Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot. Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most of our communication, there’s no time to plan, practice, or perfect — we have to respond in the moment. Spontaneous communication is a part of our everyday lives, but few of us have been trained to handle these impromptu situations with confidence. What does it take to flow, not freeze, when put on the spot? This special three-part series turns to experts for guidance, from a sports commentator, FBI hostage negotiator, and UN translator to a game show host, NFL referee and Sotheby’s auctioneer. Part 1: Preparation and Mindset Discover how to prepare for the unpredictable, manage anxiety, and find the right headspace for success. Part 2: Mastering the Moment Learn to stay present, read the room, and use techniques like mirroring and pacing to connect with your audience. Part 3: When Things Go Wrong Find out how to recover from inevitable mishaps and keep moving forward with confidence, turning mistakes into gold. In addition to insight-packed discussions, this Think Fast, Talk Smart miniseries offers practical exercises and homework assignments to help you implement what you've learned. Whether you draw blanks when put on the spot or simply want to articulate your thoughts more clearly in the moment, these episodes will transform how you think — and speak — on your feet. Episode Reference Links: Chris VossEmpathy and Understanding In BusinessAnnabelle WilliamsGiampaolo BianchiBrad RogersPhyllis KaoPeter D Sagal 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: ***** Stay up to date on the next great discovery at Stanford by signing up for the Stanford Report Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot. Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most of our communication, there’s no time to plan, practice, or perfect — we have to respond in the moment. Spontaneous communication is a part of our everyday lives, but few of us have been trained to handle these impromptu situations with confidence. What does it take to flow, not freeze, when put on the spot? This special three-part series turns to experts for guidance, from a sports commentator, FBI hostage negotiator, and UN translator to a game show host, NFL referee and Sotheby’s auctioneer. Part 1: Preparation and Mindset Discover how to prepare for the unpredictable, manage anxiety, and find the right headspace for success. Part 2: Mastering the Moment Learn to stay present, read the room, and use techniques like mirroring and pacing to connect with your audience. Part 3: When Things Go Wrong Find out how to recover from inevitable mishaps and keep moving forward with confidence, turning mistakes into gold. In addition to insight-packed discussions, this Think Fast, Talk Smart miniseries offers practical exercises and homework assignments to help you implement what you've learned. Whether you draw blanks when put on the spot or simply want to articulate your thoughts more clearly in the moment, these episodes will transform how you think — and speak — on your feet. Episode Reference Links: Chris VossEmpathy and Understanding In BusinessAnnabelle WilliamsGiampaolo BianchiBrad RogersPhyllis KaoPeter D Sagal 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: ***** Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot. Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most of our communication, there’s no time to plan, practice, or perfect — we have to respond in the moment. Spontaneous communication is a part of our everyday lives, but few of us have been trained to handle these impromptu situations with confidence. What does it take to flow, not freeze, when put on the spot? This special three-part series turns to experts for guidance, from a sports commentator, FBI hostage negotiator, and UN translator to a game show host, NFL referee and Sotheby’s auctioneer. Part 1: Preparation and Mindset Discover how to prepare for the unpredictable, manage anxiety, and find the right headspace for success. Part 2: Mastering the Moment Learn to stay present, read the room, and use techniques like mirroring and pacing to connect with your audience. Part 3: When Things Go Wrong Find out how to recover from inevitable mishaps and keep moving forward with confidence, turning mistakes into gold. In addition to insight-packed discussions, this Think Fast, Talk Smart miniseries offers practical exercises and homework assignments to help you implement what you've learned. Whether you draw blanks when put on the spot or simply want to articulate your thoughts more clearly in the moment, these episodes will transform how you think — and speak — on your feet. Episode Reference Links: Chris VossEmpathy and Understanding In BusinessAnnabelle WilliamsGiampaolo BianchiBrad RogersPhyllis KaoPeter D Sagal 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: ***** Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

Communication isn’t about perfect word choice, it’s about connecting with others. For native speakers and language learners alike, communicating comes with all kinds of challenges. But no matter how much we stumble over our words, Lindsay McMahon says communication isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection. The CEO and founder of All Ears English and host of the All Ears English podcast, McMahon is on a mission to help non-native English speakers around the world hone their ability to communicate and connect. Whether you’re forming your first sentences in a new language or giving a presentation in the language you’ve spoken your whole life, “It's about human connection,” she says. “What really matters is are we connecting to our audience… the human being[s] in front of us?” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McMahon joins host Matt Abrahams to explore strategies for improving our communication — not by finding the right words, but by finding the right mindset. From active listening and cultural awareness to quieting nerves and building confidence, McMahon's practical approaches help communicators connect more authentically in any language or context. Episode Reference Links: Lindsay McMahonAll Ears EnglishEp.8 Don't Get Lost in Translation: How Non-Native Speakers Can Communicate With Confidence 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: ***** Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15 Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

Stanford experts answer live questions on leadership, authenticity, and communication. What happens when four top Stanford thinkers take live questions from a room full of leaders? In Part 2 of this special Think Fast, Talk Smart series from the Stanford LEAD Me2We Conference, Matt Abrahams and his panel of expert GSB faculty—Allison Kluger, Naomi Bagdonas, Christian Wheeler, and Nir Halevy—answer questions from a live audience. They cover real-world challenges around leadership, authenticity, psychological safety, and managing your reputation in complex environments. With honest reflections and actionable advice, their answers offer a candid look at what it takes to lead with intention while staying true to yourself. Episode Reference Links: Allison KlugerBrand UpNaomi BagdonasNir HalevyChristian WheelerEp.2 Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your ReputationEp.13 Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your CommunicationEp.30 Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts ConflictEp.18 Managing in the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being UncomfortableConnect: 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: ***** Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15 Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

Effective leadership begins with the way you communicate. Leading with impact isn’t about speaking louder—it’s about communicating in ways that resonate with what people already value. In Part 1 of this special two-part series from the Stanford LEAD Me2We Conference, Matt Abrahams brings together four expert GSB faculty—Allison Kluger, Nir Halevy, Christian Wheeler, and Naomi Bagdonas—to explore how to lead and communicate with intention. They share how authenticity builds trust, why discomfort is essential for growth, how to design space for serendipity, and the role AI can play in expanding—not replacing—human potential. From managing reputation to staying present in high-pressure moments, this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart offers insights to help leaders connect more effectively, show up with purpose, and inspire meaningful action. Episode Reference Links: Allison KlugerBrand UpNaomi BagdonasNir HalevyChristian WheelerEp.2 Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your ReputationEp.13 Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your CommunicationEp.30 Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts ConflictEp.18 Managing in the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being UncomfortableConnect: 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: ***** Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15 Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answers. A great presentation doesn’t end with the final slide—it continues through the Q&A, where real engagement happens. Yet, for many speakers, this is the most nerve-wracking part. In this episode, Matt Abrahams explores why Q&A can feel intimidating and how shifting your mindset can turn it into an opportunity rather than a challenge. Drawing from his book, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, he shares expert-backed techniques for structuring responses, managing audience expectations, and maintaining composure under pressure. Whether you're facing a tough crowd or just want to refine your speaking skills, you’ll walk away with the confidence to command the room—no matter the question. Audio excerpt based on Speaking Up without Freaking Out by Matt Abrahams (printed book by Kendall Hunt Publishing 2016), read by the author. Copyright 2024 by Matthew Abrahams LLC. Episode Reference Links: Speaking Up Without Freaking Out | Audio Book Speaking Up Without Freaking Out 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Take advantage of our Sponsor offer from Loom

How to craft compelling stories that captivate, inspire, and make an impact. Great storytelling isn't just about telling tales—it’s about crafting experiences that captivate, inspire, and drive change. In this special Quick Thinks bonus episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams welcomes bestselling author Dan Heath for a masterclass on the power of stories. Dan breaks down the elements of an impactful story, sharing a case study from his book Reset, outlining how to find compelling stories that connect with audiences, the structure of engaging narratives that keep people hooked, and the power of analogies and unexpected contrasts in storytelling. Get more done with Grammarly. Download Grammarly for free at grammarly.com/podcast. Episode Reference Links: Dan HeathReset: How to Change What's Not Working Ep.190 Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already WantEp.170 Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1Ep.171 Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2 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: ******** Find my audio book here Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

How to craft communication that your audience will remember. Why do some messages stick, while others go in one ear and out the other? When it comes to crafting memorable communication, Ada Aka says not all verbiage is created equal. “Certain words are intrinsically more memorable than others,” says Aka, an assistant professor of marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business. In her research of consumer behavior and decision-making, she’s uncovered how language shapes not just our perception of the world, “but how the world stays with us over time." From concrete terms to emotionally charged ones, certain words have more staying power than others, and to communicators who want to capture audiences (and keep them), she says, “Carefully chosen words, they're going to be taking the attention.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Aka joins Matt Abrahams to explore the science of memorable communication. From creating brand slogans that stick to choosing words that align with your message, she reveals how to create communication that won't be forgotten. Episode Reference Links: Ada AkaEp.80 Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

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 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. Get more done with Grammarly. Download Grammarly for free at grammarly.com/podcast. Episode Reference Links: Dan HeathReset: How to Change What's Not Working Ep.164 Rethinks: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence OthersEp.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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

Why numbers are only as compelling as the narratives we attach to them. Facts and figures can be your friend, but before you load your presentation full of data, Miro Kazakoff has a word of caution: “Data’s objective, but people are not.” You might think that your data speaks for itself, but Kazakoff says numbers need a narrative. A senior lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and author of Persuading with Data: A Guide to Designing, Delivering, and Defending Your Data, he says the key to making data persuasive isn't about showing more information — it's about understanding your audience well enough to know how to relay it in a way that will connect with them. "The people who get good at this are not so much the people who can talk and draw graphs well, but the people who can listen the best. It starts with is empathy.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kazakoff joins Matt Abrahams to explore how to transform complex data into clear, compelling communication. From avoiding the "curse of knowledge" to effectively orienting your audience through visualizations, he shares practical strategies for making your data not just informative, but persuasive. Episode Reference Links: Miro KazakoffPersuading with DataEp.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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

How to really know what your audience is thinking. To be a great communicator, you have to get out of your own head. But that’s not all, says Matt Lieberman. According to him, you also have to get into the head of someone else. “Mind-reading is this remarkable ability that humans have,” explains Lieberman, a professor of psychology, director of UCLA’s Social Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, and author of Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect. But even as we engage in perspective-taking, Lieberman says our attempts to mind-read often miss the mark. Instead, he advocates for “perspective-getting” — where we don’t just intuit what others think, we ask them directly. “That is where more productive conversation comes from,” he says. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lieberman and host Matt Abrahams explore insights from social neuroscience that can help us communicate more effectively. From understanding how our brains process social interactions to recognizing our own assumptions, he reveals why successful communication requires both humility and genuine curiosity about how others see the world. Episode Reference Links: Matt LiebermanSocial: Why Our Brains Are Wired to ConnectEp.24 Feelings First: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and ExperiencesEp.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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

Rethink career success by testing, adapting, and staying open to unexpected opportunities. Career planning isn’t as straightforward as we often assume—but according to Dorie Clark, that’s actually a good thing. Instead of following a rigid path, she believes we should be “treating our careers like a series of experiments”—testing, iterating, and staying open to unexpected opportunities."People assume they need to have everything mapped out for the next twenty years," Clark explains. "But in reality, careers are built through testing, learning, and adapting—just like a scientific hypothesis." As a bestselling author and career strategist, Clark has spent years studying how professionals can future-proof their careers in an unpredictable world. She shares why informational interviews, LinkedIn strategy, and quarterly career check-ins are essential tools for anyone looking to make a career shift. “You don’t want to be so mired in your plan that you can’t take advantage of unexpected opportunities,” she says. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Clark joins host Matt Abrahams to challenge traditional career advice and explore strategic personal branding, the power of weak ties in networking, and why “reinvention isn’t a one-time event—it’s a habit.” This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs. Episode Reference Links: Dorie ClarkEp.118 Maximizing your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You Want 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.

Why good communication starts with tapping into your power. Impactful communication isn’t just about the words you use. According to Chris Lipp, it’s about the power you deliver them with. “When we have a belief in ourselves, what we say changes,” says Lipp, a professor at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business and author of The Science of Personal Power. Throughout his career as an academic and communications coach for entrepreneurs, he’s explored how tapping into personal power can transform our messages and the impact they create. "Personal power is our belief in our own capability to create impact,” he says. “When things [take] shape on the inside, we think differently, we behave differently... and other people perceive that power." In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lipp and Matt Abrahams explore how our mindset shapes our message, sharing research-backed strategies for communicating with power. From embracing authenticity to staying grounded in our values, Lipp reveals how strong communication starts by building strength within. This episode is brought to you by Loom. Try Loom for free today at loom.com/thinkfast. Episode Reference Links: Chris LippThe Science of Person PowerEp.12 It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communicate PowerEp.130 Rethinks: How to Maintain a Powerful Presence in Your 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Take advantage of our Sponsor offer from Loom

How to captivate an audience and make your message stick. Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat because speakers aren’t prepared. For Guy Kawasaki, it’s because speakers miss the point. “If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience.” A renowned author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Kawasaki knows that the point of great storytelling isn’t about information, it’s about emotion. “Too many speakers think, ‘I need to inform my audience. I need to get my story across,’” he says. But throughout his career, formerly as Chief Evangelist at Apple and now co-founder of Canva, he’s shown how successful communication is about captivating audiences, not conveying facts. “If you entertain people, you have a chance of informing them.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to explore practical strategies for building decks, structuring presentations, and tips for keeping audiences engaged. From investor pitches to keynote presentations, these strategies help create effective storytelling — in business and beyond. Episode Reference Links: Guy KawasakiThink RemarkableEp.82 It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others FirstEp.47 Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career. Most of us know that career growth is important—but according to Catherine Fisher, we're thinking about it all wrong. It’s not just about landing a job or climbing the ladder; it’s about staying adaptable, building strong connections, and being proactive about opportunities before you need them. As LinkedIn’s Vice President of Global Consumer Communications, Fisher has spent years helping professionals navigate an evolving job market. She says the biggest mistake people make is waiting until they’re unhappy or unemployed to think about their next move. “Your network is like a garden,” she explains. “You have to tend to it constantly if you want it to thrive.” In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Fisher joins Matt Abrahams to share practical, actionable strategies for staying ahead. From recognizing when it’s time for a change to job crafting and personal branding, they explore how small but intentional moves can shape a career that aligns with your strengths and ambitions. Whether you're feeling stuck or simply want to future-proof your career, this conversation will give you the tools to stay in control and ready for what’s next. This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs. Episode Reference Links: Catherine Fisher 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.

Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication. Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage. “What I have come to value about anxiety,” says McGonigal, “is it’s a sign that I care.” As she explains, feelings of stress alert us to things that matter to us and help us stay present in the moment — particularly useful, she says, when it comes to communication. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGonigal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to channel stress toward more effective communication and to a deeper connection to our own purpose and meaning. This episode is brought to you by Loom. Try Loom for free today at loom.com/thinkfast. Episode Reference Links: Kelly McGonigalEp.69 Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better CommunicationEp.10 High-Stakes Communication: How to Manage Anxiety When Speaking in Front of OthersEp.33 Hacking your Speaking Anxiety: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently. 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Take advantage of our Sponsor offer from Loom

Clarify your purpose — and stop wasting time. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices. As Cassie Holmes knows, how we spend our time has a big impact on our happiness and well-being. For her, that means focusing on the things not just immediately in front of us, but those that most closely align with our purpose. "When I say purpose, what I mean is what really drives you," explains Holmes, a professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management and author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most. Living a happier and more fulfilled life, she says, rests on using purpose to drive our decisions. “Once you clarify for yourself: what is your purpose? What is your why? Then you can use that as a filter [for] where you should be spending your time.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Holmes and host Matt Abrahams explore practical strategies for being more purposeful with our time. From email management to relationship building, Holmes shares research-backed approaches for achieving greater happiness through intentional choices. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month. Episode Reference Links: Cassie HolmesHappier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Take advantage of our Sponsor offer from BetterHelp

Why connection is the key to a life well lived. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices. When it comes to happiness, Arthur Brooks says it’s not about reaching a destination — it's about heading in the right direction. And according to him, that direction is fundamentally about relationships. "Loving more people... more and more love... if you pursue that, you will defy the trends and get happier,” says Brooks, a social scientist, Harvard Business School professor, and author of several books including Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier, cowritten with Oprah Winfrey. According to him, a happy life is made of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning, which we cultivate through connection with others. "Faith, family, friends, and work, that's your basic happiness 401k plan,” he says. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Brooks and host Matt Abrahams explore the fundamental role of relationships in creating a happy life, and how effective communication helps us build and maintain these essential connections. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month. Episode Reference Links: Arthur BrooksBuild the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Take advantage of our Sponsor offer from BetterHelp

Why creating happiness in the future starts today. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices. In pursuing happiness and well-being, we often focus on the present moment. But according to Hal Hershfield, one of the best ways to help ourselves today is to have a conversation with ourselves in the future. "When I say future self, I really mean any version of us that exists at some later point in time," explains Hershfield, a UCLA professor and author of Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today. By thinking of our future selves as different people — ones we should care about — we can make better choices in the present. "If we can tap into the feelings of our future selves, then we can do more that benefits them, which may make our lives easier now and later." In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hershfield and host Matt Abrahams explore how communication between our present and future selves can help us set goals, make decisions, and overcome pitfalls like procrastination, enabling us to take meaningful action now so we can thrive today and tomorrow. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month. Episode Reference Links: Hal HershfieldYour Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today 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: ******** Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Take advantage of our Sponsor offer from BetterHelp