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 most
• Joe Risser’s “plank” opening: performance vs. presence
• What loses engagement after a strong start
• Jess Ekstrom’s ice cream story: conversational but powerful
• Missed callbacks, stakes, and open loops
• Valorie Kondos Field: credibility, authority, and the spoiler problem
• Key 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/