Keynote speaker · Marine Corps combat veteran · Founder · Author
The pain happened.What it becomes is still up to you.
Kenny Bass speaks about combat, trauma, service, leadership, invisible disability, purpose, and the decision to build something from experiences no one would choose.
Keynotes, leadership events, veteran and military programs, schools, universities, associations, and community conversations.
Media credibility
Featured through TODAY, Fox & Friends, The T.D. Jakes Show, PBS, CBS Los Angeles/KCAL9, Hallmark, HISTORY, and Variety, and in the documentaries Searching for Home: Coming Back From War and From War to Wisdom.
Featured keynote
If Not for the Blast
A candid, self-aware account of war, the long return home, Atlas, the founding of a mission, and the unfinished work of deciding what pain will become.
Core themes
- Combat and the hidden continuation of war after deployment.
- The difference between surviving and becoming whole.
- Atlas as a service dog, lifeline, and catalyst for renewed responsibility.
- The creation of The Battle Buddy Foundation.
- Purpose without pretending pain was a gift.
- Starting meaningful work before certainty.
- The continuing choice to build rather than remain chained to the past.
The talk offers a more precise understanding of resilience: not denial, forced optimism, or a polished ending, but the repeated decision to keep participating in life and to determine what suffering will be allowed to become.
One flagship keynote. Three adaptable directions.
Starting Before You Know What You’re Doing
A talk about action before certainty, drawing from the creation of TBBF, writing the memoir, drawing Atlas, rediscovering the Iraq photographs, and learning by beginning.
Best fit: Leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, education, nonprofit, and creative audiences.
Service Dogs, Invisible Disability, and Independence
A practical, humane explanation of task-trained service dogs, invisible disability, public access, nervous-system regulation, independence, and the differences among service dogs, emotional-support animals, therapy dogs, and pets.
Best fit: Schools, universities, businesses, public-facing organizations, veteran groups, and accessibility programming.
Leadership After the Plan Falls Apart
A talk about responsibility, adaptation, service, team trust, and decision-making when the expected path disappears.
Best fit: Corporate teams, associations, public-safety audiences, nonprofit leaders, and organizations navigating change.
Built for serious conversations with real people.
Kenny’s talks can be adapted to the room without being stripped of their honesty. The goal is not to deliver a generic speech under a different event logo. It is to understand what the audience is carrying, what the organizer needs the event to accomplish, and where Kenny’s experience can be genuinely useful.
Corporate and associations
Leadership, uncertainty, responsibility, service, purpose, invisible disability, workplace understanding, and mission-driven culture.
Veteran and military
Combat experience, transition, family impact, service dogs, purpose after service, invisible wounds, and the long return home.
Schools and universities
Age-appropriate service-dog education, empathy, respect, leadership, resilience, working-dog distinctions, and starting before certainty.
Public safety, civic, nonprofit, and community
Trauma, service, mission-building, accessibility, veteran mental health, public responsibility, and community support.
Selected speaking and public engagement experience
Kenny has spoken to corporate, civic, veteran, military, educational, professional-association, service-dog, and community audiences.
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation Veterans Day keynote
- Annual Wiregrass Memorial Day Ceremony keynote
- Southeastern Michigan veterinary-association presidential installation keynote
- Service Dog Education and Awareness Conference programming
- Cincinnati Film Festival screening and post-film Q&A
- Centerville High School Veterans Day programming
- Documentary screenings and public conversations connected to Searching for Home: Coming Back From War
Beyond these selected appearances, Kenny has spent years speaking on behalf of The Battle Buddy Foundation at fundraising, veteran, school, community, and public events—addressing audiences ranging from intimate rooms to large public gatherings.
Kenny and Atlas onstage at the American Humane Hero Dog Awards. 
Kenny speaking at a formal veterans event with Atlas beside the podium. 
Kenny and Atlas during a Battle Buddy community event. 
Kenny and Atlas addressing a school audience.
In Kenny’s own words
Before asking an audience to listen, let them hear Kenny directly. This short interview excerpt shows the voice and lived experience behind the talks.
Kenny in His Own Words
A short interview excerpt; not a live keynote sample. 59 seconds.
Content note: brief discussion of suicide.
Open the video file directly if your browser cannot play it here.
Read transcript
You know, I spent almost a decade, you know, on the edge of suicide. You know, I almost became one of those 22 a day that take their own lives.
As I started to see the different options that were out there, you know, it was anything from $10,000 to $60,000, to a two- or three-year wait. And for me at the time, I didn't know if I'd make it a couple months, let alone a couple of years. You know, it became painfully obvious that it was an extremely difficult process.
And when I was able to find a little piece of hope — that happened to be my service dog — to come in and be there 24/7, to be that level of support that I needed to make it through, I knew that other veterans needed that as well.
Having my battle buddy, my service dog Atlas, at my side gave me the strength to move forward. I feel like if we're able to give other veterans that hope to keep moving forward, it's just going to be natural that they're going to carry it on. You know, I mean, that sort of thing grows exponentially. I mean, if you want to have a real impact in the world, it starts with you.
Additional documentary context
Searching for Home excerpt
PBS SoCal hosts an excerpt in which Kenny discusses Iraq and the path toward creating The Battle Buddy Foundation.
From War to Wisdom
A documentary excerpt, not a live speaking sample. Kenny appears in the film’s official online clip about Marines seeking purpose after war.
Watch the official YouTube clip (opens in a new tab)
Provider-hosted official player. Downloading, re-editing, or rehosting requires written permission.
The story stays honest. The emphasis changes with the room.
Kenny does not deliver a manufactured version of resilience or pretend that every painful experience becomes a blessing. He works with organizers to understand the audience, event purpose, desired tone, available time, and subjects that require care. The central story remains truthful; the emphasis, examples, and practical application can be adjusted to fit the room.
Possible formats
- Keynote
- Featured conversation or moderated interview
- Panel participation
- Veteran or service-dog education program
- School or university program
- Documentary screening and discussion
- Leadership or mission-focused workshop
- Virtual presentation
Formats are reviewed case by case for content fit, logistics, accessibility, travel, and preparation.
A clear path from inquiry to the room.
1. Send the event basics
Share the preferred date or range, location, audience, format, event goals, and budget status.
2. Review fit and availability
The booking team reviews fit, availability, travel, recording needs, accessibility, and customization requirements.
3. Confirm the proposal
A conversation confirms the talk, scope, audience, fee, expenses, deliverables, and event expectations.
4. Finalize the engagement
The agreement, payment terms, travel plan, technical requirements, and event contacts are finalized.
Submitting an inquiry does not confirm availability, hold a date, or create a booking.
Start a Speaking Inquiry
Tell us enough about the event to evaluate fit and respond meaningfully. An inquiry does not confirm availability or create a booking.
The booking team reviews each inquiry and responds as soon as practical.
What you submit is emailed to the shared inbox monitored by Kenny Bass and Chrissy Faulkner. Please do not include private attendee data or other sensitive records. See the privacy notice.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kenny customize his talks?
Yes. The central story remains truthful, while emphasis, examples, length, and practical application may be adjusted to the audience and event purpose.
What audiences are the best fit?
Corporate and association audiences, veteran and military organizations, schools and universities, public-safety groups, nonprofits, civic organizations, and community events may all be appropriate depending on the event’s goals.
Does Kenny speak at schools and universities?
Yes, when the program, age group, subject matter, schedule, accessibility needs, and event expectations are a good fit.
Does Kenny speak virtually?
Virtual presentations may be considered case by case based on format, audience, technical requirements, and content fit.
Can Atlas or Arlo attend?
Atlas is part of Kenny’s history and legacy. Arlo does not replace Atlas and should not be described as a service dog. Any animal-related event participation must be discussed and confirmed case by case.
Can the event record or livestream the presentation?
Recording, livestreaming, editing, redistribution, and commercial reuse require advance written agreement.
Are travel expenses included?
Travel, lodging, local transportation, accessibility, and related logistics are reviewed and confirmed as part of the proposal.
Can Kenny participate in a panel, interview, or documentary discussion?
Yes, when the subject, format, preparation requirements, schedule, and intended use are appropriate.
Does a submitted inquiry hold the date?
No. A date is not held or confirmed until availability, terms, and a written agreement are completed.
Are nonprofit or veteran-organization rates available?
Event scope, audience, travel, format, and budget are reviewed case by case.
Bring the story into the room.
For keynotes, leadership events, veteran and military programs, schools, universities, associations, public-safety audiences, documentary conversations, and community events, begin with a speaking inquiry.