Real talk.  Real advice.  Real results.

Harlan Cohen is a New York Times bestselling author and creator of The Naked Roommate series. His books have over 1 million copies in print, he has more than 1.7 million followers across social media, and he has spoken at over 500 colleges. Harlan not only teaches audiences how to take risks and step outside of their comfort zones—he leads by example.

Known for delivering heartfelt and impactful presentations that blend humor with actionable advice, Harlan’s unique ability to normalize fear, embrace discomfort, and reframe rejection has made him a favorite among audiences of all ages. His real-life applications of risk-taking and growth mindset create broad appeal across diverse groups—from middle school students to corporate leaders.

Whether he’s speaking about college life, resilience, relationships, parenting, career planning, or mental health, Harlan gives audiences permission to be imperfect while providing them with practical tools to get from where they are to where they want to go.

Speaker Topics:

Dream It, Believe It, Make It Happen

What do you really want and how do you get there? New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen helps students, educators, and professionals breakthrough fear, build resilience, and take action. Using humor, interaction, and his five-step approach, Harlan empowers participants to define their goals, believe in their potential, and master the skills needed to succeed. Through engaging exercises and real-world tools, attendees learn to embrace discomfort, increase grit, and emerge as confident leaders. Harlan’s framework delivers lasting impact, transforming anxiety into opportunity and giving audiences a clear path from where they are to where they want to be.

Win or Learn: Training for the Sport of Taking Risks

What if you could take risks without fear of failure? New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen empowers leaders to redefine success using his proven 5-step approach. In this high-energy, interactive event, attendees set bold goals, identify barriers, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles with confidence. Through humor, research, and powerful exercises, Harlan challenges participants to step outside their comfort zones and embrace a WIN or LEARN mindset. The result: lasting change, increased resilience, and a renewed drive to thrive personally and professionally.

The Naked Roommate: College Readiness and Transition Events

For a lot of students and families, college success is about getting in. For Harlan, it’s about what happens once you’re there. The transition to college is emotional and intense, involving friendships, time management, independence, and self-care. New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen helps students and parents prepare for this critical phase with facts, strategies, and honest conversations. Drawing from The Naked Roommate series, Harlan equips audiences with tools to navigate the social, emotional, and academic challenges ahead. His engaging events offer real-world advice and proven strategies to ease anxiety, build confidence, and make the transition to college not just manageable—but empowering.

Happy, Healthy, Almost Stress-Free College Planning for Parents

Does college planning make you feel excited and hopeful? Or anxious and overwhelmed? Most families identify with the latter. In Happy, Healthy, Almost Stress-Free College Planning, New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen shifts the focus from being wanted by colleges to finding what you want. Through his step-by-step approach, Harlan helps students and parents take command of the process, reduce stress, and make empowered choices. He introduces the five key transitions students face in college and offers a holistic framework that saves time, energy, and money. With humor, heart, and practical tools, Harlan transforms college planning into a positive, student-centered experience that builds confidence and clarity.