SHANE DEAN
What's The Point Of It All?
From tabloid journalist to accidental vicar to global good news founder — Shane Dean shares real stories, raw struggles, and lasting hope to help people and organisations find joy, resilience, and purpose. His adventurous life has taken him from award-winning tabloid journalism… to an accidental vicar over coffee and Guinness… to school PR adventures alongside Branson, Bear Grylls, and Boris… to founding a global good news movement. For over 30 years, Shane has been on an investigative search into hope, happiness, and meaning — a journey through breakdowns, breakthroughs, and extraordinary experiences. Now he shares the answers he has discovered to help others live with more joy, courage, and purpose. 👉 Bring hope and inspiration to your business, charity, school, or church. Book Shane today and start a conversation that could change lives.
"Shane is one of the most inspiring and engaging speakers I have ever seen, never fails to motivate our 100+ staff, idea for businesses and corporates looking for a real morale and mindset boost."
Andrew Scott, CEO the Ascot Group
SHANE DEAN
Journalist | Accidental Vicar | Global Good News Pioneer | Ordinary Guy, Extraordinary Vision | Life Enthusiast | Inspirational Speaker
My story has been anything but ordinary — and it’s given me hundreds of real-life stories to illustrate lessons of hope, resilience, and joy. I started out chasing Madonna, royalty, and prime ministers as an award-winning tabloid journalist on the path to my dream job at The Washington Post. Then, over coffee and Guinness, I somehow became an accidental vicar — burying bodies in graveyards with no training, and even turning away pop stars who wanted to stay at the vicarage. Later came the PR jungle with Branson, Bear Grylls, and Boris — surviving the spin world at the sharp end. But my journey hasn’t all been glamorous headlines. I’ve faced breakdowns, battles with mental health, and the deep question we all ask: what’s the point of it all? Now I channel those lessons into something bigger: founding a global good news network in memory of Jill Dando, run by and for young people, to shine light in a world too often drowning in darkness. Today I’m an inspirational speaker helping people and organisations discover hope, happiness, and meaning in a world gone mad. Through my TONIC! talks and seminars — covering everything from laughter, to believing the impossible, to living enthusiastically every day — I aim to inspire audiences not just to survive, but to live extraordinary lives on purpose. Because life’s too short to be ordinary — so why not be extraordinary, intentionally?
What's the Point?
Motivational Talks to Bring Hope, Happiness and Meaning to People
Life is more challenging than any time in modern history - TONIC! is helping people of all ages and backgrounds to find the secrets of living happy
What's the Point?
Shane Dean is a inspirational speaker who for 30 years has been investigating the secrets of happiness. Now he is sharing his findings in talks mixing humour, hope and practical wisdom.
Find Meaning
These days workers and the wider community are struggling to find meaning in their lives - Shane Dean is on a mission to share why they can be 'life enthusiasts' living with purpose.
Happy Brain
Shane has been investigating the latest findings on the brain to optimise hope, happiness and meaning. He shares tips in his TONIC! talks.
The Almond Secret
Using latest research and ancient wisdom, Shane Dean helps people to discover how The Almond Secret of their body and brain can be used to optimise happiness. Watch out for his forthcoming book The Almond Secret.
Hope in a World Gone Mad
As a former news journalist, Shane Dean uses the latest news headlines and global events to highlight why these days we need the TONIC! to help us live life to the full.
Happiness
People seem happy on their social media profiles but statistics show this generation is struggling to find happiness. Shane Dean's TONIC! is the perfect antidote.
Shane Dean is a life enthusiast on a mission to help people find hope, happiness and meaning
Stories Inspire
What they say?
Shane's inspiring talks are transforming morale, hope and meaning, boosting mindsets, productivity and motivation. Highly recommended for impactful leadership sessions.
"Shane is one of the most inspiring and engaging speakers I have ever seen, never fails to motivate our 100+ staff, idea for businesses and corporates looking for a real morale and mindset boost."
Andrew Scott, CEO the Ascot Group
"Shane's TONIC! talk was inspiring. His energy, warmth and practical strategies left a lasting impact on both our students and staff. At a time when negativity can feel overwhelming, Shane's message was a breath of fresh air."
Pat Jones, CEO, Weston College
"Shane's keynote at our leadership retreat was electric. His unique approach blends neuroscience, humour and practical tools our team is still talking about months later."
Helen Da Costa, Coreus Group
Good News Worldwide
In 2011 Shane ended his award-winning journalism career to start a student-led positive news story project in Priory School in a school in England. It has since grown to multiple schools including in Malawi.
He is now the leader of the project with the aim to train up 1 million children worldwide.
The project has their own newspaper the Good News Post and they are creating an army of Jill Dando News reporters in memory of Jill, the much-loved BBC news journailst who died in 1999.
Their patrons include Mr Speaker in the Houses of Parliament in the UK.
Help your people find hope, happiness and meaning today
Shane Dean can boost morale, motivation and productivity in any business or organisation.