Q1: Tell us a little bit about yourself, what made you become who you are today and how did you start?

I grew up in foster care and went through a lot of different homes, struggles, and challenges.  A lot of what I’ve learned, I’ve learned from those hard times.  I don’t give advice b/c I think I’m perfect, I give advice because I’ve been through a lot of crap and learned a lot from it.

In high school I was the class clown.  Always got kicked outta class for talking. Which Rocks because now I get paid for it. (Whats up now suckas!) Then one day a teacher said to me “Josh when your friends are laughing at you, they are listening…now what will you say??  BOOM! That made me think that this annoyance could actually be a skill used for good.

Q2: Where did you find inspirations and who do you look up to for support?

Lots of people. My foster parents have always been a wonderful source of support for me. I call my mom Martha Stewart on Red Bull.  Which is funny AND true! But a lot of my “in your face, but on your side” style I learned from her.  She was sweet, and loving and would hug you but also wouldn’t take no crap!

Also, Jamie Oliver (The Chef) has been a big career role model for me. He’s Young. He’s successful. And has good life balance and priorities. Very hard to find someone who has all three.

Q3: Can you describe your life journey?

I was a mess. Now I’m a message.

Q4: What is your regular day to day work flow?

There is no regular day! Which is part of what makes it so great. And does well for an A.D.D. type person like myself.

(oooh, I love cheese)

Anything from working on a book, filming a TV Show, flying to a city to speak at a high school, or chilling with my friends and living a great life so I have something to talk about.  Balance is important.

Q5: What do you like most about your job? And What would you say you don’t like about it?

The only thing I don’t like is the travel. I wish I could teleport. If you have a teleportation device. Please call me. I will buy it. I don’t care what the cost is. I will Ebay my dog.

I love the ability in any venue whether it be on a stage, on TV, or in print to make someone laugh, and the boom! challenge their way of thinking in the same breath.

Q6: What are your goals and future plans for your career?

To continue to entertain, inspire and empower young people in all venues possible.

Q7: What are your upcoming projects?

Many.  All exciting.

A TV Show debuting this fall.  It’s called “Jump Shipp”  It deals with twenty somethings in a quarter life crisis who need to QUIT.  Thus, they need to jump shipp.  Maybe its a dead end job, or they need to move out, quit a relationship, etc.  I am there as their big brother type, to entertain, to provoke, and to help them jump.

A Book coming out in 2010.  “The Teen’s Guide to World Domination” The truth is the only thing you can control in your life, is your own world. This book will show you how to rock it and dominate your own world so someone else doesn’t try to.

Q8: What are your 5 favourite websites, and why?

Facebook. Its awesome.

Last.fm. It’s awesome.

Twitter. It’s awesomely stalkerish

Hulu.com. I heart Conan.

HeyJosh.com because I’m contractually obligated to say that.

Q9: Once again, thank you very much for the interview. As a final word, do you have any tips for upcoming youth speakers?

It takes ten years to become an overnight success.  The only way to get better is to take at bats. Figure out what your message is and is not, and share it with as many people as possible. After each speech, hone it, tweak it, and do it again. Practice makes improvement. And a goat.