Start your talk by telling a little story about yourself and bridge it to your topic. In many of the talks I've listened to - I've felt more connected instantly to the speaker than any other technique, including comedy.
I think the emphasis is on "little". I don't mind 30 seconds of talking about your father's love of Swedish joinery. Also it needs a payoff. There's no point just explaining how your father loves Swedish joinery apropos of nothing.