Think Faster, Talk Smarter: Matt Abrahams on Mastering High-Stakes Communication

What do TED speakers, UN officials, and CEOs have in common? When they need to speak with clarity and confidence under pressure, they call Matt Abrahams.

In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Matt Abrahams—Stanford lecturer, author, and host of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast—joins host Athena Koutsonikolas to share practical insights into spontaneous speaking. From managing anxiety to answering difficult questions with confidence, Matt offers science-backed strategies and personal techniques to help anyone sound—and feel—more self-assured in high-pressure moments.

Whether you struggle with small talk, want to command a room, or just need to stop blanking in meetings, consider this your playbook for clear, compelling communication. If you’ve ever struggled to find the right words in the moment, this episode is for you.

Matt Abrahams is a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, the author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot and Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, and the host of Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast.

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Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast; Think Faster, Talk Smarter book; Think Fast Talk Smart (TFTS) Communication LLC; Stanford University Graduate School of Business; TED Talks; BLUF communication approach; Speaking Up without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting; Tongue twisters for public speaking; The spotlight effect; NFL Referee Brad Rodgers; Rachel Greenwald; Uptalk/upspeak

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Follow the host and guest: Athena Koutsonikolas on LinkedIn & Matt Abrahams on LinkedIn

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About Staffbase:

Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that helps companies connect with every employee through inspiring communication that drives collaboration and achieves business results.

Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including New York City, London, Berlin, Sydney, and Vancouver.

Learn more at staffbase.com.