"You want to make sure you have the energy at the end of your communication as well as at the beginning."
Why do some people command a room without raising their voice? Being heard isn't about speaking louder?it's about using your voice with intention. Breath, posture, and preparation all play a role in helping your message reach the people who need to hear it. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares practical techniques for projecting your voice with confidence, building vocal stamina, and using microphones effectively. From breathing with more control to making the most of your physical presence, you'll learn simple strategies to ensure your message is heard when it matters most

Key Takeaways:

Strong voices start with strong breathing. Your breath is the foundation of vocal projection, helping you speak with greater volume, clarity, and confidence without straining your voice.Preparation helps your voice go the distance. Building vocal stamina, improving your posture, and using microphones effectively ensures your message stays strong from your first word to your last.

Activity:

Build a vocal warm-up. Before your next presentation or important meeting, spend five minutes reading aloud while focusing on slow, deep breathing. Then identify one physical reminder?such as standing taller or relaxing your shoulders?to help support your voice before you begin.

Episode Reference Links:

Ep.262 Own the Room: How Voice, Breath, and Body Work Together 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:58) - Breathing for Better Projection (02:29) - Place Your Voice (04:05) - Building Vocal Stamina (05:41) - Using a Lavalier Mic (07:07) - Using a Handheld Mic (08:29) - Conclusion

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"Know your stuff, practice, and then just do it and be there."
How do you explain complex ideas without losing your audience? The challenge isn't knowing more?it's helping others understand. For Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal, great communication comes from making difficult topics accessible while holding people's attention. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ryssdal joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how to simplify complex information without oversimplifying it, conduct interviews that feel like genuine conversations, and communicate with confidence under pressure. From asking better questions to earning your audience's trust, Ryssdal shares practical techniques for staying present when the stakes are high.

Key Takeaways:

Complex ideas become powerful when they're easy to understand. Great communicators don't just share information?they translate it into clear, engaging messages that help others learn without sacrificing nuance.Preparation gives you the freedom to be present. The more thoroughly you prepare, the easier it becomes to listen, adapt, and communicate with confidence when the conversation takes an unexpected turn.

Activity:

Rewrite for clarity. Take an email, presentation, or document you've already written and revise it for someone with no background in the topic. Remove jargon, simplify explanations, and make sure every sentence helps your audience understand your message.

Episode Reference Links:

Kai RyssdalEp.220 Prep Like a Pro: Communication Confidence, Clarity, and Comedy 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:59) - Making Complex Ideas Clear (02:24) - Find Your Communication Rhythm (03:30) - Keeping People Listening (04:38) - Better Introductions (05:50) - More Conversational Interviews (08:49) - Getting Conversations Back on Track (10:23) - Communicating Through Uncertainty (12:23) - Managing Speaking Anxiety (14:22) - Recovering from Mistakes (15:39) - Staying Curious (16:42) - When Your Mind Goes Blank (18:05) - The Final Three Questions (21:35) - Conclusion

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"Meaning is about being mindful of the effect you have on other people."
What makes a life meaningful? We often think purpose and meaning are the same thing, but according to Stanford professor Brian Lowery, they're fundamentally different. Purpose is what drives us. Meaning comes from the impact we have on others. In this live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart from Stanford?s LEAD Me2We event, Lowery and Matt Abrahams examine how our relationships shape who we become, why sincerity matters more than authenticity, and how leaders influence others through every interaction. Along the way, they share practical insights on giving better feedback, building stronger connections, and creating workplaces where people can thrive.

Key Takeaways:

Meaning comes from your impact on others. Purpose is what drives your actions, but meaning grows when your work positively influences the people around you and continues beyond your own involvement.The way you show up shapes the people around you. Leaders create better teams by practicing self-awareness, communicating with sincerity, and giving feedback that recognizes people's intentions while helping them grow.

Activity:

Notice your influence. At the end of each workday, write down one interaction that may have shaped someone else's experience?positively or negatively. Reflect on what you communicated beyond your words and what you want to do differently tomorrow.

Episode Reference Links:

Brian LoweryEp.23 Look Within: How to Lead with Self Awareness and VulnerabilityEp.84 Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us  Ep.142 Power and Persuasion: Live Insights from Stanford Experts 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:39) - Purpose vs. Meaning (02:12) - The Ripple Effect of Meaning (04:06) - How Others Shape Who We Are (05:20) - The Leader's Role in Shaping Others (08:58) - Self-Awareness & Psychological Safety (11:48) - Sincerity vs. "True Self" (12:53) - Feedback For Grow (17:13) - Becoming Better Humans (18:46) - Conclusion

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"When there's a gap between our intention and our impact, we diminish others and our communication."
The best leaders don't succeed because they have all the answers?they succeed because they bring out the best thinking in others. Liz Wiseman, executive advisor, CEO of the Wiseman Group, and author of the million-copy bestseller Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, has spent years studying why some leaders amplify the intelligence around them while others unintentionally hold people back. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wiseman joins Matt Abrahams to explore the habits of multiplier leaders, the subtle ways well-intentioned managers accidentally diminish their teams, and how curiosity, trust, and thoughtful communication create environments where people can do their best work. Together, they share practical strategies for leading with greater impact by aligning your intentions with the experience you create for others.

Key Takeaways:

Great leaders multiply, not diminish. Create trust, ask more than you tell, and challenge people to do their best thinking instead of stepping in with the answers.Good intentions aren't enough. The most effective communicators pay attention to the impact of their actions, ensuring their support empowers others rather than unintentionally holding them back.

Activity:

Ask the multiplier question. At the end of your next one-on-one or team meeting, ask: "What do you need from me to do your best work?" Listen without jumping in to solve the problem. Focus on understanding what will help others think, contribute, and perform at their highest level.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Liz WisemanLiz?s Book: Multipliers147. Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your Way to the Perfect Job Fit

Connect:

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 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:55) - Multipliers vs. Diminishers (02:26) - The Habits That Hold Teams Back (03:54) - Safety, Stretch, & Trust (05:12) - Curiosity Over Control (06:56) - The Most Important Leadership Question (09:14) - Becoming an Impact Player (12:20) - When Good Intentions Backfire (15:54) - Accidental Diminishing (19:47) - The Final Three Questions (25:07) - Conclusion

?Managing emotions?yours and your audience's?is hard enough, but it's even harder when you're under pressure to respond."
High-pressure communication doesn't have to derail your message. In this Think Fast, Talk Smart Ask Matt Anything episode, Matt Abrahams answers real-world questions from members of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Learning Community, sharing practical advice for communicating with confidence when the stakes are high. From managing cognitive load and regulating anxiety to leading uncertain conversations and running more engaging meetings, Matt offers actionable strategies for staying focused, connecting with your audience, and communicating with clarity under pressure

Key Takeaways:

Manage your emotions to manage your message. Reducing cognitive load through preparation and emotional regulation helps you think and communicate more clearly under pressure.Lead with your audience in mind. Whether navigating uncertainty or running meetings, acknowledging emotions, setting clear expectations, and tailoring your message helps people stay engaged and take action.

Activity:

Stress-test your message. Before your next high-stakes conversation or presentation, rehearse it once under mild pressure?set a timer, record yourself, or practice with a colleague. Notice where you lose clarity, then refine those moments before the real conversation.

Episode Reference Links:

Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:07) - Speaking Under Pressure (04:01) - Calming an Anxious Audience (07:45) - More Engaging Meetings (12:33) - Communicating Change Without Fear (16:30) - Conclusion

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"It's not an accent, it's an identity."

The way we speak shapes more than how we're understood?it shapes how we're perceived. Peter Novak believes the goal of communication isn't to eliminate an accent, but to communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and authenticity. As a linguist, communication coach, and expert in accent bias, Novak helps multilingual professionals communicate more effectively while embracing the identity their voice represents. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, he joins Matt Abrahams to explore how accent bias influences the workplace, why clarity matters more than sounding "native," and the practical techniques anyone can use to communicate with greater confidence and impact.

Key Takeaways:

Clarity matters more than sounding native. Effective communication comes from making your message easy to understand, not eliminating your accent.Your accent is part of your identity. Multilingual communicators bring unique perspectives and strengths that should be embraced, not hidden.

Activity:

Focus on clarity. Record yourself explaining a familiar topic for one minute. Listen back and identify three words or phrases to emphasize and two places to pause. Record it again, focusing on clarity rather than sounding perfect, and compare the difference.

Episode Reference Links:

Peter Novak82. It?s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others F? 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:52) - Accent Bias (03:55) - Accent and Identity (05:55) - Processing Fluency (08:25) - Clarity Over Perfection (10:26) - The Power of Prosody (15:33) - Speaking with Confidence (17:56) - The Final Three Questions (22:13) - Conclusion

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"The assumption of swift trust is really useful."
Teams don't always need years to build trust?they need the right conditions to build it quickly. As a Stanford professor and expert in organizational design, Melissa Valentine studies how communication, team structure, and emerging technologies help people collaborate more effectively. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Valentine joins Matt Abrahams to explore how leaders can foster swift trust, adapt communication as teams move from brainstorming to execution, and use storytelling to drive meaningful change. Together, they share practical strategies for building stronger teams and navigating collaboration in an AI-enabled workplace.

Key Takeaways:

Build trust from the start. High-performing teams assume competence, communicate openly, and address miscommunication quickly.Adapt your communication to the task. Encourage diverse thinking during brainstorming, then align your language as the team moves toward execution.

Activity:

Practice swift trust. In your next project with a new colleague or team, begin by assuming competence and shared intent. Delegate one meaningful responsibility early, communicate clear expectations, and reflect afterward on how starting from trust influenced the team's collaboration and results.

Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

Melissa ValentineMelissa?s Book: Flash TeamsEp.241 Team Spirit: How to Make Group Work WorkEp.268 Going Viral: How To Balance Authenticity and Spectacle 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:57) - What Makes a Flash Team? (03:01) - Building Swift Trust (04:54) - When Teams Need to Converge (07:17) - Repairing Miscommunication (09:18) - Stories That Drive Change (12:01) - Lessons for Every Team (13:47) - The Final Three Questions (16:41) - Conclusion

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"People aren't inside of our heads, so you have to give them that emotional information as well as the factual information."

Humor is more than entertainment?it's a powerful way to create connection. As a comedian, writer, and former teacher, Chris Duffy has learned that laughter, curiosity, and emotion can transform even ordinary conversations into memorable experiences. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Duffy joins Matt Abrahams to explore how humor can strengthen communication, build deeper connections, and make ideas more memorable. Together, they discuss how to engage an audience, bring authenticity to repeated messages, and create conversations that invite others to participate rather than simply listen.

Key Takeaways:

Connection comes before comedy. Humor is most effective when it invites others into the conversation, rather than putting the spotlight on yourself.Emotion makes ideas memorable. Combining facts with curiosity, emotion, and storytelling helps audiences understand, remember, and engage with your message.

Activity:

Create a conversational doorknob. In your next conversation, replace one routine response with an observation, opinion, or question that invites discussion. Notice how offering a "doorknob" changes the depth and energy of the conversation.

Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

Chris DuffyChris?s Book: Humor MeEp.13 Make ?Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your ? 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:03) - Lessons from the Classroom (01:52) - Curiosity Captures Attention (04:48) - Facts Need Emotion (05:49) - Sounding Authentic (09:29) - Calming Performance Nerves (11:01) - Jamming vs. Joking (14:36) - Becoming Funnier (19:01) - Better Conversations (22:53) - The Final Three Questions (26:48) - Conclusion

"If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience."

Great presentations don't just share information?they create connection. As Apple's former Chief Evangelist and Canva's co-founder, Guy Kawasaki has spent decades helping people communicate ideas that inspire action. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to share practical strategies for crafting compelling presentations, building better slide decks, and using storytelling to keep audiences engaged. From investor pitches to keynote speeches, he explains why the best communicators don't just inform?they captivate.

Key Takeaways:

Pitch to keep the conversation going. The goal of a pitch isn't to close the deal?it's to earn the next conversation.Keep it simple and audience-focused. Engage people with clear stories, concise visuals, and a message built around what they care about.

Activity:

Choose an idea, project, or product you frequently explain. Challenge yourself to describe it in 30 seconds, focusing only on the problem you solve and why it matters to your audience. Then ask someone if they can clearly explain it back to you. Revise your pitch until they can.

Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

Guy KawasakiGuy?s Book: Think RemarkableEp.82 It?s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others FirstEp.47 Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:29) - Being a Great Evangelist (02:51) - Why Stories Move People (04:15) - Entertain Before You Inform (06:36) - The Goal of a Pitch (09:56) - Evolve Every Pitch (12:42) - The 10-20-30 Rule (15:57) - Better Slides, Better Presentations (16:39) - Lessons from Podcasting (18:09) - The Final Three Questions (22:20) - Conclusion

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"You want to own the message and your narrative."

Strong communication is about more than delivering a message?it?s about building trust over time. As Zoom?s Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Storin has helped shape communication at one of the world?s most recognizable brands, balancing empathy, transparency, and consistency in an era of rapid technological change. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Storin joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how leaders can communicate with authenticity, navigate crises with clarity, and build cultures rooted in transparency. They explore the art and science of shaping perception, maintaining connection in hybrid workplaces, and creating messages that solve problems?not just capture attention.

Key Takeaways:

Lead with authenticity and transparency. Clear, honest communication builds trust?especially during periods of change or crisis.Own your narrative. Consistent messaging and a clear story shape how others understand your brand, team, or ideas.

Activity:

Before your next team update or difficult conversation, ask yourself: "What information can I share that will build trust?" Include one additional point of context or reasoning that helps your audience better understand the decision.

Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

Kim StorinEp.82 It?s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:37) - Leading Through a Global Crisis (03:36) - Changing Brand Perception (06:50) - Building Culture at Scale (09:00) - Virtual Communication Gains & Losses (11:24) - Creating Meaningful Moments (12:34) - Communicating Through Difficulty (16:03) - The Final Three Questions (21:33) - Conclusion

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"If these masters are still continually trying to improve their own craft, I don't have any excuses."

The world's best don't reach the top and stop learning?they keep refining their craft. David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass, has spent years sitting across from elite performers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs?and he?s discovered that excellence is less about talent than a relentless commitment to growth. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, he joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from building a company around learning, persuasion, and communication. From earning the trust of high-profile talent to leading creative and technical teams, Rogier reveals why curiosity, adaptability, and authentic relationship-building are essential communication skills.

Takeaways:

Lead with curiosity. Build trust by asking thoughtful questions and focusing on the other person's needs, not your own. Never stop improving. The world's top performers continuously seek feedback, refine their skills, and embrace lifelong learning.

Activity:

Study an expert. Watch a communicator you admire?a speaker, leader, or interviewer?and identify three techniques they use to engage their audience. Try incorporating one of those techniques into your next presentation or meeting.

Printable Extended Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

David RogierMatt?s MasterClass

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:39) - The Power of Learning (01:28) - Building Trust (04:21) - Creating Great Content (07:23) - Leading Different Teams (09:45) - Learning from Masters (10:54) - Communicating with a Stutter (14:00) - The Final Three Questions (17:39) - Conclusion

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?Communication is the number one way to remove friction.?

If communication is the key to connection, then removing friction is what makes every interaction work. According to Vanessa Van Edwards, the most effective communicators aren?t just skilled with words?they know how to align their gestures, body language, and presence to make others feel at ease. A behavioral researcher and bestselling author of Captivate and Cues, Van Edwards studies the subtle signals that shape how we are perceived. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, she joins Matt Abrahams to explore the hidden factors that influence communication, from purposeful gestures and expressive body language to the words, images, and visual cues that build trust and credibility.

Takeaways:

Great communication goes beyond words. Gestures, facial expressions, visual cues, and even the language we use in emails and meetings can either create friction or build trust, clarity, and connection.Focus on the other person, not yourself. By applying the Platinum Rule?treating others as they want to be treated?and intentionally putting people at ease, communicators can foster stronger relationships, deeper conversations, and greater influence.

Activity:

Practice the Platinum Rule. Before your next important conversation, meeting, or email, take one minute to answer: ?What does this person need from me right now?? Then tailor your communication to their priorities, concerns, and preferred style?not your own. Afterward, reflect on how that shift changed the quality of the interaction.

Printable PDF of Takeaways & Activity

Episode Reference Links:

Vanessa Van EdwardsVanessa?s Books: Cues / CaptivateEp.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:01) - The Importance of Strategic Communication (01:45) - The Power of Gestures (04:10) - A Readiness Check for Speakers (05:56) - Over-Signaling vs. Under-Signaling (08:18) - Dangerous Words in Communication (12:27) - Imagery Cues & First Impressions (15:03) - Virtual Backgrounds Matter (17:33) - The Platinum Rule (19:01) - The Final Three Questions (23:59) - Conclusion

Celebrating 300 episodes with listener questions from around the world. 

In this special 300th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams celebrates a major milestone with a live Ask Matt Anything session featuring questions from listeners around the world?and a few from the team behind the show. He introduces a new communication framework, PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point), before tackling topics ranging from word recall and public speaking nerves to storytelling, AI?s impact on communication, giving difficult feedback, and using gestures more effectively. Along the way, he shares practical strategies, favorite communication techniques, and lessons learned from 300 episodes dedicated to helping people communicate with confidence, clarity, and connection.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Ep.250 How to Navigate Conflict: Tools For Productive Communication

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:13) - PREP Framework (04:13) - Improving Word Recall (07:10) - Public Speaking Nerves (11:35) - Concise vs. Detailed Communication (13:39) - AI & Communication Skills (16:12) - Storytelling Fundamentals (18:51) - Lingo vs. Jargon (20:22) - Difficult Feedback Conversations (22:36) - The Power of Paraphrasing (25:07) - Effective Gestures (29:28) - Conclusion

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How to communicate with impact when the stakes are high.

Communication isn't about getting information out. It's about making sure it gets through. In an era of fragmented attention and endless platforms, the challenge isn't finding ways to speak?it's finding ways to connect.

According to Farnaz Khadem, Vice President of University Communications at Stanford, great communicators start with three questions: What's the goal? Who's the audience? And what does the data tell us? Whether guiding a university through a crisis, helping experts share their ideas with broader audiences, or deciding where a story should be told, she believes effective communication centers around understanding people. "People want to know what's actually happening," she says. "And if what is happening is you don't know what is happening, you have to tell people you don't know."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Khadem joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss the importance of preparation, transparency, and active listening when communicating during uncertainty. From navigating the opportunities and risks of AI to crafting stories that create genuine connection, she shares practical lessons for building trust, adapting to changing audiences, and communicating effectively when the stakes are highest.

Episode Reference Links:

Farnaz KhademEp.22 Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:01) - Communication Fundamentals (02:21) - Choosing the Right Channel (04:01) - Building Communication Networks (05:13) - Coaching Better Communicators (07:07) - Crisis Preparation (09:10) - Crisis Response (11:03) - The Power of Storytelling (12:51) - AI in Communications (15:52) - The Final Three Questions (21:06) - Conclusion

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The nonverbal habits that make you look confident, composed, and authentic before you even speak.

How you carry yourself can shape how others perceive your confidence, credibility, and authenticity?often before you say a word. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares practical, research-backed techniques for strengthening your presence through body language, posture, gestures, and eye contact. Learn how to stand and sit with confidence, move with purpose, use your hands effectively, and avoid common nonverbal habits that can distract from your message. Whether you're presenting to an audience, leading a meeting, or navigating everyday conversations, these simple strategies can help you communicate with greater composure and impact.

Episode Reference Links:

Ep.12 It's Not What You Say, It?s How You Say It: How To Communica?Ep.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:37) - Be Big, Balanced, and Still (01:31) - The Right Speaking Stance (02:16) - Moving with Purpose (03:07) - Presence While Seated (03:53) - What to Do with Your Hands (04:38) - Gesturing Beyond Your Shoulders (05:27) - Effective Eye Contact (06:12) - Thinking While Speaking (06:57) - Bringing It All Together (07:44) - Practice Through Recording (08:30) - Conclusion

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Why the most effective communicators help people see not just what's changing, but why it matters to them.

For Sinéad Bovell, effective communication isn?t just about explaining what?s coming next?it?s about giving people the confidence and agency to engage with it.
Bovell is a futurist, founder of the tech education company WAYE, and an expert advisor to the United Nations AI Advisory Body. Known for making complex topics accessible to broad audiences, she has spent years helping leaders, organizations, and young people understand the implications of artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies. Her approach starts with a simple principle: meet people where they are and connect big ideas to what matters in their lives. ?If you scare people too much, if you disempower them, they do unsubscribe from the very activities you need them to lean into.?
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Bovell joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how to communicate complexity without overwhelming people and why skills like adaptability and judgment are becoming more valuable in the age of AI. From making emerging technologies more accessible to building trust through relevance and empathy, they discuss what it takes to help audiences engage with change rather than fear it.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Sinéad Bovell

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 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:00) - Explaining Complex Ideas (03:48) - The Future of Soft Skills (06:52) - Talking About AI Without Fear (10:33) - Storytelling for Young Audiences (12:46) - Reaching Young Audiences (15:01) - Career Pivots & Reinvention (16:53) - Becoming a Better Communicator (18:59) - The Final Three Questions (25:09) - Conclusion

Practical communication strategies you can use immediately at work and beyond.

How do you speak up when a conversation is moving faster than you can think? What should you do when emotions threaten to derail your listening? And how can you give honest feedback to a boss who doesn?t seem interested in hearing it?

In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams answers listener questions from the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community on some of the most challenging workplace communication scenarios. From practical techniques for inserting your ideas into fast-paced meetings to strategies for managing emotions and delivering feedback upward, Matt shares actionable advice to help you communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and impact.

Episode Reference Links:

Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:34) - Speaking Up in Meetings (03:14) - Listening Through Emotion (06:30) - Giving Feedback Upward (10:07) - Conclusion

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Why the best leaders treat uncertainty as a chance to learn, not a failure to avoid.

Most companies are built to grow. Far fewer are built to stay true to their purpose as they do.

Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, creator of the Lean Startup movement, and author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great. For Ries, innovation starts with a simple reality: nobody can predict the future. ?If you're going to do something fundamentally new,? he says, ?how are we supposed to forecast? what success will look like? Instead of relying on certainty, leaders should focus on learning. ?If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ries and host Matt Abrahams explore how leaders can communicate through uncertainty, turn setbacks into valuable insights, and build cultures rooted in trust. From the power of the build-measure-learn feedback loop to the importance of making ?deposits? in a company?s culture bank, Ries shares practical strategies for creating organizations that innovate, adapt, and stay true to their values as they grow.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Eric RiesEric?s Book: IncorruptibleEp.56 Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really StickEp.54 Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:53) - Lean Startup Fundamentals (02:35) - Business Plans vs. Reality (05:03) - Learning from Failure (06:43) - Why Companies Go Bad (09:21) - The Culture Bank (12:23) - The Final Three Questions (18:43) - Conclusion

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Do you really win the negotiation if it means losing the relationship?

You might think that successful negotiation means getting what you want here and now. But Stan Christensen says this short-sighted view is selling many negotiators short.

Christensen is a professional negotiator, host of the All Things Negotiation podcast, and instructor of one of Stanford's most popular courses on the subject. His core insight: most negotiations happen with people you?ll see again ? which means success isn?t about claiming victory, it?s about building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. ?Most people think of negotiation statically,? he says. ?It's you and I. There's a fixed pie. We're trying to get more for ourself and less for the other party. In reality, 95% of negotiations are gonna be with people you see again, so I define success as contributing to the value of the long-term relationship.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Christensen and host Matt Abrahams explore what it takes to negotiate well ? from the power of listening and asking questions to managing emotions and communicating for collaboration. Whether you're negotiating a business deal or just deciding where to go to dinner, Christensen shows why every negotiation is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship.

Episode Reference Links:

Stan ChristensenAll Things Negotiation PodcastEp.15 The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You WantEp.204 Tough Talks: Turn Tension Into Trust 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:43) - What Is Negotiation? (01:22) - Negotiating Every Day (02:24) - The Power of Listening (03:57) - Asking Better Questions (05:58) - Handling Emotions (06:56) - Authentic Emotion (07:54) - Body Language Matters (08:45) - Collaboration in Negotiation (10:23) - Framing Conversations (11:48) - Setting the Agenda (13:10) - Co-Creating Structure (14:46) - A Common Negotiation Mistake (15:25) - Why Start a Podcast (16:29) - Learning from Guests (17:26) - The Final Three Questions (22:53) - Conclusion

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What it takes to lead as a communicator and communicate as a leader.

Leadership isn?t just about making decisions ? it?s about how you communicate them. As Matt Abrahams puts it, ?Communication is operationalized leadership.?

At a recent Me2We event, in connection with Stanford GSB's Executive Education LEAD program, Abrahams held a live discussion with four of the podcast?s most popular guests: Celine Teoh, facilitator of the GSB?s famous Interpersonal Dynamics course; Huggy Rao, organizational behavior professor and co-author of The Friction Project; legendary Stanford basketball coach Tara VanDerveer; and Dave Dodson, lecturer and author of The Manager's Handbook.

In this special live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, the panel shares frameworks and lessons for leading and communicating more effectively. From Teoh?s five A?s for inviting dissent to Rao?s warning against ?jargon monoxide,? from VanDerveer?s relationship-first approach to Dodson?s case for leading like a teacher, this conversation explores what it takes to communicate as a leader ? and lead as a communicator.

Episode Reference Links:

Celine TeohTara VanDerveerHuggy RaoHuggy?s Book: The Friction ProjectDavid DodsonDavid?s Book: The Manager?s HandbookEp.194 Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

 Chapters:

The hidden habits behind calm, confident communicators.

What does it really take to become a more confident communicator? In this special collaboration between Think Fast, Talk Smart and Headspace, host Matt Abrahams shares practical, mindful strategies for speaking with clarity, managing anxiety, listening more deeply, and connecting more authentically with others.

Across five short lessons, Matt outlines how to calm speaking nerves, become a better listener, structure your ideas clearly, engage any audience, and strengthen your presence ? whether you?re leading a meeting, giving a presentation, or navigating everyday conversations.

Whether you?re speaking to a crowd or having a one-on-one conversation, these tools can help you communicate with more confidence, calm, and connection.

Episode Reference Links:

Headspace 

Connect:

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:46) - Speaking Anxiety (05:52) - Mindful Communication (11:01) - Clarity & Structure (14:38) - Creating Engagement (20:14) - Building Presence (25:16) - Conclusion

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What keeps us from being more social? Nick Epley calls it a ?mind-reading mistake.?

We all think about what others think, particularly what they think about us. The problem, says Nick Epley, is that we?re almost always wrong.

Epley is a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and author of A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection. What keeps people from engaging authentically, connecting deeply, and enjoying a meaningful social life? It comes down to an error of social cognition, ?A mind-reading mistake,? Epley says. ?If I don't think you want to talk to me, I won't try. And I'll never find out that I'm wrong about that.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Epley and host Matt Abrahams explore why we hold ourselves back from meaningful conversation, and what happens when we don?t. From taking an interest in others to sharing more freely about ourselves, Epley shares strategies for being a little more social ? and making your life considerably better as a result.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Nick EpleyNick?s Book: A Little More SocialEp.133 From Good to Super: How Supercommunicators Unlock the Language of Connection

Connect:

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Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:31) - Problems with Body Language (04:15) - Perspective Getting (07:14) - Asking Better Questions (08:41) - Moving Beyond Small Talk (10:13) - Why We Hold Back (11:33) - Advice For Introverts (15:17) - A Little More Social (18:34) - The Final Three Questions (24:45) - Conclusion

How can we approach aging with more joy, empathy, and meaningful connection?

We often talk about lifespan, or how long we live, but Kerry Burnight believes the more important question is how fully we live along the way.

Burnight is a gerontologist, former professor of geriatric medicine, and author of Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half. Drawing from decades of experience working with older adults, she discusses why adopting a ?growth aging mindset? can change the way we think about getting older, and why autonomy matters just as much as safety in conversations with aging loved ones. As she puts it, ?it?s not just the big moments, it?s the little moments, too.?

In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Burnight and host Matt Abrahams explore the role of listening, storytelling, and empathy in effective communication across generations. Through memorable examples and actionable advice, Burnight offers a compassionate framework for talking about ? and thinking about ? aging differently.

Episode Reference Links:

Dr. Kerry BurnightKerry?s Book: JoyspanEp.176 From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations 

Connect:

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:37) - Aging Mindsets (03:05) - Give of the Day (06:33) - Difficult Aging Conversations (14:00) - Explaining Complex Ideas (15:29) - Conclusion

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A full life isn?t about the quantity of time, but the quality.

Our lifespan might describe how long we live, but it doesn?t say anything about how well we live. For that, Kerry Burnight says, we need a different measure: joyspan.

Burnight is a gerontologist, former professor of geriatric medicine, and author of Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half. In her decades working with older adults, she noticed a gap: ?I would have a lot of people who lived long lives and were in pretty darn good physical health. They were miserable.? That observation led her to dig into the research on well-being ? and to find what it takes to enjoy a long life, not just endure one.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Burnight joins host Matt Abrahams to explore her joyspan framework, explaining how growth, connection, adapting, and giving contribute to a full life. From changing the conversation around aging to communicating more effectively across generations, Burnight offers practical wisdom for living better at any age.

Episode Reference Links:

Dr. Kerry BurnightKerry?s Book: JoyspanEp.176 From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:05) - Defining Joyspan (03:12) - The Joyspan Matrix (08:48) - Learning to Adjust (09:42) - The Power of Stories (13:23) - Internalized Ageism (16:25) - The Final Three Questions (21:49) - Conclusion

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The Tiger Sisters share the keys to collaborative communication.

Good marketing communication doesn?t just go one way. As the Tiger Sisters know, building a brand is about bringing your audience into the conversation.

Cherie and Jean Luo are sisters, tech and finance experts, and co-hosts of the Tiger Sisters Podcast, a show about money, power, and love. Their approach to content creation mirrors how they think about communication: know your audience, stay curious, and embrace feedback. ?We often think about our community as the co-producers of our episodes,? Cherie says. ?Each episode we put out is like a mini product. Once we put it out, we can get feedback on whether or not people are resonating.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, the Tiger Sisters join host Matt Abrahams, sharing how they?ve built a thriving brand through collaboration ? with each other and with their audience. From simplifying complex topics to crafting messages that resonate, the Luo?s insights show why the best communication is about healthy back and forth.

Episode Reference Links:

Jean LuoCherie Brooke LuoTiger Sisters Podcast

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:52) - The Tiger Sisters Mission (02:28) - Going Viral on TikTok (04:18) - Explaining Complex Topics (06:14) - Learning from the Audience (08:23) - Working as Sisters & Co-Founders (11:23) - Reinventing Careers (12:49) - Family Expectations (14:38) - Personal Branding (17:15) - Teaching Through Storytelling (19:20) - The Final Three Questions (22:47) - Conclusion

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If you want to do your best, you?d better get your rest.

The quality of your sleep fundamentally affects the quality of your communication. Communicating well, Dr. Cheri Mah says, starts with being well-rested.

?Sleep impacts nearly every aspect of how you function,? says Mah, a sleep physician, adjunct lecturer at Stanford Sleep Medicine Center, and internationally recognized expert on sleep and human performance. In her research and work, particularly with elite athletes and professional sports teams, she explores the link between getting rest and doing our best. ?If you are getting quality sleep, you can think more clearly, react under pressure, make good judgment calls, have more patience, be more empathetic,? she says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Mah and host Matt Abrahams explore strategies for better sleep, from bedtime routines to paying off ?sleep debt? to the ?nappuccino? ? a caffeine-fueled power nap. Whether you struggle to sleep or can nod off at any time or place, Mah?s insights reveal why doing our best requires getting our rest.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Dr. Cheri MahEp.183 Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

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Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:15) - Sleep & Performance (02:29) - Better Sleep Habits (04:34) - Quieting a Racing Mind (06:07) - Dr. Mah?s Night Routine (07:37) - Sleep Extension (09:10) - Preparing for Big Events (10:02) - The Nappuccino (11:39) - Managing Jet Lag (14:14) - Chronotypes Explained (16:18) - Starting the Day with Sleep (17:58) - The Final Three Question (22:15) - Conclusion

Confidence, clarity, and speaking when it matters.

Confident communication isn?t about being the loudest in the room. For Susie Wolff, it?s about displaying assurance before you even open your mouth.

Wolff is a former professional race car driver, managing director of F1 Academy, and author of Driven. Throughout her career in one of the world's most male-dominated industries, she?s learned that confidence starts within. ?If you want others to believe in you, you need to at least have confidence in your own abilities,? she says. By letting her capabilities speak for themselves, Wolff felt she didn?t have to. ?I was never the loudest voice in the room. But I made sure when I did speak that I really had something to say.?

In this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, co-hosted by Matt Abrahams and Tiggy Valen, Wolff shares how inner drive creates outer clarity. From delivering hard truths with empathy to achieving buy-in for a bold vision, Wolff offers lessons on communicating with confidence, even in the face of stiff competition.

Episode Reference Links:

Susie WolffSusie?s Book: DrivenTiggy ValenPaddock ProjectEp.235 Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:06) - Early Motorsport Passion (02:01) - Finding Your Voice (03:33) - Building Confidence (04:28) - Becoming a Leader (06:48) - Cross-Cultural Communication (07:57) - Building F1 Academy (12:20) - Giving Tough Feedback (15:32) - Embracing Discomfort (18:01) - The Final Three Questions (23:03) - Conclusion

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The secret to better communication isn?t adding more?it?s knowing what to leave out.
Communication isn?t clearer when you say more ? it?s clearer when you say less. As David Epstein puts it, we?re wired to keep adding, even when ?the better solution is often what you take away.? The challenge isn?t having ideas; it?s choosing which one actually matters.

Epstein is an author and investigative journalist known for his New York Times bestseller Range. In his latest book, Inside the Box, he explores how constraints can sharpen creativity and elevate thinking, a theme that reflects his broader work at the intersection of psychology, performance, and innovation. ?If you assume someone will only remember one thing,? he explains, ?decide what that is before you start talking.? That simple constraint forces clarity ? and changes how we communicate entirely.

In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Epstein and host Matt Abrahams unpack why limits make us better communicators and thinkers. From the dangers of ?featuritis? to the creative breakthroughs sparked by restriction, they explore how blocking familiar paths leads to more original ideas and communication.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

David EpsteinDavid?s Book: Inside the BoxEp.108 All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:46) - Featuritis & Overload (02:25) - Constraints & Creativity (06:35) - Chunking Information (07:56) - Familiarity & Innovation (08:58) - Clarifying Through Feedback (11:29) - Defining the Problem (12:51) - Precluding Default Approaches (14:31) - The Final Three Questions (20:25) - Conclusion

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What stops you from speaking up when it matters most?

This week on Think Fast Talk Smart, we?re featuring a special episode from TED Business. Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart ? and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact.

TED Business is a podcast from TED that offers you a new idea and perspective for any business conundrum ? whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life ? because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or here.

Episode Reference Links:

TED Business 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:59) - If Not You, Then Who? (02:14) - The Cost of Silence (03:38) - Avoiding Conflict at Work (04:33) - Why Speaking Up Matters (05:43) - Building Courage Through Practice (06:53) - A Moral Compass for Conversations (10:14) - Handling Tough Feedback (14:04) - QORC Apology Framework (15:54) - Conclusion

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Understanding the accent you didn?t know you had.
Whether communicating in our mother tongue or practicing a new language, we all speak with an accent. But that?s not all, says Valerie Fridland ? we hear with an accent as well.

Fridland is a professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno, and author of Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents. According to her, we don?t just sound a certain way, we hear a certain way too, affecting how we understand others. ?We?re hearing with an accent ? a bias shaped by our own language and experience,? she says. But instead of expecting others? communication to fit our preconceptions, Fridland says to meet people halfway. ?If we want to make communication successful, it?s not just their job as a speaker, it?s my job as a listener.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Fridland and host Matt Abrahams discuss how empathetic listening opens the door to understanding. Whether you?re communicating in a context of mutual intelligibility or attempting to bridge cultural and linguistic divides, Fridland?s insights show how connection is a collaboration ? shaped by accents on both sides of the conversation.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Valerie FridlandValerie?s Book: Why We Talk FunnyEp.91 Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:00) - The Role of Filled Pauses (03:24) - When Fillers Become a Problem (04:46) - Why We Don?t Hear Our Own Accent (06:11) - Language Rhythm & Intonation (11:01) - Listening with an Accent (15:59) - The Final Three Questions (20:51) - Conclusion

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Simple strategies to think faster, stay authentic, and communicate with confidence. 

How do you stay genuine without sounding rehearsed? What helps when your thoughts are moving faster than your words? And how can you handle high-pressure moments with more ease?

Strong communication isn?t about having the right lines ready?it?s about being present enough to respond with clarity. In the moment, it?s easy to rush, overthink, or lose your structure. But with the right tools, you can slow down, connect, and communicate with intention.

In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares insights from a live session with the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community. Through real audience questions, he outlines practical ways to manage nerves, adapt to different situations, and build communication habits that last.

Episode Reference Links:

Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:53) - Email Small Talk (03:30) - Slowing Down Your Thinking (05:40) - Controlling Speaking Pace (07:47) - Authenticity vs. Adapting (10:59) - Scripted Talks (13:51) - Handling No Questions (17:26) - Conclusion

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If you can make conversation, you can make your own luck.

Good communication isn?t passive. And good luck, says Tina Seelig, is the same. There?s ?what the world gives us,? and then there?s ?how we respond to it.?

Seelig is executive director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University and author of What I Wish I Knew About Luck. For her, good fortune doesn?t find us, we find it. ?Opportunities for lucky things to happen are ubiquitous. But they're invisible and most people don't see them,? she says. In the same way that communication requires active listening, making our own luck requires presence to the people and possibilities that come our way.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Seelig and host Matt Abrahams explore how communication creates luck. From curious listening to resolving the conflicts that block opportunity, Seelig offers practical ways to respond to what life offers ? and turn everyday interactions into the foundation for good fortune.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Tina SeeligTina?s Book: What I Wish I Knew About LuckEp.111 Rethinks: How to Spark Creativity in Your CommunicationEp.159 Earn Your Audience: You Can?t Lead If No One?s Listening 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:00) - Luck vs. Fortune (02:09) - The Idea of Making Luck (02:54) - Building Your Luck Framework (04:03) - Listening Creates Opportunity (05:10) - Focus on Others (08:11) - Staying Connected to Others (09:23) - Appreciation as a Habit (10:18) - How Conflict Blocks Luck (11:49) - Apologies Create Opportunity (12:47) - Ask, Don?t Assume (14:40) - Communicating for Your Audience (16:27) - Prepare Your Stories (18:10) - The Final Three Questions (22:40) - Conclusion

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Great communication isn?t about saying more?it?s about making what you say matter.

If we want to communicate more effectively, we need to treat communication less like a habit?and more like a series of intentional choices. In this special feed drop, we?re featuring a conversation from the ?Masters of Scale? podcast, where host ?Jeff Berman? sits down with Stanford lecturer and ?Think Fast, Talk Smart ?host Matt Abrahams to explore what it really takes to communicate with intention.

Most of us default to what feels natural?long-winded openings, generic pitches, or focusing on what we want to say. But as Matt explains, effective communication starts with the audience. Get to the point quickly. Focus on what?s relevant. ?Tell the time, don?t build the clock.?

From high-stakes presentations to job interviews and everyday interactions, Matt shares practical, science-backed strategies for showing up with clarity and confidence. Communication is something we all do every day?but doing it well, especially when it counts, takes intention. As this conversation makes clear, small shifts in how we prepare, structure, and deliver our message can make all the difference.

Episode Reference Links:

Jeff BermanMasters of Scale

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (02:31) - Communication as a Skill (03:01) - The Impact of Communication (03:39) - Prevalence of Speaking Anxiety (05:40) - Techniques for Reducing Anxiety (08:15) - Core Principles: Repetition, Reflection, Feedback (09:22) - Communication in Education (10:32) - Opportunities to Improve Communication (12:55) - Presenting & Pitching Ideas (15:10) - Setting Clear Expectations (18:27) - Characteristics of Productive Meetings (20:53) - The Role of Repetition in Leadership (21:43) - Structured Preparation for Interviews (23:09) - The ADD Framework for Responses (24:37) - Asking Insightful Questions (25:57) - Defining Communication Objectives (29:03) - Adapting Messages to Different Formats (30:18) - Building Confidence in New Mediums (31:28) - Recovering from Cognitive Lapses (32:54) - The Pace, Space, Grace Framework (34:49) - Navigating Differing Perspectives (36:41) - Conclusion

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Work is changing, not ending?what it takes to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.

Careers aren?t ladders anymore ? they?re climbing walls. As Aneesh Raman puts it, ?work is changing, not ending,? and success today depends on how well you can navigate change and explain your path along the way.

Raman is the Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn and a former presidential speechwriter for Barack Obama. His work focuses on the future of work and how individuals can adapt in an AI-driven world. In his book Open to Work, he argues that the most valuable skills today aren?t technical ? they?re human. ?We now have this technology that's gonna do more, better, faster? It will out efficiency us,? he explains. But that shift creates opportunity: ?When you recognize that humans aren't meant to be machine-like, and that machines will eventually out machine us, that isn't the end state. It's going to be a more entrepreneurial era where we're going to rely on our unique ability to imagine, to invent, to create.?

In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Raman and host Matt Abrahams explore what it takes to navigate a rapidly changing workplace. From the ?Five C?s? to practical ways to redesign your role around human strengths, Raman shares how to stay relevant as work evolves, the power of audience-first communication, and why great storytelling starts with understanding yourself.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Aneesh RamanAneesh?s Book: Open to Work226. Reinvent Yourself: Turning Uncertainty Into Opportunity 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:05) - Storytelling & Career Lessons (03:30) - Obama?s Communication Style (06:22) - Careers as Climbing Walls (10:28) - The Rise of Human Skills (14:04) - The Three Work Buckets (17:57) - The Final Three Questions (23:42) - Conclusion

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How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change.

If you want to be a changemaker, you?ll have to convince others to join your cause. But according to Dan Heath, persuading your audience isn?t about creating new motivation ? it?s about leveraging the motivation that?s already there.

?The most important fuel for any change effort is motivation,? says Heath, the number-one New York Times bestselling author of Reset: How to Change What's Not Working. Instead of struggling to persuade people to want what you want, Heath suggests finding where your goals overlap with the things they already desire. "Before you even get to persuasion, if you can just tap and unleash the energy that's already there, you've already catapulted yourself toward success,? he says.

In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Heath and host Matt Abrahams explore how to create more compelling communication using ?leverage points,? or as Heath says, ?where a little bit of effort yields a disproportionate return.? Whether getting buy-in from one teammate or achieving change across an entire organization, Heath shares practical tips for turning latent motivation into an engine for change.

Episode Reference Links:

Dan HeathDan?s Books: Reset: How to Change What's Not WorkingDan's Podcast: What It?s Like To Be Ep.190 Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already WantEp.49 Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:46) - The Power of Storytelling (04:56) - Crafting Powerful Stories (09:55) - Finding Great Stories (13:14) - Leverage Points For Change (16:26) - Wasted Resources & Motivation (19:39) - Latent Desire in Systems (21:48) - The Role of Systems in Communication (25:37) - Communicating Progress (28:59) - Lessons from Hosting a Podcast (31:31) - The Final Three Questions (38:19) - Conclusion

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Whatever your message, the manner in which you deliver it is just as important.

You found the right words. You picked the right time to say them. You even tailored them to your audience. Why did your message fall flat? ?It's your tone,? says Jefferson Fisher.

Fisher is a trial attorney, New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and one of the most-followed experts in communication today. From handling high-stakes communication in the courtroom to navigating everyday conversations, he says successful messaging isn?t just about what you say, but how you say it. ?It?s not your words, it?s your tone,? he says, ?The words might be right, but the way you [say them] ? that's what ends up controlling the day. Tone controls everything.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Fisher and host Matt Abrahams explore how to set the right tone in all kinds of communication. Whether you're navigating conflict, giving and receiving feedback, or just trying to connect, Fisher offers practical techniques for ensuring the manner of your communication matches what you mean.

Episode Reference Links:

Jefferson FisherJefferson?s Book: The Next Conversation WorkbookJefferson's Podcast: The Jefferson Fisher PodcastEp.228 Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:00) - Stop Winning Arguments (02:34) - Ask, Don?t Persuade (03:05) - Defuse Tension Fast (04:12) - Read the Room (06:08) - Observing vs. Absorbing (07:40) - Framing Conversations (09:53) - Fix Digital Communication (11:33) - Improve Your Tone (14:25) - Break People-Pleasing (15:50) - Setting Clear Boundaries (18:13) - The Final Three Questions (21:14) - Conclusion

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Real change isn?t about knowing what to do ? it?s about actually doing it, one small choice at a time.

Change doesn?t come from one big breakthrough. It comes from the small choices we make over and over ? often in moments we barely notice.

Eric Zimmer, behavior coach, host of The One You Feed podcast, and author of How A Little Becomes A Lot, says the real challenge isn?t figuring out what to do ? it?s closing the gap between knowing and doing. ?We all have areas where we know exactly what would help,? he says. ?But somehow, we still don?t follow through.? His approach focuses on something simpler and more effective: small, low-resistance actions done consistently over time. ?It?s not about doing everything,? Zimmer explains. ?It?s about doing something ? again and again ? in the same direction.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zimmer joins host Matt Abrahams to unpack how lasting change actually happens. From building awareness in the middle of everyday life to designing habits that are easier to stick with, he shares practical strategies for turning intention into action. ?You don?t need to wait until you feel ready,? he says. ?You can act even when it?s uncomfortable.?

Episode Reference Links:

Eric ZimmerEric?s Book: How a Little Becomes a LotEric?s Podcast: The One You FeedEp.86 Building Habits: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:56) - From Addiction to Transformation (02:06) - The ?Two Wolves? Parable (03:51) - Awareness in Communication (05:25) - Building Awareness Through Small Habits (07:19) - The Knowing?Doing Gap (08:43) - The SPAR Framework (12:18) - Motivation vs. Action (15:55) - The Final Three Questions (21:22) - Conclusion

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The goals we set often lead us away from the meaning we ultimately seek.

Meaning in life isn?t a concrete point we can route toward. That?s why we need what Arthur Brooks calls ?proxy goals? ? and much better ones than we typically choose.

Brooks, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness, says that meaning can't be pursued directly, but rather through proxy goals ? markers that lead us to what we're really seeking. ?The big, complex, meaning-filled things in life, you can't see them directly,? he says. ?If you want to find meaning, you have to have proxy goals.? The problem is that many of us have chosen terrible proxies. ?Money, power, pleasure, fame, prestige; those are really bad proxy goals for the meaning of life,? Brooks says. ?You're never gonna find it.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Brooks returns to the show, and with host Matt Abrahams, he explores how we can move from searching for meaning to actually finding it. From understanding the three components of meaning to transcending the ?me self,? Brooks offers practical guidance for those who strive and strive, yet still feel like something?s missing.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Arthur BrooksArthur?s Book: The Meaning of LifeArthur?s Podcast: Office Hours179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Well?181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communicat?182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:58) - The Striver Mindset (02:32) - Three Parts of Meaning (06:22) - Me Self vs. I Self (08:31) - Transcendence Explained (10:36) - Proxy Goals (13:16) - Meaning vs. Achievement (16:20) - Daily Protocols (18:10) - This or That (19:44) - Conclusion

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Why mastering unspoken workplace communication is essential to long-term career success.

Succeeding at work doesn?t just depend on how hard you work or how smart you are. According to Erin McGoff, it often comes down to whether you understand the ?secret language? everyone else seems to be speaking.

McGoff is a career creator, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and author of The Secret Language of Work: Hyper Helpful Scripts for Every Situation. Known for her wildly popular AdviceWithErin platform, she helps millions of professionals phrase things more effectively ? without sounding stiff or robotic. ?It?s this hidden curriculum to the workforce,? she explains, describing the unwritten rules of interviews, negotiations, and professional etiquette. ?It?s not written down anywhere. It?s not equally distributed.? Her mission is to make those invisible rules visible ? and usable.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGoff and host Matt Abrahams explore how to communicate with confidence, advocate for yourself strategically, and build a professional brand with intention. Confidence, she says, isn?t fixed: ?Confidence isn?t binary. Confidence is a spectrum.? It starts internally, with how we speak to ourselves, and strengthens when we ?get really good at what you do.?

Episode Reference Links:

Erin McGoffErin?s Book: The Secret Language of Work202. Own Your Brand: How to Communicate with Presence and Impact

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (03:08) - The Secret Language of Work (04:44) - Building Confidence (06:51) - Creating Your Professional Brand (08:12) - Setting Expectations at Work (10:43) - Advocate Strategically (12:46) - Mastering First Impressions (14:02) - Professional vs. Personal (16:31) - Interview Before, During, After (20:20) - Nonverbal Presence (20:44) - The Final Three Questions (24:43) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

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How to communicate for deeper connection?and greater happiness.

Happiness isn?t just a feeling?it?s something you can actively shape through how you think, connect, and communicate.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside and co-author of How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most, defines happiness as two key components: ?being happy in your life and being happy with your life.? And while many people separate happiness from meaning or purpose, she explains that ?they almost always go together.? Her research shows how the small habits we practice?like gratitude?can have a powerful effect, helping to ?neutralize negative emotions? and shift how we see our lives. 

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lyubomirsky and host Matt Abrahams explore the science of wellbeing and the habits that help us feel more fulfilled. From gratitude practices to breaking free from the comparison trap, they share practical strategies for boosting happiness and explain why connection isn?t just about being loved, but truly ?feeling loved.?

Episode Reference Links:

Sonja LyubomirskySonja?s Book: How To Feel Loved179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Well?181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communicat?182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (02:44) - Defining Happiness (04:56) - Gratitude in Practice (05:39) - Acting Extroverted (07:36) - The Comparison Trap (09:34) - Reflection vs. Rumination (10:21) - Best Self Exercise (11:45) - Building Positive Psychology (13:10) - Happiness Drives Success (14:38) - Relationships as a Seesaw (16:58) - Being Known vs. Impressive (18:29) - The Final Three Questions (23:02) - Conclusion

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Memorable communication isn?t about saying more?it?s making the right idea stick. 

No matter how compelling a presentation feels in the moment, most of what you say won?t last in your audience?s memory. The key isn?t trying to make people remember everything ? it?s ensuring they remember what matters most.

Carmen Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, author, and expert on how the brain pays attention and forms memories. Her research explores how communication can move beyond passive listening and become an experience the brain actually holds onto. ?The way we come to know the world is through the interaction of brain, body, and environment,? she explains. ?The more you invite your audiences to interact with anything, especially physically, the more you impact cognition.?

In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams explore practical, research-backed ways to make communication more memorable. They discuss why handwriting notes can deepen understanding, how curiosity and tension capture attention, and why communicators should avoid overwhelming audiences with too much information. Instead, Simon encourages speakers to structure ideas so audiences can recognize patterns and return to a clear core message.

Episode Reference Links:

Carmen SimonCarmen?s Book: Impossible to IgnoreEp.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:34) - Embodied Cognition Explained (02:47) - The Impact of Environment on Attention (04:11) - Sparking Curiosity in Your Audience (08:27) - Avoiding Cognitive Overload (11:41) - Using Visuals to Improve Recall (15:36) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

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People are forgetful. Here?s how to make your messages more memorable.

After any presentation, your audience will forget about 90% of what you said. That?s okay, says Carmen Simon ? just make sure they remember the right 10%.

Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, speaker, author, and expert on how the brain processes and retains information. Her research reveals a humbling truth: ?We forget our lives almost as quickly as we live them,? she says. But instead of fighting our forgetfulness, Simon believes we can work with it ? by getting intentional about what we want people to remember. ?So many people aspire at attention and memory, but very few really know what they want to be memorable for,? she says. ?Ask the question: what is my 10% message??

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to distill your communication for maximum memorability. Whether you're pitching an idea or presenting to a team, Simon?s practical techniques will help you ensure your 10% message is the one your audience takes away.

Episode Reference Links:

Carmen SimonCarmen?s Book: Impossible to IgnoreEp.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:54) - Attention vs. Memory (03:30) - Novelty & Surprise (04:51) - Why Attention Isn?t Enough (06:19) - The Power of Priming (07:52) - Priming in Business Communication (08:36) - Why Audiences Forget (11:47) - Smart Repetition (13:23) - The Final Three Questions (18:50) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

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The secret to building habits that stick.

Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. ?Habits are easier to form than most people think,? he says, ?If you do it in the right way.?

As the founder and director of Stanford's Behavior Design Lab, Fogg has devoted much of his career to researching human psychology, motivation, and behavior. According to him, habit formation isn?t a product of simply doing something over and over again. ?It's not a function of repetition,? he says, ?it's a function of emotion.?

As Fogg discusses with host Matt Abrahams in this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, bringing our behavior in line with our goals is easier than we think ? we just have to know the emotional levers to pull.

Episode Reference Links:

BJ Fogg Fogg's Book: Tiny Habits

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:58) - The Information-Action Fallacy (02:41) - The Behavior Model: Motivation, Ability, Prompt (04:21) - Designing a Reading Habit (05:59) - What Is a Habit? (09:08) - Making Paraphrasing a Habit (11:45) - Specificity vs. Repetition (14:04) - Choosing Habits You Enjoy (15:02) - The Final Three Questions (18:55) - Conclusion

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Why beliefs can either cap our potential or push us toward possibility.

What you believe about yourself could be holding you back. Fortunately, Nir Eyal says beliefs aren?t truths ? and you can choose new ones.

Eyal is a former lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Stanford d.school, a celebrated author, and a renowned expert on human behavior and potential. His latest book, Beyond Belief, reveals how limiting beliefs ? like ?I?m a bad communicator? ? quietly shape what we see, feel, and do. ?A belief doesn't have to be true? to limit our potential, he says. But the same holds in reverse: a belief doesn't have to be true to expand who and what we can become. ?Beliefs are tools, not truths. It just has to be useful.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Eyal and host Matt Abrahams explore how to identify the beliefs that hold us back ? and how to replace them with ones that propel us forward. From keeping a belief journal to practicing perspective-shifting ?turnarounds,? Eyal offers practical tips for rewriting the stories we tell ourselves and becoming the people we want to be.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Nir EyalNir?s Book: Beyond Belief104. How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)115. Rethinks: How We Set and Achieve Goals  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:00) - The Power of Attention (02:45) - The Hook Model & Surprise (05:10) - Structure vs. Novelty (07:05) - Identity & Limiting Beliefs (10:07) - Beliefs Vs. Facts (13:32) - The Four-Question Test (18:09) - The Final Three Questions (21:20) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

With LinkedIn Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence, knowing you're getting the best talent for your needs. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com/fast

Practical insights to help you communicate with more intention in everyday moments.

What?s the difference between reacting and responding? How do you move from memorizing your words to truly conversing in the moment? And how do you keep growing as a communicator in everyday moments?

Communication isn?t about having the perfect script. It?s about staying present enough to respond with intention. In fast-moving conversations, emotions rise, thoughts race, and structure can disappear. Yet it?s in the pause ? the breath before we speak ? that clarity begins.

In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares highlights from a recent live AMA inside the Think Fast, Talk Smart Learning Community. Listener questions open the door to practical strategies for navigating emotional conversations, relying on structure rather than memorization, and building communication habits that actually stick. Because becoming a better communicator isn?t about getting it perfect ? it?s about making small, intentional choices every day.

Episode Reference Links:

Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community  

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:55) - From Reacting to Responding (02:49) - Memorization vs. Spontaneous Speaking (07:59) - Growing Vocabulary (11:58) - Asking for Better Feedback (14:27) - Value of the Learning Community (18:50) - Conclusion

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How to communicate who you are online.

You may not think of yourself as a content creator, but in the creator economy, Angèle Christin says we all have to learn how to communicate who we are online.

Christin is an associate professor of communications at Stanford University and a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI. According to her, ?we are all content creators now.? We may not all be influencers or podcast hosts, but ?We are all putting content out there and creating a public persona,? says Christin. In the digital age, ?that plays an increasingly important role in hiring, promotions, and of course, getting laid off.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Christin and host Matt Abrahams explore how to navigate the creator economy ? whether as a full-time influencer or a professional managing your online presence. From building on your area of expertise to understanding the trade-offs between short-term hype and long-term trust, Christin explains what it takes to show up online without losing yourself in the algorithm.

Episode Reference Links:

Angèle ChristinEp.225 Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak

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Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:45) - Why Metrics Reward Drama (04:12) - Building A Professional Online Presence (08:29) - What Makes A Good Story? (12:18) - The Reality Of Creator Work (15:22) - The Final Three Question (18:32) - Conclusion

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Why being true to yourself enables you to show up better for others.

From the way you communicate, to the way you build your life and career, Graham Weaver, MBA ?99, says it?s about ?giving yourself permission to fully be yourself. You can never go wrong when you?re saying your truth.?

Weaver is a lecturer in management, a GSB alum, and the founder and a partner of Alpine Investors. He stresses the importance of direct communication, highlighting how avoiding it can lead to wasted time, energy, and even financial losses. Reflecting on his own experiences in private equity, Weaver admits to struggling with being conflict-averse and not speaking his truth directly, which resulted in getting into bad deals and big losses for his company. ?People think that by being indirect, they?re being kind, but all they're doing is creating confusion,? he says. ?Clarity is compassionate. Even if it's not what they want to hear, the more direct and clear you can be, the more compassionate that is for the other person.?

In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Weaver and host Matt Abrahams explore how being true to oneself not only fosters personal fulfillment but also enables us to show up better for others. Authenticity and self-belief lay the foundation for effective communication, leadership, and ultimately, success.

Episode Reference Links:

Graham Weaver

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (02:29) - Direct Communication & Limiting Beliefs (05:39) - The Internal Game (06:44) - An Asymmetrical Life (11:56) - Taylor Swift & Grit (14:50) - Pursuing Enlightenment (17:54) - The Final Three Questions (24:51) - Conclusion

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How to turn down the chatter of negative self-talk.

If you want to have better conversations with others, Ethan Kross says you first have to quiet down the chatter in your own head.

A professor, researcher, and author, Kross defines chatter as a ?negative thought loop? that hijacks our attention and undermines our ability to perform. ?We have a limited capacity to focus our attention,? he says. ?Attentional resources are a limited commodity, and chatter acts like a sponge that consumes that capacity. It leaves very little leftover that allows us to do the things that we want or need to do.? 

In his work researching, teaching, and writing about emotional regulation and the conscious mind, Kross has explored how to manage the negative self-talk that sabotages our concentration. ?Here's the good news,? he says. ?You can get out of it. Managing your chatter [is] a lot like becoming physically fit? ? and he?s developed tools and frameworks for building the muscles to turn down the noise.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kross joins host Matt Abrahams to share methods for quieting chatter and reclaiming precious mental resources. From distanced self-talk to mental time travel, his tools offer a way to tune out the static and tune into clarity and connection.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Ethan KrossEthan?s Books: Chatter / ShiftEp.179 Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing 

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:00) - Defining Chatter (03:30) - Breaking the Loop (08:27) - Technology & Emotional Sharing (11:53) - Why ?Get Over It? Fails (17:13) - Emotions as Data (19:44) - The Final Three Questions (22:24) - Conclusion

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How to turn complexity into connection through clear communication.

Communication in high-stakes moments isn?t about saying more ? it?s about connecting better. For Jonathan Berek and Phil Polakoff, the most effective communicators don?t rely on jargon or performance. They rely on empathy, listening, and stories that resonate.

Both longtime Stanford Medicine leaders, Berek and Polakoff have spent their careers translating complex, emotional, and often urgent health issues for patients, colleagues, and the public. And they?ve learned that the message only lands when it?s delivered at the right level, with the right intention. ?Know your audience,? Berek says, describing the importance of ?leveling? ? communicating in language that meets people where they are, without talking down or over their heads.

For both Berek and Polakoff, listening is the foundation. ?The two most important skills in communication are empathy and listening,? Berek explains ? not as soft skills, but as the core mechanics of trust. Polakoff agrees, pushing for directness and clarity: ?I like a yes or a no. I don?t like ambivalence or ambiguity.? And when it comes to being memorable, he?s relentless about simplicity: ?Think bold, start small.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Berek and Polakoff join host Matt Abrahams to examine what great communicators actually do: prepare deeply, speak concisely, listen with intention, and use storytelling to bring others along. Because as Berek puts it, ?People feel the emotion when they see a story,? and emotion ? paired with clarity ? is what turns information into impact.

Episode Reference Links:

Phil PolakoffJonathan Berek

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:23) - Raising Awareness For Women?s Cancer (02:20) - Redefining Health Beyond Disease (03:42) - Why Storytelling is Essential (05:42) - What Makes a Story Memorable (07:19) - Advice for Better Communication (08:20) - Making Complex Ideas Accessible (09:08) - Speaking at Your Audience?s Level (10:31) - Listening & Empathy (11:13) - Improving Communication with Improv (12:42) - Communication for Collective Change (15:21) - Mentorship & The Big Picture (16:32) - The Final Three Questions (19:09) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

With LinkedIn Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence, knowing you're getting the best talent for your needs. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com/fast

Why curiosity is the best way to start a conversation.

No matter how wide political, cultural, and generational divides seem to grow, Fareed Zakaria is convinced: communication has the power to connect.

Zakaria is the host of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, a Washington Post columnist, and author of Age of Revolutions, a book about the seismic societal shifts that define modern history. In his decades of translating complex geopolitical issues for broad audiences, he?s found the key to navigating change and conflict. ?The most important thing is being genuinely curious,? he says, ?genuinely believing that everybody has a story to tell. Everybody has something to teach you. Everybody has a lesson you can learn.?

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zakaria and host Matt Abrahams explore how curiosity opens the door to conversation. Whether we?re communicating across ideological divides or bridging gaps between our past, present, and future, Zakaria shows why maintaining connection starts with a willingness to learn.

Episode Reference Links:

Fareed ZakariaFareed?s Book: Age of RevolutionsEp.161 Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You're Talking To 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (00:51) - The ?Age of Revolutions? (02:57) - Do Facts Still Matter? (04:28) - How To Persuade (06:32) - On-Camera Communication (09:00) - Making Radical Ideas Mainstream (10:29) - When To Change Your Mind (11:56) - Helping Adolescents Communicate (16:25) - The Final Three Questions (20:12) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

With LinkedIn Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence, knowing you're getting the best talent for your needs. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com/fast