Steve Quinlan
Speaker | Happiness Educator | Addictions Counsellor
Helping people rethink happiness, retrain their brain, and rebuild their lives, one practical step at a time.
When Everything Falls Apart… What Comes Next?
Within six months, Steve lost his wife.
Then his father.
Then his home was destroyed in a major fire.
Then the family dog, at Christmas.
After 20 years in a career he loved, he walked away with no plan, no direction, and no clear purpose.
What followed was an unexpected invitation to become an Addictions Counsellor, and a journey into understanding how the brain works, why we suffer, and what it actually takes to change a life.
Today, Steve speaks to organizations, leaders, educators, and communities about how to build a life that is not just functional but meaningful.
He teaches one core truth:
Simple and easy are not the same thing.
And when you understand how your brain actually works, change becomes possible.
Why Steve is a great choice for your event
His talks don’t just inspire.
They equip.
Makes neuroscience simple: explains how the brain works in practical, everyday language.
Challenges common myths about happiness: helping audiences rethink what actually creates wellbeing.
Combines lived experience with professional insight: real life, real lessons, real change.
Engaging and relatable delivery:thought-provoking, honest, and often unexpectedly funny.
Interactive and participatory sessions: audiences don’t just listen, they reflect and engage.
Practical tools people can use immediately: simple ideas that lead to meaningful life changes.
Signature Topics
1. Why Does the Brain Get Happiness Wrong, And What Even Is Happiness?
“Happiness” is a word we use constantly, yet few people can define it clearly. This talk explores why the brain often misleads us about what will make us happy, including the complicated role money plays in wellbeing. Through research, reflection, and active participation, audiences leave with practical, realistic tools to improve their mental wellbeing.
Organizations hosting wellness days, corporate teams, leadership groups, and communities seeking practical wellbeing tools. Best delivered as a two-hour interactive session.
- A clear understanding of what happiness means personally and practically.
- Realistic ways to build wellbeing using what you already have.
- Daily practices that strengthen mental health over time.
2. Why Am I So Hard on Myself?
Perfection promises excellence but often delivers disappointment. This talk explores how the brain stores stories about our past and quietly uses them to shape our future. Steve explains why self-kindness is not weakness, it is effectiveness. Attendees learn simple (not always easy) ways to make peace with their past and build a stronger future.
Individuals seeking personal growth, teams navigating change, and anyone feeling held back by old patterns or self-criticism.
- Why kindness toward yourself increases performance and resilience.
- How harsh self-judgment keeps unhelpful habits alive.
- Practical steps to rewrite the internal story shaping your life.
3. Alcohol, Happiness, and the Brain
After years as an Addictions Counsellor, Steve defines addiction simply: the brain has the wrong answer. People often believe their choices make sense until they learn how their brain has misled them. This talk reframes addiction not as failure, but as misdirected problem-solving.
Organizations, communities, or individuals wanting a compassionate, practical understanding of addiction, whether personally or professionally.
- People stop using substances by building a better life, not by force alone.
- Total abstinence is not the only pathway; thoughtful management can work.
- Caring and listening are more effective than labelling and confrontation.
4. A New Way of Looking at Mental Health
Mental health is widely discussed but often without practical direction. This talk addresses modern challenges: people-pleasing, panic, intrusive thoughts, and the hidden struggles many carry silently. Steve offers clear tools to manage thoughts, regulate emotions, and communicate mental well-being without stigma.
Corporate staff training, wellness initiatives, educational institutions, men’s mental health events, and community groups.
- Practical methods to manage negative thought patterns.
- How to talk about mental well-being so others listen without judgment.
- A grounded framework for building emotional resilience.
5. Avoid Burnout, Find Your Purpose
Many conversations about burnout focus on stress, workload, or work-life balance, but often miss the real issue. Burnout frequently happens when people can see a problem but feel powerless to solve it. In this talk, Steve explores how shifting the way we interpret our work can restore meaning and motivation. Through practical exercises and reflection, participants learn how to reconnect with purpose in the work they do today.
Organizations, teams, and professionals are experiencing fatigue, disengagement, or workplace pressure. This session can be tailored to specific industries or teams to help employees reconnect with the purpose behind their work.
- Why burnout often comes from feeling powerless rather than simply being overworked.
- Why money alone does not create lasting motivation or engagement at work.
- Practical ways to reconnect with purpose and find meaningful reasons to engage in the work you do today.
Speaking Format
Steve is available for:
Keynotes
Interactive Workshops
Corporate Training
Panel Discussions
Podcasts
Virtual or In-Person Sessions
Steve travels for speaking engagements.
What People Say…
“Congrats on a brilliant TEDx, Steve.You came across as a really decent, super smart, and effortlessly funny human being.”
— Matt Phelan, Co-Founder @ The Happiness Index
“I have had the privilege of working alongside Stephen, both in co-presenting on happiness and well-being and observing him engage larger audiences. His approach, rooted in compassion, curiosity, and empathy, leaves a profound impact on every listener. Having co-facilitated groups with him, I’ve seen firsthand how his intellect and humor serve as the pillars of his engagement style. I deeply admire his humility and his steadfast commitment to showing up for those around him. I would have no hesitation recommending Stephen to any organization or company looking to inspire and motivate their staff.”
— Harsimranjit Kaur Notra – MSW, RSW, BA CYC
“Steve delivered a truly engaging talk that was both authentic and heartfelt. What better of a topic than happiness. What stood out most was the genuine care and sincerity he brought to the message, which made it easy to connect with and reflect on. Steve reminds us that we create our happiness every day. He shared his ideas in a clear, approachable way that felt very human and grounded. It was a thoughtful presentation that stayed with me after it ended.”
— Britta Regan West,MA, RCC-ACS, CCC, TITC-CT/CFS
Past Speaking Engagements
Steve is available for:
Health Empowerment Podcast with Audriana Monteiro
British Columbia Association of Social Workers Panel
Teacher training workshops on increasing happiness at work
15+ years hosting large all-staff events for a major charity
Weekly in-person Happiness Management group
Co-host of 16-week Dialectical Behavioural Therapy courses
Facilitator of Action For Happiness course
Let’s Bring This Conversation To Your Audience
If you’re looking for a speaker who:
Brings depth without heaviness
Delivers insight without jargon
Encourages participation rather than passive listening
Leaves people with practical tools, not just inspiration
You are at the right place! Email Steve directly to book a call to discuss your event.
Stephen Quinlan, RSW
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(604) 897-7532
British Columbia, Canada
hello@happinessmanagement.ca