Kizzuna
Kizzuna
Our speaking events aren't presentations. They're conversations — led by people the same age as your students, about something every student is already living.
Why It Lands
Most talks on phones start with the phone — and students tune out because it feels like blame. We start earlier: with the free afternoons and third places and unstructured time that disappeared first. By the time we get to the phone, the room is already with us.
That's what makes it different.
Inside the Event
We open with a story — something personal and true — that earns laughter before it earns anything else. The goal in the first five minutes is simple: make the room feel safe enough to be honest.
Then we go back — before the phone. We talk about the spaces childhood used to have, the free play and third places and boredom that shaped who people became. And we ask what happened to them. By the time we get to phones, students aren't defensive. They're curious.
We ask real questions. We leave real space for silence. We close with a call toward something — not a command, not a list of rules. Just an invitation to look at things differently.
See It in Action
A short clip from a recent campus event. Hit play, then decide.
Filmed live on campus — real students, real conversation.
Program Options
45–60 min
Our signature speaking event — personal narrative, key research, audience interaction, and a closing reflection. Best for campus-wide events, student union bookings, and large residence hall sessions. Works in rooms of 50–500 students.
75–90 min
An expanded version that includes extended Q&A, small-group discussion prompts, and more time for audience reflection. Best for wellness-focused programming, mental health week events, and academic class settings.
2–2.5 hrs
The full experience — screen Disconnected, then transition into a live conversation with the filmmakers. The film does the emotional groundwork; the talk opens the room for real dialogue. Our most requested format.
50–75 min
A more intimate, discussion-heavy format designed for courses in communication, psychology, media studies, public health, or student development. Includes framing for academic discussion.
Full Day
Schedule multiple sessions across departments, residence halls, or student organizations in a single campus visit. Most cost-effective option for campuses that want broad reach.
Tailored to Your Campus
We'll work with you to shape an event that fits your specific student population, programming context, and goals. Reach out and we'll design something together.
Campus Responses
"There is truly no substitute for hearing from someone in Gen Z about these issues."
Allen-Stevenson, NYC
"The best presentation we've ever had."
CSN School
"Truly resonated with my students."
Teacher, Fairview High School
Logistics
We've designed the booking process to be straightforward for programming boards and student life staff with standard campus scheduling workflows.
We're flexible on timing, venue, and format. We're not flexible on quality.
Travel & Availability
We travel nationally. Booking requests are accepted on a rolling basis, with most dates available 4–12 weeks out. Contact us early for high-demand periods like fall orientation and spring mental health awareness weeks.
Tech & Venue Requirements
We require a projector or screen, basic PA/sound system, and a laptop HDMI connection. We've performed in auditoriums, student unions, classrooms, dining halls, and outdoor spaces. Most standard campus venues work.
Pricing
Pricing varies by event format, travel distance, and campus type. We offer flexible rates for community colleges, smaller institutions, and campuses serving underrepresented populations. Contact us for a quote — we make it work.
What's Included
FAQ
If yours isn't here, reach out. We're responsive and happy to talk through your specific event context.
We recommend reaching out at least 6–8 weeks before your desired event date. For high-demand windows like fall orientation, Mental Health Awareness Week (May), and spring semester kickoff events, booking 3–4 months ahead gives you the best availability. That said, we do accommodate shorter timelines when possible — so reach out even if you're working fast.
We've performed for groups of 20 and groups of 500+. The sweet spot for the Core Talk is 80–300 students — large enough to feel like a real event, intimate enough for genuine conversation. The Deep Dive format works best with 20–100. Film + Talk works at nearly any size. We'll advise on what format fits your room.
For the Core Talk: a microphone (handheld or lapel), a screen or projector, and a laptop connection (HDMI preferred). For Film screenings: stereo audio through the venue PA is important — we'll send tech specs in advance. We've made things work in rooms that weren't ideal. Just tell us what you have and we'll figure it out.
Yes. Our events are designed to be non-clinical, non-threatening, and emotionally accessible. We are careful to avoid language that pathologizes normal behavior, and we don't dramatize negative outcomes. Students who are actively struggling often find the most resonance with our content — because it validates their experience without amplifying distress. We recommend connecting with your campus counseling center in advance so staff are available if students want to talk afterward.
Absolutely. We do a pre-event call with your programming contact to understand your student population, the context of the event, and any specific themes or moments you want us to address. We have adapted content for first-generation students, student-athletes, honors programs, Greek life chapters, and international student populations.
We provide a promotional toolkit: social graphics, a poster template, and recommended copy for email and campus announcement channels. Events that perform best pair early social promotion with in-person word of mouth through RAs, student leaders, and professors who can mention it in class. We also recommend framing it as "made by students your age" — that phrasing consistently increases walk-in attendance.
Yes, and we prioritize accessibility. We offer flexible rates for community colleges, HBCUs, tribal colleges, and institutions with limited programming budgets. Reach out and we'll discuss what's possible.