The SpeakerPath®

Brian Miller
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CAREERS

Discover the art and business of professional speaking. Your host is Brian Miller, a former magician turned international keynote speaker and award winning speechwriter, who now runs Clarity Up, a message design firm that teaches experts how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Joining Brian is his team of world class consultants, including Francisco Mahfuz, a storytelling specialist, and Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, a presence and performance coach. Together, they'll explore the vast and nebulous world of professional speaking, both on and off stage.

  1. DEC 15

    Episode 14: How To Create Real Change From The Stage

    Most speakers try to change their audience by offering tips, tricks, hacks, and tactics. But tactics rarely create lasting change.  Paradigm shifts do. In this episode, Brian Miller shares the single biggest insight that transformed his 15-year speaking career: a lesson he received from Seth Godin.  This approach applies to every expert, speaker, and leader who wants to have real impact on a stage. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why solutions-focused speaking often fails to create meaningful changeHow one sentence from Seth Godin completely reframed Brian’s approach to business and speakingThe difference between keynote speeches and workshops (and why mixing them kills your impact)What a paradigm shift sounds like and how to craft oneHow cross-disciplinary insights (like Brian’s from magic) make your ideas stickWhy the size of the paradigm shift often determines the size of a speaker’s paycheck 🔗 Links Work with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/  Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/  YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/LfH_p5bB8Rw

    15 min

  2. DEC 1

    Episode 13: How To Tell (And Find!) Great Stories

    The real storytelling problem most speakers have is not “how do I tell a story?” but “where do I find one?”  In this episode of The Speaker Path® Podcast, Jo Jongsma invites story expert Francisco Mahfuz to break down what a story actually is (hint: not a string of events!), why “tell me a story” instantly freezes your brain, and how to use simple prompts like first / last / worst / best to surface stories you already have but don’t recognise as stories.  We look at why everyday frustrations, small imperfections, and throwaway kid quotes are often better material than dramatic Everest-style adventures – and how to start capturing those moments so you always have the right story for your next talk, pitch or TEDx-style talk. You’ll learn: What a story really is in a professional context: a real-life example that makes a point.Why “tell me a story” creates instant performance anxiety, and what to ask yourself instead.The biggest obstacle most speakers face: not telling stories, but finding them.How to use the “First, Last, Worst, Best” method to uncover powerful origin stories and client stories.Why the best speaking stories are usually pebbles in the shoe, not Mount Everest – small, relatable moments from everyday life.How to turn annoyances, awkward interactions, and imperfections into highly relatable material.The simple checklist for crafting a story that worksWhy you must “find the story first” before worrying about structure, frameworks, or delivery.A simple daily habit to build your story bank. The Speaker Path® Podcast is produced by Clarity Up LLC, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Connect with our experts:   •  Ioana (Jo) Jongsma ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/  )   •  Francisco Mahfuz ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz/  ) 🔗 Links Work with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/ Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

    27 min

  3. NOV 17

    Episode 12: Speaker Coaches React: Esther Perel, Robert Waldinger, and Marilyn York

    Why do some viral TED/TEDx stories hook us instantly while others stall in the first minute? In this episode, speaker coaches Ioana (Jo) Jongsma and Francisco Mahfuz react to three viral TED/TEDx talks—Esther Perel, Robert Waldinger, and Marilyn York—showing what hooks, what drags, and how to fix it. You’ll get practical moves to open strong (or set the premise first), tighten pacing, and turn research into human stories with dialogue, specifics, and metaphor. You will learn: How dialogue and specific scenes boost attention and recallThe fast way to cut a story by 30 seconds or moreTurning research into narrative, conflict, and characterThe connecting line that links a personal story to your premiseWhen a sharp metaphor can carry the point Watch the clips featured in this episode: Marilyn York — What Representing Men in Divorce Taught Me About Fatherhood. Esther Perel — Rethinking infidelity … a talk for anyone who has ever loved. Robert Waldinger — What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness. 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uC24Gt4uzes 🎙 The SpeakerPath Podcast is from Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Connect with our hosts: Ioana (Jo) Jongsma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/ Francisco Mahfuz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz

    48 min

  4. NOV 3

    Episode 11: How We Survived Our Biggest Speaking Flops

    Failure happens on stage and off. In this roundtable, Brian Miller, Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, and Francisco Mahfuz share their most painful speaking fails from a joke that died in the opening line, to a mass walk-out mid-talk, to offending a client with a poorly framed stat, and the exact fixes they use today. You’ll get practical tools to prevent repeats, recover in the moment, and turn misses into material. What you’ll learn: Why opening with humor often backfires (and how to signal it so it lands)Where to test new material (hint: never first or last)How to use stakes and statistics without triggering guilt or defensivenessReading the room: audience, culture, and context cues to adjust on the flyThe “great talk, no bookings” trap and how to set success metrics upfrontSimple recovery lines and pivots when the room goes cold (or leaves) 🎙 The SpeakerPath® Podcast is from Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Connect with our hosts: Brian Miller, Founder & Principal Messaging Consultant:https://linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, Presence & Performance Coach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/ Francisco Mahfuz, Story Specialist & Lead Consultant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz

    38 min

  5. OCT 20

    Episode 10: Speaker Coaches React: Joe Risser, Jess Ekstrom, and Valorie Kondos Field

    What makes a killer opening line and why do even great speakers lose us in the first minute? In this episode of The SpeakerPath Podcast, Brian Miller and Jo Jongsma react to three real TED and TEDx openings. From a dramatic “plank” intro to a story about ice cream, to a world-class coach redefining success, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and why your very first sentence might decide whether the audience stays with you. Watch the clips featured in this episode: Joe Risser, MD, MPH talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNxC16mlO60 Jess Ekstrom talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT2q1YKZQPE&t Valorie Kondos Field talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJyeKiT8g4g& What you'll learn: Why the first line of your talk matters mostJoe Risser’s “plank” opening: performance vs. presenceWhat loses engagement after a strong startJess Ekstrom’s ice cream story: conversational but powerfulMissed callbacks, stakes, and open loopsValorie Kondos Field: credibility, authority, and the spoiler problemKey takeaways: how to earn attention without losing connection 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i9InDjL6GsU 🎙 The SpeakerPath® Podcast is from Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Visit https://clarityupconsulting.com to learn how to speak like you, but better. Connect with our hosts: Brian Miller: https://linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks Ioana (Jo) Jongsma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/

    1h 1m

  6. OCT 6

    Episode 9: Speaker Coaches React: Scott Galloway, Josh Radnor, Codie Sanchez

    What can you learn from watching famous speakers even if you don’t like their style? In Episode 9 of The SpeakerPath Podcast, Brian Miller and Jo Jongsma sit down to watch and react to clips from Josh Radnor, Codie Sanchez, and Scott Galloway. From polished actors to business leaders, they unpack the choices each speaker makes in front of an audience, the strengths, the flaws, and the lessons that matter for anyone preparing their next talk. Full episode: https://youtu.be/Rt5hTFK7ajc Watch the clips featured in this episode: Josh Radnor Talk – https://youtu.be/Jr7MkrHDGt0?si=NYHP24sM5KLOzr7T Codie Sanchez Interview – https://youtu.be/N6LjeRSDXdU?si=L8ES7YiewYk77l9l Scott Galloway Talk – https://youtu.be/qEJ4hkpQW8E?si=XAKTr-d5NBKk_57t  You’ll learn: Why even seasoned performers show nerves on stage (and how they handle it)The power of posture, gesture, and voice in shaping presenceHow warmth (or the choice to withhold it) changes audience connectionWhy clarity of speech is as important as confidenceHow to separate what makes someone famous from what makes them effective 🎙 The SpeakerPath® Podcast is from Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Visit https://clarityupconsulting.com to learn how to speak like you, but better. Connect with our hosts: Brian MillerIoana (Jo) Jongsma

    16 min

  7. SEP 22

    Episode 8: How Speakers Can Prepare For Panels and Fireside Chats

    Winging it doesn’t work. Panels and fireside chats may feel like casual conversations, but when you’re on stage with a mic, the audience deserves more than whatever comes to mind. In Episode 8 of The SpeakerPath Podcast, Brian Miller and Jo Jongsma break down how to prepare for these formats using core messaging. They explain why “speaking from the heart” only works if you’ve rehearsed your message, how to adapt your talking points for short time slots, and how to make every answer clip-worthy for the audience in the room and the replay. What you’ll learn: Why panels and firesides are harder than they lookThe difference between sounding rehearsed and being well-preparedHow to define your premise and make it relevant to any audienceWhy every answer should be short enough to stand alone, but expandable when neededA practical editing process to refine your answers from ten minutes down to one sentence Tricks to stay authentic while keeping structure 🎙 The SpeakerPath® Podcast is from Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Connect with our hosts: Brian MillerIoana (Jo) Jongsma

    41 min

  8. SEP 8

    Episode 7: Why "Just Be Yourself" Is The Worst Communication Advice

    Before a big talk or presentation, you’ve probably heard someone say: “Don’t worry. Just be yourself.” It sounds comforting but it’s terrible advice. In Episode 7 of The SpeakerPath Podcast, Ioana Jo Jongsma, presence and performance specialist at Clarity Up, explains why “just be yourself” is vague and impossible to apply when the pressure is high. Instead, she shares a practical, values-based approach to showing up as your best self on stage. You’ll learn: Why “just be yourself” is a myth that doesn’t prepare you for the stageHow to identify what your audience actually needs from youWhy values are the foundation of authentic presenceA six-step process to measure and improve how congruent you are with your valuesHow small, 10% improvements make a noticeable difference 🎙 The SpeakerPath® Podcast is from Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Connect with our host: Ioana (Jo) Jongsma 🔗 Links Work with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/ Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

    12 min
See All (14)

About

Discover the art and business of professional speaking. Your host is Brian Miller, a former magician turned international keynote speaker and award winning speechwriter, who now runs Clarity Up, a message design firm that teaches experts how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Joining Brian is his team of world class consultants, including Francisco Mahfuz, a storytelling specialist, and Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, a presence and performance coach. Together, they'll explore the vast and nebulous world of professional speaking, both on and off stage.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Miller
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Clarity Up LLC 2025
  • Show Website
    The SpeakerPath®