Loading...

PODCAST

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

business careers

All Episodes

24:02

329. Your Brand is Your Promise: The 4 C’s for Better...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/10/05

“A brand is a promise, and a great brand is a promise well kept.”What does it take to build something people believe in? For Daniel Lubetzky, social entrepreneur and KIND Snacks founder, it starts with curiosity, compassion, creativity, and courage, along with a willingness to listen, learn, and stay true to what you stand for. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lubetzky joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from building businesses, brands, and bridges between people. He explains

en

18:52

328. Ask Matt Anything: Don’t Let Your Communication...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/10/01

“How you end something often can be as important, if not more important, than how you start.”What’s the best way to wrap up a presentation? How do you stop yourself from repeating the same point? And what can you do when strong emotions start taking over? Matt Abrahams tackles these questions and more in this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, recorded with members of the Learning Community. He shares why a strong ending deserves as much attention as a strong opening,

en

25:44

327. The Human Reset: Reclaiming Authenticity in the...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/09/28

“Our imperfections reveal that we’re human.”As AI makes it easier to polish our words, how do we prove that our communication is actually our own? For Matt Abrahams, the answer isn’t to avoid AI, but to protect the distinctly human thinking, experiences, and imperfections that build trust. In a special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lorraine K. Lee takes over the host chair to interview Matt about the updated edition of Think Faster, Talk Smarter. They discuss Matt’s TRUST framework for

en

25:28

326. Rethinks: The Secrets to Getting the Information...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/09/24

“Most teams leave the vast majority of their innovation potential on the table.”If you treat artificial intelligence like an oracle, you’ll likely be disappointed. But treat it like a teammate, and Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar say you may be surprised by how useful a collaborator it can be. Utley, an adjunct professor at the Stanford d.school, and Gohar, a bestselling author and futurist, have studied how teams can use AI to generate more creative ideas and solve problems. Their research

en

19:55

325. Message Market Fit: Turning Great Ideas Into...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/09/21

“No one cares about us, our company, our products. We have to make them care, and for that, we need the right words.”Great work doesn’t always speak for itself. For communication strategist and author of Message Machine: How Communications Will Make You An Unstoppable Founder, Oliver Aust, getting your ideas noticed requires “message-market fit,” finding the right words and stories to make people understand why what you offer matters. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Aust joins

en

23:03

324. Rethinks: Defining Where We Want AI To Take Us

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/09/17

“If you're worried that a ChatGPT type tool can replace you, you need to [ask]: Why am I communicating? What am I trying to say? Am I being authentic?”Artificial intelligence can now do a lot of things. But if you’re worried about it taking your place as a communicator, Russ Altman says you need to question why you’re communicating in the first place. A Stanford professor of bioengineering and host of Stanford Engineering’s podcast, The Future of Everything, Altman sees advancing technology

en

24:42

323. Turn Up the Heat: Make Conflict More Constructive

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/09/14

“I’m not saying necessarily fight more, I’m saying fight better.”Conflict doesn’t have to mean avoidance or escalation. Priya Parker, expert facilitator, strategic advisor and author of The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict, argues there’s a third option: “healthy heat,” where disagreement is handled with enough care, curiosity, and even humor to become productive rather than destructive. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Parker joins Matt Abrahams to rethink

en

21:09

322. Talk Back: Why Arguing With Yourself Can Help...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/09/10

“What you think is not gospel.”Can arguing with yourself make you happier? Martin Seligman, positive psychology pioneer and author of Agency: The Psychological History of Human Progress, says our negative thoughts don’t have to dictate how we feel. By recognizing our internal narratives and challenging them with evidence, we can change our outlook and build a greater sense of agency. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Seligman and Matt Abrahams discuss flourishing, optimism, and the

en

20:04

321. The Respect Effect: What Stereotype Threat...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/09/07

“Everybody you interact with needs that signal of respect.”Feeling seen and respected can shape how we communicate and connect with others. For Stanford social psychologist and author of Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome, Claude Steele, understanding stereotype threat and “churn,” the tension that arises when we worry about being judged based on our identity, can help us build greater trust across differences. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Steele joins Matt

en

17:26

320. Quick Thinks: How to Prepare, Stand Out, and Ace...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/09/03

“The ability to handle yourself in interviews and other high-pressure situations can make the difference in getting the job and achieving your goals.”A successful interview is more than answering questions well. It’s an opportunity to communicate what sets you apart and demonstrate the value you can bring. Preparation, structure, and storytelling can help you do that with confidence. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams and communication teacher Laura Joyce

en

24:30

319. Open the Portal: The Simple Science Behind...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/31

“Causality is this foundation that really allows us to anchor what we’re trying to do when we’re telling stories.”Storytelling doesn’t require a dramatic narrative. For behavioral scientist and former Disney Imagineer Troy Campbell, even everyday information can become a story when we explain the “because” behind it, connecting what happened to why it matters. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Campbell joins Matt Abrahams to unpack the psychology behind storytelling and persuasion

en

14:03

318. Quick Thinks: Network Smarter and Make Better...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/27

“We are now competing in conversation with someone’s feed.”Connecting with others requires more than knowing what to say. The signals we send through our body language, the questions we ask, and even where we position ourselves can shape how others experience a conversation. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, behavioral researcher and author of Cues and Captivate, Vanessa Van Edwards joins Matt Abrahams to explore the subtle cues that make communication more engaging

en

24:09

317. Plot Twist: The Second Story Hiding Inside Every...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/24

“We’re all salespeople at the end of the day.”Whether you’re pitching a movie, an idea, or yourself, persuasion is about more than the story you’re telling—it’s also about the story your audience sees for themselves. For Deadpool and Zombieland screenwriter Rhett Reese, that means keeping communication concise, compelling, and centered on what your audience needs. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Reese joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from screenwriting that apply far beyond

en

20:48

316. The Persuasion Equation: Grab Attention & Make...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/20

“The tools of communication have changed, the human brain has not.” In a world of endless content and shrinking attention spans, getting your message heard means giving people a reason to care. For Carmine Gallo, a communication coach, author of Viral Voices, and CEO of Gallo Communications, that starts with understanding what captures the brain’s attention: emotion, relevance, and a compelling story. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Gallo joins Matt Abrahams to explore the

en

22:43

315. Quietly Powerful: How Introverts Can Communicate...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/17

“Over time, what works is truly showing up in a way where you actually care, you're actually trying to give value.” In a culture that rewards boldness and visibility, quieter voices can be easy to overlook. But Susan Cain, a former Wall Street lawyer, negotiation consultant, and bestselling author of Quiet and Bittersweet, argues that introverts bring powerful strengths to communication and leadership, from deep listening to thoughtful reflection. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart,

en

32:29

314. Rethinks: Turn Tension Into Trust

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/13

"The first negotiation is actually a negotiation I have with myself about my own story."Before you can have hard conversations with others, you need to have an honest conversation with yourself. That's the counterintuitive advice from Sheila Heen, a Harvard Law School lecturer and co-author of Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most, who says our own internal narratives often derail our attempts at negotiation and conflict resolution. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk

en

26:57

313. Hold the Headline: How Curiosity Cuts Through...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/10

"The dumbest thing you can be is a know-it-all."Curiosity isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking better questions. Journalist and podcast host Nayeema Raza believes the strongest communicators balance confidence with openness, using curiosity to better understand people, ideas, and the world around them. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Raza joins Matt Abrahams to explore how to make complex ideas accessible, ask questions that spark meaningful conversations, and

en

9:47

312. Quick Thinks: Speak with Confidence, Clarity,...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/06

"You want to make sure you have the energy at the end of your communication as well as at the beginning." Why do some people command a room without raising their voice? Being heard isn't about speaking louder—it's about using your voice with intention. Breath, posture, and preparation all play a role in helping your message reach the people who need to hear it. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares practical techniques for projecting your voice with

en

22:32

311. Don't Lose the Room: How to Make Ideas Stick

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/08/03

"Know your stuff, practice, and then just do it and be there."How do you explain complex ideas without losing your audience? The challenge isn't knowing more—it's helping others understand. For Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal, great communication comes from making difficult topics accessible while holding people's attention. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ryssdal joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how to simplify complex information without oversimplifying it, conduct interviews that

en

19:46

310. A Matter of Meaning: What Other People Teach You...

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques ·

2026/07/30

"Meaning is about being mindful of the effect you have on other people."What makes a life meaningful? We often think purpose and meaning are the same thing, but according to Stanford professor Brian Lowery, they're fundamentally different. Purpose is what drives us. Meaning comes from the impact we have on others. In this live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart from Stanford’s LEAD Me2We event, Lowery and Matt Abrahams examine how our relationships shape who we become, why sincerity matters

en

335 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

SoldiOnline

Mondadori Digital

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...

Mikroökonomen a.k.a. Mikrooekonomen

Marco Herack