Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan

Comedy Writing & Storytelling Duo; Creators of "Bug Therapy"; Emmy-Nominated Writer for "The Tonight Show"; Founders of Citronella Stories

Austin, TX, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info
Comedian, Empowerment, Mental Health, Overcoming Adversity, Personal Growth, Resilience, Storytelling, TED, Television & Film
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Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan Biography

Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan are a husband-and-wife creative duo specializing in comedy writing, screenwriting, and storytelling, with a focus on mental health awareness. Michael Jann is an Emmy-nominated comedy writer for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." His writing credits also include National Lampoon, Nick at Nite, and Cosmopolitan Magazine. Jann wrote monologues for Jay Leno for more than two decades and for Jimmy Fallon before pursuing other projects. Michele Jourdan, originally from Austin, Texas, contributes her creative perspective as a co-writer, co-creator, and co-executive producer of "Bug Therapy." She has co-written several romantic-comedy screenplays and is also a personal trainer and gold-medal-winning bodybuilder.

Jann and Jourdan combined their professional skills and personal experiences to create "Bug Therapy," an animated short film that uses humor to address the stigma associated with mental health. The film centers on Citronella, voiced by Meghan Trainor, as she attends group therapy led by Dr. Pill, voiced by Dr. Phil McGraw. Director Jason Reisig, known for his work on "Shrek," "Smallfoot," "Trolls," and "Kung Fu Panda 3," was brought on to direct the project. The duo financed the short film themselves as a proof-of-concept after studios expressed interest but did not commit to developing it as a feature film.

The inspiration for the film is rooted in personal experience, particularly the mental health challenges faced by Jann's son, Max. On stage, Jann and Jourdan present the nine-minute film alongside their account of Max's mental health crisis, hospitalization, diagnosis, and ongoing recovery, highlighting their commitment to reducing the stigma of mental illness. Their lived experience informs their advocacy and public speaking on mental health topics.

"Bug Therapy" received an Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games and has earned positive reviews and festival recognition, including a world premiere at Austin Film Festival. The film was also screened at NAMICon, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Conference, where it was praised for its approach to mental health advocacy.

Jann and Jourdan founded Citronella Stories to produce animated shorts featuring characters navigating mental health challenges. Citronella Stories developed the "Bug Therapy" short as a sizzle reel for potential feature film or series development. Through their work, Jann and Jourdan contribute to mental health awareness and use their background in Hollywood and personal storytelling to foster open conversations about mental health.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/09/2026.

Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan Speaking Topics

  • Using HUMOR to Fight The Stigma

    Michele and I are fighting the stigma of mental illness the only way that actually works: with humor.

    A career in late-night comedy writing (22 years helping write Jay Leno's Tonight Show monologue) has taught me one thing above all else: Comedy breaks the ice.

    Humor allows you to discuss ANY topic. And, that's important, because you can't solve a problem if you can't talk about it. And, if you can't joke about something, well, then, you're probably afraid to talk about it. That's called shame. And, shame gets in the way of everything good.

    "Bug Therapy" is about a mosquito who faints at the sight of blood.

    The other bugs include, Dr. Phil McGraw as a Pill Bug therapist. Meghan Trainor as Citronella. Jay Leno as the OCD Fly, who can’t stop washing his hands. Sterling K. Brown as a depressed Stick Bug, who feels like no one sees him. Tom Green as a coffee-addicted Grasshopper. He loves it, but it makes him jumpy. Michele & I play the dysfunctional, co-dependent Dragonfly Couple, she's literally on top of him. There's also a Praying Mantis who doesn't pray, because she thinks she is god. A Spider who's afraid of Spiders. And a Leafbug who suffers from anxiety

    • he's afraid of autumn, when all the leaves die!

    The bugs in BUG THERAPY are funny. They initially fear being laughed at, but when they do actually laugh at each other -- it doesn't kill them! And, it bonds them together. And, on this point, Michele and I do not spare ourselves.

    In addition to showing our film, we share our deeply personal, and liberating (formerly "embarrassing") story of our 27-year-old son Max's mental-health breakdown, psych-wards, and ongoing recovery (fingers crossed). The story is both a terrifying -- and funny. Yes. There are funny moments, and that is so freeing!

  • The Importance Of Therapy

    Most people fear therapy. (Maybe they should talk to someone about that!)

    I used to be afraid of therapy. As a man, I incorrectly saw therapy as a sign of weakness. A sign that I wasn't mentally tough enough to endure. Or, how about this: a sign that I had no real friends to talk to. "Shame", anyone?

    But, if you've had the good fortune to go to therapy, and had a good therapist, you realize: They don't tell you what to do. They're reluctant to even give advice! What a good therapist does, is listen. And, help YOU hear what YOU'RE saying. They basically hold a mirror up to you, and ask you if what you're hearing makes sense to you.

    Dr. Phil (I'm a fan) will often listen intently to someone's long, detailed, self-analysis and strategy. And, then, he asks one question: "How's that working for you?" Patients sometimes burst into tears, and admit, "It's not! It's not working!" Now, they're ready to try something new. And, it was "their idea" to do so. :)

    Everyone would benefit from therapy. If you think rich successful people have it made, guess again. Like the message of our film states: Everyone struggles with something. And, there's no shame in asking for help.

    Michele and I have been together 13 years. We're both in therapy. If I was single, and dating today, I would insist the other person be in therapy!

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Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan Videos

The Line Starts Here. (Let's Cross It!) | Michael Jann | TEDxUCLA

The Line Starts Here. (Let's Cross It!) | Michael Jann | TEDxUCLA

Two decades of writing the Tonight Show monolog for Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon gave Michael a fighting chance to cope - and help those around him cope...

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    Speaking fees for Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan speak about?

    Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Comedian, Empowerment, Mental Health, Overcoming Adversity, Personal Growth, Resilience, Storytelling, TED, Television & Film

  • Where does Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan travel from?

    Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan generally travels from Austin, TX, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Using HUMOR to Fight The Stigma , The Importance Of Therapy and Resiliency and Self-Transformation. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan for your event is available upon request. Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan generally travels from Austin, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Brandon Farbstein, Jessica Cox, Emma Benoit, Aaliyah Strong and Karen Northshield. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michael Jann & Michele Jourdan for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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