Hal Runkel

Hal Runkel is quickly becoming America's new expert on human relationships.

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, relationship coach, and highly sought-after keynote speaker, Hal is the visionary founder and president of ScreamFree Living, Inc., an organization dedicated to calming the world, one relationship at a time. His innovative book, "ScreamFree Parenting: Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool," released internationally by both Broadway Books (secular) and Waterbrook Press (Christian) in September 2007, reached New York Times bestseller status in its debut week. Additionally, Hal has authored other influential books including "Choose Your Own Adulthood," "ScreamFree Marriage," "The Self-Centered Marriage," and "Paternidad Libre De Gritos."

Married for over a decade, Hal and his wife have two children, a son and a daughter. As both a husband and a father, he applies the ScreamFree methodology at home, the same approach he advocates to thousands of families worldwide.

With a robust academic background in social sciences, Hal has transformed sophisticated relationship theories into practical applications. Through thousands of hours in family therapy, organizational consulting, and professional coaching across various settings including organizations, churches, family businesses, and schools, he developed the ScreamFree Living methodology. This approach has revolutionized relationships through various programs like ScreamFree Parenting, ScreamFree Marriage, and ScreamFree Leadership, which he presents to national audiences via live presentations, webinars, and seminars.

Hal has conducted workshops and spoken on topics such as organizational dynamics, parenting, marriage, anger management, and psychological assessments at regional, national, and international conferences. He has also engaged with corporate clients like Chick-fil-A and RJ Griffin, as well as clinical professional organizations and community groups. His key programs such as "The Lifelong Marriage Mindset," "The ScreamFree Workplace," and "The Leader’s Pause" have been recognized for their impact in fostering healthier communication and relationships in both family and corporate settings.

Featured on NBC's "The Today Show" multiple times, as well as "iVillage Live" (NBC) and CW's "The Daily Buzz," Hal continues to share the principles of ScreamFree Living across various platforms. His expertise and the practical applications of his methodology have been highlighted in numerous media outlets.

Hal holds membership in the Family Firm Institute, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Before founding ScreamFree Living, Inc., he sustained a successful therapy practice and served as the director of education for Covenant Counseling Institute in Snellville, Georgia.

Born in Houston and now residing in the Greater Atlanta area, Hal completed his Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) in August 2000 from Abilene Christian University, after earning an M.S. in Theological Studies in 1998. His educational background and extensive experience further solidify his expertise in improving human relationships through a calm, principle-based approach.