1. Podcasts
  2. Language Learning
  3. Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques cover art

40 episodes

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

by Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart · English

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 Monday and Thursday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our Newsletter at fastersmarter.io.

Latest episodes

All episodes

340. Rethinks: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the Most

Difficult conversations cost the most when we avoid them; they’re made difficult mainly by emotional reactivity.

12 Nov 2026 · 34m · 14 chapters

339. The Write Stuff: Finding the Words for Life’s Hardest Conversations

How to write “life’s hardest conversations” using letter writing—especially gratitude, apology/forgiveness, love, missing someone, and goodbye—plus cathartic unsent letters and deep listening…

9 Nov 2026 · 23m · 12 chapters

338. Quick Thinks: 5 Techniques for a Better Sleep & Better Communication

Quick Thinks episode on improving sleep and communication hygiene using “ABCDE” techniques (Affect, Behavioral, Cognition, Deep breathing, Environment).

5 Nov 2026 · 7m · 4 chapters

337. Success Is Situational: How Feedback & Practice Transform Your Communication

How communication improvement comes from situational change plus deliberate practice, not just “try harder.” Angela Duckworth reframes grit as passion (interest + importance) and perseverance…

2 Nov 2026 · 25m · 8 chapters

336. Rethinks: The “ABC’s” of Fright-Free Communication

How to manage communication anxiety when speaking under pressure, using the “ABC’s” framework (affective, behavioral, cognitive) to build a personalized Anxiety Management Plan (AMP) and reframe…

29 Oct 2026 · 16m · 7 chapters

335. Power Play: Successfully Navigate Power, Status, and Influence at Work

How hierarchies at work (formal and informal) shape power, status, and influence—and how to fix “broken” hierarchies and build “healthy” ones using everyday communication.

26 Oct 2026 · 25m · 9 chapters

334. Quick Thinks: How to Make the Most Out of Meetings

How to make meetings effective using a three-stage approach (before, during, after).

22 Oct 2026 · 12m · 8 chapters

333. Find the Vibe: Build Stronger Connections Through Communication Part 1

Adam Grant (Wharton organizational psychologist) explains how to “find the vibe” and build stronger connections through communication.

19 Oct 2026 · 31m · 10 chapters

332. Rethinks: Learn Faster and Fail Smarter

Astro Teller (X/Alphabet Moonshot Factory) explains “moonshots” as a testable hypothesis: a huge named problem, a radical proposed solution, and breakthrough tech—then quickly verifying and…

15 Oct 2026 · 35m · 13 chapters

331. Matchmaker Mindset: How to Make Yourself Memorable in Any Conversation

Advanced small talk and conversation strategy—moving from “defense” (answering basic questions) to “offense” (bridging to memorable topics via personal branding), plus topic prep, “in media race”…

12 Oct 2026 · 24m · 8 chapters

330. Quick Thinks: A CLEAR Way Through Conflict

How to communicate calmly and clearly during sudden, in-the-moment conflict using a five-step CLEAR framework (Check yourself, Listen openly, Explore their perspective, Acknowledge before advocating,…

8 Oct 2026 · 15m · 7 chapters

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

Communication as bridge-building; how to adopt a “builder” mindset and use the “4 C’s” (curiosity, compassion, creativity, courage) to counter polarization.

5 Oct 2026 · 24m · 8 chapters

328. Ask Matt Anything: Don’t Let Your Communication Fizzle at the Finish

How to end meetings and presentations effectively (“land the plane”) and keep engagement through clear goals; plus an AMA on ending patterns, engagement techniques, small talk confidence, and…

1 Oct 2026 · 19m · 6 chapters

327. The Human Reset: Reclaiming Authenticity in the Age of AI

Matt Abrahams (Stanford GSB strategic communication instructor) and Lorraine K.

28 Sep 2026 · 26m · 8 chapters

326. Rethinks: The Secrets to Getting the Information You Need from AI

How to use conversational AI as a “thinking partner” to improve team creativity and problem-solving, based on a blind study comparing human-only ideation vs humans + ChatGPT, plus a practical 5-step…

24 Sep 2026 · 25m · 9 chapters

325. Message Market Fit: Turning Great Ideas Into Communication That Lands

Message market fit—why startups and established companies fail when they don’t find the right words and story to create traction.

21 Sep 2026 · 20m · 11 chapters

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

How to “rethink” communication in an AI era—using AI to clarify messages and improve thinking—while emphasizing human judgment, curiosity, and connection.

17 Sep 2026 · 23m · 13 chapters

323. Turn Up the Heat: Make Conflict More Constructive

How to make conflict more constructive by adding “warmth to heat.” Priya Parker contrasts unhealthy peace (conflict avoidance) and unhealthy conflict (domination/escalation) with “healthy heat,” the…

14 Sep 2026 · 25m · 7 chapters

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

Martin Seligman discusses flourishing and well-being through PERMA (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment), arguing that internal self-talk shapes emotion and action,…

10 Sep 2026 · 21m · 11 chapters

321. The Respect Effect: What Stereotype Threat Teaches Us About Communication

Stereotype threat and “churn” (anxiety/vigilance in diverse, high-stakes settings) and how communication can reduce it through respect, clarity, and trust-building.

7 Sep 2026 · 20m · 7 chapters

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

Preparing for job interviews and networking by differentiating yourself, building interview “themes” with supporting evidence, practicing structured answers, and telling effective stories.

3 Sep 2026 · 17m · 6 chapters

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

How to make everyday communication more persuasive and engaging using storytelling science: causality (“the word because”), the Goal-Inside-Action framework, portals (AAA: anticipation/approach), and…

31 Aug 2026 · 25m · 8 chapters

318. Quick Thinks: Network Smarter and Make Better Connections

Practical communication tactics from Vanessa Van Edwards on using body language, networking positioning, better small talk openers, and “charisma” as fast signaling of warmth and competence.

27 Aug 2026 · 14m · 5 chapters

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

How to pitch persuasively by using “two stories” (the screenplay plus the executive’s success story), keep lines concise with punchline-first rhythm, collaborate without ego, and navigate AI’s impact…

24 Aug 2026 · 24m · 7 chapters