emotional speech

101 Emotional Speech Topics

Choosing a speech topic can be a daunting task. But when it comes to topics that deal with emotions, the stakes can be even higher. Speaking on an emotional topic can stir up strong reactions in your audience. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of powerful and thought-provoking emotional speech topics. 

From themes of loss and heartache, to topics of hope and joy, these topics will help you craft an inspiring message that will touch the hearts and minds of your audience.

• Dealing With the Loss of a Loved One
• Coping With Grief and Sadness
• The Impact of Divorce on Emotional Well-Being
• The Challenges of Living With Chronic Illness
• The Effects of Abuse and Trauma on Emotional Well-Being
• Overcoming Feelings of Loneliness and Isolation
• The Emotional Toll of Caring for a Sick Family Member
• The Impact of Financial Stress on Emotional Health
• Coping With the End of a Relationship
• Dealing With the Emotional Aftermath of a Natural Disaster
• The Effects of Discrimination and Prejudice on Emotional Well-Being
• The Emotional Challenges of Dealing With Addiction
• The Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem and Body Image
• The Emotional Difficulties of Living With a Disability
• The Impact of Job Loss on Emotional Well-Being
• Dealing With the Emotional Challenges of Aging
• Emotional Impact of Living With a Mental Illness
• The Emotional Challenges of Living in Poverty
• The Impact of Bullying on Self-Esteem and Emotional Well-Being
• The Role of Forgiveness in Mental Health and Well-Being
• Psychological Effects of Trauma and How to Cope With It
• Importance of Self-Care and How to Practice It
• Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity in Relationships
• The Impact of Financial Stress on Mental Health and Well-Being
• Why Putting Yourself First is Essential
• Relationship Between Low Confidence and Perfectionism
• The Impact of Failure and Setbacks on Self-Confidence
• Role of Social Media in Building or Damaging Self-Confidence
• Relationship Between Low Confidence and Low Self-Worth
• The Challenges and Benefits of Seeking Feedback and Criticism to Improve Self-Confidence
• The Challenges and Benefits of Facing and Overcoming Fears to Improve Self-Confidence
• Impact of Cultural Differences on Self-Confidence
• The Relationship Between Low Confidence and Difficulty Making Decisions
• The Impact of Impostor Syndrome on Self-Confidence
• The Challenges and Benefits of Learning New Skills to Improve Self-Confidence
• Psychological Effects of Loneliness on Mental Health
• The Impact of Technology on Feelings of Loneliness
• Relationship Between Loneliness and Self-Esteem
• The Link Between Loneliness and Physical Health
• The Role of Hobbies and Activities in Managing Loneliness
• Losing a Job or Financial Difficulties
• Social Isolation or Loneliness
• Natural Disasters or Catastrophic Events
• Bullying or Abuse
• The Loss of a Beloved Pet
• Forgiveness and Letting Go
• Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life
• Embracing Change and Moving Forward
• The Role of Emotions in Decision-Making
• How to Navigate Your Feelings and Make Smart Choices
• The Healing Journey of Recovery: Strategies for Overcoming Addiction and Building a Healthier Life
• Overcoming Loneliness
• Strategies for Building Stronger Social Connections and Finding Fulfillment
• Embracing Change: Tips for Navigating Life’s Transitions and Embracing New Beginnings
• Healing Your Inner Child as an Adult
• The Impact of Losing a Beloved Cultural Tradition or Way of Life
• The Struggles of Living With a Chronic Health Condition That Is Not Well-Known or Understood by Others
• The Difficulties of Living With a Physical Disability That Is Not Visible to Others
• The Pain of Being Discriminated Against or Marginalized Because of One’s Race, Ethnicity, or Cultural Background
• The Impact of Losing a Sense of Belonging or Connection to One’s Heritage or Community
• The Struggles of Living With a Chronic Health Condition That Affects One’s Appearance or Self-Image
• The Difficulties of Living With a Chronic Health Condition That Requires Frequent Hospitalizations or Medical Procedures
• Impact of Losing a Sense of Autonomy or Independence Due to a Chronic Health Condition
• The Pain of Feeling Misunderstood or Unsupported by Others Due to a Chronic Health Condition
• The Challenges of Dealing With the Physical and Emotional Toll of Caring for a Loved One With a Chronic Health Condition
• Impact of Being a Victim of Crime or Violence
• The Struggles of Living With a Learning Disability or Cognitive Impairment
• Difficulties of Living in a Refugee or Displaced Persons Camp
• The Impact of Losing a Job or Financial Stability
• Pain of Being Ostracized or Excluded by One’s Community or Society
• The Challenges of Living With an Eating Disorder or Body Image Issues
• The Difficulties of Living With a Genetic Disorder or Inherited Condition
• Impact of Losing a Home or Being Homeless
• The Struggles of Dealing With Infertility or the Loss of a Pregnancy
• The Pain of Dealing With a Difficult or Toxic Family Situation
• Impact of Racism and Prejudice
• Pain of Being Misunderstood or Mistreated by Others
• The Struggles of Dealing With an Abusive Relationship or Situation
• The Impact of a Major Medical Procedure or Surgery
• The Loss of a Dream or Goal That Was Important to You
• Challenges of Raising Children in Difficult Circumstances
• The Impact of a Family Member’s Substance Abuse or Addiction on the Rest of the Family
• Impact of a Loved One’s Military Deployment on the Family
• The Challenges of Dealing With a Loved One’s Terminal Illness and the End-Of-Life Process
• Challenges of Dealing With the End of a Marriage or Long-Term Relationship and the Aftermath
• The Impact of a Natural Disaster on an Individual and Their Community
• The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Individuals and Communities
• Challenges of Living With a Food Allergy or Intolerance
• The Impact of a Major Life Change, Such as Moving to a New Place or Losing a Job, on an Individual and Their Loved Ones
• Relationship Between Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in Caregivers and Professionals Who Work With Others
• Impact of Burnout on Creativity and Innovation in the Workplace
• The Importance of Seeking Support and Finding Healthy Ways to Manage Stress in Order to Prevent Burnout
• The Devastating Effects of Burnout on Mental Health
• The Impact of Burnout on Personal Relationships
• The Impact of Burnout on Productivity and Job Performance
• Role of Social Support in Coping With Burnout
• The Dangers of Perfectionism and the Importance of Embracing Imperfection
• Finding the Courage to Be Vulnerable and Authentic
• The Importance of Setting Realistic Expectations and Learning to Celebrate Small Victories
• The Role of Mindfulness and Self-Reflection in Building Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance
• The Power of Setting and Working Towards Meaningful Goals to Build Self-Esteem

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, emotional speech topics can be used to explore a wide range of topics related to the emotions of those involved. From stories of overcoming adversity to discussing the nature of love and friendship, the possibilities are endless. No matter which topic is chosen, it is important to remember to stay true to one’s own emotions and experiences. By doing this, you can ensure that your speech is meaningful, impactful, and memorable.

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These 6 Emotional Speeches Will Remind You What a Beautiful Person You Are

We live in an age where self-care has become a priority. Whether its waking up early for that yoga class or hitting the gym after a day at the office, we value our bodies and what we put in them. Unlike generations before us, we make it a point to treat ourselves.

However, like all imbalances, focusing on one need - in this case, the physical - shifts attention away from your emotional needs. Self-love can be defined as loving yourself emotionally irrespective of what you have; it’s knowing your worth and valuing yourself for it.

RELATED: The Most Powerful Speech On How To Achieve Anything You Want

Many people struggle to maintain this type of well-being throughout their week. Unlike self-care, self-love is a more conscious exercise that requires daily practice to be effective. It is easy to conflate the two practices and mistake loving yourself by the acts of self-care you engage in. Yet, doing so is a disservice - as you are only treating yourself at a symptom-level, a physical-level. Self-love is treating yourself at the source.

So mine deep, and love deeper.

Lisa Nichols: These 3 Sentences Will Change Your Life

Lisa Nichols delivers a powerful speech on her experience with abuse and depression and what they taught her. She then reveals advice on how to overcome even your most troubling times.

Words of Wisdom: It ain’t ever too late to press RESET and fall madly in love with the life that you’ve been given.

Ed Sheeran: Being Weird Is a Beautiful Thing

Musician Ed Sheeran Shares why he was bullied as a child to encourage all outacasts to stop hiding and start embracing what makes them unique.

Words of Wisdom: If you tried being the cool kid from class, you’d end up being very boring.

Ashley Graham: You Are Your Own Kind of Woman, Love Yourself

Model Ashley Graham reveals that acceptance of her imperfections was the driving force behind her successful modeling career. Her powerful speech will inspire you to love yourself just the way you are.

Words of Wisdom: Be your favorite kind of woman. Don’t let anyone else take that job.

Octavia Spencer: Embrace the Mess

Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer never had it easy. Here, she talks about pursuing her dream to act in an industry she knew would not accept her.

Words of Wisdom: Remember your Kipling. If you could meet with triumph and disaster, but treat those two imposters just the same. Treat them just the same.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Dare to Take

Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shares how she coped with her father’s kidnapping and the impact it had on how she lives her life today. Her story will inspire you to start living your authentic self today.

Words of Wisdom:   Please do not twist yourself into shapes to please. Don’t do it. If someone likes that version of you, that version of you that is false and holds back. Then they actually like a twisted shape, and not you.

P!nk: You’re Beautiful

Words of Wisdom: We don’t change. We take the gravel and the shell and we make a pearl, and we help other people to change so they can see other types of beauty.

If you liked how these videos made you feel, be sure to subscribe to all things inspirational at Goalcast's Youtube channel .

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Forced to feel ashamed for her weight and appearance, Kate Winslet struggled with her body image for years. The media loved to tease her for being “the fat girl,” but there was ONE PERSON who saw the real her. What did Leo see in Kate? And what important message does Kate have for young women everywhere?

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio's True Friendship

Kate Winslet has not always been sure of herself. "I was always comparing myself to others. You see I've been bullied at school, they call me blubber, they teased me for wanting to act."

While it's nearly impossible to think of the gorgeous and talented Winslet as anything other than a force to be reckoned with, years of being teased and the media's love for taking shots at her weight did their damage.

"I was sort of made to feel ashamed of myself, my appearance."

But when co-star and friend, Leonardo DiCaprio stepped in, he had only a few words of encouragement that helped to shape a new outlook for the Titanic actress. An outlook that she was able to share with other women, including her young daughter , Mia.

"You know, happiness it isn't a search for, you know ,facial physical perfection. You know, it comes from inside."

25 Rapper Quotes About Life That Will Hype You Up

The genres of rap and hip hop have been demonized by their association with gang violence and have often been represented by questionable characters. But we can’t overlook the fact that there are a lot of rappers out there who inspire and motivate us every day with their powerful lyrics and hypnotizing beats.

Just like any other form of art, rap is a representation of the artist’s personal experiences and emotions. A representation of what living in a rough environment really means and an expression of the grit that a tough life demands. They speak from life experience.

Maybe not all rappers make for excellent role models, but a lot of them deliver valuable life lessons through their songs. Besides, the confidence and boldness of these artists is infectious. Whether you are a fan of this music genre or not, you’ll definitely find a lot of wisdom and inspiration behind the following rapper quotes.

Here are 25 rapper quotes about life to motivate you to keep grinding :

Even though you’re fed up, you got to keep ya head up. TUPAC SHAKUR ( more Tupac Shakur quotes )

Trust your own judgement, live with it and love it. NAS

Forget yesterday, live for today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. RICK ROSS

You’ve got enemies? Good, that means you actually stood up for something. EMINEM ( more Eminem quotes )

They’re gonna try to tell you no, shatter all your dreams. But you gotta get up and go and think of better things. MAC MILLER

Next time you see a brother down, stop and pick him up, Cause you might be the next one stuck. GRAND PUBA

Never become so involved with something that it blinds you. Never forget where you from; someone will remind you. DMX

Living well eliminates the need for revenge. KANYE WEST

People will love you and support you when it’s beneficial. NICKI MINAJ ( more Nicki Minaj quotes )

Pay attention to whom your energy increases and decreases around. That’s the universe giving you a hint of who you should embrace and who you should keep away from. P. DIDDY

Behind me is infinite power. Before me is endless possibility, around me is boundless opportunity. My strength is mental, physical and spiritual. 50 CENT

Take the first chance that you get, because you may never get another one. LIL WAYNE

If people take anything from my music, it should be motivation to know that anything is possible as long as you keep working at it and don’t back down. EMINEM

Remind yourself, nobody’s built like you. You design yourself. JAY-Z ( more Jay-Z quotes )

Something I try to instill in others is to just be a good person. It’s a decision you make a million times a day. But if you just keep trying, good stuff comes to you in an ordained way. CHANCE THE RAPPER ( more Chance the Rapper quotes )

My making it is a combination of grinding, grinding, grinding, and being lucky enough to finally get a shot. BUSTA RHYMES

You might not have a car or big gold chain, stay true to yourself and things will change. SNOOP DOGG

We ain’t picture perfect but we worth the picture still. J. COLE

I’m too loyal and too focused to be losing and be hopeless. TYGA

Nothing can stop me, I’m all the way up. FAT JOE

I’m my own competition, I’m competing with myself. CARDI B.

When the ideas are coming, I don’t stop until the ideas stop because that train doesn’t come along all the time. DR. DRE

Damn right I like the life I live because I went from negative to positive. BIGGIE SMALLS

Speak the truth even if your voice shakes. IGGY AZALEA

Learn life, before life learn you. JADAKISS

What are some positive quotes from music artists?

Looking for more? To keep the good vibes flowing, check out these music quotes that celebrate the magic of sound and rhythm. Then get inspired with 27 Beethoven quotes about music, art, and life itself. Then have a look at the words of wisdom from Billie Eilish on embracing your authentic self.

Poor Boy Couldn’t Afford to Bury His Mom - So He Takes Matters Into His Own Hands

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Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.

The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.

She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Elderly Woman Sells Homemade Pies and Cakes 

@mannierants Store address: 610 W Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, #ourElders 💙 FL 33815 #Localsupport #fy #pielady #sweetelder #payitforward

Inez has been setting up shop outside her local grocery store since November 2018, frequently rising at midnight to start baking. Her specialties include pecan pie, sweet potato pie, pineapple pound cake, and red velvet cake with cream cheese icing.

Recently, Lakelander resident, Mannie (who posts on TikTok as @mannierants), came across Inez selling her cakes in the blistering Florida heat.

In a now-viral video , Mannie zooms in on her small business, consisting of a tray table and footstool draped in white tablecloths and covered in baked goods.

"I love sweet potato pie. I would like to get two," the TikToker tells her.

Mannie starts counting out the money...and doesn't stop...completely emptying his wallet as Inez cries with gratitude.

"I don't know what your challenge is. I wish I had more, I wish I had more. I want this to be bigger for you. I want more people to come and support you, I really do." - Mannie told Inez

However, Mannie didn't just wish it; the TikToker did something about it, putting a call out on social media.

"I don't know her, neither her situation," the text overlay reads. "But my heart says she needs our support. If you're able to please stop by if you're in Lakeland Fl. It will be greatly appreciated."

Mannie tells Fox13 New s that he wasn't looking for fame. He just wanted to help a grandma out and support local.

“That’s the main reason why I made it. Not to go viral for social media purposes. I just wanted local people to support each other because that’s the best rewarding experience."

A TikTok Video Goes Viral

73-year-old Inez Hudson sets up shop outside a local Lakeland grocery store to raise money so she can support herself.

It worked! Mannie's post took off, garnering more than 800,000 views and nearly 6,000 comments.

"That cry broke my heart. I can't stand to see our elderly forced to worry how to make ends instead of enjoying their latter years😢🙏❤❤"

"We’re coming GRANNY🤗🤗🤗🤗💖💖💖💖🖤🖤"

"Im in Orlando! Momma we will be there soon ❤️"

"She's so grateful 🙏 I'm from tampa im coming 2 support."

People from all over the area, and even beyond, started making the trip to Super Choice Foods to buy Inez's baked goods. And they keep on coming.

Her long-time friends are beyond thrilled for her as they know how tough it's been financially.

"I shared with her, God said, ‘stop worrying.' Trust Him and he's going to make things go to where you're not going to have to stress," said one friend, Jamie Overstreet. "Gradually, more people are coming, and to hear it's going viral, ah! That's so exciting!"

Now the only thing Inez has to worry about is selling out.

While the elderly woman is excited about the uptick in customers, she does admit her newfound fame makes her a bit nervous. Overall, however, she's ecstatic that all of her hard work is paying off.

"It makes me feel happy because I've been doing this for so long and it's something I've always wanted to do." - Inez Hudson

Supporting Local Business

Inez joins a growing number of seniors who can no longer afford to live off their fixed incomes. According to the Pew Research Center , the older workforce has nearly quadrupled in size since the mid-1980s, equating to roughly 11 million people.

As inflation continues to hammer the country and the cost of housing skyrockets, more and more people who should be enjoying their retirement are forced to continue working.

It's also why supporting local businesses and the "little guy" is so important. Buying local ensures that our money goes to the people who need it most, rather than to huge corporations that value profits over people.

When we choose to buy from small, independent sellers we are directly contributing to the livelihoods of our neighbors and friends. So next time you're deciding where to spend your money, consider businesses like Inez's.

Your support could be the difference between struggle and success.

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"Be a voice not an echo." - Albert Einstein

How to Achieve Emotional Power in Speeches and Presentations

It's a lecture that packs an emotional wallop. The talk ties the tragedy to an opportunity to see one of its victims dancing again for the first time on the TED stage.

Great speaking depends as much on your performance as your material! Find out why in my free Insights article ,  "Great Speaking? It's About Performance Over Content!"

How to Make Your Speeches Emotionally Powerful

Through performances like Hugh Herr's TED talk, we see how emotion can transcend content and even an unemotional speaker. That's key to great keynote speaking or other events where you're looking for a maximum payoff in terms of how to engage an audience .

In terms of your own speeches and presentations, you can and should develop your message in ways that tap into emotional reservoirs. So often it's really about your audience's emotional experience—and know that that response can occur in spite of analytical, financial, or technical content. In fact, if you frequently discuss topics in these areas, it's critically important that you understand how emotions work on audiences.

Here are five ways you can consciously create an "emotional encounter" between you and listeners. Do that, and your influence will soar. Most speakers just deliver content, which almost never reaches an emotional plane. Instead, here are my five rules for achieving emotional power in your speeches and presentations.

1. Develop an Emotional Message.

At The Genard Method of performance-based public speaking training in Boston, we teach clients that concept first, last, and everywhere in between. It's your audience that matters when you speak, not your focus on content. The "content bandwagon" is always bright and shiny and fun to hop on. But influence  is the be-all and end-all in public speaking situations.

You should therefore ask yourself at every stage of preparation if what you're putting together will serve your purpose . One great way to do so is to learn how to perform an audience analysis . Since to influence means to change thoughts, feelings, or actions—all emotional experiences—you must find the emotional wavelength. What will reach these listeners where they live, and so change their lives for the better? This is so far above the bare delivery of content that it shouldn't even need stating, but it does.

2. Show Your Engagement. 

Content can never live on its own. It's your place to make it come to life, sparking electricity between you and the audience. The good news is that you can just be you to make that happen. In fact, the connection won't occur otherwise. All your audience ever wants is you, speaking honestly about something you believe in.

So here's a simple formula to live by: Zero in on your relationship with your audience and forget about how you're doing. Worrying about your performance will push you toward artificially creating an "excellent" end result. Instead, just engage listeners. They'll respond!

3. Use emotional language. 

Making emotional connections with other human beings isn't difficult if you share an interest in the same topic. But to do so, you need to use the language of emotion .

How could you succeed without doing that if you're trying to move listeners? Emotional words and connotations create a heartfelt response in people. "Love" beats "like." "Should" pales next to "must." Listen to the difference between: "I like this development" and "I love this solution!"

Look for words that sing rather than mumble; run headlong instead of stroll. As Mark Twain said, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." (Here are Mark Twain's best quotes and how to use them in public speaking. )

4. Create an emotional experience. 

It's all part of creating an emotional experience for your audience. Never be satisfied with just conveying information, as nothing is more boring for listeners. Why educate when you can inspire? Why motivate when you can fire up? Why influence when you can change lives?

One key to creating an emotional experience is simply wanting to do so. If you're shy about transforming the lives of the people in the room, don't speak in public. If you think that you can't reach audiences on an emotional level, maybe public speaking isn't for you. Memos, PowerPoint decks, and meeting minutes don't need you to explain much. They deliver their information efficiently. You're the human being who needs to be on hand to  tell us what it all means.

5. Open the emotional gate.

Here's the last of my 5 ways to achieve emotional power in your talks. To be open to your exciting (and emotionally engaging) ideas, audiences need you to show the way. If you're not exhibiting an emotional response yourself, why should they? If you're only conveying information without much humanity, they may give up on you.

Sure, you're not perfect and never will be. You'll also never deliver a perfect presentation. But every time you present, you give audiences a unique gift: a person speaking in real time, in a hire-wire act where much is on the line. Your willingness to do is a powerful way to get people to listen to and like you. It will help create both leadership and charisma. It will open you to them, and them to you. After all, the emotional gate swings both ways.

This blog was originally published in 2014. It is updated here.

You should follow me on Twitter   here .

Ready to speak with the power that impacts and influences stakeholders?  The Genard Method  trains leaders, spokespersons, government representatives, and business professionals worldwide in speaking for leadership. 

Tags: public speaking training , presentation skills , public speaking , communication skills , emotional intelligence , influence , presentation skills training , TED talks , charisma , leadership , The Genard Method , Dr. Gary Genard , speaking with emotion , Boston Marathon bombing , MIT , emotion

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