In today’s episode of The Future is How, I explore the power of communication with Matt Abrahams—author, podcast host, communication coach, and lecturer in Strategic Communication at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.
Matt helps people become more confident and connected communicators, whether they’re on stage, in a meeting, or having a hard conversation with themselves.

In our conversation today, we talk about the following topics:
• Why asking the right questions is the Swiss army knife of communication
• How improvisation can help us speak more authentically and adapt to change
• The power of framing (and reframing) to influence thinking and outcomes
• Why it’s about connection, not perfection
• How rituals, self-talk, and reframing can help reduce public speaking anxiety
• What it means to shape your future through the words you choose

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Where to find Matt Abrahams:
• Website: ⁠https://mattabrahams.com⁠
• Podcast: ⁠https://www.fastersmarter.io/⁠
• Book: ⁠https://mattabrahams.com/books⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrahamsmatt/⁠
• YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkFastTalkSmart

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Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt:
• NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠

• What's Next Is Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/fgpferdt/⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/frederikgpferdt⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/frederikgpferdt/⁠⁠⁠
• Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Intro
(02:12) Matt’s future bio: Contributing to a world of better understanding
(04:54) Engagement is critical in communication
(05:38) Sustained attention: the gold standard
(06:28) Tools to foster engagement: physical, mental, linguistic
(08:18) Why striving to be “right” can block real connection
(09:54) The improvisation mindset
(15:10) “Wrong name”: habits, improv games & communication skills
(20:28) Heuristics and shortcuts—helpful but not enough
(21:52) Why questions are your best communication tool
(25:23) The power of framing and reframing
(31:15) How language shapes the future we create
(32:57) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik
(38:02) Overcoming anxiety in public speaking with rituals and perspective
(44:40) Self-talk and communicating with yourself

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Music: Andreas Horchler

“Zukunftsgeist”—or Future Spirit—is not only the German title of Frederik’s book What’s Next Is Now. It became a living, breathing movement during his Zukunftsgeist Tour across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

But this wasn’t your typical book tour.

Instead of classical readings, Frederik invited people into a shared experience—to ignite their own future spirit. And it worked. The response was overwhelming: after each event, participants didn’t just ask for a signature—they leaned in, saying things like “I’m starting my future right now.”

“I didn’t expect a book event to move me this deeply. It wasn’t just inspiring—it felt like a wake-up call from my future self.”

“For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have permission to imagine a radically better future—and the tools to start today.”

From intimate conversations to standing ovations, people across three countries wanted more than inspiration—they wanted transformation. And in this special episode of The Future is HOW, Frederik himself steps into the guest seat to share the stories, surprises, and soulful moments from this extraordinary journey.

He’s interviewed by Andreas Horchler, the journalist, music composer behind the podcast theme, and producer of this very show. Recorded live in Frankfurt, they reflect on the power of presence, possibility, and what happens when optimism becomes contagious.

In this episode:

• 3:25 Future Bio: Frederik on leaving a legacy as an ambassador of possibility

• 6:55 How to prepare body, mind, and spirit for a 19-city tour

• 9:00 Voices from Frankfurt: What meeting Frederik meant to guests

• 11:04 From moment to movement: Creating a new mindstate

• 15:22 Charge the car, charge yourself: Finding strength on the road

• 20:35 Staying fresh, curious, and open (yes, even with hotel snacks)

• 21:55 Stories from the road—from 5am meditations to midnight rituals

• 25:25 The Mindstate Moment

• 32:12 Reflections on the first season of The Future is HOW

• 34:27 No turning back—only forward

• NextLetter – your 1:1 with your future

  A bi-weekly newsletter designed to help you meet your future—1 powerful question, 2 new perspectives, and 1 simple experiment to try. A pause. A spark. A next step.

• Radikal Besser – Entfache den Zukunftsgeist, der in dir steckt!

  The German edition of What’s Next Is Now—a guide to activating your future spirit and living radically better.

• What’s Next Is Now – the book

  Your future-ready mindstate to help you create what’s next—with tools, stories, and exercises.

• The Future Is HOW – Podcast

  Explorations with creators, thinkers, and doers on how to shape the future from the inside out.

• Are You Future Ready? Take the Test

  Discover how ready your inner world is to create what’s next.

• Step Into What’s Next for You

  Whether you’re an individual or a team—start shaping your future today with Frederik’s keynotes, workshops, and transformative sessions.

Inspiration is more than a feeling. Its´ an active force that fuels creativity, leadership and change. Today, Adam Galinsky joins me. Adam is an expert in Leadership, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Adam is a Professor of Leadership and Ethics at the Columbia Business School.

Among his many publications, he co-authored "Friend and Foe", a book exploring the science behin collaboration and competition. His latest book is "Inspire-The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others". Here, Adam explores the science of inspiration, how to find it, to develop it, and to use it.

In this episode, we talk about the origins and the power of inspiration.

•The spark of inspiration-becoming more inspiring

•Inspiration at the crossroads of creativity and usefulness

•Inspiration? Listen to your children

•Inspired travel

•Wood and water: Natural inspiration

•Variety helps

•Different people, different times, different needs

•Inspiration today, boredom tomorrow?

•The Copenhagen lesson: Improvisation and embracing vulnerability

•The mindstate moment by the ocean

•The universal continuum: Vision Example Mentoring

•The big picture energy: optimism counts

•Inspiration is daily work

•REIP: Reflect Emulate Intend Practice to become a more inspiring person tomorrow

•Too much clam chowder? The power in making things more scarce

•You can make things better: Look out for possibilities