Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Great communication isn’t about saying more—it’s about making what you say matter. If we want to communicate more effectively, we need to treat communication less like a habit—and more like a series of intentional choices. In this special feed drop, we’re featuring a conversation from the ⁠Masters of Scale⁠ podcast, where host ⁠Jeff Berman⁠ sits down with Stanford lecturer and ⁠Think Fast, Talk Smart ⁠host Matt Abrahams to explore what it really takes to communicate with intention. Most of us default to what feels natural—long-winded openings, generic pitches, or focusing on what we want to say. But as Matt explains, effective communication starts with the audience. Get to the point quickly. Focus on what’s relevant. “Tell the time, don’t build the clock.” From high-stakes presentations to job interviews and everyday interactions, Matt shares practical, science-backed strategies for showing up with clarity and confidence. Communication is something we all do every day—but doing it well, especially when it counts, takes intention. As this conversation makes clear, small shifts in how we prepare, structure, and deliver our message can make all the difference. Episode Reference Links: Jeff BermanMasters of Scale Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Work is changing, not ending—what it takes to stay relevant in an AI-driven world. Careers aren’t ladders anymore — they’re climbing walls. As Aneesh Raman puts it, “work is changing, not ending,” and success today depends on how well you can navigate change and explain your path along the way. Raman is the Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn and a former presidential speechwriter for Barack Obama. His work focuses on the future of work and how individuals can adapt in an AI-driven world. In his book Open to Work, he argues that the most valuable skills today aren’t technical — they’re human. “We now have this technology that's gonna do more, better, faster… It will out efficiency us,” he explains. But that shift creates opportunity: “When you recognize that humans aren't meant to be machine-like, and that machines will eventually out machine us, that isn't the end state. It's going to be a more entrepreneurial era where we're going to rely on our unique ability to imagine, to invent, to create.” In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Raman and host Matt Abrahams explore what it takes to navigate a rapidly changing workplace. From the “Five C’s” to practical ways to redesign your role around human strengths, Raman shares how to stay relevant as work evolves, the power of audience-first communication, and why great storytelling starts with understanding yourself. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Aneesh RamanOpen to Work226. Reinvent Yourself: Turning Uncertainty Into Opportunity Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change. If you want to be a changemaker, you’ll have to convince others to join your cause. But according to Dan Heath, persuading your audience isn’t about creating new motivation — it’s about leveraging the motivation that’s already there. “The most important fuel for any change effort is motivation,” says Heath, the number-one New York Times bestselling author of Reset: How to Change What's Not Working. Instead of struggling to persuade people to want what you want, Heath suggests finding where your goals overlap with the things they already desire. "Before you even get to persuasion, if you can just tap and unleash the energy that's already there, you've already catapulted yourself toward success,” he says. In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Heath and host Matt Abrahams explore how to create more compelling communication using “leverage points,” or as Heath says, “where a little bit of effort yields a disproportionate return.” Whether getting buy-in from one teammate or achieving change across an entire organization, Heath shares practical tips for turning latent motivation into an engine for change. Episode Reference Links: Dan HeathReset: How to Change What's Not WorkingWhat It’s Like To BeEp.190 Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already WantEp.49 Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Whatever your message, the manner in which you deliver it is just as important. You found the right words. You picked the right time to say them. You even tailored them to your audience. Why did your message fall flat? “It's your tone,” says Jefferson Fisher. Fisher is a trial attorney, New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and one of the most-followed experts in communication today. From handling high-stakes communication in the courtroom to navigating everyday conversations, he says successful messaging isn’t just about what you say, but how you say it. “It’s not your words, it’s your tone,” he says, “The words might be right, but the way you [say them] — that's what ends up controlling the day. Tone controls everything.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Fisher and host Matt Abrahams explore how to set the right tone in all kinds of communication. Whether you're navigating conflict, giving and receiving feedback, or just trying to connect, Fisher offers practical techniques for ensuring the manner of your communication matches what you mean. Episode Reference Links: Jefferson FisherThe Next Conversation WorkbookThe Jefferson Fisher PodcastEp.228 Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Real change isn’t about knowing what to do — it’s about actually doing it, one small choice at a time. Change doesn’t come from one big breakthrough. It comes from the small choices we make over and over — often in moments we barely notice. Eric Zimmer, behavior coach, host of The One You Feed podcast, and author of How A Little Becomes A Lot, says the real challenge isn’t figuring out what to do — it’s closing the gap between knowing and doing. “We all have areas where we know exactly what would help,” he says. “But somehow, we still don’t follow through.” His approach focuses on something simpler and more effective: small, low-resistance actions done consistently over time. “It’s not about doing everything,” Zimmer explains. “It’s about doing something — again and again — in the same direction.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zimmer joins host Matt Abrahams to unpack how lasting change actually happens. From building awareness in the middle of everyday life to designing habits that are easier to stick with, he shares practical strategies for turning intention into action. “You don’t need to wait until you feel ready,” he says. “You can act even when it’s uncomfortable.” Episode Reference Links: Eric ZimmerHow a Little Becomes a LotThe One You FeedEp.86 Building Habits: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

The goals we set often lead us away from the meaning we ultimately seek. Meaning in life isn’t a concrete point we can route toward. That’s why we need what Arthur Brooks calls “proxy goals” — and much better ones than we typically choose. Brooks, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness, says that meaning can't be pursued directly, but rather through proxy goals — markers that lead us to what we're really seeking. “The big, complex, meaning-filled things in life, you can't see them directly,” he says. “If you want to find meaning, you have to have proxy goals.” The problem is that many of us have chosen terrible proxies. “Money, power, pleasure, fame, prestige; those are really bad proxy goals for the meaning of life,” Brooks says. “You're never gonna find it.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Brooks returns to the show, and with host Matt Abrahams, he explores how we can move from searching for meaning to actually finding it. From understanding the three components of meaning to transcending the “me self,” Brooks offers practical guidance for those who strive and strive, yet still feel like something’s missing. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Arthur BrooksThe Meaning of LifeOffice Hours179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Well…181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communicat…182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Why mastering unspoken workplace communication is essential to long-term career success. Succeeding at work doesn’t just depend on how hard you work or how smart you are. According to Erin McGoff, it often comes down to whether you understand the “secret language” everyone else seems to be speaking. McGoff is a career creator, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and author of The Secret Language of Work: Hyper Helpful Scripts for Every Situation. Known for her wildly popular AdviceWithErin platform, she helps millions of professionals phrase things more effectively — without sounding stiff or robotic. “It’s this hidden curriculum to the workforce,” she explains, describing the unwritten rules of interviews, negotiations, and professional etiquette. “It’s not written down anywhere. It’s not equally distributed.” Her mission is to make those invisible rules visible — and usable. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGoff and host Matt Abrahams explore how to communicate with confidence, advocate for yourself strategically, and build a professional brand with intention. Confidence, she says, isn’t fixed: “Confidence isn’t binary. Confidence is a spectrum.” It starts internally, with how we speak to ourselves, and strengthens when we “get really good at what you do.” Episode Reference Links: Erin McGoffThe Secret Language of Work202. Own Your Brand: How to Communicate with Presence and Impact Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

How to communicate for deeper connection—and greater happiness. Happiness isn’t just a feeling—it’s something you can actively shape through how you think, connect, and communicate. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside and co-author of How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most, defines happiness as two key components: “being happy in your life and being happy with your life.” And while many people separate happiness from meaning or purpose, she explains that “they almost always go together.” Her research shows how the small habits we practice—like gratitude—can have a powerful effect, helping to “neutralize negative emotions” and shift how we see our lives. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lyubomirsky and host Matt Abrahams explore the science of wellbeing and the habits that help us feel more fulfilled. From gratitude practices to breaking free from the comparison trap, they share practical strategies for boosting happiness and explain why connection isn’t just about being loved, but truly “feeling loved.” Episode Reference Links: Sonja LyubomirskyHow To Feel Loved179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Well…181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communicat…182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Memorable communication isn’t about saying more—it’s making the right idea stick. No matter how compelling a presentation feels in the moment, most of what you say won’t last in your audience’s memory. The key isn’t trying to make people remember everything — it’s ensuring they remember what matters most. Carmen Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, author, and expert on how the brain pays attention and forms memories. Her research explores how communication can move beyond passive listening and become an experience the brain actually holds onto. “The way we come to know the world is through the interaction of brain, body, and environment,” she explains. “The more you invite your audiences to interact with anything, especially physically, the more you impact cognition.” In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams explore practical, research-backed ways to make communication more memorable. They discuss why handwriting notes can deepen understanding, how curiosity and tension capture attention, and why communicators should avoid overwhelming audiences with too much information. Instead, Simon encourages speakers to structure ideas so audiences can recognize patterns and return to a clear core message. Episode Reference Links: Carmen SimonImpossible to IgnoreEp.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

People are forgetful. Here’s how to make your messages more memorable. After any presentation, your audience will forget about 90% of what you said. That’s okay, says Carmen Simon — just make sure they remember the right 10%. Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, speaker, author, and expert on how the brain processes and retains information. Her research reveals a humbling truth: “We forget our lives almost as quickly as we live them,” she says. But instead of fighting our forgetfulness, Simon believes we can work with it — by getting intentional about what we want people to remember. “So many people aspire at attention and memory, but very few really know what they want to be memorable for,” she says. “Ask the question: what is my 10% message?” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to distill your communication for maximum memorability. Whether you're pitching an idea or presenting to a team, Simon’s practical techniques will help you ensure your 10% message is the one your audience takes away. Episode Reference Links: Carmen SimonImpossible to IgnoreEp.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

The secret to building habits that stick. Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are easier to form than most people think,” he says, “If you do it in the right way.” As the founder and director of Stanford's Behavior Design Lab, Fogg has devoted much of his career to researching human psychology, motivation, and behavior. According to him, habit formation isn’t a product of simply doing something over and over again. “It's not a function of repetition,” he says, “it's a function of emotion.” As Fogg discusses with host Matt Abrahams in this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, bringing our behavior in line with our goals is easier than we think — we just have to know the emotional levers to pull. Episode Reference Links: BJ Fogg Tiny Habits Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Why beliefs can either cap our potential or push us toward possibility. What you believe about yourself could be holding you back. Fortunately, Nir Eyal says beliefs aren’t truths — and you can choose new ones. Eyal is a former lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Stanford d.school, a celebrated author, and a renowned expert on human behavior and potential. His latest book, Beyond Belief, reveals how limiting beliefs — like “I’m a bad communicator” — quietly shape what we see, feel, and do. “A belief doesn't have to be true” to limit our potential, he says. But the same holds in reverse: a belief doesn't have to be true to expand who and what we can become. “Beliefs are tools, not truths. It just has to be useful.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Eyal and host Matt Abrahams explore how to identify the beliefs that hold us back — and how to replace them with ones that propel us forward. From keeping a belief journal to practicing perspective-shifting “turnarounds,” Eyal offers practical tips for rewriting the stories we tell ourselves and becoming the people we want to be. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Nir EyalBeyond Belief104. How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)115. Rethinks: How We Set and Achieve Goals Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Practical insights to help you communicate with more intention in everyday moments. What’s the difference between reacting and responding? How do you move from memorizing your words to truly conversing in the moment? And how do you keep growing as a communicator in everyday moments? Communication isn’t about having the perfect script. It’s about staying present enough to respond with intention. In fast-moving conversations, emotions rise, thoughts race, and structure can disappear. Yet it’s in the pause — the breath before we speak — that clarity begins. In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares highlights from a recent live AMA inside the Think Fast, Talk Smart Learning Community. Listener questions open the door to practical strategies for navigating emotional conversations, relying on structure rather than memorization, and building communication habits that actually stick. Because becoming a better communicator isn’t about getting it perfect — it’s about making small, intentional choices every day. Episode Reference Links: Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Learn More About Stanford Continuing Studies Study with Matt This Spring, Enroll Today in Improvisationally Speaking Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

How to communicate who you are online. You may not think of yourself as a content creator, but in the creator economy, Angèle Christin says we all have to learn how to communicate who we are online. Christin is an associate professor of communications at Stanford University and a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI. According to her, “we are all content creators now.” We may not all be influencers or podcast hosts, but “We are all putting content out there and creating a public persona,” says Christin. In the digital age, “that plays an increasingly important role in hiring, promotions, and of course, getting laid off.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Christin and host Matt Abrahams explore how to navigate the creator economy — whether as a full-time influencer or a professional managing your online presence. From building on your area of expertise to understanding the trade-offs between short-term hype and long-term trust, Christin explains what it takes to show up online without losing yourself in the algorithm. Episode Reference Links: Angèle ChristinEp.225 Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Why being true to yourself enables you to show up better for others. From the way you communicate, to the way you build your life and career, Graham Weaver, MBA ’99, says it’s about “giving yourself permission to fully be yourself. You can never go wrong when you’re saying your truth.” Weaver is a lecturer in management, a GSB alum, and the founder and a partner of Alpine Investors. He stresses the importance of direct communication, highlighting how avoiding it can lead to wasted time, energy, and even financial losses. Reflecting on his own experiences in private equity, Weaver admits to struggling with being conflict-averse and not speaking his truth directly, which resulted in getting into bad deals and big losses for his company. “People think that by being indirect, they’re being kind, but all they're doing is creating confusion,” he says. “Clarity is compassionate. Even if it's not what they want to hear, the more direct and clear you can be, the more compassionate that is for the other person.” In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Weaver and host Matt Abrahams explore how being true to oneself not only fosters personal fulfillment but also enables us to show up better for others. Authenticity and self-belief lay the foundation for effective communication, leadership, and ultimately, success. Episode Reference Links: Graham Weaver Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

How to turn down the chatter of negative self-talk. If you want to have better conversations with others, Ethan Kross says you first have to quiet down the chatter in your own head. A professor, researcher, and author, Kross defines chatter as a “negative thought loop” that hijacks our attention and undermines our ability to perform. “We have a limited capacity to focus our attention,” he says. “Attentional resources are a limited commodity, and chatter acts like a sponge that consumes that capacity. It leaves very little leftover that allows us to do the things that we want or need to do.” In his work researching, teaching, and writing about emotional regulation and the conscious mind, Kross has explored how to manage the negative self-talk that sabotages our concentration. “Here's the good news,” he says. “You can get out of it. Managing your chatter [is] a lot like becoming physically fit” — and he’s developed tools and frameworks for building the muscles to turn down the noise. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kross joins host Matt Abrahams to share methods for quieting chatter and reclaiming precious mental resources. From distanced self-talk to mental time travel, his tools offer a way to tune out the static and tune into clarity and connection. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Ethan KrossChatterShiftEp.179 Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

How to turn complexity into connection through clear communication. Communication in high-stakes moments isn’t about saying more — it’s about connecting better. For Jonathan Berek and Phil Polakoff, the most effective communicators don’t rely on jargon or performance. They rely on empathy, listening, and stories that resonate. Both longtime Stanford Medicine leaders, Berek and Polakoff have spent their careers translating complex, emotional, and often urgent health issues for patients, colleagues, and the public. And they’ve learned that the message only lands when it’s delivered at the right level, with the right intention. “Know your audience,” Berek says, describing the importance of “leveling” — communicating in language that meets people where they are, without talking down or over their heads. For both Berek and Polakoff, listening is the foundation. “The two most important skills in communication are empathy and listening,” Berek explains — not as soft skills, but as the core mechanics of trust. Polakoff agrees, pushing for directness and clarity: “I like a yes or a no. I don’t like ambivalence or ambiguity.” And when it comes to being memorable, he’s relentless about simplicity: “Think bold, start small.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Berek and Polakoff join host Matt Abrahams to examine what great communicators actually do: prepare deeply, speak concisely, listen with intention, and use storytelling to bring others along. Because as Berek puts it, “People feel the emotion when they see a story,” and emotion — paired with clarity — is what turns information into impact. Episode Reference Links: Phil PolakoffJonathan Berek Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Why curiosity is the best way to start a conversation. No matter how wide political, cultural, and generational divides seem to grow, Fareed Zakaria is convinced: communication has the power to connect. Zakaria is the host of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, a Washington Post columnist, and author of Age of Revolutions, a book about the seismic societal shifts that define modern history. In his decades of translating complex geopolitical issues for broad audiences, he’s found the key to navigating change and conflict. “The most important thing is being genuinely curious,” he says, “genuinely believing that everybody has a story to tell. Everybody has something to teach you. Everybody has a lesson you can learn.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zakaria and host Matt Abrahams explore how curiosity opens the door to conversation. Whether we’re communicating across ideological divides or bridging gaps between our past, present, and future, Zakaria shows why maintaining connection starts with a willingness to learn. Episode Reference Links: Fareed ZakariaAge of RevolutionsEp.161 Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You're Talking To Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Why clarity and authenticity matter more than ever in modern communication. Clear communication in the age of likes, LLMs, and constant noise isn’t about talking more. For Nick Thompson, it’s about being unmistakably clear and unmistakably yourself. Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and former editor-in-chief of Wired, has spent his career shaping stories that hold attention. “Clear beats clever,” he says, stressing that authenticity and specificity are what make messages land. “If you can get across what you're really trying to say— if you can say it honestly, specifically, and ideally briefly—that's good. And if you can say it in a way that feels like you, that's great.” Beyond journalism, Thompson is an elite marathon runner, ranking among the top competitive runners in the world, an identity that, for him, isn’t separate from writing or leadership but deeply connected to it. “[Running] has taught me all kinds of habits of mind and discipline and pacing,” he says, “There are all kinds of lessons from the sport that apply to my business life.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Thompson joins host Matt Abrahams to share how great communicators craft “sticky” ideas without chasing soundbites. From practical editorial tests to the importance of editing, structure, and authenticity, Thompson offers a roadmap for communication that doesn’t just get noticed but lasts. Episode Reference Links: Nick ThompsonThe Running GroundEp.183 Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

How to tap the full power of your voice. Being present in communication isn’t just mental. It’s about the physical energy you bring into a space — particularly, says Patsy Rodenburg, the presence of your voice. “The physical presence of the human being is the most important thing we have,” says Rodenburg. As a world-renowned expert in voice, speech, and presentation, she has helped everyone from stage actors to prime ministers hone their speaking and awaken the power and presence of their voice. “The vast majority of people are born with amazing voices, and somewhere along the line, they lose them. My job is to return people to their full power in their body, in their breath, in their voice, in their ability to speak in an exciting way.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Rodenburg joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss embodied communication. From breathing techniques and managing tension to intentionally inhabiting space, Rodenburg’s insights reveal how to communicate with greater power, presence, and the potency of your voice. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Patsy RodenburgPresencePower PresentationEp.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication Connect: Premium SignupThink Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback Episode Transcripts Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart LinkedIn InstagramYouTubeMatt Abrahams LinkedIn Chapters: ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. This episode is sponsored by Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/tfts Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.