Digital Journalist & Media Innovator; Creator of @underthedesknews; Host of "V Interesting" Podcast; Webby Special Achievement Award Winner
V Spehar Biography
V Spehar, known online as @underthedesknews, is a digital journalist, podcaster, and content creator recognized for independent news coverage and digital media innovation. Spehar has built a following of more than 4.7 million by delivering current events through accessible, short-form video journalism and podcasting.
Before entering journalism, Spehar spent 15 years in the food and beverage industry, including serving as director of impact for the James Beard Foundation in New York City. This background in storytelling, civic engagement, and community-building informed a transition into media, shaping a career focused on redefining how audiences consume news.
Spehar is the host and creator of @underthedesknews on TikTok, specializing in brief, informative recaps of notable headlines. The channel was launched to make news media less intimidating and more understandable. During the January 6 insurrection, Spehar created a short video addressed to then-Vice President Mike Pence while lying under a desk, which gained significant attention and established a signature reporting style. This approach has cultivated a dedicated community known as the "Dust Bunnies."
Spehar's original reporting has included one-on-one interviews with Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Secretary Antony Blinken, as well as several members of Congress. Spehar has covered the Democratic National Convention as an official digital streamer and the Paris Olympics in partnership with TikTok, and has contributed as a field correspondent and host for Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and NBC News. Spehar has also participated in White House briefings on the Inflation Reduction Act and voter turnout for the midterm elections, collaborating with Barack Obama and other digital creators to encourage civic participation.
Spehar produces the weekly podcast "V Interesting" with Lemonada Media, expanding their news coverage to audio platforms. The show has maintained a steady position among the top 25 news podcasts, and Spehar's Substack newsletter has attracted more than 73,000 subscribers. Spehar received the Webby Special Achievement Award for Under the Desk News, an honor from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences recognizing innovative, concise reporting that increases access to news through short-form video. Spehar was also a finalist for a GLAAD Media Award, highlighting contributions to LGBTQ+ representation in independent journalism and podcasting, and was included on TIME magazine's TIME100 Creators list, which recognizes influential digital content makers.
In addition to reporting, Spehar is a public speaker on topics including the evolving media landscape, authenticity, and resilience. Spehar discusses their experience navigating dyslexia and overcoming learning insecurity, emphasizing the importance of resilience, seeking support, and maintaining a student mentality in achieving success. Spehar has been named a MediaWise Ambassador by the Poynter Institute and a RISE25 ambassador for digital excellence. Whether speaking at universities, appearing on PBS, or advocating for the future of digital journalism, Spehar supports the idea that credible, accessible news can originate from any platform.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on V Spehar and other top speakers and celebrities.
V Spehar Speaking Topics
-
Sound It Out
A story of navigating dyslexia, and overcoming learning insecurity. In this keynote V takes the audience through their journey with Dyslexia, and how they overcame their disability to become one of social media’s most trusted communicators. This story speaks to the power of resilience, asking for help, and leveraging a student mentality to achieve success later in life.
-
After The Rainbow
A story of coming out, and what comes next. In this keynote, V takes the audience through their journey of navigating queerness, and building community with unexpected allies. This story speaks to the power of resilience, finding your authentic self, and making space for kindness and optimism.
V Spehar Videos
-
How do I book V Spehar to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like V Spehar for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for V Spehar, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for V Spehar or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for V Spehar
Speaking fees for V Spehar, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book V Spehar are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire V Spehar, 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 V Spehar speak about?
V Spehar is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Belonging, Civil Rights, College, Disability, Disruptive Thinking, Diversity & Inclusion, Education, Journalist, Leadership, LGBTQ, Modern Media, Neurodiversity, News & Media, Social Activism, Social Justice, Social Media, Thought Leadership -
Where does V Spehar travel from?
V Spehar generally travels from Rochester, NY, 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 V Spehar’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like V Spehar 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 V Spehar for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host V Spehar or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
V Spehar is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Sound It Out and After The Rainbow. The estimated speaking fee range to book V Spehar for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. V Spehar generally travels from Rochester, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jonathan Mooney, Ann Bancroft, Damian Pelliccione, Chaz Bono and Montel Williams. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling V Spehar for an upcoming live or virtual event.
This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.








