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Every episode
Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
30 episodes
315. Quietly Powerful: How Introverts Can Communicate With Confidence & Impact
Aug 17, 2026 · 23 min
“Over time, what works is truly showing up in a way where you actually care, you're actually trying to give value.” In a culture that rewards boldness and visibility, quieter voices can be easy to overlook. But Susan Cain, a former Wall Street lawyer, negotiation consultant, and bestselling author of Quiet and Bittersweet, argues that introverts bring powerful strengths to communication and leadership, from deep listening to thoughtful reflection. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Cain…
314. Rethinks: Turn Tension Into Trust
Aug 13, 2026 · 32 min
"The first negotiation is actually a negotiation I have with myself about my own story." Before you can have hard conversations with others, you need to have an honest conversation with yourself. That's the counterintuitive advice from Sheila Heen, a Harvard Law School lecturer and co-author of Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most, who says our own internal narratives often derail our attempts at negotiation and conflict resolution. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart…
313. Hold the Headline: How Curiosity Cuts Through Complexity
Aug 10, 2026 · 27 min
"The dumbest thing you can be is a know-it-all." Curiosity isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking better questions. Journalist and podcast host Nayeema Raza believes the strongest communicators balance confidence with openness, using curiosity to better understand people, ideas, and the world around them. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Raza joins Matt Abrahams to explore how to make complex ideas accessible, ask questions that spark meaningful conversations, and communi…
312. Quick Thinks: Speak with Confidence, Clarity, and Power
Aug 6, 2026 · 10 min
"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 confide…
311. Don't Lose the Room: How to Make Ideas Stick
Aug 3, 2026 · 23 min
"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…
310. A Matter of Meaning: What Other People Teach You About Your Communication
Jul 30, 2026 · 20 min
"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…
309. Stretch, Don't Stress: How Great Communication Makes Better Leaders
Jul 27, 2026 · 26 min
"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…
308. Ask Matt Anything: From Nerves to Know-How in High-Stakes Moments
Jul 23, 2026 · 17 min
“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 u…
307. Accent-uate, Don't Compensate: Why Clarity Matters More Than Perfection
Jul 20, 2026 · 23 min
"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,…
306. Trust the Process: How to Design Teams That Actually Work
Jul 16, 2026 · 18 min
"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 brai…
305. The Humor Habit: Why Great Communicators Think Like Comedians
Jul 13, 2026 · 28 min
"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…
304. Rethinks: Craft Compelling Communication
Jul 9, 2026 · 23 min
"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…
303. On Point, On Brand: Why Honest Communication Always Lands
Jul 6, 2026 · 23 min
"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…
302. Master This: How to Learn Like the Experts Do
Jul 2, 2026 · 19 min
"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 le…
301. Trust at First Sight: Create More Meaningful Connections
Jun 29, 2026 · 25 min
“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…
300. Matt’s Answers for Better Speaking and Leadership
Jun 25, 2026 · 31 min
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 co…
299. Choose The Right Channel: How Stanford Finds Its Voice
Jun 22, 2026 · 22 min
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 uni…
298. Quick Thinks: How to Look Confident, Composed, and Credible
Jun 18, 2026 · 10 min
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…
297. Agency Over Anxiety: Communicating in Uncertain Times
Jun 15, 2026 · 26 min
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, organ…
296. AMA: Speaking Out, Staying Grounded, and Managing Up
Jun 11, 2026 · 11 min
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 challengi…
295. Culture Club: Communicating Values That Scale
Jun 8, 2026 · 20 min
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 supp…
294. Ask & You Shall Receive: Questions For Better Negotiations
Jun 4, 2026 · 24 min
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…
293. 5 Leadership Lessons From Stanford: Me2We 2026
Jun 1, 2026 · 35 min
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…
292. Headspace Habits: Lessons for Calm, Confident Communication
May 28, 2026 · 26 min
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, engag…
291. Hello, Stranger: Why Curiosity Beats Charisma Every Time
May 25, 2026 · 30 min
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…
290. Quick Thinks: How to Have Better Conversations About Aging
May 21, 2026 · 17 min
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…
289. Better with Age: Why Joy Matters More Than Longevity
May 18, 2026 · 23 min
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…
288. Turn Your Audience into Co-Creators: Lessons from the Tiger Sisters
May 14, 2026 · 24 min
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 ofte…
287. Give It a Rest to Do Your Best: The Sleep Habits That Catalyze Your Communication
May 11, 2026 · 26 min
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 sport…
286. Driven to Succeed: Turn Doubt Into Your Competitive Advantage
May 7, 2026 · 24 min
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…
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