Keynote speaker · Psychiatrist · Author · Comedian

Dr Jo Prendergast

High performance on human foundations

As seen and heard on

Channel 9 Today Extra ABC Weekend Breakfast TVNZ Breakfast TV3 AM Show The Project BBC Radio 5 Live Radio New Zealand ABC Radio

The keynotes

Serious content, delivered with humour

Serious keynotes

Around 80% serious, 20% humour

Serious content that meets a serious brief, with humour woven through to engage and lift the audience.

Beyond Heroics What Should I Say? Rethinking Talent

For leaders and teams See the keynotes

Comedy keynotes

Around 80% comedy, 20% serious

Comedy as the way into serious topics, from coping with major life events to modern overwhelm. With real takeaways underneath the laughs, these keynotes are particularly popular as closers.

Dr Jo Prendergast is #coping Laughter is the Best Medicine

For openers, lifts and closers See the keynotes

About Dr Jo

A rare find: a keynote speaker who is a psychiatrist, an author and a stand-up comedian

Dr Jo Prendergast delivers entertaining, informative talks shaped by more than 30 years of clinical mental health experience. A HarperCollins-commissioned author and award-winning stand-up comedian, she has platformed her ideas through her book When Life Sucks, extensive media interviews, and curated comedy festival seasons across Australasia and Edinburgh Fringe.

Her rare blend of medical expertise, lived experience and fearless humour lets her connect deeply with audiences while challenging them to think differently.

30+

Years of clinical experience

Sold-out Australasian comedy festival seasons

More about Dr Jo

Latest book · HarperCollins

When Life Sucks

A straight-talking, funny, deeply human guide to the tough stuff

Drawing on more than 30 years in clinical psychiatry and her own lived experience, Dr Jo offers honest, practical tools for the moments life falls apart, delivered with the warmth and humour that fills her comedy rooms. Commissioned by HarperCollins as a guide for parents supporting teenagers through tough times, the book is written to be useful to anyone supporting another person through mental health difficulties. Sold across Australia, New Zealand and the UK and as an eBook worldwide.

Buy the book Read chapter six free

What people say

“Much of the positive feedback about the conference centred on Jo’s address.”

Organiser · Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law

“A knowledgeable speaker who is also funny is a boon to any corporate event. Highly recommend Jo for your conference or event.”

Founder Karori Drinks Company

“Jo Prendergast’s burnout keynote was extremely well received, and conference delegates were still talking about the takeaways and how they would action them a few days later.”

Director Rural Health Pathways · Tasmanian Department of Health

“Dr Jo Prendergast was a fabulous speaker. I don’t think some of us had laughed that hard in a long time.”

Saunders Robinson Brown Law Firm

“We wanted to end the conference on a light-hearted yet meaningful note, and Jo met the brief spot on.”

Organiser · Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law

“Jo delivered an excellent talk. She engaged well with the audience, bringing both substance and entertainment to the event, capping the night with a comedy set.”

Director Medical Learning Journeys Australia

Bring Dr Jo to your stage

Conferences, leadership offsites and health-sector events across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Tell Dr Jo about your audience and the outcome you're after.

Enquire about a booking