Ben Merens Email & Phone Number

Milwaukee, Wi

My charge is to present on a variety of consumer protection topics including Scams, Identity Theft, and Landlord Tenant Rights issues. Our programs run about 45 minutes, are virtual or in person, utilize a PowerPoint, and come to our hosts free of charge. My territory includes all of SE Wisconsin. We are able to present anywhere in the state however. I am especially seeking often overlooked and/or underserved audiences -- but I'll present to anyone, anywhere, (practically) anytime. :)

Virtual (I'M Based In Milwaukee)

Do you find yourself thinking back to meetings/job interviews and wishing you said things differently?Are your Improv Speech skills in need of a "tune-up?"As a veteran broadcaster and public speaker, I want to share my Improv Speech skills with you?Imagine being given topics and delivering cogent, focused and interesting off-the-cuff 2-3 minute talks. You can do this and I can show you how. We can get started this week. Please contact me if I can help you become a better improv speaker.

Greater Milwaukee Area

My storytelling work has helped bring success to: BloodCenter of Wisconsin (Versiti); Gift of Hope (Chicago); Ronald McDonald House Charities of SE Wisconsin; The Holocaust Education Resource Center of Milwaukee (HERC).

National

In my public speeches and in consulting work, I train people in select interpersonal and intra-personal techniques tied to corporate storytelling and focused listening. I have spoken for the last seven years professionally to business, financial, academic, entrepreneurial, health care, non-profit and religious,and specialized professional groups.Specifically, I can help your firm launch or refashion existing communications vehicles such as:1. Podcasts2. Webinars3. Speech coaching4. Writing and Editing of Press Releases5. Content Management Strategies6. Content Management Alignment and Consultation7. Storytelling Branding8. Media Placement and Consulting9. Press Tours and Media Campaigns10. Radio and Television Interview Coaching11. Multi-media advertising12. Industry-Specific Research13. Marketing Research14. Town Hall, Forum and Roundtable Moderating15. Listening and Interview Coaching16. Conflict Management CommunicationsCurrent Audio Book Titles*People Are Dying To Be Heard*Uni-Tasking: 25 Tips for Better LIstening

Greater Milwaukee Area

As a listening specialist, I provide one-on-one sessions to people seeking undivided, non-judgmental attention.

Greater Milwaukee Area

I am a veteran voice over artist. My strength is a clean, non-accented, narration read.

Greater Milwaukee Area

Our firm can prepare a customized and detailed audit of any company’s current communications vehicles. This audit would entail access to marketing, sales, customer support, social and traditional media staffs and materials both in and out-of-house.Additional audits to review management, vendors, human resources and proposal/grant documentation also could be performed under separate contracts, if requested. What Can My Firm Expect In A Communications Audit?A communications audit works in much the same manner as a financial audit. A firm’s traditional and new media vehicles are examine thoroughly to determine where discrepancies, redundancies, or unclear results have occurred, and how remedies might be made in the most cost-effective fashion. A communications audit focuses on the content messages being put forth on a variety of communications platforms and who is delivering those messages for the firm, both as internal and external parties. The firm can then provide senior staff with a clear understanding of what approaches are working and what approaches are not as effective in company-wide communications.In a communications audit, select or comprehensive company documentation (outside of a firm’s proprietary information), shall be reviewed for:ClarityConsistency of MessageTestability/Integrity of Message Alignment With Other Company Messages in Substance and Style

Milwaukee, Wi

Five years ago, I conceived of the "In Their Honor" holocaust survivor series interview program. Four times a year, we gather 100 people to watch a live, hour-long interview with a holocaust survivor. I am honored to hold this role.

Greater Milwaukee Area

For corporate events and private parties, I listen to a person's story and immediately turn it into song...complete with lyrics. I've been featured on Fox News'​ "Studio A"​ (see below). I've been working at Pop More Corks in Lake Geneva on a monthly basis for four years. Stop by and I'll write you a song. I play on the first Saturday of every month (Show starts around 5:30).

Greater Milwaukee Area

I am available for corporate training videos as an on-camera talent or off-camera narrator. I also am a professional hand model.

Wauwatosa, Wi

Teaching a graduate level seminar about the basic and advanced elements of oral storytelling. Helping students find their voice. Letting students know that their voices count and their stories matter.

Greater Milwaukee Area

To continue my 21-year talk show hosting career at Wisconsin Public Radio, I created, produce and host "Just Talking" every Saturday afternoon at 5pm (Central Time). The program is a collection of stories, live music and interviews. In the tradition of Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion," I entertain and inform my audience.

Milwaukee, Wi

I helped covid-positive clients navigate the health system and chronicle their covid journey. I maintained detailed health records with the state's healthcare data base system. I stayed abreast of the latest covid research and treatments. Most importantly, I gave my clients a lifeline to the healthcare system so that they did not feel as if they were coping with covid alone.

Milwaukee, Wi

As BRI's chief storyteller, I shared the reasons behind our financial and blood donors' decisions to give. Additionally, I gathered stories about why our world-renowned researchers and doctors have dedicated their lives to curing diseases of the blood including leukemia and MS.

Greater Milwaukee Area

Served a two-year term as President of the largest Jewish congregation in Wisconsin and now carry the title of "Immediate Past President." I helped manage all aspects of the congregation's lay leadership, and led the Board of Directors. My term as President ran from July 2016 to June 2018. Prior to this position, I served the congregation as a board member and on the Executive Board as a Vice-President. Additionally, I am a tenor in the congregation's choir and play on the congregation's championship softball team.

Milwaukee, Wi

I appeared on the FOX6 Morning News to discuss "Gaining Confidence in Conflict" tips.

Milwaukee, Wi

I oversaw all content marketing for Vistelar, a conflict management training firm and its marketing arm, Business XLerator. Vistelar trains people in conflict resolution strategies using Verbal Defense and Influence. I also helped firms promote their brands via a customized content dissemination software program called Content XLerator. Additionally, I ran Podcast Network International (PNI), a global network for professionally-hosted and produced talk programs.

Greater Milwaukee Area

Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa & Illinois

At Wisconsin Public Radio, I hosted “At Issue” - a current events, daily call-in program for eight years. Upon departing in Spring 2013, I had the network's highest listener and loyalty ratings. I served as the network's election night anchor and political and breaking news coverage host. In my two decades at WPR, I developed and maintained relationships with guests across the nation and hosted a variety of programs. My off-air work focused on outreach and promotion. I joined the network in 1991 to create, produce and host the nightly business program, "Everybody's Business."​Some of the awards I received for my broadcasting work include:1986 Associated Press news Award recipientMedia Achievement Award, Center for the Study of Bio-Ethics - Medical College of Wisconsin 19992004 UWEX Academic Staff Council Award for ExcellencePopulation Institute Global Media Award 2007Alzheimer's Association of Wisconsin Special Service Award 2012

Mequon, Wi

I taught media ethics and other media related courses as an adjunct instructor.

Fox Point,Wi

Taught basic elements of business writing communications

Chicago, Il

Taught Media Ethics and News Reporting courses.

Hempstead,Ny

Taught media ethics, news reporting and feature reporting

Masters From The Medill School Of Journalism, Print Journalism

Public Relations, Journalism

Journalism

High School, R, R, R

Education record