See what the body is saying.

Respond with clarity.

A smiling older man with white hair and glasses, wearing a white button-down shirt and a beaded necklace, standing indoors.

Dr. Joe O'Connor brings 45 years of experience helping people cope with stress, read body language, and live to their full potential at any age.

Invite Dr. Joe to speak

Practical insight for everyday connection

Two cartoon men shaking hands and smiling against a yellow background.
Two cartoon men shaking hands and smiling against a yellow background.

BODY LANGUAGE

Learn to notice posture, facial expression, tone, and other nonverbal cues with greater care and context.

A cartoon illustration of a person with pink skin, wearing a blue shirt, with rainbow-colored tangled hair. The person has a worried expression, one hand placed on their chest, and the other slightly raised as if explaining or emphasizing something.
A cartoon illustration of a person with pink skin, wearing a blue shirt, with rainbow-colored tangled hair. The person has a worried expression, one hand placed on their chest, and the other slightly raised as if explaining or emphasizing something.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Approachable tools for recognizing stress, pausing before reacting, and responding with more steadiness.

Two abstract faces, one with black hair and the other with a blue face, smiling at each other, with their hands pressed together in a gesture of closeness, set against an orange background.
Two abstract faces, one with black hair and the other with a blue face, smiling at each other, with their hands pressed together in a gesture of closeness, set against an orange background.

HUMAN CONNECTION

Build trust through attentive listening, clear communication, and a more compassionate presence.

A life shaped by service, study, and a good sense of humor

"I'm having a ball," Dr. Joe O'Connor likes to say, especially at this point in his life. Growing up in the Bronx, he enlisted in the Navy and, at 19, was sent to Vietnam, an experience he says changed his life. The GI Bill later opened the door to education, and he went on to earn a doctorate from Hofstra University and a Primary Certificate from the Albert Ellis Institute in New York.

For the past 45 years, Dr. Joe has given presentations on coping with stress and reading body language, appearing on Channel 12 Long Island and Channel 21. His goal is simple: helping people live and reach their full potential at any age.

Outside of speaking, his passions include magic, traveling, dancing, and hiking, the same curiosity and energy that shows up in every talk he gives.

An elderly woman with short white hair wearing sunglasses, a colorful floral shirt, yellow pants, and beige shoes standing on a curved paved walkway in a park with green grass, palm trees, and buildings in the background during sunset.
An elderly woman with short white hair wearing sunglasses, a colorful floral shirt, yellow pants, and beige shoes standing on a curved paved walkway in a park with green grass, palm trees, and buildings in the background during sunset.

“Expression is the opposite of depression”

—Dr. Edith Eger

Service expressed in simple acts

Logo featuring a blue capital letter H with the text "LI HERALD.COM" beneath.
Two elderly men standing outside near a porch, engaging in conversation. One man is wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a patriotic print, glasses, and holding a plastic bag. The other man is wearing a gray sweatshirt with blue lettering. Behind them is an American flag hanging on a pole, and there are potted plants and trees in the background.
Two elderly men standing outside near a porch, engaging in conversation. One man is wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a patriotic print, glasses, and holding a plastic bag. The other man is wearing a gray sweatshirt with blue lettering. Behind them is an American flag hanging on a pole, and there are potted plants and trees in the background.

The weekend after September 11, Joe began baking and delivering apple pies to Rockville Centre families who had lost loved ones that day. Twenty-five years later, as the community marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, he's still at it, having delivered over 900 pies over the years to about 25 of the families who lost someone in the attacks. "They call me the pie man," he says. It's a simple, personal expression of a belief he carries into all of his work: care is communicated through presence as much as through words.

Logo with a banana illustration and the text: 'Let go of the banana. Presence. Connection. Impact.'
Logo with a banana illustration and the text: 'Let go of the banana. Presence. Connection. Impact.'

THE STORY PEOPLE REMEMBER

Older man with white hair and glasses wearing a colorful tropical shirt and white shorts, smiling and holding a banana, standing inside a restaurant or cafe with a black decorative wall, shelves with small bowls, and a side table of snacks.
Older man with white hair and glasses wearing a colorful tropical shirt and white shorts, smiling and holding a banana, standing inside a restaurant or cafe with a black decorative wall, shelves with small bowls, and a side table of snacks.

In a small village, a monkey was captured after being trapped by a hunter, who had placed a banana inside a coconut. Once the monkey reached in and grabbed hold, his hand was wedged in place. He could have let go and been free. Instead, he held on for dear life.

Humans share nearly all of our DNA with monkeys. But unlike them, we have the power to use our brains and free ourselves of negative thoughts. We become hostages to our past unless we're willing to let go of the banana, AND ACCEPT.

Let Go of the Banana

What People Are Saying

  • "I had the pleasure of attending one of Dr. Joe O’Connor’s presentations. He is an engaging speaker, using humor when appropriate and is always positive and inspiring. I left the presentation smiling and ready to try some of his suggestions. "

    — Dr. Donna M. Chimera, Clinical Psychologist

  • Dr. Joe O’Connor is a rare, radiant soul whose insight, humor, and deeply kind presence help people see their lives with new courage and compassion. His energy, wisdom, and care leave a lasting mark.

    — Dante Lattanzi, Grammy Nominated Songwriter

  • “Dr. O'Connor led an informative, entertaining workshop on controlling anger for our faculty. We've heard so many positive remarks from everyone who attended."

    — Selena I. Smith, Principal, West Hollow Middle School

  • "His presentation on stress management was so practical — everyone was talking about it. We'll all benefit from it in our personal and professional lives."

    — Sr. Raymond Marie, LSP, Director of Nursing Services, Jeanne Jugan Residence

See Dr. Joe in action

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