Strengthening CultureThrough Personal Stories

Interactive keynotes. Built on the power of storytelling.

Scroll to Explore

Happy Clients

Hi, I'mRobert X. Fogarty

Robert X. Fogarty founded Dear World as a humanitarian project in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The project gained global recognition for his distinct interview and portrait style. He would interview people about what message they would send to the world and then they would write a short message in washable black ink on their body.

Since then we have developed multiple storytelling methods to help organizations close the gap between what they say they stand for and how people actually experience their mission, vision, and values.

People tell stories to understand what they have endured, what they value, and who they hope to become. Our mission is clear: we connect people by helping them share the meaningful stories that shape their lives.

Write your future with us.

Robert X. Fogarty of Dear World opening keynote at ATD, 2,000 attendees

Opening keynote—ATD, 2,000 attendees

Let's Get Personal

How the Dear World
interactive keynote works

Robert's work isn't about leadership theory. It is the actual work.

Our core 3-part process unlocks powerful connections

Act 1

Opening interactive keynote

Act 2

Portrait and Video Shoot

Act 3

Storytelling Closing and Photo Reveal

Our process can scale up or down with ease to match events of almost any shape and size.

What it looks like
in a real room

Robert opens from the main stage and hands the room a prompt. People write the message they carry on their own skin. Some of them stand up and tell the story behind it, and by the closing session those portraits are on the screen while their owners speak.

See the full format

Robert X. Fogarty opens the Brain Tattoo keynote from a main stage, the Dear World mark on the screen behind him and a full ballroom seated in front. — Opening keynoteRobert opens the method from the main stage.

An audience member stands with a microphone in the middle of a seated ballroom, telling his story during a Dear World keynote. — The room answersParticipants stand and tell the story behind their message.

A wide view of the Brain Tattoo closing reveal, two large screens showing participant portraits above a full ballroom audience. — Closing revealPortraits fill the screen while their owners speak.

Values Transformation

Close the gap
between values and experience.

We help organizations close the gap between what they say they stand for and how people experience their mission, vision and values. Here's what that's looked like in the room.

Learn How It Works

“We connected everyone in that room with Dear World.”

Mark D. Benjamin—CEO, Nuance Communications

“There is nothing wrong being extraordinarily authentic.”

Pierre Nanterme—Former CEO, Accenture (1959–2019)

“We became so much closer as a group.”

Coach Mike Krzyzewski—Duke Men's Basketball

More Voices

"I've been doing leadership summits and leadership events my entire career, and I can honestly say this was the best experience I've ever had."

Alex Chriss

CEO, PayPal

"Every Airman has a story — and this work made a huge difference in mine."

Lt. Gen. VeraLinn “Dash” Jamieson, Ret.

United States Air Force

"I've never seen an exercise break down barriers faster than this one. If you want a group to connect and bond quickly, I would highly recommend Dear World."

Malaika Myers

CHRO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation