The SpeakerPath® – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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The SpeakerPath®

Brian Miller

Business

Arts

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/13d. Total Eps: 17

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.

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Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
10/03/2026
#96
🇨🇦 Canada - careers
12/08/2025
#66

Spotify

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Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/
17 shares
https://linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks
12 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz/
8 shares

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 63%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Episode 5: 5 Magician Secrets Every Speaker Should Steal

Episode 5

Monday, August 11, 2025 • Duration 16:06

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 attention
The power of your first and last moments
How to keep energy up when the room dips
Why you need “outs” for when things go wrong
How 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

🔗 Links

Work 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

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Episode 4: Why Great Speakers Don’t Obsess Over Hand Gestures

Episode 4

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 • Duration 28:48

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 from
How stress shows up in your delivery
Why polish won’t save a shaky message
Jo on coaching speakers who overperform
The difference between present and performative
When speaker training helps (and when it hurts)
What “sounding like yourself” actually takes

Connect with our hosts:

🔹Brian Miller, Founder & Principal Messaging Consultant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmillerspeaks

🔹Francisco Mahfuz, Story Specialist & Lead Consultant:

Episode 3: How Real Speakers Adapt When the Room Isn’t What They Hoped

Episode 3

Monday, July 14, 2025 • Duration 31:14

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 breaks

The gap between good speakers and paid ones

You don’t need more applause, you need more flight time

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

🔗 Links

Work with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/

Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

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Episode 2: Everyone Says “Tell Stories.” So Why Aren’t We Hearing Them?

Episode 2

Thursday, July 10, 2025 • Duration 19:36

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 story
Why facts fade but examples stick
Why “let me tell you a story” kills the energy
The power of specifics
Case studies vs. real stories

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

🔗 Links

Work with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/

Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

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Episode 1: Outsmarting AI: Why Verbal Communication Still Wins

Episode 1

Monday, July 7, 2025 • Duration 24:09

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 world
Our nervous systems make us human
Why 'talent' is overrated in professional speaking
Sam Harris's style of communicating
Adjusting your tone for conversational presentations
ROI on speaking skills

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

🔗 Links

Work with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/

Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

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Episode 17: Are You Making These 4 Storytelling Mistakes?

Episode 17

Monday, January 26, 2026 • Duration 41:59

In this episode of The SpeakerPath® Podcast, Jo Jongsma sits down with storytelling expert Francisco Mahfuz to double click on 4 frequent storytelling mistakes almost all speakers make.

Spoiler: most “stories” are not even stories at all!

Watch this episode to understand why so many keynotes and presentations fall flat, and how just a few simple shifts can make your stories much more effective.

The 4 most common mistakes Francisco highlights are:

Trying to tell a story about a whole period of your life instead of one moment
Sharing only the external problem, not the emotional stakes
Using either too many or too few details
Ending with “That’s why you should…” (a guaranteed way to lose the audience)

You will also learn:

Why “Let me tell you a story…” instantly kills impact
How to avoid the “story weirdo” voice
The difference between storytelling on stage vs. in conversation
Why business speakers over-explain context to prove credibility (and how to fix it)
The power of dialogue to express emotion without naming the emotion

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 ( linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/ )

• Francisco Mahfuz ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmahfuz/ )

🔗 Links

Watch Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zwyC5phGPC0

Work with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/

Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

Episode 16: 5 Stress Management Secrets Pro Speakers Know

Episode 16

Monday, January 12, 2026 • Duration 17:35

We think stress management is something speakers do only once they step on stage. But pros start dealing with it weeks, if not months before their keynote.

In this solo episode of The SpeakerPath® Podcast, our Presence and Performance specialist, Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, explores one of the most practical behavioral tools for reducing public-speaking stress: David Rock’s SCARF model.

Originally designed for workplace leadership, SCARF turns out to be a powerful framework for communication and speaking. It highlights the five universal social needs that shape how safe or threatened we feel in any social interaction.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The 5 psychological needs all humans share:

Status - our need to feel important and valued

Certainty - our need to know what is going to happen

Autonomy - our need to feel in control of what is happening

Relatedness - our need to feel familiar with what is happening

Fairness - our need for a just exchange

The behaviors that professional speakers engage in days, weeks and months in advance, to ensure their SCARF needs are met.

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 Jo:

• Ioana (Jo) Jongsma ( linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/ )

🔗 Links

Work with Us: https://www.clarityupconsulting.com/

Join The SpeakerPath Community: https://thespeakerpath.com/

Explore the podcast: https://thespeakerpathpodcast.com/

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

Episode 7

Monday, September 8, 2025 • Duration 11:54

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 stage
How to identify what your audience actually needs from you
Why values are the foundation of authentic presence
A six-step process to measure and improve how congruent you are with your values
How 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/

Episode 6: How Speakers Should Handle Trauma Stories

Episode 6

Monday, August 25, 2025 • Duration 20:50

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 stage
The difference between catharsis for you vs. value for them
Why “trigger warnings” aren’t enough
How to keep the audience safe while telling the truth
When 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/

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Episode 15: What You Need To Know To Be A Successful Keynote Speaker In 2026

Episode 15

Monday, December 29, 2025 • Duration 45:29

In this year-end episode of The Speaker Path, Brian Miller, Ioana (Jo) Jongsma, and Francisco Mahfuz unpack the most important industry trends shaping the speaking world in 2026, and what they mean for professional speakers.

Drawing on recent reports from AAE Speakers Bureau, Freeman, and Skift Meetings, the conversation reveals a striking disconnect between what event planners believe creates peak moments and what attendees actually remember.

Key Takeaways:

1. The “peak moment” gap

~78% of event planners believe attendees experience a peak moment
Only ~40% of attendees report actually having one

Planners believe peak moments come from:

Keynote speeches
Opening and closing galas / celebrations
Surprise or “wow” elements tied to theme or location

Attendees report peak moments coming from:

Relationship-building with vendors and peers
Real conversations and networking

2. AI content is becoming an “authenticity red flag”

Audiences disapprove of AI-written content in live settings
“AI-free” is emerging as an authenticity marker (similar to organic or handcrafted)

3. Event planners are younger, newer, and overwhelmed

Many planners are early-career or newly assigned
Speakers who are easy to work with and proactive gain an advantage

4. Budget pressure is reshaping speaker selection

Rising event costs (venues, production, services) are pushing organizers away from expensive “big name” speakers and toward proven value, flexibility, and multi-format usefulness.

The SpeakerPath® – Details, episodes & analysis

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The SpeakerPath® – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

LinkedIn9

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

LinkedIn9

Youtube21

Other7