Keynotes · Military stand downs · Treatment centers · Conferences · Schools · Corporate events
Forrest Lang addresses childhood trauma, sexual abuse, foster care, addiction, recovery, suicide prevention, military service, and the process of rebuilding a life after trauma.
His presentations are grounded in lived experience and more than two decades of recovery, advocacy, mentorship, and service.
Forrest is a TEDx speaker at the University of the West of Scotland, has presented with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking, and serves as an instructor, speaker, and mentor with FOCUS Marines Foundation. He is also a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a hospital corpsman in Iraq.
Watch the TEDx talk
The Wound The World Refused To See
TEDxUWS · University of the West of Scotland, Paisley
In his TEDx talk, Forrest examines childhood sexual abuse, the assumptions that can prevent abuse from being recognized, the consequences of silence, and what can happen when survivors are finally able to speak about their experiences.
The talk also explores trauma, addiction, recovery, and the possibility of building a life beyond what happened.
TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. Contents represent the speaker’s personal views and experiences.
What Forrest brings to the room
Forrest draws from experience with childhood abuse, foster care, homelessness, addiction, military service, recovery, loss, and rebuilding his life.
He addresses subjects that are often difficult to discuss and gives audiences a way to begin conversations that are frequently avoided.
His experience also extends beyond the stage. Through his work with FOCUS Marines Foundation, peer support, recovery communities, advocacy, and mentorship, Forrest regularly works directly with people navigating trauma, addiction, military transition, and major life changes.
Speaking topics
Forrest speaking on the power of hobbies at FOCUS Marines Foundation.
Breaking the silence around childhood sexual abuse
Why survivors remain silent, what that silence can cost, and why creating space for people to speak matters. Forrest can also address the specific barriers faced by male survivors when appropriate for the audience.
Cultural blind spots around abuse
Based in part on the subject of Forrest’s TEDx talk, this presentation examines the assumptions people make about offenders and victims, how those assumptions can prevent abuse from being recognized, and why listening to survivors matters.
This topic is especially relevant to child welfare, advocacy, education, law enforcement, victim services, and organizations that work with children and families.
Surviving childhood trauma
Forrest shares his experience with childhood abuse, foster care, abandonment, and homelessness, along with the effects those experiences carried into adulthood.
The focus is on what trauma can do over time and what recovery can look like years later.
Addiction and recovery
Forrest discusses alcoholism, addiction, relapse, sobriety, and the long process of recovery.
His story includes both the consequences of addiction and the practices, relationships, accountability, and service that became part of building a different life.
Suicide prevention and SPARTA Peer Support
Forrest founded SPARTA Peer Support as a secular and spiritually neutral approach to peer support.
This presentation explores connection, isolation, recovery, suicide prevention, and the importance of creating support systems that people can actually see themselves participating in.
Veteran transition
Drawing from his military service and work with veterans at FOCUS Marines Foundation, Forrest discusses the transition from military service to civilian life, including identity, isolation, relationships, purpose, and connection.
Foster care and aging out
Forrest shares what foster care looked like from inside the system and what happened when he entered adulthood without the family structure or support that many young people depend on.
This presentation can be adapted for social workers, foster and adoptive parents, educators, advocates, students, and young people with lived experience in foster care.
Post traumatic growth
Forrest explores what it means to build a meaningful life after trauma without minimizing what happened or pretending recovery follows a straight line.
Leadership through adversity
Forrest discusses responsibility, vulnerability, resilience, communication, and leadership through the lens of military service, recovery, mentorship, and lived experience.
This presentation can be adapted for military, first responder, nonprofit, and corporate audiences.
Who books Forrest
Forrest speaks for a wide range of organizations and audiences, including:
- Military units and stand downs
- Veteran service organizations
- Treatment and recovery centers
- Law enforcement and victim service organizations
- Anti trafficking and child protection organizations
- Schools and universities
- Social work and nursing programs
- Corporate teams
- Conferences
- First responders
- Clinical and behavioral health organizations
- Nonprofits and community organizations
Formats
Keynote
Typically 45 to 60 minutes with optional questions and discussion.
Short presentation
Typically 20 to 30 minutes for stand downs, conferences, and shorter programs.
Workshop or breakout session
A longer and more interactive format for smaller groups.
Panel or moderated conversation
Forrest can participate in panels, interviews, and moderated discussions.
Staff training
Presentations for professionals who work with survivors, veterans, people in recovery, or other populations affected by trauma.
Virtual presentation
Many presentations can also be delivered remotely.
Booking details
Travel
Forrest is based in La Jolla, California, and travels throughout the United States and internationally for speaking engagements.
Travel and lodging can be arranged by the host organization or incorporated into the speaking agreement.
Audio and visual needs
For most presentations, Forrest needs a microphone. A lavalier microphone is preferred when available.
For presentations that include video or other media, access to a projector, HDMI connection, and room audio is helpful.
Forrest does not depend heavily on slides and can adapt his presentation to the room and available equipment.
Speaking fees
Speaking fees vary depending on the event, format, location, travel requirements, and audience.
Reduced rates may be available for nonprofit organizations, veteran programs, treatment centers, schools, and other mission driven organizations.
Contact Forrest with information about your event and available budget.
Planning for sensitive subjects
Many of Forrest’s presentations address childhood abuse, addiction, suicide, trauma, and other difficult subjects.
The subject matter of each presentation is discussed with organizers in advance so the presentation can be appropriate for the audience and setting.
For organizations with established clinical, educational, military, or workplace protocols, Forrest will coordinate with the event team so the presentation works within those existing guidelines.
Organizations hosting presentations involving trauma or suicide are encouraged to make appropriate support resources available to their audience.
Books for your audience
Bulk copies of Angel Blue: A Song of Redemption can be arranged as part of a speaking engagement for attendees, patients, residents, staff, students, veterans, or other participants.
Treatment centers, recovery programs, schools, veteran organizations, military units, and other groups can contact Forrest for bulk pricing.
Booking
To inquire about having Forrest speak at your event, please include:
- Organization and location
- Event date or possible dates
- Audience and approximate attendance
- Preferred format and presentation length
- Topics you would like Forrest to address
- What you hope the audience takes away from the presentation
- Available budget range
If you need help now
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Veterans can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Additional survivor, veteran, and recovery resources are available on the Resources page.
More about Forrest’s background, his tattoo work, and the story behind the talks on the About Forrest page.