Authority in the Wild #147 - The Real Reason You Freeze on Stage w/ Ioana (Jo) Jongsma
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She's coached 24 TEDx speakers across Europe, India, and the US. She's worked with 400+ leaders from 47 nationalities. And she spent her first six months teaching communication skills hoping every class would be canceled.
Ioana (Jo) Jongsma breaks down why everything you've been told about managing stage fright is backwards and what actually works when the stakes are high.
We cover:
- Why "be yourself" destroys nervous speakers
- The neuroscience reframe that changes everything
- What TEDx curators actually look for and the red flag that gets you rejected
- The three words you should never say in the first 10 seconds
- How she accidentally offended a client from stage (and the lesson she'll never forget)
- Why AI can write your speech but will never replace presence
Whether you're pitching investors, leading a team meeting, or dreaming of the red dot this one's for you.
🟪 Timestamps
(00:00) Introducing Ioana (Jo) Jongsma
(02:10) From Introvert to Public Speaking
(07:21) Understanding the Stress Response
(13:44) Practical Tips for Managing Stress
(27:27) Aligning Your Values with Your Presentation
(33:51) The TEDx Selection Process
(37:56) Motivation and Effort for TEDx Speakers
(42:26) Identifying Your Target Audience
(44:49) The Importance of Niching Down
(49:28) Learning from Mistakes on Stage
(57:30) The Future of Public Speaking in an AI World
(01:03:30) Pro Tips for TEDx Speakers
🟪 About the Guest
Ioana has been helping speakers find their words since 2008. She has worked with over 400 leaders, experts, founders, and policymakers of 46 different nationalities and across industries ranging from Tech, FMCG, Pharma, and Energy to Finance, Logistics, Agribusiness and European Commission Agencies. To date, Ioana has supported 24 TEDx speakers to deliver the talk of their lives on TEDx stages across Europe, India and the US. Ioana is an ICF Associate Certified Coach, a Gestalt Professional Certified Coach, and a NeuroMindfulness Master Practitioner.
🟪 Connect with Ioana (Jo) Jongsma
- Website: https://www.onspeaking.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioana-jongsma/
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Pura Vida!
Gabe Marusca