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
108 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 12min
233. Tech Tools: Write with Confidence and Impact
Max Lytvyn, co-founder of Grammarly, shares insights on transforming communication with precision. He reveals that Grammarly was born from the realization that many struggle to express their thoughts clearly. Discussing AI's role in enhancing writing, he emphasizes the importance of starting with your communication goal. Max praises Adam Grant for his clear communication style and shares a clever tactic for contentious conversations—beginning with a sincere 'yes' to foster collaboration. Tune in for impactful tips on effective expression!
293 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 27min
232. Pause, Don’t Panic: Finding Calm in High-Stakes Moments
Dan Harris, a former ABC News anchor and host of the 10% Happier podcast, explores the transformative power of mindfulness in communication. He shares his experience of a panic attack on live TV, which led him to therapy and meditation. Harris emphasizes the importance of responding rather than reacting in conversations and offers techniques to manage anxiety during high-stakes moments. He highlights the value of reflective listening and using analogies to engage audiences, ultimately advocating for clarity and warmth in all interactions.
624 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 23min
231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean
Steven Pinker, Harvard's Johnstone Professor of Psychology and a prominent cognitive scientist, explores the intricate dance of indirect communication. He reveals how we often rely on hints and euphemisms to maintain social bonds, emphasizing the importance of context in understanding messages. Pinker discusses the power of metaphors in shaping our thoughts and communication styles, while also highlighting the emotional nuances of swearing. He shares key ingredients for effective communication: empathy, calibrated directness, and an awareness of relationships.
182 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 11min
230. Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage
In this engaging discussion, Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma, shares insights on enhancing communication through visuals. He emphasizes the power of turning complex ideas into memorable visuals and frameworks, which provide teams with a shared vocabulary. Yuhki highlights the importance of crafting repeatable phrases and visuals to ensure insights are easily communicated and reused. His passion for real-time collaboration tools is infectious, making this a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their communication skills.
701 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 23min
229. Rethinks: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot
Explore the art of spontaneous speaking, unlocking confidence in unexpected situations. Learn a practical six-step methodology to frame challenging moments as opportunities. Discover valuable lessons from martial arts that enhance communication presence. The discussion also touches on the significance of eye contact and audience engagement, crucial for effective interaction. Celebrate language skills and community connections while managing speaking anxiety. Dive into tips that transform how you express yourself when put on the spot!
541 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 19min
228. Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling
Chris Voss, a former lead FBI hostage negotiator and CEO of The Black Swan Group, shares his expert insights on communication under pressure. He delves into the transformative power of empathy and emotional intelligence in negotiation. Voss introduces practical techniques like labeling and mirroring, emphasizing the significance of tone and timing. He explains how silence can be strategically impactful and warns against the risks of overthinking. This session reveals how high-stakes negotiation skills can enhance everyday communication.
179 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 18min
227. Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation
Jim Szafranski, the CEO of Prezi, believes visuals and storytelling are vital for impactful communication. He discusses how using dynamic visuals boosts audience retention and makes presentations more engaging. Szafranski shares insights on the power of nonlinear storytelling, which fosters personalization and curiosity in presentations. He also delves into how AI can enhance the storytelling process, making it more accessible for communicators. This conversation is packed with tips to elevate your presentation skills and connect deeply with your audience.
515 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 23min
226. Reinvent Yourself: Turning Uncertainty Into Opportunity
In this enlightening discussion, Ilana Golan, founder of Leap Academy and host of the Leap Academy Podcast, shares her expertise on personal reinvention. She highlights the importance of being 'leap-ready' by asking three critical questions: Why me? Why this? And why now? Golan emphasizes honest communication as key to navigating life changes and encourages proactive assessment of personal fulfillment. Discover how to communicate confidently through transitions and embrace uncertainties as opportunities for growth!
230 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 28min
225. Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak
Adam Aleksic, a linguist and the mind behind The Etymology Nerd, delves into the influence of algorithms on our communication styles. He highlights how social media alters language, creating new contexts that demand adaptive speech. The conversation reveals the evolution of words like 'like' and emphasizes the importance of understanding medium-specific grammar. Aleksic also discusses strategies for engaging communication, showcasing how awareness of our digital environment can enhance our connection with diverse audiences.
411 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 24min
224. Make Your Messages Epic: The Evolution of Words and the Stories They Carry
Laura Spinney, an acclaimed author and journalist known for her work in major publications like the Atlantic and National Geographic, dives deep into the power of language. She explains how our ancient words and stories shape human connection and understanding. Spinney reveals that the narratives we tell have endured for millennia, highlighting their role in building community. Discussing storytelling’s fundamental impact on engagement, she emphasizes how effective communication continues to evolve alongside language itself.
