Tom Tilley is an authentic, entertaining speaker who combines 15 years of media experience with a powerful personal story. Tom is one of the most influential journalists of his generation, serving as the long-time host of Hack on Triple J radio and presenting a range of television programs across the ABC. He has reported for The Project, is a regular on Nine and hosts Southern Cross Austereo’s flagship news podcast The Briefing.
After years of sharing other people’s stories on radio and television, Tom recently revealed his own in Speaking in Tongues, a memoir published by HarperCollins. It details his childhood inside a tight-knit pentecostal community and the dawning realisation his church was a hardline sect. From the gut-wrenching decision to leave Tom rebuilds a life of truth, passion and community. His story offers inspiration to anyone questioning the life they were born into.
On stage, Tom’s years of on-air experience give him a highly engaging delivery and an ability to connect with any audience, large or small, from corporate events to ideas festivals. He weaves stories and insights from his personal journey and his journalism career, and his knowledge of current affairs allows him to discuss a wide range of themes and issues. His media experience also makes him a highly engaging and versatile event host or MC.
Talking Points
What I learnt from escaping a religious sect
Tom Tilley tells the story of breaking free from the pentecostal church he was born into. From the idyllic childhood, to the controlling pastors and excommunications, Tom details the painful realisation that his family’s church was a deeply flawed sect. At times heartbreaking, at times inspirational, Tom explains how he deconstructed his beliefs and rebuilt his life. In an age of polarisation, echo chambers and conspiratorial paranoia, Tom’s story is a timely lesson in identifying dangerous cultures, dismantling ideology and living an authentic life.
What I learnt from escaping a religious sect
Talking to my generation: 15 years of communicating with millennials
After a decade and a half of radio, television and podcasts, Tom Tilley has become one of the most trusted journalists of his generation. Now he’s sharing his insights on how to connect with this all important demographic. A must see for anyone trying to reach millennial audiences, markets and employees.
Talking to my generation: 15 years of communicating with millennials
Conflict resolution - a guide to conflict and argument
How do you question core beliefs, cross ideological divides, challenge power without destroying relationships? Tom Tilley shares insights from his personal journey of breaking free from a pentecostal sect and his experiences interviewing Australia’s most powerful politicians, to give this timely guide on how to handle the hardest conversations without losing trust and connection.
Conflict resolution - a guide to conflict and argument
Video
Tom Tilley | Showreel | Saxton Speakers
#AskAssange Hangout with Julian Assange by Deakin University and OurSay
A Google+ hangout with Julian Assange #AskAssange. A partnership project by Deakin University and OurSay. Tom Tilley has become Australia’s leading voice in current affairs for young people. As the host of Triple J’s Hack program Tom speaks to half a million national radio listeners each week and the podcast reaches half a million listeners per month. He also hosted the Hack Live series on ABC TV.
