Nolan Higdon

Author of "Let’s Agree to Disagree" and Professor of History, Education, Communication

Travels From Travels From:
San Francisco, CA, USA
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Nolan Higdon Biography

Nolan Higdon is a Lecturer at Merrill College and the Education Department at University of California, Santa Cruz. Higdon’s areas of concentration include podcasting, digital culture, news media history, propaganda, and critical media literacy. Higdon's focuses on the political economy of news media and so-called fake news, the intersection of politics and media (especially digital culture), and the utility of critical media literacy. Higdon has a long history of developing classroom content and teacher trainings focused on expanding critical media literacy education.

All of Higdon’s work is available at Substack. He is the author of The "Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education" (2020); "Let’s Agree to Disagree: A Critical Thinking Guide to Communication", "Conflict Management", and "Critical Media Literacy" (2022); "The Media And Me: A Guide To Critical Media Literacy For Young People" (2022); and the forthcoming "Surveillance Education: Navigating the conspicuous absence of privacy in schools" (Routledge). Higdon is a regular source of expertise for CBS, NBC, The New York Times, and The San Francisco Chronicle.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/08/2025.

Nolan Higdon Speaking Topics

  • The Roots and Realities of Fake News: What You Can Do About Disinformation

    Fake news isn’t new—but today, it spreads faster and hits harder thanks to smartphones, social media, and AI. In this talk, Nolan Higdon breaks down who creates disinformation, why it works, and how it spreads. He shares how media companies and tech platforms actually profit from fake news—and what we can do to stop being fooled or used. You’ll leave with practical skills to spot disinformation, tools to teach others how to think critically about news, and simple actions anyone can take to fight back.

    You’ll Learn:

    • The different types of fake news and how they work
    • ‘Don’t let ‘Fake News’ steer your sales judgment’
    • Why platforms like Facebook and TikTok help fake news go viral
    • What you, your school, or your community can do to build media literacy
    • Easy, everyday ways to push back against the spread of lies

    Why It’s Different:

    Most people act like fake news is a new crisis. Nolan shows that it’s actually a long-term problem—and offers real, non-partisan solutions anyone can use. You'll leave with a plan, not just more problems.

  • Let’s Agree to Disagree: How to Talk to People Who Don’t Agree With You

    Tired of arguments that go nowhere? You’re not alone. These days, even small disagreements turn into big fights—and the media and politicians love to stir the pot. In this talk, Nolan Higdon shows how we got here, and how we can turn things around. Instead of yelling or avoiding tough conversations, you’ll learn how to have respectful, smart discussions—even with people who totally disagree with you.

    You’ll Learn:

    • Why public debate has gotten so toxic
    • How media and politics make division worse
    • Tools you can use to have better conversations
    • Ways to bring respectful dialogue into your classroom, workplace, or community

    Why It’s Different:

    This isn’t about pretending both sides are always right. Nolan shows how we can challenge bad ideas without shutting down discussion—and gives you a plan to bring civil discourse back into your life.

  • Surveillance Schooling: How Ed-Tech Is Changing Education—And What You Can Do About It

    From Zoom to digital textbooks to online testing, schools are more high-tech than ever—but it comes at a cost. In this talk, Nolan Higdon explains how education technology (or ed-tech) is collecting data, tracking students, and quietly changing what learning means. He makes big ideas like “surveillance capitalism” easy to understand—and shows how these tools affect teachers, students, and society. You’ll leave with clear steps to protect privacy, keep education democratic, and push back against tech that does more harm than good.

    You’ll Learn:

    • How tech companies use schools to collect data
    • What’s being lost when classrooms go digital
    • How teachers, students, and parents can resist harmful ed-tech
    • Policies and practices that support real learning—not just monitoring

    Why It’s Different:

    Most people think school tech is just about convenience. Nolan shows how it’s really about power—and gives you the tools to challenge that power and protect education.

  • We Blew It with the Internet. Let’s Not Repeat the Mistake with AI

    When the internet went mainstream in the '90s, no one asked the hard questions. Now we’re dealing with constant surveillance, online hate, and deep division. Nolan Higdon says AI could be even worse—unless we act now. This talk breaks down what AI really is, clears up the hype and fear, and explains how it’s already changing jobs, culture, privacy, and democracy. You’ll leave with a solid understanding of what’s at stake—and a plan for how to respond.

    You’ll Learn:

    • What AI is (and isn’t)—in simple terms
    • How it’s already impacting your life
    • What lessons we should’ve learned from the internet boom
    • What you can do to shape AI’s future—from everyday actions to policy ideas

    Why It’s Different:

    This isn’t a doom-and-gloom talk. Nolan gives people the facts, clears up confusion, and offers a roadmap for action. You'll leave informed, empowered, and ready to make a difference.

Nolan Higdon Videos

  • Nolan Higdon Speaker Reel
    Meet Nolan Higdon
  • Nolan Higdon & Mickey Huff - Lifestyle with Roy Ice Podcast
    How is the Media Making You Fight?

Nolan Higdon Books

  • Surveillance Education: Navigating the Conspicuous Absence of Privacy in Schools (Critical Interventions)
    Surveillance Education: Navigating the Conspicuous Absence of Privacy in Schools (Critical Interventions)
  • Let’s Agree to Disagree: A Critical Thinking Guide to Communication, Conflict Management, and Critical Media Literacy
    Let’s Agree to Disagree: A Critical Thinking Guide to Communication, Conflict Management, and Critical Media Literacy
  • The Media and Me: A Guide to Critical Media Literacy for Young People
    The Media and Me: A Guide to Critical Media Literacy for Young People
  • The Podcaster's Dilemma: Decolonizing Podcasters in the Era of Surveillance Capitalism
    The Podcaster's Dilemma: Decolonizing Podcasters in the Era of Surveillance Capitalism
  • The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education
    The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education
  • United States of Distraction: Media Manipulation in Post-Truth America (And What We Can Do About It) (City Lights Open Media)
    United States of Distraction: Media Manipulation in Post-Truth America (And What We Can Do About It) (City Lights Open Media)

FAQs on booking Nolan Higdon

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  • What topics does Nolan Higdon speak about?

    Nolan Higdon is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Artificial Intelligence, Authors, Education, History, Host & Emcee, Leadership, News & Media, Podcast Hosts, Professors.
  • Where does Nolan Higdon travel from?

    Nolan Higdon generally travels from San Francisco, CA, 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.
  • Who is Nolan Higdon’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Nolan Higdon for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Nolan Higdon for your next private or corporate function.
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Nolan Higdon is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The Roots and Realities of Fake News: What You Can Do About Disinformation, Let’s Agree to Disagree: How to Talk to People Who Don’t Agree With You, Surveillance Schooling: How Ed-Tech Is Changing Education—And What You Can Do About It and We Blew It with the Internet. Let’s Not Repeat the Mistake with AI. The estimated speaking fee range to book Nolan Higdon for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Nolan Higdon generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Renee Hobbs, John Sanei, Paul Redmond, Sharon Delaney McCloud and Alex Salkever. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Nolan Higdon for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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