Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication.
Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges.
Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships.
Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.
Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges.
Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships.
Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.
Episodes
Mentioned books
94 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 26min
256. Be Kind: The Most Overlooked Driver of Success
Bonnie Hayden Cheng, a management professor at City University of Hong Kong, digs into the transformative power of kindness in workplaces. She introduces the 'Return on Kindness' metric, showing how kind cultures lead to happier, more productive employees. Cheng shares her RISE framework, highlighting role modeling and supportive actions as keys to kind leadership. The discussion contrasts kindness with niceness and emphasizes the importance of honest, compassionate feedback. Overall, it’s a powerful guide to fostering a culture of kindness that benefits everyone.
445 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 27min
255. How Leaders Sound Smart Without Saying Too Much
In this conversation, Adam Bryant, a leadership expert and former New York Times journalist, shares insights from interviewing over 500 CEOs. He emphasizes the importance of simplifying complexity for effective leadership communication. Bryant highlights three core traits of successful leaders: clarity, authenticity, and empathy. He warns against common pitfalls like overwhelming audiences with information. With practical techniques, such as using curiosity and limiting key points, he reveals how leaders can engage their teams and drive impactful communication.
394 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 26min
254. Start Fresh: How Framing, Timing, and Talk Can Improve Your Finances
Wendy De La Rosa, a professor at the Wharton School and co-founder of the Common Cents Lab, breaks down the importance of discussing money openly to enhance financial well-being. She introduces the Fresh Start Effect, emphasizing how timing cues like birthdays can boost motivation. Wendy explores how perceived wealth can shift with pay frequency, shares strategies for fostering financial conversations among loved ones, and highlights the crippling effects of financial shame. Discover how effective communication and framing can revolutionize your approach to finances.
424 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 26min
253. Top 10: The Best Communication Tips from 2025
Uncover the best communication insights of 2025, starting with the power of facilitation and how to embrace productive serendipity. Learn the difference between toxic and healthy productivity, and discover how dialogue can lead to synergy. Trust is built through actions, not just words. Communication is most effective when it’s unselfish. Explore how using emotional, concrete language creates memorable connections. Lastly, transform your persuasive skills by inviting your audience to envision new identities.
388 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 17min
252. Rethinks: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible
Lauren Weinstein, a communication coach and TEDx speaker, joins to share her expertise in making complex ideas accessible. They discuss the 'curse of knowledge' and emphasize the importance of audience-centric communication. Lauren highlights the power of analogies and storytelling, illustrating how personal stories enhance clarity. The technique of 'chunking' ideas into digestible bits is spotlighted, along with tips for making data relatable through vivid comparisons. Key takeaway: always connect with your audience before diving into details.
333 snips
Dec 23, 2025 • 28min
251. How to Stop Performing and Start Communicating with Presence
In this discussion, Dr. Kate Mason, a world champion debater and executive communication coach, shares insights on the importance of being authentically present rather than performative in communication. She debunks the myth of 'confidence' as unhelpful, emphasizing the need to bridge personal and corporate personas. Kate also addresses 'imposing syndrome', offers tips on nonverbal presence, and stresses the importance of authenticity in leadership. She advocates for embracing natural styles while preparing effectively but leaving room for agility.
427 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 29min
250. How to Navigate Conflict: Tools For Productive Communication
In a riveting conversation, Jenn Wynn, an educator and podcaster focused on healing difficult conversations, shares frameworks for calming our nervous systems during conflict. Julia Minson, a Harvard decision scientist, introduces her HEAR framework to cultivate curiosity and understanding in disagreements. Together, they explore how to redefine conflict as an opportunity for connection and learning. Their practical tools aim to transform tough dialogues into meaningful exchanges—ideal for navigating both personal and professional tensions.
284 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 19min
249. Quick Thinks: Rituals That Make Teamwork Work
Molly Sands, Head of the Teamwork Lab at Atlassian, dives into the rituals that enhance teamwork. She emphasizes the importance of regular goal reviews and transparent updates, suggesting that teams that pause to reflect can realign effectively. Molly introduces creative practices like collaboration hours and the role of a rotating Chief Vibes Officer to foster connection and fun. Her insights into designing for spontaneous collaboration and inclusive meetings highlight ways to boost psychological safety and performance in today's hybrid work environment.
430 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 26min
248. Better Together: How to Supercharge Your Team’s Productivity
Molly Sands, a behavioral scientist and head of the Teamwork Lab at Atlassian, shares her insights on enhancing teamwork. She emphasizes the power of clear communication and aligning on goals for effective collaboration. Discussing the role of AI, she suggests treating it as a conversational partner rather than just a tool. Sands also introduces innovative meeting types and asynchronous video updates to streamline productivity. Her research highlights that well-aligned teams can achieve more together, making teamwork a dynamic blend of vision and strategy.
225 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 18min
247. “Matt”er of Fact: Coaching on Feedback and Q&A
In this engaging discussion, Coach Matt, an AI persona crafted from Matt Abrahams' expertise, offers unique coaching techniques to reframe anxiety as energy for clarity. He introduces the insightful 'What–So What–Now What' feedback framework for providing constructive critique. Meanwhile, Chat Matt, a text-based AI bot, gives practical advice on creating impactful two-minute proposals and managing presentation anxiety. Together, they explore the fusion of human expertise and AI capability, showcasing a new frontier in communication training.
