can't whip up a meal from whatever’s left in the fridge, but I CAN hold my own in karaoke. I can re-program my thinking in the middle of a panic spiral because I’ve trained my mind to flip negative thoughts. And I can find humour in almost any situation — laughter is one of my favourite survival tools. I’m also good at holding space. Whether it’s one-to-one coaching or standing in front of a thousand people, I create an environment where people feel safe enough to open up, to reflect, to try, to fail, and to grow. That’s not always visible from the outside, but it’s the foundation of everything I do. And people may not know this, but I’m good at resilience. I’ve learned how to fall down, get back up, and rewrite the story, again and again. That resilience doesn’t come from being fearless; it comes from practising courage when it counts. So while people might see the speaker, the MC, the presenter — what they don’t know is that I’m good at sensing, weaving, holding, reframing, and lifting. I’m good at turning ordinary moments into extraordinary connections. And that’s what makes me not just a speaker, but a guide for people ready to find their own voice.