The Early Struggles
As a student, Brian was not what you'd call "popular." He was the kid who broke the curve in every class but couldn’t seem to break through socially. His intense focus on schoolwork was driven by an underlying social and speech anxiety that no one had yet identified.
That changed one day in sixth grade when, after preparing thoroughly for a book report, Brian stood up to present. He made it as far as his first step before blacking out and collapsing in front of the entire class. This episode revealed a severe social anxiety, and unsurprisingly, fainting in such dramatic fashion didn’t make the rest of middle school any easier. Brian spent those years with few friends and was often bullied.
When he entered high school, Brian switched school districts, hoping for a fresh start.
Do You Want to See a Card Trick?
In high school, Brian’s life took a surprising turn, thanks to a deck of cards. Magic runs in his family—his father and grandfather were both magic enthusiasts, though neither pursued it professionally. Brian had been learning tricks for years, but there was a problem with magic: it’s the only art form that can’t be enjoyed alone. There has to be an audience.
One day, sitting alone at a lunch table with other students nearby, something pushed Brian to break his silence. He turned to the kids next to him and asked, “Do you want to see a card trick?” The kids were as shocked as he was. He performed the trick with shaky hands, and when he revealed their card, the reaction was explosive—kids were flipping over chairs, calling others over, and suddenly, Brian became known as "the magic kid." That single moment shifted his entire high school experience.
The Professional Magician was Born
Throughout high school, Brian honed his craft. Magic became more than a hobby—it became his identity. He started booking gigs at local restaurants and backyard parties and even used his magic skills to support himself through college. By the time he graduated, he was writing papers in hotel rooms between gigs. When he was offered Ph.D. programs to follow his family’s footsteps into academia, Brian turned them down in favor of pursuing a career as a full-time magician. That decision led to a tough conversation with his parents, but Brian was determined.
After years of hard work and a few lucky breaks, he found himself performing at high-end corporate events and exclusive venues across the country.
The TEDx Talk Heard 'Round the World
In 2015, Brian was invited to give a TEDx talk at a local high school in Connecticut. Drawing from his experience as a magician, Brian spoke about the power of perspective-taking—the idea that if you know the secret, you can’t see the magic. The talk went viral, amassing over 100,000 views in the first month and millions more over the following years. That single TEDx talk catapulted Brian into the world of international keynote speaking.
Human Connection:
A New Category of Speakers
When Brian Miller began speaking about human connection, there wasn’t even a term for it yet. His TEDx talk and subsequent rise in the speaking world helped create an entire category of speakers focused on human connection. Over time, Brian became one of the most sought-after voices in the field, building a career that has helped leaders all over the world learn how to create a culture of connection and belonging.
What You’re Really Getting When You Hire Brian Miller
Today Brian is the founder and principal consultant at Clarity Up Consulting, where they teach experts, leaders, and professional speakers to help them clarify their communication, earn buy-in from their audiences, and drive action on their Big Ideas.
So when you work with Brian, you’re not just hiring a world-class entertainer or a content expert on human connection—you’re getting someone who has spent 20 years immersed in the world of live events, and also trained communicators across the globe to be engaging, effective, and compelling.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers.
That’s really up to you. On your pre-event call Brian will ask you detailed questions about your audience, the room design, and your desired outcome. Then he’ll discuss various interactive options, from call-and-respond to bringing volunteers on stage to full blown breakout discussions.
It’s a shame anyone has to ask that anymore. Yes, of COURSE! Brian goes out of his way to make sure his audience feels heard, understood, and valued - a living example of the very message he’s there to promote. No one gets made fun of, no one gets offended, and no one is left out - period.
Brian has spoken to audiences of thousands in giant theaters, and teams of 5 in boardrooms. So long as you have the tech to support the size of the audience, he can play to any size room.
Absolutely. During the height of the pandemic, Brian presented nearly 200 virtual presentations. In doing so, he built a professional-grade broadcast studio that allows him to deliver world-class, high-production talks to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
No. While Brian’s background in entertainment makes his presentations extra fun, his programs always put content, education, and action first. On your pre-event call, Brian will ask you what percentage of content to entertainment you’d like him to achieve.
Absolutely. He uses magic tricks as visual examples during his presentation, and is happy to provide a bit of lighthearted entertainment during cocktail hour or elsewhere during your event if you ask, and it makes sense. Bring it up during your initial consultation with his team.
So long as we have at least 3 weeks notice, bulk orders of Brian’s book Three New People can be shipped to your event in advance. Brian will provide a complimentary book signing and meet-n-greet whenever bulk orders are made.