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George Kournounis, Storm Chaser, Extreme Explorer, TV Host, Royal Canadian Geographical Explorer in Residence

George Kourounis documents the most extreme places on Earth. This explorer, storm chaser & TV host has spent 25 years documenting extreme forces of nature and natural phenomena worldwide including tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, floods, fires, and the effects of climate change.

Awe-inspiring, educational, inspirational, and entertaining, Kourounis’ unique experiences, and his zeal for sharing his adventures will have your audience on the edge of their seat one minute, then laughing at his equally epic misadventures the next.

Best known for having hosted the TV series “Angry Planet” he’s also a frequent on-camera contributor for The Weather Network, Science Channel, Discovery, Smithsonian Channel, Netflix, and most of the other major TV networks, and is frequently invited to comment about global weather & natural disasters by CNN, BBC, CBC, and other news outlets.

George earned a Guinness World Record for being the first person to ever set foot at the bottom of the Darvaza “Doorway to Hell” flaming gas crater in remote Turkmenistan, the project was funded by a National Geographic science grant and was also filmed for Nat Geo television.

He has documented changes to melting permafrost in Siberia, sea level rise in Tuvalu, shifting tornado & hurricane patterns in North America, wildfires in Australia, and melting polar ice.

He has been awarded the Stefansson Medal from the Explorers Club Canadian Chapter “For outstanding contribution to science and to public education by documenting extreme environments through filmmaking”, the Leif Erikson Exploration Award from the Exploration Museum in Iceland.

He holds the title of Explorer in Residence for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, he is a National Geographic Explorer, and served as the Canadian Chapter Chair of the Explorers Club.

George loves to share the lessons and insight he’s learned from his expeditions and he has earned a spot on the global speaking platform speaking at 5 TEDx talks, the Global Exploration Summit in Lisbon, and the United Nations Environmental Emergencies forum in Oslo, Norway, to name a few.

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Presentations

  • Presentation Styles

    In-person and virtual keynotes/fireside chats, Host/MC
    Customized for all audience types

  • CULTIVATING CURIOSITY: THE ANTIDOTE TO FEAR

    Some consider George to be fearless, but nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, it takes a certain kind of person to drive into the eye of a hurricane, to dangle from a rope over a steaming volcano, or jump into a pond with thousands of hungry piranhas. But although Kourounis has done all these things — and much more — he’s not without fear.

    In this talk, he shows us why fear is not only something that can be managed and controlled, but why it’s a vital element to accomplishing anything worthwhile.

    Whether in business, with personal challenges, or even extreme exploration, fear is what gives us an edge. It’s that force that keeps us in check, and without it, we’re prone to making reckless decisions.

    In this inspiring keynote, Kourounis teaches your team how to harness their fear, and use it to their advantage. His secret weapon? Curiosity. It’s the antidote to fear that we all used to have in abundance when we were children, a trait that tends to get squeezed out of us as we enter adulthood.

  • STAYING THE COURSE: PERSEVERING THROUGH THE CHAOS

    George draws from decades of experience working in some of the most difficult situations and dangerous places on Earth to share his unique insights on how to thrive while surrounded by turmoil. The world around us seems more chaotic than ever before and having the skills to succeed in the long-haul are critically important, especially given the current uncertainties in business and world events.

    For George, chasing storms requires going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm and being in such close proximity to these natural forces on purpose has taught George that grit, determination, and patience are just as important as proper planning and preparation. When on a storm or volcano expedition, failure means much more than just missing a deadline or sales goal, it can be a matter of life or death.

    Let George share what it takes to persevere under the most extreme conditions, and how his techniques can be applied to everyday life.

  • ON THE FRONT LINES OF CLIMATE CHANGE, FIGHTING HUMANITY'S BIGGEST THREAT

    From chasing hurricanes and tornadoes, to exploring some of the most remote and ecologically sensitive places on Earth, George Kourounis has been on the front lines of climate change for years, witnessing first-hand the effects of our changing environment. How did we get into this situation? What does the future hold? And what can the average person do to make a difference?

    These questions and more will be covered in this talk, as Kourounis pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth about climate change in a dynamic, engaging way. A rich multimedia presentation showcases some of his most poignant, and occasionally terrifying, encounters with the fury of nature, including being at ground zero during hurricane Katrina.

    Kourounis offers an undoubtedly unique perspective on the consequences of climate change and our defences against it.

  • CHASING MOTHER NATURE: THE INSPIRING MISADVENTURES OF A STORM CHASER

    George Kourounis’ experiences facing down extreme weather and natural disasters is unparalleled. In this presentation, he describes his scariest and most rewarding experiences and how they have sculpted his outlook on the world. It is an inspiring, personal chronicle of his quest to encounter and study some of the most awesome and powerful forces of nature.

    With a colourfully detailed multimedia presentation, featuring actual video clips from many of his adventures, Kourounis will demonstrate how and why he tests his own physical endurance to pursue and understand the forces of nature that affect our planet and the life inhabiting it.

    Supplemented with thrilling video and stunning photography, your audience will be swept up and brought along on a worldwide thrill ride from the depths of erupting volcanoes to the path of oncoming tornadoes, from the beachfront of a hurricane landfall to the hottest and coldest places on Earth.

    Awe-inspiring, educational, inspirational, and entertaining, Kourounis’ unique experiences, and his zeal for sharing his adventures will have your audience on the edge of their seat one minute, then laughing at his equally epic misadventures the next.

  • RISK VS. REWARD: ASSESSING AND MITIGATING RISKS

    Seasoned storm chaser and explorer George Kourounis delves into the calculated risks involved in his daring global expeditions documenting the most extreme storms and natural phenomena on planet Earth. He shares thrilling personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of preparation, awareness, and adaptability in the face of unpredictable natural forces.

    Through vivid storytelling, George illustrates how managing that delicate balance of risk vs reward is not only a strategy for success, but can also unlock the potential for unique discoveries and breakthroughs in life, business, and beyond.

    By drawing parallels between the life-or-death decisions he has to make while storm chasing, climbing erupting volcanoes, and other high-stakes endeavors, George highlights the tools, strategies, and mental fortitude required to assess and mitigate risks with a focus on a deeper understanding of the critical importance of risk management, not just in extreme environments, but in decision-making across various aspects of life.

Presentation Styles

In-person and virtual keynotes/fireside chats, Host/MC
Customized for all audience types

CULTIVATING CURIOSITY: THE ANTIDOTE TO FEAR

Some consider George to be fearless, but nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, it takes a certain kind of person to drive into the eye of a hurricane, to dangle from a rope over a steaming volcano, or jump into a pond with thousands of hungry piranhas. But although Kourounis has done all these things — and much more — he’s not without fear.

In this talk, he shows us why fear is not only something that can be managed and controlled, but why it’s a vital element to accomplishing anything worthwhile.

Whether in business, with personal challenges, or even extreme exploration, fear is what gives us an edge. It’s that force that keeps us in check, and without it, we’re prone to making reckless decisions.

In this inspiring keynote, Kourounis teaches your team how to harness their fear, and use it to their advantage. His secret weapon? Curiosity. It’s the antidote to fear that we all used to have in abundance when we were children, a trait that tends to get squeezed out of us as we enter adulthood.

STAYING THE COURSE: PERSEVERING THROUGH THE CHAOS

George draws from decades of experience working in some of the most difficult situations and dangerous places on Earth to share his unique insights on how to thrive while surrounded by turmoil. The world around us seems more chaotic than ever before and having the skills to succeed in the long-haul are critically important, especially given the current uncertainties in business and world events.

For George, chasing storms requires going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm and being in such close proximity to these natural forces on purpose has taught George that grit, determination, and patience are just as important as proper planning and preparation. When on a storm or volcano expedition, failure means much more than just missing a deadline or sales goal, it can be a matter of life or death.

Let George share what it takes to persevere under the most extreme conditions, and how his techniques can be applied to everyday life.

ON THE FRONT LINES OF CLIMATE CHANGE, FIGHTING HUMANITY'S BIGGEST THREAT

From chasing hurricanes and tornadoes, to exploring some of the most remote and ecologically sensitive places on Earth, George Kourounis has been on the front lines of climate change for years, witnessing first-hand the effects of our changing environment. How did we get into this situation? What does the future hold? And what can the average person do to make a difference?

These questions and more will be covered in this talk, as Kourounis pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth about climate change in a dynamic, engaging way. A rich multimedia presentation showcases some of his most poignant, and occasionally terrifying, encounters with the fury of nature, including being at ground zero during hurricane Katrina.

Kourounis offers an undoubtedly unique perspective on the consequences of climate change and our defences against it.

CHASING MOTHER NATURE: THE INSPIRING MISADVENTURES OF A STORM CHASER

George Kourounis’ experiences facing down extreme weather and natural disasters is unparalleled. In this presentation, he describes his scariest and most rewarding experiences and how they have sculpted his outlook on the world. It is an inspiring, personal chronicle of his quest to encounter and study some of the most awesome and powerful forces of nature.

With a colourfully detailed multimedia presentation, featuring actual video clips from many of his adventures, Kourounis will demonstrate how and why he tests his own physical endurance to pursue and understand the forces of nature that affect our planet and the life inhabiting it.

Supplemented with thrilling video and stunning photography, your audience will be swept up and brought along on a worldwide thrill ride from the depths of erupting volcanoes to the path of oncoming tornadoes, from the beachfront of a hurricane landfall to the hottest and coldest places on Earth.

Awe-inspiring, educational, inspirational, and entertaining, Kourounis’ unique experiences, and his zeal for sharing his adventures will have your audience on the edge of their seat one minute, then laughing at his equally epic misadventures the next.

RISK VS. REWARD: ASSESSING AND MITIGATING RISKS

Seasoned storm chaser and explorer George Kourounis delves into the calculated risks involved in his daring global expeditions documenting the most extreme storms and natural phenomena on planet Earth. He shares thrilling personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of preparation, awareness, and adaptability in the face of unpredictable natural forces.

Through vivid storytelling, George illustrates how managing that delicate balance of risk vs reward is not only a strategy for success, but can also unlock the potential for unique discoveries and breakthroughs in life, business, and beyond.

By drawing parallels between the life-or-death decisions he has to make while storm chasing, climbing erupting volcanoes, and other high-stakes endeavors, George highlights the tools, strategies, and mental fortitude required to assess and mitigate risks with a focus on a deeper understanding of the critical importance of risk management, not just in extreme environments, but in decision-making across various aspects of life.

Testimonials

  • "It was an amazing experience watching the stories being told in person! It was thrilling to see the pictures; to hear the stories behind the pictures was jaw-dropping! Our audience was hanging on every word, and sometimes on the edge of their seats. What was most incredible was just seeing the majestic glories that our planet has waiting for us, and just how dangerous those awesome places can be."

    George Kournounis Lyle Kuzik, Executive Director, Federation of Alberta Gas Co-Ops Ltd.
  • "George is simply an outstanding motivational speaker who went well beyond his speaking role to assist our Conference Team throughout the entire conference. He was well received by delegates and made a special effort to connect with each and every individual in attendance. If you have the opportunity to work with George, I know you and potential clients will be the better for the experience."

    George Kournounis Don McLaughlin, Director, Alberta Teacher's Association - Science Council Conference
  • "Thank you for everything you did to make our event such a success George. You proved to be the most gracious presenter we have had the privilege to work with. Everybody was absolutely stoked to have been there. We really appreciate all the effort you put in."

    George Kournounis Skip Helfrich, Edmonton Chapter Director, Construction Specifications Canada
  • "Your keynote address was a sheer hit! Your enthusiasm is infectious, your knowledge astounding and we could not have wished for a stronger close to the EDIST Conference and
    Exhibition."

    George Kournounis Jennifer Forde, Conferences & Education Services Coordinator, The MEARIE Group
  • "George Kourounis is a top-notch speaker who truly cares about pushing his audience to new levels of success. As a man who has taken risks that most of can hardly fathom, George has the authority to demand higher standards from those who are lucky enough to see him speak. I highly recommend George Kourounis to anyone looking for big results."

    George Kournounis Stuart Knight, President of Stuart Knight Productions, Author of You Should Have Asked - The Art of Powerful Conversation
  • "Our group was privileged to hear about your unique experiences as a storm chaser and explorer! Your presentation was certainly exciting and engaging, of course all enhanced by your wonderful photos and videos. The praise from our Top 40 recipients for your content was high."

    George Kournounis Michelle Jursa, Director of Programs, Caldwell Partners "Canada's Top 40 Under 40"
  • "We were pleased with George's presentation and impressed with his ability to capture the audience's attention. There was never a dull moment as George kept everyone engaged as he spoke about fear to our audience of 4200+."

    George Kournounis Andy Hafer, CEO, Dynamic Communities, Inc.
  • "George came to Trinity College School as part of the Mac Campbell Lecture series and enthralled a full house of students, faculty and parents with a dazzling audio/visual display and exciting and gripping tales of his worldwide encounters with mother nature. The audience was captivated by George's presentation and his theme of always following one's true passion resonated with many students. The Q&A session that ended the formal part of the evening was thought provoking, but George's willingness to speak with a number of students informally afterwards also went a long way to making this evening a very special one for many!"

    George Kournounis Drew Allen, Trinity College School, Port Hope ON

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