232. Pause, Don’t Panic: Finding Calm in High-Stakes Moments
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To connect with others, you have to get out of your own head.Whether presenting to millions on live ...
231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why what isn’t said can communicate more than what is spoken.We often speak in hints and half-trut...
230. Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Clear communication isn’t ju...
229. Rethinks: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate its second anniversary, we revisit our favourite tools and tips from Matt’s book, Thi...
228. Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake.Communicating under...
227. Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Great communication isn’t ju...
226. Reinvent Yourself: Turning Uncertainty Into Opportunity
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reinventing your life or career starts with reflection and conversation. Making the leap — to a n...
225. Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the digital age, it’s critical to craft communication that fits the context.Like it or not, alg...
224. Make Your Messages Epic: The Evolution of Words and the Stories They Carry
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives.All communication and connecti...
223. Laughing Matters: Levity, Leadership, and Lasting Connection
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections.Humor in communication isn’...
222. Discussing Through Discomfort: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the Most
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them comes with a cost.You want a more successful...
221. Don’t Get Lost in Translation: Staying Cool When Every Word Counts
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you stay clear, calm, and precise when every word counts and there’s no room for error?Stay...
220. Prep Like a Pro: Communication Confidence, Clarity, and Comedy
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Master the art of thinking on your feet and turning unpredictability into powerful communication.Bei...
219. Six Motivations, One Workplace: Who Are You at Work?
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When communicating with their employees, most firms have no idea who they’re talking to.Good commu...
218. Teaching Truths & Tactics: Live Lessons From Stanford in Cape Town
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Real connection means understanding your audience, staying true to yourself, and creating space for ...
217. Rethinks: How to Build Deep Connections
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to be a skilled conversationalist in work, love, and life.Whether you’re trying to build a rom...
216. Wired for Words: A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Influence
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding your audience's psychology is the key to crafting communication that resonates.Persuad...
215. The New Media Landscape: Trust, Transparency, and Transformation
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For your communication to be credible, you can’t just say it — you have to do it.Want people to ...
214. From Crisis to Clarity: Simplicity, Feedback, and the Art of Being Heard
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to communicate clearly in any context, from newsrooms to the world stage.All good communication,...
213. Rethinks: Building Trusting Relationships Through Communication
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to turn doubt and suspicion into hopefulness and trust.There’s a lot in the world to make us c...
212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your Way to the Perfect Job Fit
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Career growth starts with stepping outside your comfort zone.Building a successful career isn’t ab...
211. Small Screens, Strong Signals: Mastering Modern Communication
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the age of virtual communication, here’s how to ensure your messages convey what you mean.Texts...
210. First Impression to Lasting Impact: Use Status Strategically
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Career success takes a status boost, not a power grab.How do you chart the career course you’ve al...
209. Find Your Fit, Find Your Focus - Catalyze Your Career
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to turn curiosity, clarity, and AI into your most powerful job search tools.Job search isn’t j...
208. Ambiguity to Action: Tensions and Trade-Offs of Leadership and Communication
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amidst constant change, clear communication is the key to navigating uncertainty.How do you communic...
207. From Conflict to Connection: Having Crucial Conversations that Count
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How victim, villain, and helpless stories sabotage our most important conversations.The hardest conv...
206. Crafting Narratives That Motivate: What’s Your Strategy Story?
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Great strategy starts with a question—and a story worth believing in.A good strategy isn’t just ...
205. Say What Sucks: Catalyzing Organizational Change with AI
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A live SXSW panel on how employee complaints illuminate the path to organizational innovation.Wrong ...
204. Tough Talks: Turn Tension Into Trust
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to have the conversations that are most difficult — and most important.Before you can have har...
203. No Script, No Problem: Final Secrets to Speaking Under Pressure (Bonus)
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stay sharp, sound confident, and speak with impact — even when you're put on the spot.Communicatin...
202. Own Your Brand: How to Communicate with Presence and Impact
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The power of creating the reputation you want to have.Whether you know it or not, you have a brand. ...
201. Ballpark to the Boardroom: How Alex Rodriguez Hits a Communication Home Run
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Rodriguez shares why in sports and business, striking out is just a part of the game.From the b...
200. Four Keys for Focused Communication: Live Lessons from Our 200 Episodes
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This live Q&A with host Matt Abrahams celebrates 200 episodes of Think Fast, Talk Smart.In an ag...
199. Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3)
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating ef...
198. Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3)
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating ef...
197. Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3)
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating ef...
196. Ditch the Dictionary: Communicate Confidently Through Connection
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Communication isn’t about perfect word choice, it’s about connecting with others.For native spea...
195. Q&A on Conflict, Confidence, and Connection: Me2We 2025 Part 2
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stanford experts answer live questions on leadership, authenticity, and communication.What happens w...
194. Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective leadership begins with the way you communicate.Leading with impact isn’t about speaking ...
193. Conquer Questions: ADDing Value To Your Answers
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answer...
192. Quick Thinks: How to Supersize Your Stories
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to craft compelling stories that captivate, inspire, and make an impact.Great storytelling isn't...
191. Memorable Messages: Choose Words That Capture Attention and Stay Remembered
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to craft communication that your audience will remember.Why do some messages stick, while others...
190. Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already Want
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change.If you want to be a changemaker, you’ll have to...
189. Numbers Need Narrative: Use Data to Influence and Inspire
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why numbers are only as compelling as the narratives we attach to them.Facts and figures can be your...
188. Mind Reading 101: To Know What Your Audience Thinks, Just Ask
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to really know what your audience is thinking.To be a great communicator, you have to get out of...
187. Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rethink career success by testing, adapting, and staying open to unexpected opportunities.Career pla...
186. Own Your Impact: How to Communicate Your Personal Power
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why good communication starts with tapping into your power.Impactful communication isn’t just abou...
185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How to captivate an audience and make your message stick.Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat...
184. Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your Career
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career.Most of us know that career growt...
183. Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication.Stress, anxiety, nervousn...
182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clarify your purpose — and stop wasting time.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on wh...
181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why connection is the key to a life well lived.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on wh...
180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why creating happiness in the future starts today.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on...
179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A double definition of happiness — and how to cultivate both parts.The new year gives us an opport...
178. Navigating Chaos and Uncertainty: The Power of Transparency and Empathy
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clear communication during times of uncertainty.Whether leading people through a 15-minute meeting o...
177. Don’t Resolve, Evolve: Top 10 Lessons For 2025
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ten essential communication strategies designed to elevate your skills.2024 has been an incredible y...
176. From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Age diversity and cross-generational synergy can transform an organization.Most of us know age diver...
Ask Matt Anything (AMA) 1: Trust, Paraphrasing, and Nonverbal Cues
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Enjoy this preview of our first Ask Matt Anything (AMA).We are excited to introduce this special edi...
175. Mastering Toasts and Tributes: Making Your Words Count
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Crafting impactful toasts for every occasion."Almost reflexively, most of us focus in the moment on ...
174. Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Turn any meeting or get-together into a chance for deep connection and collaboration.Whether you’r...
173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Master holiday conversations.The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, com...
Between the Lines: In Storytelling, Simplify to Amplify - Premium Sampler
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Visit fastersmarter.io/premium to become a Premium subscriber."Start with the action moment or right...
172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mindfulness can transform your communication and your career.When we react, our instincts and impuls...
171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Make your audience a part of the story.Great storytellers don't just relay information — they crea...
170. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wisdom from the witness stand to the newsstand.The best storytellers might not call themselves story...
169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a great conversation?“Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business Scho...
Launching: Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing our new Premium membership, designed to enhance communication and career skills with exp...
168. How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Make your message memorable.“Immediately forgettable” — that’s how Matthew Dicks describes m...
167. Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Beyond the Big Screen.Every business meeting, product launch, or marketing communication has somethi...
166. Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fail You
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why practice is the key to success.If there’s anyone who knows about performing under pressure, it...
165. Building Your Personal Brand Makes a Promise: Are You Keeping It?
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Create more meaningful communication by defining your audience. Before you even think about communi...
164. Rethinks: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence Others
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The inner workings of social influence and persuasion.Want to change someone’s mind? First, explai...
163. Is Your Audience Ignoring You? How Authenticity Creates Connection
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How acceptance and authenticity can transform all of our interactions.What’s the key to experienci...
162. Unlock Career Opportunities: How to Make the Right Moves
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Being present in the moment and staying open to whatever unfolds.We all want to lead lives and caree...
Bonus: How to Manage Speaking Anxiety the Think Faster, Talk Smarter Way
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gain control over your speaking and excel in your communication.For the first anniversary of his boo...
161. Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You’re Talking To
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Know your audience and tailor the message for them.In high-stakes communication, every word counts. ...
160. Rethinks: How to Communicate Your Gameplan
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up.As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it...
159. Earn Your Audience: You Can’t Lead If No One’s Listening
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What it takes to develop as a leader.Great leaders and great communicators aren't born, they're made...
158. Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Acts of trust are the bedrock on which relationships are formed.”There’s a lot in the world t...
157. Communicating the Future: Defining Where We Want AI to Take Us
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence can now do a lot of things. But if you’re worried about it taking your pla...
156. Creative Communication: How Our Design Choices Illustrate Our Values
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a designer, Scott Doorley is interested in how humans create the world around them. It’s a conv...
155. Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Navigators know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In charting a course th...
154. Rethinks: Communicating Better as a Leader
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"In a leadership role, so much more of communication is about connecting with people, establishing s...
153. Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to Communication
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tara VanDerveer has more wins than any other coach in NCAA basketball history. But as she says, moti...
152. Fix Your Communication: Why It’s About Connection Over Perfection
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Anything is fixable,” say Frances Frei and Anne Morriss. As cohosts of the Fixable podcast, the...
151. Get Hired: How the Right Communication Can Advance Your Career
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether winning over a hiring manager or winning new business, career success often hinges on how we...
150. Communication Tips from the Classroom and Around the World
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, what’s communicated to us can have a big impact on how we communicate to others. This e...
149. Rethinks: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“What people regret over time are things they didn’t do. They didn’t take that trip, they didn...
148. Conviction and Compassion: How to Have Hard Conversations
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In our personal and professional lives, some conversations are harder than others. To navigate the d...
147. Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Innovation and disruption aren’t just for organizations. According to Whitney Johnson, we can find...
146. Stress Resets: How to Change Your Internal Dialogue to Communicate Better
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stress can get in the way of our communication with others. To manage our stress, psychologist Jenny...
145. Rethinks: The Art of Negotiation, How to Get More of What You Want
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-...
144. Communicating Through Conflict: How to Get Along with Anyone
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us would rank getting along with colleagues as an important aspect of work, but, as Amy Gall...
143. Adopt a VC Mindset: Achieve More by Thinking and Communicating Like a Venture Capitalist
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In choosing who to date, what job to pursue, or how to invest our money, most people are just lookin...
142. Power and Persuasion: Live Insights from Stanford Experts
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A special live edition from the Me2We event at Stanford, where strategic communications expert and p...
141. An Invitation for Innovation: Why Creativity Is Found, Not Forced
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So you want to lead your team toward innovation. Does that require that you know where you’re goin...
140. Rethinks: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehan...
139. Lose Yourself: The Secret to Finding Flow and Being Fully Present
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're looking to boost your productivity, find more joy in your work, or simply be more pre...
138. Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From the way you communicate, to the way build your life and career, Graham Weaver, MBA ’99, says ...
137. When Words Aren’t Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If communication is like painting, words are the primary colors. But to convey deeper meaning, we ne...