Speaking
Challenging Every Room
to Think Bigger
Matthew speaks from lived experience, not a lecture hall. Whether addressing entrepreneurs, parents, or people of faith, his message is the same: your circumstances do not define you, but how you respond to them will.
On Stage
Who Matthew Speaks To
Three Audiences. One Message.
People of Faith
Churches, retreats, grief support groups, and anyone asking the hardest questions about God in the middle of suffering.
Entrepreneurs
Business owners, franchisees, EO chapters, and leadership conferences ready to build something with lasting purpose.
Parents
Schools, parenting events, and community groups navigating the weight of raising the next generation well.
Speaking Topics
What Matthew Brings to Your Stage
Every talk is tailored to the audience. Matthew does not deliver a packaged keynote — he shows up with a message built for the room in front of him.
Grief and Faith
Even Though, We Will: Finding Ground When the Waves Won’t Stop
In 2019, Matthew and his wife Hannah received a terminal prenatal diagnosis for their son, Noah Clifton. They chose to carry him to term. Noah lived for 57.5 hours. This talk is drawn directly from that experience and from Matthew’s book of the same name. It does not offer easy answers. It offers honest ones — and it challenges every person in the room to decide what they will do when the waves will not stop. Matthew speaks with the authority of someone who has been in it, not just studied it.
Best for: Churches, grief support events, hospital and NICU staff, pastoral conferences, and any audience sitting with unprocessed loss.
Business Leadership
Building a Business That Outlasts the Grind
Matthew has scaled multiple businesses past seven figures, franchised a single-location concept into a growing national system, and been recognized among the 100 fastest-growing companies led by a UGA alum. This talk is about what it actually takes — the systems, the mindset shifts, the moments that almost ended everything, and the specific decisions that created breakthroughs. It is practical, direct, and built for people who want to stop running in circles and start building something that lasts.
Best for: Entrepreneurship conferences, EO chapters, franchise gatherings, business schools, and leadership summits.
Purpose and Identity
A Passionate Pursuit of Purpose
This is the message Matthew returns to most. Every person has a calling, and most are living far below it — not because they lack ability, but because they have allowed circumstances, fear, or comparison to set the ceiling for them. Matthew challenges audiences to name what is holding them back, confront it honestly, and take the next step. This is the message behind the Pillars of Purpose Podcast, and it lands equally with students stepping into adulthood and executives who have lost sight of why they started.
Best for: Student events, parent conferences, church leadership retreats, and business audiences looking for more than revenue growth.
What People Are Saying
Voices from the Room
His story resonated not only with the kids but also with me. His story was a powerful reminder that when life becomes overwhelming, we have the power to pivot and transform challenges into valuable life lessons. Thank you for your time and for the inspiration.
Tene Manning, MBA
Entrepreneurship Educator
Matthew Efird is one of the best podcast hosts I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Watch the way Matthew leads the conversation with such important questions. It was a pleasure and a privilege.
Scott Deming
International Keynote Speaker, Trainer, and Author
Book Matthew
Ready to Bring Matthew to Your Event?
Matthew speaks to churches, business conferences, schools, and community gatherings. Submit an inquiry below and his team will follow up within 48 hours to discuss your event, audience, and format.
Submit a Speaking InquiryAvailable for keynotes, panels, workshops, and podcast guest appearances.