“I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.”
― E.B. White
karli johnson M.S.Ed is a nationwide speaker, educator, advocate
and probably the world’s best party starter.
As a trained professional on power-based violence prevention, sex education, mental health advocacy, and empowerment, Karli not only "knows her stuff," she’s lived it. As a survivor of trauma and violence, Karli has lived experiences that resonate with children, teens, and adults throughout the country.
While these topics are hard to discuss, Karli uses her upbeat personality to offer a unique and approachable method to these taboo issues:
rape & sexual violence, dating & domestic violence, bullying & harassment, mental illness, imposter syndrome, white privilege, consent communication, etc.
With a focus on young adults and professionals, Karli uses humor and storytelling, as seen in her TEDx TALK, “I Pooped My Pants,” along with audience participation to engage crowds with these challenging topics.
Based out of the Chicagoland area, through her business, Stories Speak Education, Karli highlights the topics parents, teachers and bosses don't like to talk about.
her mission is simple:
prevent the bad.
empower the good.
what people are saying.
“It was truly inspiring and I was floored as I watched her capture the attention of our young adult scholars, even watching some hug her at the end was incredible. You’re truly something special Karli and I appreciate what you gave our kids today!”
— Nikki Lawler
Teacher, LEARN South Chicago Campus
“Best presentation on the subject I’ve ever witnessed. Excellent knowledge of the subject. Real life experiences with victims personalized the presentation for the audience. Obvious passion for preventing and supporting victims. Thank you!”
— US Coast Guard Member
Willowbrook, IL
“Thank you for being a beacon of light and hope, being a well of knowledge, a reservoir of love and empathy, a warrior, and so much more! Thank you for educating the people at large, and me in the process. Thank you for opening your world and letting us in. Thank you for being you, Karli. You are a gem of this world, and this world is all the better for having you in it!”
— Nate Dennis
Advocate
international prevention
educator & speaker.
Karli has been a successful leader in violence prevention and promotion for over eight years. When there’s not a pandemic, she travels the country educating children, teens, and adults on the importance of violence awareness and prevention. With a focus on adolescents, Karli's unique approach emphasizes personal connection with her listeners through stories, humor, discussions, audience participation, and action plans.
Karli shares her personal tragedies and triumphs, as well as violence prevention education methods. Based out of the Chicagoland region, she has presented to military groups, businesses, worldwide corporations, local organizations, and thousands of students across the country, from elementary school to college.
Diagnosed with ADHD, Depression, and PTSD, Karli advocates for mental health care access as a trained youth mental health first aid provider. She believes openly talking about mental health illness, just like a broken foot or cold, can help break down stigmas.
As a youth speaker and female empowerment mentor, Karli works with youth groups such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girls on the Run, sports teams, church groups, school groups, and non-profit organizations.
farm worker. florist. tailor. event planner. nanny. telemarketer. movie extra. mascot. account executive. ambassador.
Karli’s career as a successful speaker didn't happen overnight. She’s worked a variety of jobs, starting at the age of thirteen. From her first job on an asparagus farm to working with million-dollar marketing clients. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from Northern Illinois University, Karli worked as an Account Executive for an advertising and marketing firm near Chicago. After working on a project that required hundreds of dollars to Photoshop models, Karli knew the advertising field wasn't for her. After years of involvement in the Women's Rights Alliance club in college, Karli looked for a career and position where she could empower women, instead of Photoshop them.
For nearly three years, Karli worked at Illinois's largest rape crisis center as a Prevention Educator and Victim Advocate. She presented bullying, stranger danger, dating violence, and sexual violence prevention programs to thousands of students, simultaneously working with sexual assault victims in hospitals and hotlines.
Presentation after presentation, Karli started to realize that students wanted to hear from real-life victims and survivors. Karli decided in order to make the biggest impact, students needed to hear these facts from someone who experienced it. In March of 2015, Karli left her full-time role as a rape-crisis educator and advocate to start her own business.
training.
40-HOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING
40-HOUR SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING
20-HOUR PARTNER ABUSE FACILITATOR TRAINING
GREEN DOT BYSTANDER INTERVENTION INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID CERTIFICATION
education.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION
WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
LAW AND WOMEN GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION
MEDIA STUDIES EMPHASIS, ART MINOR
national speaking.
KODIAK, ALASKA. NEW YORK CITY. LAS VEGAS. CHICAGO. PORTLAND. SAN DIEGO. AUSTIN. FRESNO. MIAMI. LOS ANGELES. DETROIT. SAN ANTONIO. SACRAMENTO. PHOENIX. TAMPA. & MORE!
chat with me.
Whether you’re looking for a speaker, educator, communication coach , or another social justice friend, let’s chat!
Let’s start with a free 30 minute call full of discovery, advice, laughter and connection.
Hello, World!