Tom Farley
- Co-author of NYT bestselling book, The Chris Farley Show
- Advocate Against Substance Abuse and for Mental Health
Tom Farley Speaker Biography
Tom Farley grew up in Madison, WI, and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Marketing. He began his career in banking and finance before running The Chris Farley Foundation (1999–2012), a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on substance abuse prevention. Through humor-based programs, he helped young people build communication skills and create supportive environments.
In 2008, Tom co-authored The Chris Farley Show, a New York Times bestseller about his late brother, comedian Chris Farley. He has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live to discuss addiction and recovery.
Now in recovery himself, Tom is a passionate advocate for mental health and addiction treatment. He works at Recovery.com, connecting people with the resources they need to heal. As a speaker, he shares his journey to break stigma, inspire hope, and foster connection. Tom lives in Madison, WI.
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Speech Topics
Topics include:
Substance abuse prevention
Addiction and Mental Health
Treatment and Recovery
Addiction during Covid-19 (warning signs, etc)
Family issues (addiction, interventions, loss)
Non-profit branding and communication
Reviews
When Tom Farley took the stage at the Peninsula Behavioral Health Gala, we expected to laugh. What we didn’t expect—at least not fully—was to walk away feeling seen, inspired, and reconnected to the heart of why we do this work.
With the same humor and humanity that made his brother Chris unforgettable, Tom brought his own powerful voice to our event. He shared personal stories with grace and grit, turning tragedy into a testament to resilience, healing, and hope. He had us wiping away tears—sometimes from laughter, sometimes from the raw honesty of his message.
Tom doesn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff, and that’s exactly why he’s so impactful. He speaks about mental health and addiction not from a distance, but from within the lived experience of a family forever changed by it. He reminded us that recovery isn’t linear, that connection saves lives, and that yes—sometimes the best medicine is a well-timed joke.
Having Tom Farley as our keynote speaker was more than a highlight. It was a moment of unity and reflection that will echo in our community long after the applause ended. We are beyond grateful for his courage, his candor, and the light he brings into rooms that need it most.
