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Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart · Business

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

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.

Episodes

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189. Numbers Need Narrative: Use Data to Influence and Inspire

04 Mar 2025
19m
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This podcast episode interviews Miro Kazakoff, an expert in managerial communication, about using data persuasively. The discussion covers strategies for understanding the audience's decision-making processes, making complex data accessible (avoiding the "curse of knowledge"), and crafting compelling narratives around...

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188. Mind Reading 101: To Know What Your Audience Thinks, Just Ask

25 Feb 2025
23m
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This podcast interviews UCLA psychology professor Matt Lieberman about social neuroscience and its implications for communication. The discussion covers how our brains process social information, the limitations of perspective-taking versus perspective-getting, and the neuroscience of persuasion. Lieberman emphasizes...

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187. Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career

20 Feb 2025
21m
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This podcast episode interviews Dorie Clark, an author and consultant, about proactive career management. The discussion covers developing a long-term career vision framed as a testable hypothesis, identifying career mismatches early on through informational interviews and experimentation, and the importance of perio...

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186. Own Your Impact: How to Communicate Your Personal Power

18 Feb 2025
19m
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This podcast episode interviews Chris Lipp, author of "The Science of Personal Power," discussing how mindset and approach impact perceived power. Lipp defines personal power as believing in one's ability to create impact, highlighting that taking responsibility, rather than blaming, significantly influences this perc...

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185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication

11 Feb 2025
18m
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This podcast episode features an interview with Guy Kawasaki, a renowned entrepreneur and author, discussing effective storytelling and pitching techniques. The conversation covers key aspects of crafting compelling narratives, emphasizing entertainment over pure information delivery, and the importance of tailoring p...

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184. Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your Career

06 Feb 2025
20m
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This podcast episode focuses on career development strategies, featuring an interview with LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher. The discussion covers identifying signals for a career pivot, proactive strategies for career advancement (networking, continuous learning, adaptability), cultivating a growth mindset thr...

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183. Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication

04 Feb 2025
25m
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This podcast features an interview with Kelly McGonigal, a Stanford lecturer and author, focusing on managing anxiety and improving communication skills. The conversation explores reframing anxiety as a sign of caring and using its energy positively, particularly in presentations. McGonigal emphasizes the importance ...

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182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

30 Jan 2025
21m
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This interview podcast features a conversation between Matt Abrahams and Cassie Holmes, author of "Happier Hour," about the connection between purpose, time management, and happiness. The discussion begins by defining purpose and its role as a filter for prioritizing activities, then moves into time management strateg...

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181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

28 Jan 2025
23m
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This interview podcast features a conversation between Matt Abrahams and Arthur Brooks, a social scientist and professor, about happiness. The discussion explores Brooks's theory that happiness is not a destination or feeling, but rather a direction achieved through a balance of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. ...

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180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

23 Jan 2025
21m
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This interview podcast features Matt Abrahams interviewing Hal Hershfield, author of "Your Future Self," about the importance of connecting with one's future self to improve present well-being. The conversation explores common mistakes people make when considering their future (like procrastination and failing to acco...

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179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

21 Jan 2025
23m
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This interview podcast features Matt Abrahams interviewing Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of "The Happiness Lab" podcast, about happiness and communication. The conversation explores the importance of both positive and negative emotions, emphasizing that negative emotions serve as warning signals....

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178. Navigating Chaos and Uncertainty: The Power of Transparency and Empathy

14 Jan 2025
19m
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This interview podcast features Matt Abrahams interviewing Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading expert in infectious diseases and public health. The conversation centers on Dr. Fauci's communication strategies during times of uncertainty, emphasizing transparency, honesty, and adapting messages to different audiences. Specif...

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177. Don’t Resolve, Evolve: Top 10 Lessons For 2025

07 Jan 2025
20m
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In this podcast episode, Matt Abrahams revisits ten key communication concepts from previous "Think Fast, Talk Smart" episodes, presenting them as practical strategies for personal growth. He shares insights from various guests and offers a summary of each concept, along with how he has applied them in his own life. On...

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176. From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations

31 Dec 2024
18m
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In this podcast episode, Bob McCann, a professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management, dives into the challenges and opportunities that arise from intergenerational interactions in the workplace. The discussion highlights the complexity of defining generations, noting that while generational labels can be handy, they ...

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Ask Matt Anything (AMA) 1: Trust, Paraphrasing, and Nonverbal Cues

26 Dec 2024
14m
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This podcast is a preview of a premium "Ask Matt Anything" (AMA) session on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, focusing on communication strategies in professional settings. The episode features Matt Abrahams answering several listener questions, covering topics such as maintaining trust during disagreements with seni...

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175. Mastering Toasts and Tributes: Making Your Words Count

24 Dec 2024
15m
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In this podcast episode, Matt Abrahams shares insights on crafting unforgettable toasts and tributes. He outlines a simple four-part formula known as "WHAT" to guide your speech: First, clarify the purpose—why are we gathering? Next, highlight your connection to the honoree. Then, share meaningful anecdotes or lessons ...

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174. Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments

17 Dec 2024
19m
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In this podcast episode, Priya Parker, the author of "The Art of Gathering," explores the crucial role of intentionality in gatherings, whether they are large events or casual conversations. She emphasizes the need to pause and clarify the purpose and desired outcomes before any meeting or interaction takes place. Park...

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173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays

10 Dec 2024
13m
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In this podcast episode, listeners can discover effective communication strategies to tackle common holiday challenges. It highlights three main areas: how to seamlessly join conversations by using paraphrasing, asking questions, or recognizing emotional cues; the art of small talk through the "What, So What, Now What"...

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Between the Lines: In Storytelling, Simplify to Amplify - Premium Sampler

05 Dec 2024
17m
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In this podcast episode, Hilary Price, the creator of the comic strip "Rhymes with Orange," shares her insights on storytelling. She emphasizes the power of simplicity and amplification in communication, using her single-panel comic as a prime example. Price discusses the importance of incorporating surprise, change, a...

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172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication

03 Dec 2024
18m
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In this podcast, Marshall Goldsmith, a leading leadership coach, shares insights on effective communication and living a fulfilling life. He highlights the need for positive, straightforward communication and encourages a shift from a self-centered "achievement addiction" to prioritizing others and nurturing meaningful...

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