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The Promise Blog
Announcements

The ETA on CEP from NSA is ASAP

  There are so many acronyms nowadays its tough to know which ones not to use. IYKYK Thankfully, an organization I have belonged to for over 20 years, the National Speakers Association, has put together a new designation that is yet another acronym worth knowing: CEP – Certified Emcee Professional     I am pleased to be recognized in the CEP Charter Group along with some of my outstanding Emcee peers: Quinn Conyers Tom Pesce Rob Ferre Dr. Genie Snyder     To earn this designation I documented: • 100+ events over five years, with client names, dates and fees • 10 client evaluations, scored by the people who hired me • Video from real stages, not a sizzle reel • Verified income from emcee work across multiple years Emceeing and hosting events is a discipline, and shouldn’t ever really be left to someone on your team (unless they’re incredible at it, which is ridiculously rare). Executives need to have their moment to shine, and not be seen so much handling hosting duties that it becomes a “no longer special moment” to the audience every time the Executive takes the stage. The more you give them their spots, as an

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September 23, 2026 No Comments
Business

What Problem Do I Solve?

  This week’s blog post is an open question to you, my reader, with an ask that you’ll think through this very simple question: What Problem Do I Solve? For 10 years we have tried to find the answer to this question for my work specifically. We have leaned into The Promise – yet, that’s more of a philosophy. We have taught Signature Moves – yet, that is a process.   We have been told the reason I am chosen for many events by planners looking to bring me in are among the following:  “We need someone who is engaging and entertaining to speak in between the content heavy speakers.” “You are going to bring a self-help message of inspiration and humor.” “We just need something entertaining.”   Those who call themselves “fans” of mine have said kind things like:  “You make me laugh.” “My family thinks you’re the best.” “You help me keep better promises to myself and my work.” These are all wonderful compliments. But, we still haven’t gotten to the PROBLEM of what having Jason Hewlett speak at your event actually helps the client & event planner solve.   My speaker peers have the problems they solve

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September 1, 2026 4 Comments
Entertainment

Rocket Man Meets Piano Man: Corporate Entertainment That Gets the Room Singing with Elton & Billy

“And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time, ’til touchdown brings me ’round again to find I’m not the man they think I am at home. Oh, no, no, no. I’m a Rocket Man! Burnin’ out his fuse up here alone.”    EMAIL SUBJECT LINE: Could Billy and Elton Come to Our Leadership Conference? Today I received an email from a client and friend who has had me speak, perform, emcee, and help with their events in the past. They are one of my favorite groups of all-time. How pleased I was to get the email subject line written above. That may be one of my favorite email subject lines I’ve ever read. I can’t wait for this opportunity, and the many other events that are in our future. What I really love is that this NEW Show is a NEW Offering for those who have enjoyed my work in the past.   Storytime: I remember the first time I sang Elton’s John’s massive song, “Rocket Man”. The way the audience lit up when the chorus hit was inspiring. People of all ages singing their hearts out, raising their lighters (yes, this was a while ago and before

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August 25, 2026 No Comments
Events

Has It Really Been 10 Years?

The memory popped up on Facebook the other day: July 25, 2016. The day I was inducted into the NSA National Speakers Association CPAE Hall of Fame.     Over the past few years, I have had the honor to introduce on their big night, a few of my very close friends receiving the CPAE as well, including Jeff Civillico, Clint Pulver, and posthumously, the late great Mark Eaton. It is a life-changing event to receive such an honor. I’ll never forget where I was when the call came that I had been inducted, in March 2016. In a stairwell, just before a gig, at a Courtyard Marriott, listening to the secret welcome from a stranger on the committee, who told me I couldn’t tell anyone, but that he was thrilled for my inclusion. I crumpled to the floor and cried my eyes out. It was 4 months before anyone would know, and the speech I’d get to give, as one of the youngest to ever be inducted. I was 37 years old, and felt like I was in my seventies, due to the wear and tear on my body by pushing so hard to succeed over 15 years. Here

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July 30, 2026 1 Comment
Announcements

25 Episodes on the Podcast, this week: Young Washington and Alaska

If you asked me a year ago how many podcasts I’d host in 2026 I would have hemmed and hawed, “Probably 10, or maybe about one a month”. And that is the answer I had given for nearly a decade since everyone told me I should have a podcast. Well, this week we crossed over into rare territory, having just done our 25th episode. Link HERE if you’d like to WATCH on YouTube, or link HERE if you prefer to listen as a podcast.     Why celebrate 25? Lots of reasons – that’s more than I have ever personally hosted cumulatively in my career, and we have kept at it weekly with few exceptions! My wife and I celebrated 25 years of marriage this year, and that’s a big milestone, so 25 fits in this context. Also, we are celebrating 250 years of America, and as July wraps up, it has been a wonderful month of looking back at our incredible, divine, and important history as a country. So, 25 episodes in, I’m talking about a movie I saw recently, by Angel Studios, titled “Young Washington”. Don’t wait to see it later on TV. Go to the theaters. It’s

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July 24, 2026 No Comments
Announcements

The Villages: A Dream Come True

  For 26 years I have been told I should perform in very specific markets, as they would love my show: Las Vegas, NV Branson, MO Atlantic City, NJ Cruise ships worldwide Every Casino possible Corporate and Education events The Villages, FL   Having conquered the first 6, thankful for the chance to entertain audiences of all kinds, it was a question as to how and when I would ever have the time or opportunity to perform at The Villages near Orlando, Florida. Last weekend my moment finally arrived! If you don’t know what The Villages are, its one of the most fascinating community developments in the world, dedicated to those aged 55+ active adults who are committed to staying healthy, agile, and forever young. An estimated 75,000 homes dot the landscape, with over 100,000 residents.  Located an hour outside of Orlando, Florida, The Villages has endless town squares that look like Disneyland’s Main Street, more golf holes in one place than anywhere on the planet, and you can hear pickleball being played the entire day. The theater was intimate, brand new (3 months old), with around 160 seats available. My show was scheduled for 1 PM on a Friday where

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July 14, 2026 4 Comments
Coaching

Father of the Bride

  Perhaps the most intimidating and important speech you’ll ever give is the Father of the Bride speech. At least that’s how it feels to the first timer, who is sweating through his corduroy trousers, not quite sure how to gather so many essential thoughts in front of all the most important people of his life. A few years ago I made a video that assists men in creating their speech. Luckily, I have never given that intimidating speech, as my daughter is not getting married anytime soon, but putting myself in the place of a soon to be father of the bride, I came up with some teachings that seemed to resonate. The GIRL acronym just appeared in my mind, and it seemed almost elementary, as I wondered if I should put it in the video… Turns out, that is the most essential part of this one, and memorable to all who have utilized it. Want to know what GIRL stands for in this instance? Watch the video to find out! (Actually, I am keenly aware of the amount of people who are willing to read my words but not interested in watching the videos, LOL, so here’s the

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July 8, 2026 No Comments
Business

How FFA Kids Helped Me Refocus My Presentation

It had been years since I agreed to talk with a group of youth. Why? Because something shifted in those audiences a few years back for me, and I haven’t dared return. So, there I was, standing back stage as the arena filled in with over 11,000 FFA youth from across Ohio. I never feel nervous before an event. I feel excited, anxious, and generally confident in what I’m about to do. Of course, there are those feelings inside of imposter syndrome or being tired from a bad night’s sleep in a hotel, but this day was different. I felt sick to my stomach. There is always a moment before stepping on stage that most people don’t think about unless you’re the one waiting to be introduced. The room is set. The audience is waiting. The expectation is there. And in that moment, it’s easy for the focus to turn inward. You begin to have a conversation with yourself: How will this go? Will this connect? Will this be received the way I hope? Those are natural questions. But over time, I’ve found they aren’t the most helpful ones. Because they center everything on you, the performer/speaker/presenter. And the more

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May 19, 2026 4 Comments
Engagement

Two Standing Ovations… and a Silent Room

What Happens When the Promise Meets Your Worst Night? Last week, I had two of the best keynote presentations of my career. The kind of 9 AM keynote speeches where you walk off stage thinking, I was born to do this! Jason The Keynote Speaker was absolutely crushing it at a whole new level. They were two completely different audiences, and both were fully with me. I had done the work to understand who they were, customized the material, and it landed. Not just polite applause, but standing ovations that were strong, long, and meaningful. The kind that makes you feel like everything is clicking into place. I even had the thought, that might be as good as I’ve ever been! And then, 36 hours later, I walked into a completely different experience. It was a different city, a different crowd, and a 9:00 PM show—from Jason The Entertainer- the kind that has been my bread and butter for 25 years. If anything, the show has always been stronger than the keynote. Not this night. From the moment I started, people were talking. Not just a little here and there, but throughout the entire room. Conversations layered over each other

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April 8, 2026 9 Comments
Events

Celebrate Those You Love

Last month, my incredible, wonderful wife of 25 years turned 50. Tami is the most important person on the planet to me, and I knew it was the kind of birthday you need to go big or you can’t go home. When she turned 40 we did a huge surprise party, combined with her best friend since 7th grade, Courtney, and they haven’t stopped talking about it for a decade. How do you top that? You don’t, you just let it be what it was and remain thankful it happened. But you can’t let 50 just come and go, either. So for 50, I worked for 6 months with friends to come up with a more intimate party of her closest friends, combined once again with Courtney’s 50th birthday, as her husband Beau and I planned another surprise. Throwing a party for the ultimate party planners, which our wives happen to be just that as their Signature Moves in life, is quite the challenge. Even with an army of their friends helping us, we had to get extra creative. The owner of the restaurant was in on it with us, and did some Oscar worthy acting, as we arrived for

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March 14, 2026 2 Comments

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