Press Inquiries
STORY IDEAS
1. Aggressive Optimism® Isn’t About Fake Smiles—It’s About Real Possibility
Resilience isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about learning how to face what’s hard and move forward anyway. Aggressive Optimism® was born in the hardest chapter of my life—and it’s grounded in one belief: possibility is always there, if you know how to look for it.
Corporate tie-in: Emotional resilience for teams under pressure.
Student tie-in: How to build hope that actually works in real life.
2. There’s a Million Ways to Do Anything—Let’s Find Yours
Success doesn’t have a single blueprint. Whether you’re launching your company or reimagining your career, resilience starts with self-trust. I help audiences see that their path doesn’t have to match anyone else’s—it just has to match them.
Corporate tie-in: Reinventing how we lead, collaborate, and create.
Student tie-in: Permission to define success on your own terms.
3. Reinvention Isn’t Failure. It’s Strategy.
Every pivot begins with courage. I lost the life I thought I’d live—and built something better. Reinvention isn’t about bouncing back; it’s about building forward. I teach audiences how to use change as fuel for growth instead of proof of failure.
Corporate tie-in: Adapting with purpose during times of change.
Student tie-in: Turning setbacks into strategy.
4. Creative Brains Need Clarity, Not More Chaos
Overwhelm isn’t a lack of motivation—it’s a lack of structure. Real resilience comes from clarity, not hustle. I help creative thinkers quiet the noise, find their focus, and take aligned action that lasts.
Corporate tie-in: Burnout prevention through clarity and structure.
Student tie-in: How to find focus when your brain never stops.
5. When the Big Bad Shows Up—Ask for Backup
My resilience didn’t come from being strong—it came from learning to ask for help. After surviving trauma and PTSD, I learned that community is the real secret to healing. You don’t have to do it alone to prove you can do it.
Corporate tie-in: Building psychologically safe teams.
Student tie-in: The courage to ask for help and support your peers.
6. Optimism Isn’t Toxic Positivity. It’s Direction.
Optimism isn’t blind hope—it’s a compass. You can be honest about what’s hard and still choose to move toward something better. I show audiences how to use optimism as a practical tool for decision-making, not denial.
Corporate tie-in: Resilient leadership in uncertain times.
Student tie-in: How to stay grounded and hopeful in hard moments.
7. From Buffy to Bookstores: Building a Life That Actually Fits
I’ve lived a dozen lives—from Hollywood sets to small-town bookstores—and each taught me the same lesson: success isn’t one-size-fits-all. I share stories that help audiences see that resilience is really about building a life that fits who you are now.
Corporate tie-in: Authenticity as a leadership strength.
Student tie-in: Redefining your “dream” without losing yourself.
8. Feel Stuck? You Don’t Have to Burn It All Down
When things stop working, the answer isn’t to quit—it’s to realign. I help audiences recognize when they’re stuck in systems or stories that no longer serve them, and give them practical steps to move forward with purpose, not panic.
Corporate tie-in: Change management and mindset resilience.
Student tie-in: Rewriting your story when life shifts unexpectedly.
9. Aligned, Not Overwhelmed: Building a Life That Actually Fits
Success isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters. In this talk, Jenna helps audiences explore what alignment really looks like — and how to build systems, boundaries, and choices that reflect it.
Corporate tie-in: Purpose-driven leadership and burnout prevention.
Student tie-in: Redefining success in your own terms.
10. You Don’t Need More. You Need Meaning.
The world tells us to do more, be more, achieve more—but resilience isn’t about addition. It’s about alignment. I help people come back to what matters, so their growth feels grounded, not exhausting.
Corporate tie-in: Sustainable success and well-being.
Student tie-in: Building a meaningful life instead of chasing approval.
BIOS
Long Bio - Jenna Edwards (380 words)
Jenna Edwards is a resilience expert, author, speaker, and mental health advocate for the emotional regulation and well-being of teens and young adults. As a keynote speaker and mentor, she specializes in helping teenagers develop an optimistic outlook for their lives and careers. Her bestselling book, Aggressive Optimism, is a teen favorite and one of the most popular books in the Young Adult category.
With a background in marketing at Mattel and undergraduate studies in psychology at Minnesota State University, Jenna has a deep understanding of the psychology behind reaching young people, the trends that influence them, and the patterns that shape their attitudes and behaviors.
Jenna is a survivor of the 2003 Santa Monica Farmers Market crash, where ten people were killed and 70 were injured. The serious physical injuries and the PTSD during the following years inspired Jenna to write her book, Aggressive Optimism, where she shares her story in a fictionalized, age-appropriate format for teens and young adults.
With a Hollywood career in acting, film, and television production spanning over 25 years, Jenna recently became a member of the Television Academy (the organization that is responsible for selecting honorees for the Emmys). She has witnessed the inner workings of the entertainment industry and its impact on teens’ mental health and emotional well-being. This, in combination with the traumatic experience of the farmers market crash she survived, set her on the path to write, moderate, and host panel discussions, and ultimately, mentor young people to help them find hope and optimism.
Jenna volunteers as a mentor at The Legacy Project, guiding girls in the eighth grade who need inspiration, hope, and role models. As a mental health advocate and motivational expert, she shared the stage with keynote speakers such as Jack Canfield and Lisa Nichols in the talk show Wake Up on Pop TV. She was interviewed in the LA Times, on The Early Show on CBS, and is regularly featured in the media.
Her message resonates with teens, parents, and teachers alike. She’s a frequently requested speaker with a unique ability to reach kids who otherwise may feel helpless and alone. Today, Jenna continues to speak internationally, inspiring high school students around the world to look at the bright side, take ownership of their decisions, and intentionally choose a positive outlook that translates into their daily actions, school performance, and informs their careers as they step into adulthood.
Originally from Minnesota, Jenna lives in the Cleveland, Ohio area with her husband.
To learn more, go to: https://jennaedwards.com
Short Bios - Jenna Edwards
Short Bio - 32 words (for podcasts)
Jenna Edwards is a resilience expert, speaker, and mental health advocate for the emotional regulation and well-being of teens and young adults. She’s also the author of the bestselling book, Aggressive Optimism.
Short Bio - 56 words (for podcasts)
Jenna Edwards is a resilience expert, speaker, and mental health advocate for the emotional regulation and well-being of teens and young adults. She specializes in helping teenagers develop an optimistic outlook. She’s also the author of the bestselling book, Aggressive Optimism, where she shares her story in a fictionalized, age-appropriate format for teens and young adults.
Short Bio - 83 words (for podcasts)
Jenna Edwards is a resilience expert, author, speaker, and mental health advocate for the emotional regulation and well-being of teens and young adults. She specializes in helping teenagers develop an optimistic outlook for their lives and careers.
Jenna is a survivor of the 2003 Santa Monica Farmers Market crash. The serious physical injuries and the PTSD during the following years inspired Jenna to write her book, Aggressive Optimism, where she shares her story in a fictionalized, age-appropriate format for teens and young adults.
Short Bio - 119 words (for magazines and podcasts)
Jenna Edwards is a resilience expert, author, speaker, and mental health advocate for the emotional regulation and well-being of teens and young adults. As a keynote speaker and mentor, she specializes in helping teenagers develop an optimistic outlook for their lives and careers. Her bestselling book, Aggressive Optimism, is a teen favorite and one of the most popular books in the Young Adult category.
Jenna is a survivor of the 2003 Santa Monica Farmers Market crash, where ten people were killed and 70 were injured. The serious physical injuries and the PTSD during the following years inspired Jenna to write her book, Aggressive Optimism, where she shares her story in a fictionalized, age-appropriate format for teens and young adults.
![23-10-27 [Edwards, Jenna] Multi-Paperback-Stack-Presentation-With-Tablet [No Background].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64f21e372f721761083c8d3f/3aa66547-a03d-4e6e-8283-fdb7c9371131/23-10-27+%5BEdwards%2C+Jenna%5D+Multi-Paperback-Stack-Presentation-With-Tablet+%5BNo+Background%5D.png)