The SpeakerPath®

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🔗 LinksWork with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

What do you do when your story involves trauma?Whether it’s your own or someone else’s, telling a trauma story on stage can connect deeply or cause harm. The difference is all in how you relate to it.In this episode of The SpeakerPath® Podcast, Brian, Jo, and Francisco share how professional speakers can decide if, when, and how to use stories that deal with trauma, grief, or deeply personal struggles. You’ll learn:How to tell if a trauma story is ready for the stageThe difference between catharsis for you vs. value for themWhy “trigger warnings” aren’t enoughHow to keep the audience safe while telling the truthWhen to leave the story out entirely🎙 The SpeakerPath® is a podcast hosted by Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Learn the science, art, and business of professional speaking.Connect with our hosts:🔹Brian Miller, Founder & Principal Messaging Consultant: https://linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks🔹Francisco Mahfuz, Story Specialist & Lead Consultant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz/🔹Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, Presence & Performance Coach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/

Have you ever felt like you’re just not entertaining enough to hold an audience? Here’s the truth: you don’t have to be an entertainer to be entertaining. In this solo episode, Brian Miller shares 5 lessons he learned as a professional magician that will change the way you think about speaking. These are strategies that work whether you’re on stage, in a boardroom, or leading a workshop.What you’ll learn:Why storytelling beats content when it comes to holding attentionThe power of your first and last momentsHow to keep energy up when the room dipsWhy you need “outs” for when things go wrongHow to simplify without dumbing it down🎙️ The SpeakerPath® is a podcast hosted by Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Learn the science, art, and business of professional speaking.Connect with our hosts:🔹Brian Miller, Founder & Principal Messaging Consultant: https://linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks🔹Francisco Mahfuz, Story Specialist & Lead Consultant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz/🔹Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, Presence & Performance Coach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/ #speakingskills  #aivshuman  #publicspeaking  #communication  #leadership  #podcast 🔗 LinksWork with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/Read more about the Xerox copy machine study by Ellen Langer: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1979-23568-001

Why do so many speaker coaches focus on hand gestures, vocal tone, and how you stand on stage?In this episode, Brian, Jo, and Francisco talk about what makes someone a great speaker and what doesn’t. They get into the real stuff: stress habits, audience trust, and why obsessing over polish can pull you away from your message.This one’s for anyone who’s tired of sounding “correct” and not connecting with their audience.What we talked about:Where bad speaking advice comes fromHow stress shows up in your deliveryWhy polish won’t save a shaky messageJo on coaching speakers who overperformThe difference between present and performativeWhen speaker training helps (and when it hurts)What “sounding like yourself” actually takes🎙️ The SpeakerPath® is a podcast hosted by Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Learn the science, art, and business of professional speaking.Connect with our hosts:🔹Brian Miller, Founder & Principal Messaging Consultant:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks 🔹Francisco Mahfuz, Story Specialist & Lead Consultant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz/ 🔹Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, Presence & Performance Coach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/ #storytelling #publicspeaking #communication #leadership #speakerpath #LeadershipCommunication #podcastclip🔗 LinksWork with Us:a...

What do you do when 100 seats are set and only 6 people show up? In this episode, Brian and Jo talk about showing up anyway, how real speakers adapt, stay present, and still make it count when the room isn’t what they hoped.We discussed:What do you do when only six people show up?Why younger speakers panic (and how to stop)How to adjust when the plan breaksThe gap between good speakers and paid onesYou don’t need more applause, you need more flight time🎙️ The SpeakerPath® is a podcast hosted by Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Learn the science, art, and business of professional speaking.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/#storytelling #publicspeaking #communication #clarity #leadership #speakerpath #thoughtleadership🔗 LinksWork with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

If storytelling is so essential, why does nobody actually do it?Brian, Jo, and Francisco break down what a real story actually is, why most people avoid them, and how to use stories without sounding like you’re performing.We discussed:What actually counts as a storyWhy facts fade but examples stickWhy “let me tell you a story” kills the energyThe power of specifics Case studies vs. real stories🎙️ The SpeakerPath® is a podcast hosted by Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Learn the science, art, and business of professional speaking.Connect with our hosts:🔹Brian Miller, Founder & Principal Messaging Consultant: https://linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks🔹Francisco Mahfuz, Story Specialist & Lead Consultant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz/🔹Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, Presence & Performance Coach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/#storytelling #publicspeaking #communication #clarity #leadership #speakerpath #thoughtleadership🔗 LinksWork with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

If AI can write your emails, your proposals, even your wedding vows, what’s left for humans to do? Brian, Francisco, and Jo discuss verbal speaking skills as the primary differentiator in an increasingly AI and automated world.We discussed: The value of verbal speaking skills in an AI worldOur nervous systems make us humanWhy 'talent' is overrated in professional speakingSam Harris's style of communicatingAdjusting your tone for conversational presentationsROI on speaking skills🎙️ The SpeakerPath® is a podcast hosted by Clarity Up, a boutique message design firm that teaches smart people how to explain their big ideas to the rest of us. Learn the science, art, and business of professional speaking.Connect with our hosts:🔹Brian Miller, Founder & Principal Messaging Consultant: https://linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks🔹Francisco Mahfuz, Story Specialist & Lead Consultant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz/🔹Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, Presence & Performance Coach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/ #speakingskills #aivshuman #publicspeaking #communication #leadership #podcast 🔗 LinksWork with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/