Metamodern
Speaker & Bard
Transcend is a boutique performance consultancy based in Sydney.
Using the art of language to help people see the world in a more enchanted light, John Anthony evokes deeper connection and inspired action.
He thrives when partnering with organisations to design and deliver tailored talks, along with leadership and development workshops using cutting-edge learning methodologies, fusing psychology and the performing arts.
With expertise in positive psychology, neuroscience, innovation, cognitive behavioural therapy, rational emotive behavioural therapy, and motivational interviewing, he enhances individual, team, and organisational performance across a variety of industries.
Drawing from deep experience in music, film, theatre, education and the performing arts, John Anthony brings engaging, energetic and effervescent magic to all learning environments.
"John may well be the most personable, engaging learning & development professional I've ever had the pleasure of working with."
β Nichol Hildebrand, iCareCrafting lasting behaviour change & peak performance
A practical, science-backed approach to changing behaviour, improving communication, and driving performance.
Evidence-based methods grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and Motivational Interviewing - designed to shift real behaviour, not just ideas.
Drawing on decades of performance experience to help people think clearly, communicate effectively, and perform under pressure.
Programs that move beyond insight - creating tangible shifts in leadership behaviour, team dynamics, and workplace culture.
Practical tools to navigate resistance, build trust, and turn difficult conversations into forward momentum. Because when people feel heard, they Transcend.
Four ways to ignite transformation
Engaging keynotes blending performing arts with psychology and neuroscience. A powerful cocktail of showmanship and expertise that sets John apart as an unprecedented force.
Learn MoreBespoke, tailored workshops using dynamic facilitation - a responsive approach creating fertile ground for Transcendence.
Learn MoreCreative, collaborative programs blending cognitive challenges with physical activities - tailored to your outcomes, indoors or outdoors, any group size.
Learn MoreAt the helm of hundreds of events across Australia, NZ and the UK - opera-trained with a commanding presence, spontaneous, witty, and impeccably professional.
Learn More
Client reflections
on John's impact
“John is a phenomenal keynote speaker who has the rare ability of captivating an audience with scintillating storytelling and also delivering highly pragmatic, resonant takeaways that create mindset shifts. Each time we engage John to speak on our executive leadership programmes, he unanimously gets the highest praise and feedback of all of our experiences.”
“If you are looking for a keynote speaker who will βWOWβ your audience, John Anthony is your man. He has an exceptional talent for making complex concepts accessible and relatable, helping people harness the power of their minds in transformative ways. His keynotes are not just entertaining and informative, they are deeply inspiring and motivational.”
“John Anthony is a unique, genuine and brilliant force. He is connected, present and a joy to be around.”
“John is not only one of the best speakers Iβve had the pleasure to partner with but equally important, if not more, a wonderfully creative and caring human being.”
“Engaging, dynamic, and expertly skilled, John captivates audiences with his exceptional style, leaving participants inspired and empowered to excel.”
“He is widely regarded as one of the most compelling, charismatic, witty, and dynamic presenters on our platform. Despite just arriving from a flight from Australia to the UK, John was the consummate professional and performed flawlessly. His influence has significantly enhanced the perception of our edtech product, elevating it to βworld-classβ status.”
“After 11 years+ working in Learning & Development, I can still say John is the most energetic and engaging facilitator I have ever worked with. His facilitation style is unlike any other, striking the perfect balance between animated humour and professionalism.”
“JA is a highly engaging, collaborative and dynamic facilitator with a knack for using data driven, evidence based approaches that deliver positive, meaningful outcomes. If youβre looking for a facilitator / coach / keynote speaker who is relatable, personable and a master practitioner at his craft, look no further than JA.”
“John is an exceptional facilitator whose ability to engage and captivate our audience is unmatched. He has become a cornerstone of our firmβs success, driving performance, and fostering a collaborative environment. His dedication and expertise have made a significant impact, elevating the quality of our programs.”
“Give John any content, and he will deliver it exponentially better. His ability to think from a learnerβs perspective and connect material to real-life examples makes the learning impactful. I cannot recommend John highly enough for facilitating your sessions.”
“John Anthony is a powerhouse of energy, positivity and knowledge. He is an engaging presenter and facilitator, and speaks in a way that holds the audienceβs attention. Our learners in NSW government agencies rave about his sessions!”
“John has consistently exceeded our high expectations by designing and executing engaging, relevant workshops that balance theoretical knowledge with practical applications. I would highly recommend engaging with John Anthony for any workshop delivery or design.”
“John is not your average facilitator: he brings the perfect blend of fun, humour, and engagement to every workshop. Working with John is a guarantee of a fantastic learning experience β you and your participants will walk away feeling inspired and empowered.”
“Johnβs energy, innovative thinking and flexibility have been a superb compliment to our own culture. I value Johnβs approach in designing and facilitating programs that focus on growing our people to be at their best. Thanks for the partnership JA!”
“John is one of the best facilitators we have used to run workshops. His knowledge of the subject matter he facilitates is second to none and his expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication significantly enrich the learning experience for all participants. Highly recommend!”
“His natural charisma is captivating, and when he addresses a room, all attention is invariably on him. John consistently brings immense value to discussions, inviting everyone into his world, which is both impactful and insightful. He is, without a doubt, one of the best individuals I know.”
“John is a fantastic communicator, teacher and facilitator and someone that people naturally trust and gravitate to. I would have no reservations working with John again, and recommending that you do.”
“John is able to instantly and authentically develop rapport and connect with people from all walks of life. He is a lovely, natural actor who skilfully divulges the relevant information in a roleplay while improvising and listening well.”
“Every time I have been blown away by his innovative and engaging style, his exuberance and enthusiasm and his ability to make even the most boring of subjects interesting. His sessions were a great mix of information and interactive learning.”
“His delivery is so engaging that students lose all track of time. John is a very effective speaker and educator – a great user of humour and stories, with great content.”
“Heβs always at the ready with handy information, useful tools and ways in which the skills learnt can be applied in the workplace and every day. His sessions were a great mix of information and interactive learning.”
“Working with John was a great experience. His natural ability to want to coach, guide and support his team through listening to each team member lead to a highly engaged, positively energized crew that delivered excellence.”
“On our βbig dayβ not only was he incredibly entertaining and hilariously funny, he was also highly articulate, easy to understand, and as warm and charismatic as they come. So many guests commented that night, and still to this day, that he was the best MC they have ever seen.”
“Thank you John for all your assistance on the day. We were blown away with the creativity and the effort you went to! Itβs for this reason I have absolutely no issues referring you to each and every person I know looking for an MC.”
“John was a pleasure to deal with and threw up some unique ideas. We valued the experience John was able to add, allowing us to sit back and enjoy the day with confidence. John would make a great MC for any event.”
John's Podcasts
World-class
organisations
Ready to ignite
your next event?
Whether you need a keynote speaker, facilitator, MC or team building experience; let's create something unforgettable together.
PO Box 6033, Marrickville South, NSW 2204, Australia
something unforgettable
Tell us about your event and John will be in touch.
John is a captivating keynote speaker who uses the art of language to help people see the world in a more meaningful way and to reconnect with what drives performance, connection and impact.
With a background spanning music, film, theatre and education, he brings a rare level of stagecraft to the corporate world, delivering keynotes that are highly engaging, deeply human, and impossible to ignore.
His work sits at the intersection of behavioural science and performance. Drawing on expertise in positive psychology, neuroscience, innovation, cognitive behavioural therapy, rational emotive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing, John translates complex ideas into practical, actionable shifts that audiences can immediately apply.
What sets John apart is his ability to combine deep intellectual rigour with a distinctive creative edge and humour. His sessions don’t just inform, they move people. The result is a keynote experience that energises audiences, sharpens thinking, and creates lasting behaviour change.
For conferences, offsites and leadership events, John delivers more than a talk, he delivers an experience that cuts through, connects people, and stays with them long after the event ends.
John's ability to capture an audience is truly unique. Not only is he incredibly entertaining and hilariously funny, he is also highly articulate, easy to understand, warm and charismatic as they come.Jessica Ginty Mastercard
What happens when you put a classically trained opera singer and actor in the role of facilitator?
You don’t just get a workshop; you get a room that comes alive.
With over two decades of experience in performance and education, John has developed a rare ability to read the room, shape energy and create conditions where people feel safe to challenge themselves, contribute and transcend.
At the core of his work is the ability to ‘create the container’ - a carefully designed environment where psychological safety, curiosity and challenge coexist. Drawing on neuroscience, behavioural science and cutting-edge learning methodologies, John builds sessions that are not only engaging, but primed for real learning and behaviour change.
He blends structure with spontaneity, using tools from positive psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy, and motivational interviewing alongside creative techniques like metaphor, storytelling and facilitated dialogue. The result is sessions that feel dynamic, responsive and deeply human.
John’s facilitation style is adaptive by design. He attunes in real time to the needs of the group, ensuring every voice is engaged, every perspective is explored and every session lands with clarity and momentum.
No two sessions are the same, but every session is built to unlock insight, drive connection and move teams forward.
I can honestly say I have never seen another learning professional bring so much good energy into a room. You cannot underestimate the importance of this when it comes to training in finance and insurance.Shayne Ashby CommInsure β Learning Design & Development
Fun and collaborative, JA offers a massive selection of the best and most popular team building programs, tailoring activities to suit your organisation's specific requirements and outcomes.
Cooperation and commitment are the key factors in games that combine creative tasks, cognitive challenges and physical team building activities. Great things can happen when people work together and throw themselves into the task. We all have the potential to inspire our teams to achieve success, increase collaboration, ignite fun and empower cooperation.
This playful avenue towards camaraderie guarantees instant impact with skills readily transferable to the workplace. From online to indoors to outside, JA tailors team programs that build group collaboration, cooperation and commitment; for any group size, with flexibility to tailor to all client outcomes.
Everyone walked away telling us how much fun they had, something HR can only dream to hear! Having him facilitate our workplace training made all the difference. He kept the energy up, the staff involved and made the content so much more enjoyable.Laura Prerau Ministry of Sound
Vibrant, energetic and deeply attuned to the room, John Anthony is as engaging as they come.
With experience across hundreds of events throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK, John brings a rare combination of stagecraft, precision and adaptability. Classically trained in opera, he has a commanding presence and vocal control that delivers clarity, authority and warmth; whether guiding a room of 20 or 2,000.
What truly sets John apart is his chameleon-like ability to read and respond in real time. He listens deeply, not just to what’s being said, but to what’s felt, and shapes the flow of an event accordingly. The result is an experience that feels seamless, tailored and alive to the moment.
John doesn’t run events off a script. He collaborates. Working closely with clients, he builds a genuine understanding of the audience, the intent, and the nuance; then brings it to life with a style that is spontaneous, witty and highly engaging.
Underpinned by insights from psychology, neuroscience and group dynamics, John knows how to create the right conditions for energy, connection and momentum to build; keeping audiences present, speakers supported and the entire event on track.
Meticulous with timing, sharp with detail and genuinely fun to work with, John has built a reputation as a trusted, world-class MC who elevates every room he steps into.
The wonderfully engaging, silver tongued and all round legend, John Anthony created an atmosphere and environment that was all we had hoped for and everything we didn't know we wanted! For a massive event we needed the right person front and centre steering the ship and by golly did we find the right captain. John, thank you.Little Heroes Swim Academy
John is a captivating keynote speaker who uses the art of language to help people see the world in a more meaningful way and to reconnect with what drives performance, connection and impact.
With a background spanning music, film, theatre and education, he brings a rare level of stagecraft to the corporate world, delivering keynotes that are highly engaging, deeply human, and impossible to ignore.
His work sits at the intersection of behavioural science and performance. Drawing on expertise in positive psychology, neuroscience, innovation, cognitive behavioural therapy, rational emotive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing, John translates complex ideas into practical, actionable shifts that audiences can immediately apply.
What sets John apart is his ability to combine deep intellectual rigour with a distinctive creative edge and humour. His sessions don't just inform, they move people. The result is a keynote experience that energises audiences, sharpens thinking, and creates lasting behaviour change.
For conferences, offsites and leadership events, John delivers more than a talk, he delivers an experience that cuts through, connects people, and stays with them long after the event ends.
John's ability to capture an audience is truly unique. Not only is he incredibly entertaining and hilariously funny, he is also highly articulate, easy to understand, warm and charismatic as they come.Jessica Ginty Mastercard
What happens when you put a classically trained opera singer and actor in the role of facilitator?
You don't just get a workshop; you get a room that comes alive.
With over two decades of experience in performance and education, John has developed a rare ability to read the room, shape energy and create conditions where people feel safe to challenge themselves, contribute and transcend.
At the core of his work is the ability to 'create the container' - a carefully designed environment where psychological safety, curiosity and challenge coexist. Drawing on neuroscience, behavioural science and cutting-edge learning methodologies, John builds sessions that are not only engaging, but primed for real learning and behaviour change.
He blends structure with spontaneity, using tools from positive psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy, and motivational interviewing alongside creative techniques like metaphor, storytelling and facilitated dialogue. The result is sessions that feel dynamic, responsive and deeply human.
John's facilitation style is adaptive by design. He attunes in real time to the needs of the group, ensuring every voice is engaged, every perspective is explored and every session lands with clarity and momentum.
No two sessions are the same, but every session is built to unlock insight, drive connection and move teams forward.
I can honestly say I have never seen another learning professional bring so much good energy into a room. You cannot underestimate the importance of this when it comes to training in finance and insurance.Shayne Ashby CommInsure β Learning Design & Development
Fun and collaborative, JA offers a massive selection of the best and most popular team building programs, tailoring activities to suit your organisation's specific requirements and outcomes.
Cooperation and commitment are the key factors in games that combine creative tasks, cognitive challenges and physical team building activities. Great things can happen when people work together and throw themselves into the task. We all have the potential to inspire our teams to achieve success, increase collaboration, ignite fun and empower cooperation.
This playful avenue towards camaraderie guarantees instant impact with skills readily transferable to the workplace. From online to indoors to outside, JA tailors team programs that build group collaboration, cooperation and commitment; for any group size, with flexibility to tailor to all client outcomes.
Everyone walked away telling us how much fun they had, something HR can only dream to hear! Having him facilitate our workplace training made all the difference. He kept the energy up, the staff involved and made the content so much more enjoyable.Laura Prerau Ministry of Sound
Vibrant, energetic and deeply attuned to the room, John Anthony is as engaging as they come.
With experience across hundreds of events throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK, John brings a rare combination of stagecraft, precision and adaptability. Classically trained in opera, he has a commanding presence and vocal control that delivers clarity, authority and warmth; whether guiding a room of 20 or 2,000.
What truly sets John apart is his chameleon-like ability to read and respond in real time. He listens deeply, not just to what's being said, but to what's felt, and shapes the flow of an event accordingly. The result is an experience that feels seamless, tailored and alive to the moment.
John doesn't run events off a script. He collaborates. Working closely with clients, he builds a genuine understanding of the audience, the intent, and the nuance; then brings it to life with a style that is spontaneous, witty and highly engaging.
Underpinned by insights from psychology, neuroscience and group dynamics, John knows how to create the right conditions for energy, connection and momentum to build; keeping audiences present, speakers supported and the entire event on track.
Meticulous with timing, sharp with detail and genuinely fun to work with, John has built a reputation as a trusted, world-class MC who elevates every room he steps into.
The wonderfully engaging, silver tongued and all round legend, John Anthony created an atmosphere and environment that was all we had hoped for and everything we didn't know we wanted! For a massive event we needed the right person front and centre steering the ship and by golly did we find the right captain. John, thank you.Little Heroes Swim Academy