136. The Art of Disagreeing Without Conflict: Navigating the Nuance
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Disagreement and conflict may look the same on the surface, but the two concepts are, in fact, very ...
135. Rethinks: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question ...
134. How to Chat with Bots: The Secrets to Getting the Information You Need from AI
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Matt Abrahams with creativity and innovation experts Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar to explore the...
133. From Good to Super: How Supercommunicators Unlock the Language of Connection
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Across more than 130 episodes, Think Fast, Talk Smart has touched a lot on what it takes to be a goo...
132. Lean Into Failure: How to Make Mistakes That Work
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective and productive teams and relationships are based on the ability to communicate safely and ...
131. Friction Fixing: How to Use Obstacles to Your Advantage
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Friction — that’s Professor Huggy Rao’s metaphor for the forces that hamper workplace efficien...
130. Rethinks: How to Maintain a Powerful Presence in Your Communication
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Pro...
129. Connect Deeply: How to Communicate So People Feel Seen and Heard
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
All too often, we communicate without really connecting. The key to building deep connections with o...
128. Four Powerful Principles Pt. 2: Your Questions Answered
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Matt Abrahams engaging with his international audience and answering questions that touch upon ...
127. Four Principles of Powerful, Focused Communication Pt. 1
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience and shares a lesson around concision, relevanc...
126. BONUS Making Meetings Meaningful: When Face-to-Face Meetings Matter
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If we want to generate better ideas, then we need to get people back to the office.In this bonus mee...
Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast (A Sound Bite!)
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in ...
125. Making Meetings Meaningful Pt. 2: Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can we make meetings more effective? How can we keep people engaged and interested? Whether it’...
124. Making Meetings Meaningful Pt. 1: How to Structure and Organize More Effective Gatherings
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Delve into why people hate meetings, explore what hinders their effectiveness, and how to change tha...
123. Rethinks: Why Curiosity Is Communication’s Secret Weapon
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask.This week we revisit Matt's d...
122. How To Be More Confident and Calm in Your Communication: Managing the "ABC’s" of Communication Anxiety
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Research-backed techniques on how to beat nervousness in the moment. In this episode, Matt uses cli...
121. Building Trust and Connection: How to Lead with Vulnerability
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We have to be vulnerable in order to build trust in our relationships. But as Jacob Morgan says, “...
120. A Few of Matt’s Favorite Things: 10 Communication Takeaways from 2023's TFTS Episodes
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt reflects on all the advice we've heard this season and shares the top 10 takeaways that he’s ...
119. Rethinks: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Stress is natural,” says Alia Crum, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford. “Stress...
118. Maximizing your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You Want
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What comes to people’s minds when they think about you, and can you control it? Dorie Clark says y...
117. Say It, See It: How to Connect Through Conversation
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Communication is about so much more than sharing words. As neuroscientist Shane O’Mara explains, c...
116. Quick Thinks: Don't Sweat the Small Talk
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even if you don’t think you’re a natural, anyone can become proficient at the art of small talk ...
115. Rethinks: How We Set and Achieve Goals
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help ...
114. Communication Means Paying Attention: The Four Pillars of Active Listening
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We should all be audience-centric in communication. But, as Julian Treasure contests, we need to tak...
113. Missing Something? How to Kick FOMO with Conscious Decision-Making
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What if you had that job? What if you were with that person? What if there’s a better option out t...
112. From Mistakes to "Missed Takes"
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we're sharing an excerpt from Matt Abrahams's audiobook, Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Li...
111. Rethinks: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.”On this episode of Think Fast, Ta...
110. Write It Well: How to Craft an Email to Capture Busy Readers
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whatever you’re writing, Todd Rogers says most people are too busy to read it. That’s why, he sa...
109. Simplify! How to Communicate Complex Ideas Simply and Effectively
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You said it. But did they hear it? For Frances Frei, communication is about saying things simply eno...
108. All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re reading from your notes, you're going to miss the magic of the moment. That’s why Adam...
107. Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, executive producer Jenny Luna interviews host and strategic communications lecturer...
106. Rethinks: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In January of 2020 we launched Think Fast Talk Smart with the goal of helping people improve their ...
105. Radical Candor: The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Career
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Moving forward in our careers often means giving and receiving feedback. But how candid can we be in...
104. How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"We're wired to look for the path of least resistance and efficiency, and that's normally a good thi...
103. Simple Is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any Audience
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The best communicators express ideas simply. And to do that, says Carmine Gallo, “you have to conn...
102. Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to have a presence that’s felt by those around us? According to Muriel Wilkins, ...
101. We Belong Together: How Communication Fuels Connection and Community
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to emotional and physical wellbeing, Psychology professor Geoffrey Cohen says there is...
100. Shut Up! How to Communicate Better by Talking Less
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to be a more effective communicator? According to Dan Lyons, it starts with knowin...
99. Rethinks: How to Handle Challenging Conversations
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management a...
98. Give It to Me Straight: How to Give Honest, Constructive Feedback
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do we deal with professional blind spots? According to David Dodson, MBA ’87, we need the pa...
97. No Rules, No Trust: How Accountability Shapes Communication
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Communication is like a game. For it to work, each person has to trust that their partner will play ...
96. Rock and Role: How Assigning Gender to Inanimate Objects Influences Us
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why is a boat a “she?” Why give names like Alexa or Siri to inanimate pieces of software? Accord...
95. The Power of No: How Boundaries Help Us Live More Empowered Lives
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Saying no can seem risky. We worry about offending others, damaging relationships, or hurting our ow...
94. LEADing ideas: Research-Backed Tips and Tools from Four Stanford Professors
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking new ground, Think Fast, Talk Smart steps into the world of live events, bringing together a...
93. All the Feels: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question ...
92. No Regrets: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“What people regret over time are things they didn't do. They didn't take that trip, they didn't a...
91. Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re often advised not to use “um” or “uh”, or “so” and “you know” in our communi...
90. Rethinks: Brains Love Stories – How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People’s Emotions
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with Da...
89. Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice ...
88. Rethinks: Leading From Home – How to Create the Right Environment for Communication
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
*This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart won "Best Business Podcast Episode" at the 2023 Webby Awards...
87. Know What You’re Saying: How Communicating Tests Our Understanding
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all been there — we think we understand something, but when it comes time to explain it to...
86. Building Habits: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are...
85. Rethinks: Don't Get Lost in Translation
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge, especiall...
84. Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“The self is incompatible with freedom, the way most people understand it, because the self is a c...
83. You Need a Manifesto: How to Communicate Your Convictions
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“If you're not living life according to your own values, you're most likely living them according ...
82. It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s easy to feel like the star of the show when giving a presentation. But according to communica...
81. Fact or Fiction? How to Communicate When We Hold Different Beliefs
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why does disagreement feel so personal? According to author, journalist, and physician Seema Yasmin,...
80. Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Words have impact. But when it comes to enchanting audiences and captivating with communication, Jon...
79. Equity by Design: How Diversity Ignites Creativity
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If we want healthier companies, schools, and teams associate professor of organizational behavior Ad...
78. Three Guiding Principles for Successful Communication
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate our 75th episode, we hosted a live "Ask Me Anything" event with Matt. In this global ga...
77. Quick Thinks: AI Has Entered The Chat – A "Conversation" with ChatGPT
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this "Quick Thinks" episode, host Matt Abrahams interviews ChatGPT, an AI natural language proces...
Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast | Season 4 Trailer
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of strategic communication at Stanford GSB, as he sits down with expe...
76. Change My Mind: Using “Pre-suasion” to Influence Others
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their framing.F...
75. Love & Money: How to Talk About Big Decisions Together
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do love and money mix? Labor economist and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor emerita My...
74. Rethinks: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In one of our most popular episodes, professor of Marketing Baba Shiv shares his research on how emo...
73. Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested Than Interesting
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As a communication expert, Alison Wood Brooks spends a lot of time talking about talking. But, as sh...
72. Quick Thinks: Talk It Out – How to Successfully Negotiate and Resolve Conflict
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to negotiating and managing conflict, Professor Michele Gelfand says it’s time to ge...
71. Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your Gameplan
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not comman...
70. Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the Best
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the secret to coming up with good ideas? For Jeremy Utley, it’s about generating as many ...
69. Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says...
68. Directive vs. Dialogue: Communicating Better as a Leader
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business, Dean Jon Levin knows the importance of crafting...
67. What Is Normal? How Culture Affects Communication Styles
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we drive on only one side of the road? Why don’t we sing in libraries? Why wear a swimsuit?...
66. Rethinks: Lessons from Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman to Help You Hack your Speaking Anxiety
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited abo...
65. Ties That Bind: Why Remote and Hybrid Teams Need the Right Connection
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“We need to be much more adaptive in the way we think about hybrid work,” says Michael Arena. “...
64. Rethinks: Techniques for Managing Your Reputation
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. Bu...
63. Cheap Talk: What Economics Has to Say About Communication
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Your words — are they credible? Or are they what Paul Oyer calls “cheap talk?”According to pro...
62. Rethinks: Summer Learning Series, How Humor Can Be a Secret Weapon in Communication
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the kickoff to our Summer Learning Series, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes. This in...
61. Courage, Ambiguity, Belonging and Data: How to Design Your Communication for Success
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
All communication comes from a place of creativity and creativity is rooted in design. In this episo...
60. Communicating Uncertainty: How to Connect With Your Audience, Even When The Answers Aren’t Clear
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“It's not reassuring when we don't know the answers to critically important questions involved in ...
59. From Dreaming to Doing: How We Set and Achieve Goals
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help ...
58. Forgiveness: How the Right Communication Repairs Relationships
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In relationships between imperfect people, mistakes are inevitable. And when we find ourselves with ...
57. Are You Listening?: How to Stay Open and Curious to Other People’s Ideas
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Listening actively and deeply happens when I genuinely believe that the person who's speaking has...
56. Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really Stick
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Anyone can make a complicated thing sound complicated. It takes real skill to make it sound simpl...
55. Ideas & Empathy: How to Design and Communicate with Others in Mind
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Very often, you are not designing for yourself. And you kind of have to get out of your own way t...
54. Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“A mistake that some leaders make is to assume that the people in your organization share your cor...
53. Step Up and Stand Out: How to Create the Right Environment for Communication
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of everybody,...
52. Communicating Our Mistakes: How to Avoid Common Flaws and Make Better Decisions
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams sits down with finance professors Jona...
51. We Asked, You Answered: Celebrating our 50th Episode with your Anxiety Management Plans
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this 50th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and executive producer Jenny Luna...
50. Telling Good Stories: How to Use the Elements of Narrative to Keep Listeners Engaged
02 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Make them want to turn the page,” says Paula Moya, a professor at Stanford University and autho...
49. Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“We have to make data emotional because emotions are what drive us to act,” says Chip Heath, a p...
48. Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication Anxiety
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Eighty five percent of people report being nervous about speaking in public, and I believe the ot...
47. Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Great founders are great storytellers,” says Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Ste...
46. Stay Creative: How to Keep Your Ideas Fresh and Practical
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“To be creative, ideas must be both novel and useful. That’s the definition that we use in creat...
45. Recipes From the “Communication Kitchen”: How to Handle Three Common Challenges This Holiday Season
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In each episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams asks...
44. Act Like a Leader: How Lessons From The Theater Can Help You Step into Power
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"Leadership is a role that you play, like a part you play in other people’s lives. And [your] expr...
43. Get Psyched: How Time and Situations Shape Our Communication
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Social psychologists believe that if we want to understand our own behavior and the behavior of o...
42. Space, Pace, and Grace: How to Handle Challenging Conversations
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management a...
41. Speak like a Founder: How Successful Entrepreneurs Communicate to Their Teams
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Part of teamwork is dating,” says Stefanos Zenios, The Investment Group of Santa Barbara Profes...
40. Mindset Matters: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Stress is natural, stress is inevitable when you're living a life that's connected with things yo...
39. Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with Da...