Black and white photo of a person wearing glasses and a white button-up shirt, sitting outdoors in front of trees.
Black and white photo of a person wearing glasses and a white button-up shirt, sitting outdoors in front of trees.

don blackwell

Meet the author

Don Blackwell is and, for the past 40 plus years, has been a trial attorney in South Florida. More importantly, Don is a husband, the father of two adult children, and “Papa Don” to two amazing grandchildren, Jake and Macie.

At various times, Don’s also been a college disc jockey, a little league baseball coach, the founder and principal organizer of a charity golf tournament benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an Adjunct Professor of Law, an avid blogger, a noticer, an encourager, and an outspoken mental health advocate.

 Don’s first book, Dear Ashley: A Father's Reflections and Letters to His Daughter on Life, Love and Hope, is a compilation of life lessons he learned in the midst of his daughter's decade-long struggle with a life-threatening illness. He also has authored two children’s books, The Bunt and Rounding Third, both based on his days as a little league coach.

 Don has published numerous articles on mental health in a variety of local, state, and national publications, is a much sought after speaker, and regularly appears as a guest on local and national webinars and mental health support group platforms.

When he’s not spending time with his grandchildren (or working!), Don loves going on long walks, lounging at the beach, engaging in meaningful conversation, playing an occasional round of golf, and listening to live and classic album rock music.

Speaking opportunities

In addition to numerous appearances as the featured guest on Chats in the Living Room, Don has shared his wisdom, wit, and inspirational messages for decades, speaking to a variety of audiences on topics ranging from the need for a heightened level of professionalism and civility in the legal profession, mental health, including eating disorders and other addictive behaviors, dads and daughters, and the principles at the core of his new book, Retune Your Heart and its Playbook companion.

If you’re interested in having Don come speak at an upcoming event or to your organization or group, simply fill out the form below to begin the process.

  • When It Comes To Mental Health, “Powering Through” Is Not an Option – And Other Lessons Learned From One Family’s Journey Into And Out Of the Abyss (April 2024).

  • I’m Pretty Sure We Missed the Memo! A Few Thoughts on How We Got Here, How We Find Our Way Home, And The Simple Joys That Patiently Await Our Return (April 2024)

  • “Compassionate Professionalism: The Time Has Come to Embrace and Tend To Our Shared Humanity” (June 2022)

  • “Loneliness and the Law – An Open Invitation to ‘Come Out and Play!’” (October 2018).

  • “Still Hungry After All These Years: A Retrospective and Prospective Look at the Father/Daughter Relationship and Eating Disorders” (NEDA Annual Conference, October, 2016)

  • “I’ve Listened to Your Daughter’s Heart,” Fatherhood and Families 15th Annual National Conference (February, 2014).

  • "If You Snooze You Lose - I Guarantee It! - 5 Keys to Unlocking The Desires Of Your Heart" (July, 2013).

speaker testimonials

  • This book. This talk. This man. Powerful. Evocative. Transformative. Don reminds us of our pure, innocent hearts and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. I dare you to sit through his presentation and not walk out forever changed. A gift for ourselves, those we love, and our world.

    Rochelle Weinstein, USA Today Bestselling Author

  • I was really touched by the message Don shared at Books & Books in Coral Gables regarding his latest books, Retune Your Heart and The Playbook of Your Childhood Heart. It not only touched my and my friend’s hearts, it was funny, inspiring, provided practical tools as to how to find our way back rediscovering and living from the innocence and vibrance of our childhood hearts. I would encourage everyone who gets the chance to hear this talk – and spend time with Don’s books!

    Dr. Jennifer Nardozzi

  • I was really touched by the passion and conviction with which Don delivered his talk entitled, “We Reboot Everything Else. Why Not Our Hearts?” at Books & Books in Coral Gables. The message really resonated with me. It was thoughtful, insightful, and inspiring. It’s clear how much care and intention went into every part of it, and I found myself sharing the ideas and conversations from the event with others afterward.

    C.A.

  • I had the pleasure and privilege to attend Don’s author event at Books & Books and to hear him share his thoughts and heart about his new book, about forgiving ourselves and others, and about listening listen to the whispers of our childhood heart that we’ve quieted over and over. He made me rethink how to approach life and loss in a more humane, thoughtful manner.

    Frank Ramos

  • Like his books, the message Don delivered at Books & Books in Coral Gables was a warm and entertaining invitation to not only revisit, but embrace the traits many of us left behind in childhood — the willingness to dream boldly, be completely present, and take meaningful risks. While that may seem and feel a little daunting, at least it does to me, it’s exactly what makes his message so compelling. I left the talk feeling inspired to take up the challenge to bet on myself and do the inner work necessary to live a more fulfilling life, enjoy the good, and take everything else a little less seriously.

    R. Taylor 

  • I had the pleasure of attending an author event at Books & Books hosted by Don Blackwell. The event was celebrating the release of Don’s new book, Retune Your Heart. Don’s talk about rebooting your heart was the most heart-awakening, sentimental and fierce presentation I’ve ever heard. It was captivating, eloquent, and thought-provoking. Don’s incredible humility and sense of humor leaves you wanting to hear more. That’s the kind of allure and connection Don has with his audience. I can’t wait for the next book, and the next event!

    Juliet Menendez

  • I just returned from the launch event for Don Blackwell’s new book, Retune Your Heart, at Books & Books in Coral Gables. Don doesn’t just speak truth—he embodies it. His message is refreshingly simple, deeply human, and universally applicable. It’s the kind of wisdom that stays with you—in hard conversations, quiet moments, and the choices that shape a beautiful and meaningful life.

    Ashley Garritson

  • Don’s talk, “We Reboot Everything Else. Why Not Our Hearts?” truly set the evening apart. It was unlike any talk I’ve ever heard—direct, funny, and profoundly sincere. Don has a gift for cutting through the noise and speaking straight to the heart. He invited us to consider how we might find our way back to our childhood hearts—those unguarded, joyful places within us that existed before the world taught us to believe we weren’t enough, before life’s hurts and struggles took their toll

    Stephanie Martinez Simm

Book cover of 'Retune Your Heart' by Don Blackwell, featuring a pink heart with a dial, set against a white brick wall. Tagline: 'Finding the Extra in the Ordinariness of Everyday Life.'

Retune your heart

Retune Your Heart stirs the spirits and soothes the soul, urging people to move beyond setbacks and heartbreak, embrace vulnerability, and get back to living their best, most authentic lives. 

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