Inspire and Empower Your Audiences
Alex Epstein is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels. Through his keynotes, training workshops, debates, and consulting, he has brought his message of human flourishing through industrial progress to thousands inside and outside the energy industry, and developed a reputation for his unmatched ability teach others how to neutralize attackers, turn non-supporters and supporters, and turn supporters into champions.
Popular topics include:
- The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels
- How to Talk to Anyone About Energy
- How to Win Hearts and Minds
Interested in having Alex speak?
You can also email us at support@industrialprogress.net or, for urgent queries, call us at (949) 829-3947.
Overview of this page
About Alex Epstein
Alex Epstein is a philosopher and keynote speaker who argues that “human flourishing” should be the guiding principle of industrial and environmental progress. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels.
Alex has made his moral case for fossil fuels at dozens of campuses, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Duke (his alma mater). He has also spoken to employees and leaders at dozens of Fortune 500 energy companies, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Phillips 66, Valero, Enbridge, and TransCanada.
Alex, known for his willingness to debate anyone, anytime, has publicly debated leading environmentalist organizations such Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, and 350.org over the morality of fossil fuel use.
In his speeches and consulting work he helps companies take his pro-human messaging and use it to neutralize attackers, turn non-supporters and supporters, and turn supporters into champions. One of his major goals is to teach millions of employees in the fossil fuel industry to understand the value of what they do and how to communicate it.
Popular Topics
“The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels”
This speech introduces listeners to something that most of them have never heard: the idea that fossil fuel use is moral.
“How to Talk to Anyone About Energy”
This speech shares the key principles people need to effectively have constructive conversations about energy, rather than frustrating fights.
“How to Win Hearts and Minds”
This speech, designed for those who seek to champion fossil fuels, discusses why fossil fuel defenders have so much difficulty winning the hearts and minds of their stakeholders—and how reframing the conversation is the fundamental solution.
“How to Have Constructive Conversations about Energy” Workshop
This one-day workshop gives teams custom guidance on dealing with their most important audiences and communication challenges.
“Stakeholder Strategy Session”
This day-long session is for organizations that are undertaking a new, significant communication project and want to maximize their chances of success. Using a framework called “The 10 Ms” Alex takes project leaders through the following 10 questions.
- Mission: What exactly are we trying to accomplish?
- Metrics: How will we measure success?
- Monkey wrenches: What obstacles will we have to overcome?
- Markets: What markets or audiences are we trying to persuade?
- Messages: What messages will persuade them?
- Methods: What methods of explanation will persuade them?
- Messengers: Which messengers will be most persuasive to them?
- Materials: What form-factors will be most effective?
- Media: What media will the messengers deliver the message through?
- Money: What is your budget, and why?
After the session we combine your answers with our own research and tested strategies in a fully-customized strategy report.
Past Appearances
The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels – Idea City
Alex Epstein’s Senate Testimony
Harvard Business School Fireside Chat
Alex Epstein vs. Columbian Green Party Senator Claudia Lopez
Alex Epstein debates fossil fuels and climate on The Aaron Harber Show
Alex Epstein debates 350.org’s Bill McKibben
What Others are Saying
“Life-changing. Alex is one of my favorite speakers–loved watching him destroy the senate committee.” -Ariana
“I’ve been in the oil & gas industry for 30+ years (I have a petroleum engineering background) and have been to many, many industry conferences and have never heard a talk like the one I heard from you last week at SMU. Great job….please keep up the good work.” -Charlie
“Alex, When I first heard about this event I was highly skeptical. I came into the event with the assumption that you represent the ideas of big industry and why the fracing industry as a whole can never do any wrong. I can say now that I was wonderfully surprised by how insightful and well-made your points were. You are extremely articulate and presented your points with grace and intelligence. I would absolutely recommend anyone interested in the ideas of fracing and the energy industry as whole to attend one of your talks. Your point on how low energy costs helped spur marvelous innovations for humanity was an exciting way to look at the environmental debate. The deep Q&A was very good at denouncing the stereotypes of pro-fracing individuals being anti-progress.” -Steve
“Thank you, Alex, for the time you invested speaking at my company. I’ve worked in the energy sector for over 5 years, but it wasn’t until I was presented with The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels, paired with your talks and newsletters, that I began to understand that I had been fed many lies over the years about the industry. The fact-based truth you presented allows me to discuss the energy sector more confidently and effectively.” -Shauna
“Your talk completely changed my perception of fossil fuels, and I was already on your side! The way you approach the issue is a game changer. You frame the issue in such a human way. You personalize it, show how it impacts people. I haven’t heard anyone talk about energy policy like this, unless it’s in terms of creating jobs.” -Josh
“Thank you Alex for being the voice of reason and for being the exceedingly eloquent and genuine speaker that you are. Your logic is very captivating and I hope it catches on.” -Sabine
“Your speech at the event was greatly appreciated. In fact, most people were in shock because we (as an industry) are not accustomed to having supporters outside of our industry. It’s a refreshing change and a powerful message.” -Carol
“I’ve seen Mr. Epstein deliver speeches on several occasions. They are exactly what you want from a couple of hours dedicated to the intellectual. They are thought provoking and at the same time easily accessible. They are well researched without being esoteric. It’s clear from the first sentence that he knows what he’s talking about, that he is passionate about it and that he wants, more than anything, to help you understand why it’s so important.” -Kyle
Want to hear more? See our report 1000 Hearts and Minds.
The Next Step
Thanks again for considering Alex Epstein for your event. To find out how we can help you achieve your goals, let us know more about your event and we can set up a brief call.
You can also email us at support@industrialprogress.net or, for urgent queries, call us at (949) 829-3947.