If you’re seeking a speaker who can captivate an audience with storytelling and deliver practical life lessons, Janet Zappala is the perfect choice. Janet is an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist turned motivational speaker and wellness advocate whose career spans decades of compelling storytelling and public service. With six Emmy Awards (and 14 nominations) to her name, along with a Golden Mike and an Associated Press award, Janet has earned a sterling reputation for integrity and excellence in journalism. Now, she brings that same credibility and heartfelt approach to the speaking stage, inspiring audiences to overcome adversity, live healthier lives, and harness the power of their personal stories.
In addition to being a veteran TV news anchor, Janet is also an award-winning author – a two-time Children’s Book of the Year honoree – and a certified nutritionist. This unique blend of media experience and wellness expertise means she can engage audiences on topics from resilience and leadership to health and work-life balance. Whether delivering the evening news or a keynote address, Janet’s approach is the same: real, relatable, and uplifting. She has a warm, authentic style that immediately puts people at ease, even as she challenges them to think differently. When life throws curveballs, Janet believes we need more than just motivation – we need a mindset shift. And that’s exactly what she provides in her talks: “No fluff. No ego. Just real-world wisdom and lasting impact.”
Background & Expertise
Janet Zappala’s background is rich with accomplishments that lend her exceptional credibility as a speaker. She spent over 30 years in the media as a television news anchor and reporter, becoming a trusted voice in major markets across the country. Audiences may recognize her from network affiliates on NBC, ABC, and other stations where she delivered the news with clarity and compassion. Janet’s dedication to truthful, impactful reporting earned her not only multiple Emmys, but also deep respect from viewers and colleagues alike.
Beyond the newsroom, Janet expanded her influence into the realm of health and wellness. She became a Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC), merging her communication skills with her passion for healthy living. She founded “Your Health Matters Media,” an initiative focused on wellness education and lifestyle awareness across TV, radio, and digital platforms. As a health and lifestyle correspondent on programs for NBC and other outlets, Janet has helped educate and inspire thousands with practical advice on eating well, reducing stress, and living with vitality. This rare combination of journalism and nutrition expertise allows her to speak authoritatively on wellness topics with the credibility of someone who has both reported on it and practiced it.
Janet is also a published author several times over. She authored My Italian Kitchen, a cookbook that reflects her commitment to healthy, delicious living. In the world of children’s literature, she has written a charming series of children’s books that teach valuable life lessons through heartwarming stories. Her contributions in this field have been widely recognized: in 2025 Janet was named Children’s Author of the Year and Empowered Woman of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals. Her books, such as Guapo’s Great Rescue and Guapo’s Giant Heart, have won prestigious awards including the 2024 Publisher’s Choice Book Award, a 2024 Family Choice Award, and a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in 2022. These honors speak to Janet’s talent for communicating with audiences of all ages – from boardrooms to classrooms.
In short, Janet Zappala is a multi-faceted expert: an Emmy-winning journalist who understands how to craft and deliver a story, a wellness guru who helps people live better, and an acclaimed author who knows how to engage hearts and minds. This breadth of experience shines through in her speaking engagements, making her equally effective as a keynote speaker, workshop leader, or even Master of Ceremonies (another role she’s often asked to fill).
Inspiring Speaking Topics
Janet’s speaking topics reflect the breadth of her expertise – spanning resilience, wellness, and the art of storytelling. She has a range of programs that can be tailored to your audience, whether they are corporate professionals, community groups, women’s conferences, or wellness retreats. Some of Janet Zappala’s most compelling speaking topics include:
“Bounce Back: Turning Life’s Setbacks into Powerful Comebacks”
We all face setbacks in life – but it’s how we respond to them that defines our future. In this uplifting keynote, Janet shares tools and insights to help audiences build emotional resilience and transform obstacles into opportunities. Drawing from her Emmy-winning journalism career (where adaptability and perseverance are key) and her own personal reinventions, Janet illustrates how to move from breakdown to breakthrough without losing hope. She introduces the “bounce-back mindset,” teaching attendees how to reframe failure as feedback, cultivate a growth mindset under pressure, and develop daily habits that fortify their confidence. The takeaway? A practical blueprint for anyone looking to emerge stronger from life’s challenges. Janet’s real-life stories of overcoming career and personal hurdles resonate deeply, leaving listeners ready to face their next challenge with newfound courage.
“Feel Good, Live Well: Wellness That Works in the Real World”
In this energizing talk, Janet cuts through the noise of fad diets and trendy health hacks to offer practical, science-backed wellness strategies that busy people can actually use. As a certified nutritionist and media personality, Janet combines her health expertise with engaging storytelling to teach audiences how small changes can yield big results in well-being. She covers how factors like food, sleep, and mindset directly impact our performance at work and home. Forget one-size-fits-all advice – Janet provides realistic tips for eating smarter, stressing less, and boosting energy that fit into any lifestyle. Audiences learn simple shifts to improve their mood and focus immediately, a realistic approach to “clean eating” on the go, and why prioritizing self-care is actually a superpower in one’s career. By the end of this talk, attendees are not only inspired to take better care of themselves, but also equipped with an actionable plan to do so. Janet’s warm delivery and relatable examples make everyone believe that feeling good and living well is within reach.
“The Power of Story: Finding Your Voice, Sharing Your Truth”
Great leaders and brands have one thing in common: they know how to tell a compelling story. In this inspiring session, Janet draws on her decades in journalism and authorship to demonstrate how finding and sharing your authentic story can elevate your impact as a leader. Whether you’re leading a team, pitching a product, or writing your next chapter in life – your story matters, and Janet shows you how to own it. She teaches audiences how to turn personal experiences into meaningful messages and how to communicate with authenticity and confidence in any setting. Using a simple storytelling framework that she developed from years of reporting, Janet helps participants discover their unique voice and narrative. Key takeaways include techniques to speak with more influence – whether on stage, in a meeting, or one-on-one – and understanding why “your voice is your power” in leadership. Attendees leave inspired to share their stories in a way that connects and motivates others, which is invaluable for team leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike. Janet often peppers this talk with anecdotes from her own journey – such as memorable moments from the news desk or heartfelt lessons from writing her books – to illustrate the transformative power of storytelling.
(Janet often emphasizes a personal motto throughout her talks: “You need to want it badly enough to get to the YES!” This catchphrase, born of her own life experience, reminds audiences that perseverance and passion are key to achieving their goals. It’s a theme that underpins all of Janet’s topics, whether she’s discussing bouncing back from setbacks or pushing for that next level of success.)
Career Highlights & Credentials
Janet Zappala’s illustrious career and contributions have earned her numerous accolades. Here are some highlights that demonstrate her credibility and impact:
- Six-Time Emmy Award Winner: Janet has won six Emmy Awards (with 14 nominations) for excellence in broadcast journalism. These honors underscore her exceptional skill in reporting and storytelling on television. She has also received a Golden Mike Award and a First Place Award from the Associated Press, further testament to her top-tier journalism talent.
- Acclaimed Author: In 2025, Janet was named Children’s Author of the Year and Empowered Woman of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals, recognizing her achievements in literature and her influence as a role model. Her children’s books have garnered national awards, including the 2024 Publisher’s Choice Book Award and Family Choice Award for Guapo’s Great Rescue, and a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in 2022 for Guapo’s Giant Heart. She’s also the author of My Italian Kitchen, blending her love of storytelling with healthy living.
- Veteran Broadcaster (30+ Years): Janet has over three decades of experience in television news across major networks and stations. She has served as a trusted news anchor and reporter in multiple cities, known for delivering news with clarity, warmth, and integrity. This extensive media background means she’s comfortable and engaging in front of any audience.
- Certified Health & Wellness Expert: Achieving her certification as a Nutritional Consultant (CNC), Janet combines her media savvy with health expertise. She founded Your Health Matters Media to promote wellness education across broadcast and digital channels, and she has been a featured health contributor on programs for networks like NBC and ABC. When Janet speaks on wellness, she does so with the authority of both a journalist and a health professional.
- Community and Industry Leader: Outside of her on-air and writing achievements, Janet has been involved in various community initiatives. She often participates in women’s leadership conferences and literacy programs, reflecting her passion for empowering others. (As noted, she is available for roles such as Master of Ceremonies and Executive Presence coaching, indicating her versatility on stage.)
These credentials position Janet as an incredibly credible and well-rounded speaker. Audiences immediately recognize that they are in the hands of an expert who has done it all – reported the big stories, written the impactful books, and led by example in living a healthy, purpose-driven life.
Why Book Janet Zappala?
Bringing Janet Zappala to your event means giving your audience the gift of “real talk, real results, and a whole lot of heart.” Janet is a consummate professional who also knows how to connect on a deeply human level. Event planners consistently praise her ability to tailor her message to the audience – whether it’s a room full of executives, a healthcare convention, educators, or a general audience, Janet finds the sweet spot that resonates with everyone.
What value does Janet deliver to your audience? First, inspiration: Her personal stories of career pivots, health journeys, and overcoming self-doubt inspire listeners to tackle their own challenges with renewed determination. She doesn’t shy away from discussing failures or tough lessons; in fact, she uses them to show how growth happens. As she often says, when you face setbacks head-on and “reframe obstacles as opportunities,” you come back stronger, with clarity and purpose. Audiences leave feeling uplifted and hopeful, believing that if Janet could do it, they can too.
Second, practical strategies: Janet’s talks are rich with actionable advice. Whether she’s sharing wellness tips that can be implemented the next day, steps for developing a resilient mindset, or techniques for effective storytelling, attendees gain knowledge they can immediately put into practice. She has a knack for breaking down big concepts (like emotional resilience or personal branding) into clear, manageable steps. This means your audience doesn’t just feel good after her keynote – they have a plan to make their lives or workplaces better.
Third, engagement: With her background in TV, Janet is a polished and engaging presenter. She knows how to hook an audience from the first moment and keep their attention throughout. She uses vivid anecdotes, a touch of humor, and even interactive moments when appropriate. And importantly, she projects genuine warmth. People often comment that listening to Janet feels like being guided by a wise friend or mentor. This rapport leads to high audience satisfaction and strong positive feedback for your event.
By booking Janet, you also get a speaker who is versatile. Need an emcee to keep your program flowing? Janet’s got the live TV experience to handle it with ease. Want a breakout session on media training or wellness? She can do that too. Her willingness to engage with attendees (book signings, Q&A sessions, etc.) adds extra value to the overall event experience.
To sum it up, Janet Zappala delivers an unbeatable combination of credibility, content, and connection. She will educate your audience with her expertise, uplift them with her personal stories, and motivate them with her clear call-to-action for positive change in their lives. As one event organizer put it, “Janet Zappala delivers just that [mindset shift]… No fluff. No ego. Just real-world wisdom and lasting impact.” With Janet on stage, you can be confident that your audience will be talking about her presentation long after the event concludes.
Don’t miss the chance to have an Emmy-winning storyteller and wellness champion at your event. Contact Talent Concierge Artists Agency today to book Janet Zappala for your next conference, retreat, or seminar. Give your audience the opportunity to learn from her wealth of experience and to be inspired by her heartfelt message. With Janet, you’re not just hiring a speaker – you’re inviting an unforgettable experience of real insight and real inspiration that will empower your audience to “bounce back stronger” and pursue their goals with passion and purpose.
