Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

257. Move Your Audience: Lessons From MLK You Should Use

244 snips

Jan 19, 2026

Lerone Martin, the Martin Luther King Jr. Centennial Professor at Stanford, dives deep into the art of communication inspired by MLK. He reveals how even King struggled initially with public speaking and practiced tirelessly, including rehearsing in front of a mirror. The discussion explores King's techniques, such as narrative structure and vocal musicality, that captivated audiences. Martin emphasizes the need for conviction and authenticity in communication, urging young people to hone their skills to inspire change in their communities.

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INSIGHT

Painting A Journey With Voice

Martin Luther King Jr. painted vivid journeys that brought audiences along with him.
Lerone A. Martin says King's musical voice and pacing amplified those images and emotions.

ANECDOTE

Early Struggles And Deliberate Practice

King did not start as a flawless orator and received average grades in speaking classes.
Lerone A. Martin notes King practiced and developed pacing, organization, and skill over years.

ANECDOTE

Practice, Mirrors, And Role Models

King rehearsed in front of mirrors and preached every summer at his father's church to gain practice.
He also modeled local preachers like William Holmes Borders to shape his style.

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Why it’s not about being born a great communicator, but becoming one.

The greatest communicators aren’t always great from the start. As Lerone Martin knows, even the great Martin Luther King Jr. had to practice before he could persuade.

Martin is the Martin Luther King Jr. Centennial Professor at Stanford, and as director of the King Research and Education Institute, he has spent years studying how King developed his brilliant communication that continues to captivate audiences to this day. “This is a skill that Martin developed over years,” Martin says. “There are stories of him practicing in the mirror... And I think it speaks to us about how we can develop this skill over time.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Martin and host Matt Abrahams unpack the techniques behind King's legendary speeches, from the musicality of his voice to his use of repetition and narrative structure. Whether you’re preparing a speech or building conversation skills, Martin highlights King’s example to show that great communication isn’t always born — it’s built.

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(02:09) - Why MLK Was So Compelling
(03:36) - MLK’s Early Speaking Struggles
(05:08) - How MLK Practiced and Improved
(06:03) - Favorite MLK Speech
(07:17) - “I Have A Dream” and Prepared Spontaneity
(09:22) - MLK’s Core Techniques
(12:20) - Repetition, Rhythm, and Momentum
(14:49) - Conviction vs. Performative Messaging
(18:21) - The Final Three Questions
(22:56) - Conclusion

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