Elise Hu Dissects Her TED Talk - How Stories Happen #30

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New to the show? On How Stories Happen, business communicators take us inside the crafting of their ideas into powerful stories they use to grow their audience and their cause. It's a show about what it really takes to become a more effective storyteller, so you can differentiate and resonate everywhere you show up.

In this episode, we go inside the delivery and construction of a popular TED Talk! Elise Hu gets real with us about the preparation and challenges that go into taking complex ideas and molding them to fit a tightly delivered speech.

Elise is an award-winning journalist, podcaster, and ‌author based in Los Angeles. She’s the host of TED Talks Daily, Accenture’s Built for Change, and a co-host of Forever 35. And if that’s not enough, she also co-founded the LA-based podcast production company, Reasonable Volume to work with brands and companies tell their stories better. She spent time at Vice News and NPR, serving as their first-ever Seoul bureu chief. She released her first book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital in 2023.

A look at the TED Talk we hear and analyze in the episode:

In the episode, Elise and I discuss:

How to react when the audience response isn’t what you expected
What goes into crafting an exceptional talk, tightly told
Our shared love for Anthony Bourdain (I know, shocker)
The “peak/end rule” in storytelling and journalism
And the power of a callback.

We also unpack why observation is the key to being a great storyteller, and why vulnerability and honesty are essential for any truly compelling speech.

I imagine you (like me) will be endlessly enthralled by Elise’s curiosity, wisdom, and charm. Happy listening!

Connect with Elise on her website and L inkedin

Grab a copy of her book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital

Listen to Elise on your favorite podcasts

And watch her TED Talk here