When Marketing Fails, Try MessageTherapy (not a typo)

Sept we have a fun session by Joel Benge:

Who is Joel:
Joel Benge is the Principal Nerd That Talks Good at MessageSpecs Consulting and helps other nerds talk good, too. Working with companies from Nickelodeon to NASA, Joel has mastered the art of communicating complicated ideas and tech to audiences and teams. His card deck, the MessageDeck, gamifies the process to help developers communicate their ideas and discover their credibility builders and hooks for their messaging. His latest book, Be a Nerd That Talks Good, is quickly becoming the nerd’s go-to- guide for turning technical knowledge into powerful messages.

What to expect:
Hooked on jargon? Struggling to make your technical talk matter?
It’s time to put your brand on the couch.

MessageTherapy Live! is a fast-paced, laugh-a-little, learn-a-lot session where startup survivor horror stories meet the science of saying something that sticks. Whether you’re a founder, a product marketer, or a clever soloist with a big idea but a fuzzy pitch, this session helps you trade blank stares for blank checks.

In the high-stakes world of technical innovation, one of the greatest threats to growth isn’t your competition. It’s your communication. If your pitch is perfect but nobody’s listening, you may as well be speaking to cavemen. From startup founders to tech leaders, the “blank stare” moment strikes even the most brilliant minds. Why? Because being technically right isn’t enough. You need to be heard. MessageTherapy Live! is a fast-paced, hands-on keynote that blends ancient philosophy, brain science, and a dash of improv to help technical leaders escape the curse of expertise and learn how to craft messages that stick, scale, and sell. Using Joel Benge’s proven “Heart, Head, Gut” messaging model and the wildly engaging MessageDeck card game, participants as audience members will laugh, cringe, and finally get why that last pitch fell flat — and how to fix it. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with messaging that hits the emotional sweet spot, satisfies logical scrutiny, and builds instant credibility — without dumbing anything down.

Agenda:
5:30–6:00 – Networking
6:00–7:00 - Presentation and Q&A
7:00 + – Leinie Lodge & Beer Garden for additional and conversations

Keep convos going on Slack - Join Baltimore Tech Meetup or follow us LinkedIn or Instagram

Date: Sept 10th 2025
Location: Spark Baltimore - 8 Market Pl Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21202
Time: 5:30pm to 7:00 pm

### A few logistical details:

• Spark Baltimore is located in PowerPlant Live! next to Charm City Clue Room on the first floor.
• We will meet for drinks in the area after.
• By attending, all participants commit to upholding and being subject to our Code of Conduct.
• By attending, participants also acknowledge and grant permission for the use of photographs they may appear in for promotional material by the organizers or sponsors. If you would like to rescind this permission, please contact us directly.