Booking the perfect speaker often comes down to one thing: timing. We keep track of exciting speaker updates so that you can anticipate the latest trends, topics, and rising stars to bring to your next event.
Whether starring in major film releases, launching new shows, or releasing new books, these notable names are currently making headlines. Here’s a look at seven speakers who are currently in the news and bringing fresh stories, perspectives, and energy to audiences everywhere.
1. Aaron Lazar spreads inspiration and healing with new podcast
Aaron Lazar is launching his new video podcast “Impossible Dreams” on October 7, welcoming guests like Mark Cuban, Kristin Chenoweth, and Ben Stiller. The series continues Lazar’s mission of sharing stories of resilience, creativity, and transformation with a broad audience. Since being diagnosed with ALS in 2021, he has turned an impossible circumstance into an opportunity to inspire, becoming a sought-after speaker for companies, schools, and nonprofits.
A veteran of stage and screen, Lazar starred in 11 Broadway productions including “Les Misérables,” “The Light in the Piazza,” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” His film and TV credits include “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and Amazon’s “The Countdown.”
2. Danielle Fishel joins the cast of Dancing with the Stars for season 34
Danielle Fishel is stepping back into the spotlight this fall, joining the cast of “Dancing with the Stars” for its 34th season, premiering September 16. Best known for her role as Topanga in the beloved sitcom “Boy Meets World” and its Disney Channel reboot “Girl Meets World,” Fishel has become a familiar face to audiences across generations. Beyond acting, she has built a multifaceted career as a director, entrepreneur, and advocate, bringing both creativity and resilience to her work.
Since 2017, Fishel has directed more than 50 episodes of sitcom television, with credits on “Raven’s Home,” “Sydney to the Max,” “Lopez vs. Lopez,” and more. She is also developing a feature film inspired by her own life and runs her haircare brand, “Be Free by Danielle Fishel.”
3. Oscar Nuñez reprising iconic role for The Office spinoff series
Oscar Nuñez is stepping back into one of his most beloved roles, reprising Oscar Martinez in “The Paper,” the new NBC spinoff of the hit mockumentary “The Office.” A seasoned actor and comedian, Nuñez became a household name for his dry wit and sharp timing on the long-running series, cementing his place in television history.
Beyond The Office, Nuñez has built a dynamic career on stage and screen. He co-created and starred in Comedy Central’s “Halfway Home,” played standout roles in “Benched” and Netflix’s “Mr. Iglesias,” and brought Desi Arnaz to life in the acclaimed stage production “I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom.” His versatility extends to film, with credits in “The Lost City,” “The Long Game,” and “Dashing Through the Snow,” as well as memorable commercial work for State Farm.
4. Jordan Chiles joins the cast of Dancing with the Stars for season 34
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles is taking her talents from the mat to the dance floor, joining the cast of “Dancing with the Stars” season 34, premiering September 16. A two-time Olympian, Chiles has become one of the sport’s brightest stars, known for her consistency, energy, and powerful performances on the world stage. She first captured global attention at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she helped secure a silver medal for Team USA, and returned in 2024 to play a key role in the team’s gold-medal win in Paris.
Beyond competition, Chiles is a passionate advocate for body positivity and mental health, using her platform to inspire young athletes worldwide. Her historic sweep of the podium at the 2022 U.S. Championships alongside Simone Biles and Konnor McClain highlighted her role in breaking barriers, while her standout NCAA career at UCLA, where she earned two individual national titles, solidified her as a true trailblazer in gymnastics.
5. Natalie Nixon published a new book on productivity and time management
Natalie Nixon, PhD, released her latest book, “Move, Think, Rest: Redefining Productivity and Our Relationship with Time,” on September 2. A leading voice on the future of work, Nixon is known for helping organizations and leaders rethink how they innovate, adapt, and thrive. Her concept of WonderRigor, the balance of audacity and discipline, captures her unique approach to creativity as both an art and a strategy.
Nixon built her career connecting dots across industries and cultures, from global apparel sourcing in Sri Lanka and Portugal to 16 years as a university professor before striking out on her own as a creativity strategist. Named to the Thinkers50 Radar List, she is also the author of “The Creativity Leap.”
6. Marilu Henner stars in newly-released movie for Lifetime
Marilu Henner is channeling her survivor spirit in her latest role for Lifetime’s “A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story,” premiering September 13. The film recounts Aguilar’s harrowing story of survival after a brutal attack, with Henner portraying the grandmother she calls the story’s “moral conscience.” It’s a fitting role for the actress, whose own career has long blended resilience, versatility, and impact.
Best known for her breakout on the classic sitcom “Taxi,” Henner has since built a multifaceted career across film, television, stage, and publishing. She has starred in more than 70 films, appeared on Broadway, and co-stars in Hallmark’s hit “Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.” A five-time Golden Globe nominee, she is also a bestselling author of ten books on health, memory, and lifestyle.
7. Mathew Knowles kicks off business residency program at Prairie View A&M University
Mathew Knowles is moving into the classroom with a new residency at Prairie View A&M University, where he will teach courses in branding, strategic communications, and launching purpose-driven ventures during the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters. The legendary music executive and entrepreneur is best known for shaping the careers of Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Solange, but his influence extends far beyond the stage.
Across industries, Knowles has generated more than $5 billion in revenue, led campaigns for global brands like Pepsi and L’Oréal, and earned recognition as a LinkedIn Top Voice. He has authored five books, holds multiple professorships, and continues to advocate for cancer awareness through his role as a global ambassador for ZERO Prostate Cancer’s Blitz the Barriers campaign.
If you’re interested in learning more about booking one of these speakers or exploring other ideas, AAE Speakers is here to help. Contact us today to get started.
