Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques Podcast Por Matt Abrahams Think Fast Talk Smart arte de portada

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

De: Matt Abrahams Think Fast Talk Smart
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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.© Think Fast Talk Smart LLC Aprendizaje de Idiomas Economía Exito Profesional
Episodios
  • 252. Rethinks: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible

    252. Rethinks: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible
    Dec 25 2025

    Presenting complex information for your audience to understand.

    As communicators, we often need to take complex information (e.g., financial, technical, or scientific) and make it more understandable for our audience – we’re experts and they likely aren’t. But having so much knowledge on the topics we discuss can often make the job more difficult: we dive in too quickly, forget about our audience's needs, or use jargon that goes over their heads.


    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, strategic communications lecturers Matt Abrahams and Lauren Weinstein explore the “curse of knowledge” and offer specific techniques you can use to be more successful in getting your point across.

    Episode Reference Links:

    • Lauren Weinstein
    • Ep.3 When Knowing Too Much Can Hurt Your Communication: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible
    • Ep.49 Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively
    • Ep.91 Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication

    Connect:

    • Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
    • Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
    • Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
    • Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
    • Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
    • Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn


    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:35) - Where Complexity Breaks Down
    • (03:48) - Start With the Audience
    • (04:50) - The Power of Analogy
    • (07:51) - The “Chunking” Technique
    • (09:46) - Make Data Relatable
    • (11:56) - The Final Three Question
    • (15:19) - Conclusion

    ********
    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.

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    16 m
  • 251. How to Stop Performing and Start Communicating with Presence

    251. How to Stop Performing and Start Communicating with Presence
    Dec 23 2025

    Why good communication requires presence, not performance.


    Effective communication isn't about perfecting your performance. According to Dr. Kate Mason, it's about being powerfully present.

    Mason is a world champion debater, executive communication coach, and author of the book Powerfully Likable. In her work coaching senior executives to communicate more effectively, she emphasizes that it’s not about creating a performative persona, it’s about uncovering the authentic communicator you already are. “The coaching is just bringing the real parts of you to the fore,” she says, “uncovering rather than totally building from scratch. A lot of people come to me and say, I need to be more warm or more insert adjective here. And I say, I'm not gonna help you be more warm if that's not what's coming naturally to you. I am gonna help you work out the thing you're already doing, the thing you're already saying, how to make that comfortable for people around you.”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Mason and host Matt Abrahams discuss strategies for more present communication. From avoiding "imposing syndrome” to reducing “the delta between your real self and that corporate persona,” Mason's insights explore how we can bring more of our true selves to the table.

    To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

    Episode Reference Links:

    • Dr. Kate Mason
    • Kate’s Book: Powerfully Likeable
    • Ep. 210 First Impression to Lasting Impact: Use Status Strategically

    Connect:

    • Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
    • Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
    • Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
    • Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
    • Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
    • Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn


    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:32) - Why Confidence Is the Wrong Goal
    • (03:55) - Bridging Your Real and Work Selves
    • (05:27) - What Is Imposing Syndrome?
    • (07:01) - Catching Yourself Shrinking
    • (08:58) - Rethinking Imposter Syndrome
    • (10:15) - Assertive vs. Agreeable
    • (12:40) - Naming Your Communication Style
    • (15:38) - What You Say vs. How You Show Up
    • (17:43) - Body Language That Signals Openness
    • (19:04) - Executive Messaging Lessons
    • (22:01) - The Final Three Questions
    • (26:51) - Conclusion

    ********
    Thank you to our sponsors.     These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

    Go to     Quince.com/ThinkFast for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

    Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

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    28 m
  • 250. How to Navigate Conflict: Tools For Productive Communication

    250. How to Navigate Conflict: Tools For Productive Communication
    Dec 16 2025
    Celebrate our 250th episode with expert strategies that make tough conversations easier — and more meaningful.Some of the most meaningful shifts in how we communicate come from the moments that challenge us the most. In this special 250th episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams reflects on the insights that have shown him how conflict can become a catalyst for clarity, connection, and even compassion. From Amy Gallo’s reminder that the “right kind of conflict” leads to better outcomes to Jenn Wynn’s framework for calming our nervous system before stepping into a hard conversation and Julia Minson’s HEAR method for signaling genuine curiosity, each tool helps turn tension into understanding for every stage of conflict. And with Joseph Grenny’s guidance on noticing when our motives shift from problem-solving to winning, this episode highlights how self-awareness can reset even the toughest moments. Whether you’re navigating workplace disagreements or everyday friction at home, this milestone episode offers practical ways to make difficult dialogue feel less daunting — and a real opportunity to communicate better.Episode Reference Links:Amy GalloAmy’s Book: Getting Along: How to Work With AnyoneEp.144 Communicating Through Conflict: How to Get Along with AnyoneJenn Wynn Jenn’s Podcast: The H.I. Note: Healing Inspirations from LifeEp.222 Discussing Through Discomfort: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the MostJulia MinsonEp.136 The Art of Disagreeing Without Conflict: Navigating the NuanceJoseph GrennyJoseph’s Book: Crucial ConversationsEp.207 From Conflict to Connection: Having Crucial Conversations that CountMusic from Blue Dot Sessions:Etude 3 Chessanta Etude 1 CherubEtude 12 TaminyOjufemiCloud CannonThe Caspian Sea DoghouseAn Opus in AbFirst Results Cach PKLTenawayConnect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInTimed Links:(1:45) Getting Along: How to Work With Anyone (18:31) Crucial ConversationsChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (03:27) - Why Conflict Is Necessary (04:26) - Transforming Unproductive Conflict (05:14) - Inner Experience of Difficult Conversations (06:10) - Self-Awareness, Pause, Reframe (08:17) - Four Questions For Understanding (11:36) - Acting Curious vs. Feeling Curious (13:52) - The HEAR Framework (18:10) - Humility & Willingness To Be Wrong (19:41) - Practice & Repetition (21:08) - Acknowledging Motives (22:22) - Two Questions to Reset Motives (24:16) - Bringing the Frameworks Together (25:42) - What Really Matters (27:14) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Go to Quince.com/ThinkFast for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.
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    29 m
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I just stumbled on this podcast today and I’m already 6 episodes down.

Take a listen and then apply what you learn

Advice you can use

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This was a fun and comprehensive podcast. The ideas presented are very well thought out; and the communication between the presenters are fun and easy to follow! I like the focus on each aspect of the conversation, such as being in the moment, in the hot seat. Yes, and! Improve was a chapter that helped me immensely! I will continue to listen; thank you, Matt Abrahams!

Communicastic! - ok fantastic then!

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This podcast is very good, especially for people that want to gain more knowledge and change. I learned a lot listening to the Stanford graduates. I don’t have to go to college if I can listen to this, if I could ask questions then we would learn even more.

Interesting

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Just what i needed I love this as I aspire to be a speaker this is helping me so much!

Amazing

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