How to Moderate Talks, Panels, Meetings, More (Virtual and Beyond!)

In this episode of the a16z Podcast, host Sonal Chokshi interviews Matt Abrahams, a lecturer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, about the art of moderation in various communication settings, including meetings, presentations, panels, and podcasts. The conversation covers strategies for pre-work, managing discussions, balancing scripted content with spontaneity, handling tricky audience members, and translating physical presence into virtual environments. Abrahams provides frameworks and practical tips for structuring talks, managing speaker anxiety, and effectively using verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to engage audiences both in-person and online, emphasizing the importance of connecting with the audience and adapting to different communication styles and environments.