The Washington Post
Keynote · Author · Advocate
Human connection can change a life before crisis happens.
National keynote speaker, author, and advocate helping schools, law enforcement, behavioral health teams, and communities understand the human side of violence prevention.
15M+
TEDx Views
300+
Events
50
U.S. States Reached
As seen on
TEDx · CNN · TIME · Washington Post
Featured & Trusted By
The Washington Post
CNN
TIME
MSNBC
ABC
CBS
FOX
Tamron Hall
Aaron's Story
The boy who was almost a school shooter — and the man who chose a different path.
Aaron Stark grew up surrounded by abuse, addiction, isolation, and despair. By the time he was a teenager, he was actively planning violence — convinced that no one saw him, and that no one ever would.
What changed his trajectory wasn't a program. It wasn't a policy. It was a single person who chose to keep showing up. A friend who offered connection when the world offered none.
Today, Aaron travels the country sharing his story with schools, agencies, and conferences — translating lived experience into practical insight about the pathway to violence, and the people who can interrupt it.
"Give love to the ones who need it most, in the way they need it most, even — and especially — when they seem to deserve it least."
— Aaron Stark
Speaking Topics
Programs crafted for the people closest to prevention.
Keynote Presentations
Cinematic, story-led keynotes that move audiences from awareness to action.
School Safety
Practical frameworks for educators, counselors, and administrators.
Law Enforcement
Threat assessment trainings rooted in lived experience and behavioral insight.
Behavioral Health
Compassion-centered approaches for clinicians and crisis teams.
Youth Programs
Direct conversations with students about belonging and intervention.
Community Events
City-wide and organizational sessions that build a culture of connection.
Who Aaron Speaks To
Trusted by the people who hold prevention in their hands.
From rural school districts to federal agencies, Aaron tailors every conversation to the audience in the room.
01
K-12 Schools & Districts
02
Universities & Colleges
03
Threat Assessment Teams
04
FBI & Federal Agencies
05
State & Local Law Enforcement
06
Mental Health Organizations
07
Suicide Prevention Coalitions
08
Faith Communities
09
Conferences & Summits
Media Features
A voice the national press returns to.
CNN
On-air interview about prevention and humanity.
TIME
Featured voice on what changes a violent trajectory.
Tamron Hall
Sit-down conversation about love as intervention.
Featured TEDx Talk
"I Was Almost a School Shooter."
The talk that has moved more than 15 million viewers, and that quietly re-shaped the national conversation about prevention.
Conference Testimonials
What event organizers say.
"One of the most powerful keynotes our conference has ever hosted. Educators were still talking about it weeks later."
"Aaron gave our threat assessment team a perspective no textbook could. Lived experience, delivered with extraordinary care."
"He made an auditorium of 2,000 students completely still. And then, completely changed."
Booking
Bring Aaron's message to your audience.
Every event is approached with research, dignity, and a deep care for the people in the room. Share your details and Aaron's team will respond personally.