At only 15 years old, Mark Zinder began learning his entertaining speaking style while honing his skills as an amateur magician. Soon after his freshman year in college, Mark accepted a scholarship in Speech Communications. After graduating in 1979, he ventured into the field of speaker management while also performing magic and stand-up comedy. By 1982, Mark shifted his focus to finance and quickly learned of the industry’s need for professional speakers.

In 1992, he was hired as the spokesman for legendary global money manager Sir John Templeton, one of the world’s most generous philanthropists. At 80, Mr. Templeton no longer had the energy to travel and speak at conferences and chose Mark as his spokesman. He would travel to Nassau monthly to visit and learn from Sir John, and then travel the globe, delivering presentations on Sir John’s behalf. Since 2004, Mark has been out on his own. During his speaking career, which has spanned over 30 years, he has delivered over 3,000 presentations worldwide while also making numerous appearances on national television, delighting the viewers with his quick wit and timely prognostications.

Mark has spoken to many recognizable organizations like IBM, NASA, Merril Lynch, Furman University, and Reeves School of Management, along with numerous other organizations, which are too many to mention here.

Title: How We Got to Now: Part 1
As both a historian and a futurist, I analyze recent events to identify patterns that mirror those of distant historical periods. By examining the past, I aim to forecast what the near future may hold. This introductory presentation will establish the framework for this approach.

Title: How We Got to Now: Part 2
Does history repeat itself? Is Sir Winston Churchill's assertion true when he claimed, "The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see"? To find a historical period that mirrors our present, I’ve studied the 14th-century Plague that ravaged Europe. As we know, it claimed the lives of half the European population. The question we will explore is: what transpired after the plague?

Title: How We Got to Now: Part 3
The 15th century saw the creation of remarkable works of art, sculpture, and architecture, with the total knowledge gained surpassing what had been accumulated in the previous 1,000 years combined. What was the pivotal factor, the invention that enabled such extraordinary achievements in such a brief period? This presentation will provide the answer.

Title: How We Got to Now: Part 4
Since the mid-1700s, one revolution followed another: the Industrial Revolution, the Railroad Revolution, Electrification, Mass Production, and today, Information Technology. This presentation explores their similarities, how they evolve, and the timespan between the end of one and the beginning of another. Are we nearing the end of this current revolution, and if so, what will the next revolution be?

Title: What Happens Next?
After examining our historical advancements, it's time to shift gears and focus on the future. Thomas Macaulay once asked, “On what principle is it that, with nothing but improvement behind us, we should expect nothing but deterioration before us?" This presentation aims to astonish everyone as I explore the various advancements that may occur tomorrow.

Title: The Fun Side of History's Journey
The fun side of history's journey uncovers quirky, humorous, and unexpected stories that often go unnoticed. From eccentric characters to amusing blunders, these tales highlight the creativity and resilience of people throughout time. By embracing these entertaining anecdotes, we gain a fresh perspective that celebrates the joy of discovery and the delightful quirks that enrich our shared past.

Other Presentations
My wife and I have led interesting lives. I have performed as a magician and comedian. My best friend was one of the original MTV VJs and was nominated for an Academy Award for a film he produced. I was friends with famed comedian and TV personality Phylis Diller. I've worked with and coached Frank Abagnale, the real-life individual Leonardo DiCaprio portrayed in the blockbuster film Catch Me If You Can, and for four years, my wife worked as an actress on the hit TV show Miami Vice. I've worked closely with Sir John Templeton, a generous benefactor to the restoration of Westminster Abbey, endowed the Templeton College at Oxford University, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. I have taught thousands to understand finance and economics by sharing stories vs. telling stats and facts and have delivered motivational speeches to students and young adults alike.

I had the privilege of speaking on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 during its transatlantic crossing (March 8-15, 2025), and even the cruise director was impressed by the crowds I attracted. I was scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. on the first morning of the cruise, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the auditorium half-full. My next session was on Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. during the lunch hour. After 30 years of speaking to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe, I’ve learned that when it comes to choosing between lunch or listening to a speaker, most will pick food. Yet, the auditorium was three-quarters full! On Thursday afternoon, my next talk left the cruise director in awe as the 500-seat theater was filled to capacity with standing-room-only. Was it the content? My comedic delivery? Or my years of speaking experience? I once learned that the first rule of public speaking is to “know your audience.” This well-educated and older crowd is the type of audience I have been speaking to for over 30 years. What I am not is a retired college professor whose prior audience was between the ages of 18 and 22. If you want to witness a true speaking professional yourself, then please invite me to speak on your ship and watch the magic unfold!
The highlight for me came when I received the best testimonial of my career, delivered by a frequent cruiser on the last day of her first transatlantic crossing. Despite the variety of activities, very few appealed to her. She approached me, leaned in, and said, “If it weren’t for you and your presentations, I would have thrown myself overboard!”

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.