Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Description

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

2025 / 10 / 7

234. Need to Know: Lead With Transparency, Character, and Silence

When it comes to leading a team, there’s no such thing as too much information.Good leadership is about good communication. And for General Stanley McChrystal, that means creating a culture of free-flowing...

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2025 / 10 / 2

233. Tech Tools: Write with Confidence and Impact

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Clarity is the cornerstone of great communication—but turning your thoughts into words isn’t always simple. That’s why Grammarly exists:...

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2025 / 9 / 29

232. Pause, Don’t Panic: Finding Calm in High-Stakes Moments

To connect with others, you have to get out of your own head.Whether presenting to millions on live television or talking to just one person, Dan Harris knows that the quality of every interaction depends on...

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2025 / 9 / 23

231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean

Why what isn’t said can communicate more than what is spoken.We often speak in hints and half-truths, not because we can’t be direct, but because subtlety protects our relationships. “An awful lot of the...

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2025 / 9 / 18

230. Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Clear communication isn’t just about sharing information — it’s about making ideas stick. That’s why Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product...

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2025 / 9 / 16

229. Rethinks: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot

To celebrate its second anniversary, we revisit our favourite tools and tips from Matt’s book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter.Original executive producer Jenny Luna turns the tables and interviews host and...

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2025 / 9 / 9

228. Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling

Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake.Communicating under pressure isn’t just a useful skill — it can be the difference between escalation and resolution. For Chris...

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2025 / 9 / 4

227. Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski, CEO of Prezi,...

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2025 / 9 / 2

226. Reinvent Yourself: Turning Uncertainty Into Opportunity

Reinventing your life or career starts with reflection and conversation. Making the leap — to a new career, to the next stage of a relationship, or to a different version of yourself — requires honest...

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2025 / 8 / 26

225. Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak

In the digital age, it’s critical to craft communication that fits the context.Like it or not, algorithms now decide whose messages get heard. “If you want to communicate effectively,” says Adam Aleksic, “you...

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2025 / 8 / 21

224. Make Your Messages Epic: The Evolution of Words and the Stories They Carry

Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives.All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why Laura Spinney says understanding language — where it comes from...

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2025 / 8 / 19

223. Laughing Matters: Levity, Leadership, and Lasting Connection

By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections.Humor in communication isn’t all fun and games. According to Alison Wood Brooks and Naomi Bagdonas, levity is one of the most serious...

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2025 / 8 / 12

222. Discussing Through Discomfort: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the Most

Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them comes with a cost.You want a more successful career, a more fulfilling relationship, a more meaningful life? What if all that’s standing in your way —...

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2025 / 8 / 12

222. Discussing through Discomfort: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the Most

Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them comes with a cost.You want a more successful career, a more fulfilling relationship, a more meaningful life? What if all that’s standing in your way —...

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2025 / 8 / 7

221. Don’t Get Lost in Translation: Staying Cool When Every Word Counts

How do you stay clear, calm, and precise when every word counts and there’s no room for error?Staying calm and focused while translating high-stakes conversations in real time isn’t just a language skill —...

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2025 / 8 / 5

220. Prep Like a Pro: Communication Confidence, Clarity, and Comedy

Master the art of thinking on your feet and turning unpredictability into powerful communication.Being quick on your feet isn’t just a performance skill — it’s a communication necessity. And for Peter Sagal,...

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2025 / 7 / 29

219. Six Motivations, One Workplace: Who Are You at Work?

When communicating with their employees, most firms have no idea who they’re talking to.Good communication is about knowing your audience. But if your organization is only focused on knowing your customers,...

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2025 / 7 / 24

218. Teaching Truths & Tactics: Live Lessons From Stanford in Capetown

Real connection means understanding your audience, staying true to yourself, and creating space for others.How do you communicate who you are, what you stand for, and leave space for others to do the same? At...

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2025 / 7 / 24

218. Teaching Truths & Tactics: Live Lessons From Stanford in Cape Town

Real connection means understanding your audience, staying true to yourself, and creating space for others.How do you communicate who you are, what you stand for, and leave space for others to do the same? At...

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2025 / 7 / 22

217. Rethinks: How to Build Deep Connections

How to be a skilled conversationalist in work, love, and life.Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice is exactly the same. “Focus on how you make...

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2025 / 7 / 15

216. Wired for Words: A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Influence

Understanding your audience's psychology is the key to crafting communication that resonates.Persuading others isn't about magic spells or mind-reading tricks. According to Emily Falk, the real secret is...

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2025 / 7 / 10

215. The New Media Landscape: Trust, Transparency, and Transformation

For your communication to be credible, you can’t just say it — you have to do it.Want people to believe what you say? According to Richard Edelman, the words you choose only get you halfway there. To build...

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2025 / 7 / 8

214. From Crisis to Clarity: Simplicity, Feedback, and the Art of Being Heard

How to communicate clearly in any context, from newsrooms to the world stage.All good communication, whether spoken or written, is built on the same foundation. In everything from police reporting for a...

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2025 / 7 / 1

213. Rethinks: Building Trusting Relationships Through Communication

How to turn doubt and suspicion into hopefulness and trust.There’s a lot in the world to make us cynical about other people and their motives and intentions. But by “trusting loudly,” Professor Jamil Zaki...

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2025 / 6 / 26

212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your Way to the Perfect Job Fit

Career growth starts with stepping outside your comfort zone.Building a successful career isn’t about following a set path—it’s about knowing when to evolve and embracing change. Whitney Johnson believes that...

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2025 / 6 / 24

211. Small Screens, Strong Signals: Mastering Modern Communication

In the age of virtual communication, here’s how to ensure your messages convey what you mean.Texts. Emails. Slacks. Zooms. We’re communicating in more ways than ever, but Andrew Brodsky has a word of warning:...

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2025 / 6 / 17

210. First Impression to Lasting Impact: Use Status Strategically

Career success takes a status boost, not a power grab.How do you chart the career course you’ve always imagined? According to Alison Fragale, it’s about gaining influence through status, power, and...

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2025 / 6 / 12

209. Find Your Fit, Find Your Focus - Catalyze Your Career

How to turn curiosity, clarity, and AI into your most powerful job search tools.Job search isn’t just about landing your next role—it’s about understanding who you are and how you want to show up in the...

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2025 / 6 / 10

208. Ambiguity to Action: Tensions and Trade-Offs of Leadership and Communication

Amidst constant change, clear communication is the key to navigating uncertainty.How do you communicate with others when you’re confused yourself? For Rob Siegel, leadership isn’t about avoiding uncertainty,...

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2025 / 6 / 3

207. From Conflict to Connection: Having Crucial Conversations that Count

How victim, villain, and helpless stories sabotage our most important conversations.The hardest conversations aren’t just about what you say to the other person. According to Joseph Grenny, critical...

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2025 / 5 / 29

206. Crafting Narratives That Motivate: What’s Your Strategy Story?

Great strategy starts with a question—and a story worth believing in.A good strategy isn’t just built—it’s told. For Martin Reeves, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and author of The Imagination...

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2025 / 5 / 27

205. Say What Sucks: Catalyzing Organizational Change with AI

A live SXSW panel on how employee complaints illuminate the path to organizational innovation.Wrong question: How can AI revolutionize productivity in my organization?Right question: What do my employees hate...

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2025 / 5 / 20

204. Tough Talks: Turn Tension Into Trust

How to have the conversations that are most difficult — and most important.Before you can have hard conversations with others, you need to have an honest conversation with yourself. That's the...

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2025 / 5 / 15

203. No Script, No Problem: Final Secrets to Speaking Under Pressure (Bonus)

Stay sharp, sound confident, and speak with impact — even when you're put on the spot.Communicating clearly is challenging enough when there’s time to prepare. But in most situations — whether in meetings,...

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2025 / 5 / 13

202. Own Your Brand: How to Communicate with Presence and Impact

The power of creating the reputation you want to have.Whether you know it or not, you have a brand. What that brand is, says Lorraine Lee, doesn’t happen by accident. “You can either form and create it, or...

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2025 / 5 / 6

201. Ballpark to the Boardroom: How Alex Rodriguez Hits a Communication Home Run

Alex Rodriguez shares why in sports and business, striking out is just a part of the game.From the baseball field to the boardroom, great communication is critical for success. But as Alex Rodriguez knows, we...

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2025 / 4 / 29

200. Four Keys for Focused Communication: Live Lessons from Our 200 Episodes

This live Q&A with host Matt Abrahams celebrates 200 episodes of Think Fast, Talk Smart.In an age of endless content and information, how do we ensure our communication cuts through the noise? Across 200...

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2025 / 4 / 22

199. Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3)

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most...

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2025 / 4 / 17

198. Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3)

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most...

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2025 / 4 / 15

197. Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3)

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most...

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2025 / 4 / 8

196. Ditch the Dictionary: Communicate Confidently Through Connection

Communication isn’t about perfect word choice, it’s about connecting with others.For native speakers and language learners alike, communicating comes with all kinds of challenges. But no matter how much we...

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2025 / 4 / 3

195. Q&A on Conflict, Confidence, and Connection: Me2We 2025 Part 2

Stanford experts answer live questions on leadership, authenticity, and communication.What happens when four top Stanford thinkers take live questions from a room full of leaders? In Part 2 of this special...

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2025 / 4 / 1

194. Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1

Effective leadership begins with the way you communicate.Leading with impact isn’t about speaking louder—it’s about communicating in ways that resonate with what people already value. In Part 1 of this...

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2025 / 3 / 25

193. Conquer Questions: ADDing Value To Your Answers

Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answers.A great presentation doesn’t end with the final slide—it continues through the Q&A, where real engagement...

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2025 / 3 / 25

193. Conquer questions: ADDing Value To Your Answers

Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answers.A great presentation doesn’t end with the final slide—it continues through the Q&A, where real engagement...

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2025 / 3 / 20

192. Quick Thinks: How to Supersize Your Stories

How to craft compelling stories that captivate, inspire, and make an impact.Great storytelling isn't just about telling tales—it’s about crafting experiences that captivate, inspire, and drive change. In this...

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2025 / 3 / 18

191. Memorable Messages: Choose Words That Capture Attention and Stay Remembered

How to craft communication that your audience will remember.Why do some messages stick, while others go in one ear and out the other? When it comes to crafting memorable communication, Ada Aka says not all...

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2025 / 3 / 11

190. Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already Want

How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change.If you want to be a changemaker, you’ll have to convince others to join your cause. But according to Dan Heath, persuading your audience isn’t about creating...

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2025 / 3 / 4

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

Why numbers are only as compelling as the narratives we attach to them.Facts and figures can be your friend, but before you load your presentation full of data, Miro Kazakoff has a word of caution: “Data’s...

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2025 / 2 / 25

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

To be a great communicator, you have to get out of your own head. But that’s not all, says Matt Lieberman. According to him, you also have to get into the head of someone else.“Mind-reading is this remarkable...

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2025 / 2 / 20

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

Rethink career success by testing, adapting, and staying open to unexpected opportunities.Career planning isn’t as straightforward as we often assume—but according to Dorie Clark, that’s actually a good...

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2025 / 2 / 18

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

Why good communication starts with tapping into your power.Impactful communication isn’t just about the words you use. According to Chris Lipp, it’s about the power you deliver them with.“When we have a...

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2025 / 2 / 11

185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication

How to captivate an audience and make your message stick.Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat because speakers aren’t prepared. For Guy Kawasaki, it’s because speakers miss the point. “If all you're...

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2025 / 2 / 6

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

Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career.Most of us know that career growth is important—but according to Catherine Fisher, we're thinking about it all wrong. It’s not just about...

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2025 / 2 / 4

183. Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication

Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication.Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go...

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2025 / 1 / 30

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

Clarify your purpose — and stop wasting time.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part...

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2025 / 1 / 28

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

Why connection is the key to a life well lived.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part...

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2025 / 1 / 23

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

Why creating happiness in the future starts today.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part...

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2025 / 1 / 21

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

A double definition of happiness — and how to cultivate both parts.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this...

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2025 / 1 / 21

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

A double definition of happiness — and how to cultivate both parts.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this...

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2025 / 1 / 14

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

Whether leading people through a 15-minute meeting or a years-long pandemic, communication requires compassion. For Dr. Anthony Fauci, that means being clear about who we’re speaking to and concise in what we...

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2025 / 1 / 7

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

Ten essential communication strategies designed to elevate your skills.2024 has been an incredible year for learning and growth, and as we head into 2025, there’s no better time to reflect on the skills and...

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2025 / 1 / 7

177. Don’t Resolve, Evolve: Top 10 Lessons From 2024

Ten essential communication strategies designed to elevate your skills.2024 has been an incredible year for learning and growth, and as we head into 2025, there’s no better time to reflect on the skills and...

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2024 / 12 / 31

176. From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations

Age diversity and cross-generational synergy can transform an organization.Most of us know age diversity matters in the workplace. But according to UCLA’s Bob McCann, we're thinking about it all wrong: it's...

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2024 / 12 / 26

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

Enjoy this preview of our first Ask Matt Anything (AMA).We are excited to introduce this special edition of Think Fast, Talk Smart, featuring a preview of our first-ever Ask Matt Anything (AMA) episode....

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2024 / 12 / 24

175. Mastering Toasts and Tributes: Making Your Words Count

Crafting impactful toasts for every occasion."Almost reflexively, most of us focus in the moment on how others are perceiving us, yet these situations aren't about us at all." Matt Abrahams, host of Think...

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2024 / 12 / 17

174. Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments

Turn any meeting or get-together into a chance for deep connection and collaboration.Whether you’re holding a team meeting or hosting a family get-together, the success of any gathering, says Priya Parker,...

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2024 / 12 / 10

173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays

Master holiday conversations.The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, communication challenges and as we gather with family, friends, and colleagues, effective communication becomes...

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2024 / 12 / 5

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

Visit fastersmarter.io/premium to become a Premium subscriber."Start with the action moment or right before it," advises Hilary Price whose one-panel comic strips offer insights far beyond humor—they’re...

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2024 / 12 / 3

172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication

Mindfulness can transform your communication and your career.When we react, our instincts and impulses are in the driver’s seat. But when we take the time to reflect, that’s when Marshall Goldsmith says we...

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2024 / 11 / 28

171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Make your audience a part of the story.Great storytellers don't just relay information — they create experiences. As magicians, TikTok influencers,...

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2024 / 11 / 26

170. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Wisdom from the witness stand to the newsstand.The best storytellers might not call themselves storytellers at all. But from litigating in the...

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2024 / 11 / 19

169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count

What makes a great conversation?“Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business School professor and author Alison Wood Brooks. Yet she believes these everyday exchanges are the gateway to deeper...

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2024 / 11 / 14

Launching: Think Fast Talk Smart Premium

Introducing our new Premium membership, designed to enhance communication and career skills with expanded content and tools. Enjoy early access to live events, AMAs (Ask Matt Anything), EQuips—Essential Quick...

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2024 / 11 / 12

168. How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career

Join TFTS Premium - Launching this weekMake your message memorable.“Immediately forgettable” — that’s how Matthew Dicks describes most of the business communication that he encounters. If you want to be...

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2024 / 11 / 5

167. Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication

Be the first to hear about TFTS Premium -> Sign up for our emailBeyond the Big Screen.Every business meeting, product launch, or marketing communication has something in common with your favorite movie: they...

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2024 / 10 / 29

166. Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fail You

Why practice is the key to success.If there’s anyone who knows about performing under pressure, it’s former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck. Whether playing in front of thousands or presenting to ten, his key to...

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2024 / 10 / 22

165. Building Your Personal Brand Makes a Promise: Are You Keeping It?

Create more meaningful communication by defining your audience. Before you even think about communicating a message, defining a brand, or developing a strategy, Seth Godin says you have to ask these...

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2024 / 10 / 15

164. Rethinks: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence Others

The inner workings of social influence and persuasion.Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their framing.For Cialdini, the Regent's Professor Emeritus of...

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2024 / 10 / 15

164. Best of: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence Others

The inner workings of social influence and persuasion.Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their framing.For Cialdini, the Regent's Professor Emeritus of...

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2024 / 10 / 15

164. Rethink: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence Others

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.The inner workings of social influence and persuasion.Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their...

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2024 / 10 / 8

163. Is Your Audience Ignoring You? How Authenticity Creates Connection

How acceptance and authenticity can transform all of our interactions.What’s the key to experiencing deeper connection in our communication? According to Alan Alda, it starts with acceptance — of others and...

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2024 / 10 / 1

162. Unlock Career Opportunities: How to Make the Right Moves

Being present in the moment and staying open to whatever unfolds.We all want to lead lives and careers full of joy and fulfillment. Maggie Baird certainly has, and the key, she says, is to stay open to new...

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2024 / 9 / 26

Bonus: How to Manage Speaking Anxiety the Think Faster, Talk Smarter Way

Gain control over your speaking and excel in your communication.For the first anniversary of his book Think Faster, Talk Smarter, Matt Abrahams shares strategies from the first chapter, focusing on managing...

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2024 / 9 / 26

Bonus episode: How to Manage Speaking Anxiety the Think Faster, Talk Smarter Way

Gain control over your speaking and excel in your communication.For the first anniversary of his book Think Faster, Talk Smarter, Matt Abrahams shares strategies from the first chapter, focusing on managing...

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2024 / 9 / 24

161. Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You’re Talking To

Know your audience and tailor the message for them.In high-stakes communication, every word counts. For Jen Psaki, that means knowing who she’s talking to — so she knows just what to say.As the former White...

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2024 / 9 / 17

160. Best of: How to Communicate Your Gameplan

Why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up.As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not commands, and that strategy can be directed from the...

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2024 / 9 / 17

160. Rethinks: How to Communicate Your Gameplan

Why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up.As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not commands, and that strategy can be directed from the...

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2024 / 9 / 17

160. Rethink: How to Communicate Your Gameplan

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up.As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of...

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2024 / 9 / 10

159. Earn Your Audience: You Can’t Lead If No One’s Listening

What it takes to develop as a leader.Great leaders and great communicators aren't born, they're made. That's why John Hennessy and Tina Seelig, directors of Stanford University’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars, are...

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2024 / 9 / 3

158. Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication

“Acts of trust are the bedrock on which relationships are formed.”There’s a lot in the world to make us cynical about other people and their motives and intentions. But by “trusting loudly,” Professor Jamil...

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2024 / 8 / 27

157. Communicating the Future: Defining Where We Want AI to Take Us

Artificial intelligence can now do a lot of things. But if you’re worried about it taking your place as a communicator, Russ Altman says you need to question why you’re communicating in the first place.Altman...

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2024 / 8 / 20

156. Creative Communication: How Our Design Choices Illustrate Our Values

As a designer, Scott Doorley is interested in how humans create the world around them. It’s a conversation, he says, that starts with the question: What kind of world do we want?Doorley is the academic and...

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2024 / 8 / 13

155. Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly

Navigators know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In charting a course through communication, Susan Rice says the best route is often the most direct.Throughout her career at the...

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2024 / 8 / 6

154. Best of: Communicating Better as a Leader

"In a leadership role, so much more of communication is about connecting with people, establishing shared humanity, motivating them, inspiring them, sometimes challenging them." On August 1,...

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2024 / 8 / 6

154. Rethink: Communicating Better as a Leader

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium."In a leadership role, so much more of communication is about connecting with people, establishing shared humanity, motivating them, inspiring them,...

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2024 / 8 / 6

154. Rethinks: Communicating Better as a Leader

"In a leadership role, so much more of communication is about connecting with people, establishing shared humanity, motivating them, inspiring them, sometimes challenging them." On August 1, 2024, Jonathan D....

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2024 / 7 / 30

153. Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to Communication

Tara VanDerveer has more wins than any other coach in NCAA basketball history. But as she says, motivating and leading teams isn’t about barking orders. Communication, she says, “It starts, number one, with...

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2024 / 7 / 23

152. Fix Your Communication: Why It’s About Connection Over Perfection

“Anything is fixable,” say Frances Frei and Anne Morriss. As cohosts of the Fixable podcast, they’re typically the ones doing the fixing, but on this special episode, they turn to Matt Abrahams for tips on...

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2024 / 7 / 16

151. Get Hired: How the Right Communication Can Advance Your Career

Whether winning over a hiring manager or winning new business, career success often hinges on how we communicate. That’s why Andrew Seaman is on a mission to help people find the words that work — to get...

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2024 / 7 / 9

150. Communication Tips from the Classroom and Around the World

Sometimes, what’s communicated to us can have a big impact on how we communicate to others. This episode explores some of the best communication advice — from experts and Think Fast, Talk Smart listeners...

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2024 / 7 / 9

150. Quick Thinks: Communication Tips from the Classroom and Around the World

Sometimes, what’s communicated to us can have a big impact on how we communicate to others. This “Quick Thinks” episode explores some of the best communication advice — from experts and Think Fast, Talk Smart...

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2024 / 7 / 2

149. Rethink: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“What people regret over time are things they didn’t do. They didn’t take that trip, they didn’t ask that person out on a date. They didn’t start that...

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2024 / 7 / 2

149. Best of: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career

“What people regret over time are things they didn’t do. They didn’t take that trip, they didn’t ask that person out on a date. They didn’t start that business,” says former political speechwriter and author...

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2024 / 7 / 2

149. Rethinks: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career

“What people regret over time are things they didn’t do. They didn’t take that trip, they didn’t ask that person out on a date. They didn’t start that business,” says former political speechwriter and author...

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2024 / 6 / 25

148. Conviction and Compassion: How to Have Hard Conversations

In our personal and professional lives, some conversations are harder than others. To navigate the difficulties of discussing what matters most, Professor Irv Grousbeck says we need the right balance of...

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2024 / 6 / 18

147. Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be

Innovation and disruption aren’t just for organizations. According to Whitney Johnson, we can find new possibilities for personal and professional growth — by disrupting ourselves.As an executive coach,...

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2024 / 6 / 11

146. Self-Talk Refresh: Change Your Internal Dialogue to Communicate Better with Others

Stress can get in the way of our communication with others. To manage our stress, psychologist Jenny Taitz says, we first need to adjust the conversations that we have with ourselves.Taitz is an assistant...

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2024 / 6 / 11

146. Stress Resets: How to Change Your Internal Dialogue to Communicate Better

Stress can get in the way of our communication with others. To manage our stress, psychologist Jenny Taitz says, we first need to adjust the conversations that we have with ourselves.Taitz is an assistant...

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2024 / 6 / 4

145. Best of: The Art of Negotiation, How to Get More of What You Want

Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-or-lose battle, we’re already showing resistance, and setting ourselves up for difficulty. But what if you...

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2024 / 6 / 4

145. Rethink: The Art of Negotiation, How to Get More of What You Want

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-or-lose battle, we’re already showing resistance,...

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2024 / 6 / 4

145. Rethinks: The Art of Negotiation, How to Get More of What You Want

Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-or-lose battle, we’re already showing resistance, and setting ourselves up for difficulty. But what if you...

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2024 / 5 / 28

144. Communicating Through Conflict: How to Reframe Disagreements

Many of us would rank getting along with colleagues as an important aspect of work, but, as Amy Gallo explains, relationships devoid of disagreement can actually be less productive. “While our natural...

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2024 / 5 / 28

144. Communicating Through Conflict: How to Get Along with Anyone

Many of us would rank getting along with colleagues as an important aspect of work, but, as Amy Gallo explains, relationships devoid of disagreement can actually be less productive. “While our natural...

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2024 / 5 / 21

143. Adopt a VC Mindset: Achieve More by Thinking and Communicating Like a Venture Capitalist

In choosing who to date, what job to pursue, or how to invest our money, most people are just looking for a reason to move forward. But according to Professor Ilya Strebulaev, we should be looking for...

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2024 / 5 / 21

143. Adopting a VC Mindset: How to Achieve More by Thinking, and Communicating, Like a Venture Capitalist

In choosing who to date, what job to pursue, or how to invest our money, most people are just looking for a reason to move forward. But according to Professor Ilya Strebulaev, we should be looking for...

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2024 / 5 / 14

142. Power and Persuasion: Live Insights from Stanford Experts

A special live edition from the Me2We event at Stanford, where strategic communications expert and podcast host Matt Abrahams joins four distinguished faculty members from Stanford Graduate School of...

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2024 / 5 / 7

141. An Invitation for Innovation: Why Creativity Is Found, Not Forced

So you want to lead your team toward innovation. Does that require that you know where you’re going? Not according to Linda Hill.Hill is a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School whose...

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2024 / 4 / 30

140. Best of: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience

Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehand – there are specific techniques you can use to respond to these challenging situations without sounding...

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2024 / 4 / 30

140. Rethinks: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience

Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehand – there are specific techniques you can use to respond to these challenging situations without sounding...

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2024 / 4 / 30

140. Rethink: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehand – there are specific techniques you can use to...

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2024 / 4 / 23

139. Lose Yourself: The Secret to Finding Flow and Being Fully Present

Whether you're looking to boost your productivity, find more joy in your work, or simply be more present in the moment, you need flow — and research by Assistant Professor David Melnikoff could help you find...

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2024 / 4 / 16

138. Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication

From the way you communicate, to the way build your life and career, Graham Weaver, MBA ’99, says it’s about “giving yourself permission to fully be yourself. You can never go wrong when you’re saying your...

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2024 / 4 / 9

137. When Words Aren’t Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication

If communication is like painting, words are the primary colors. But to convey deeper meaning, we need a broader color palette, which Dana Carney says requires the mastery of nonverbal communication.We often...

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2024 / 4 / 2

136. The Art of Disagreeing Without Conflict: Navigating the Nuance

Disagreement and conflict may look the same on the surface, but the two concepts are, in fact, very different. According to Julia Minson, knowing how these notions differ is crucial to how you approach...

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2024 / 3 / 26

135. Rethinks: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness

How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question more often — and be more precise in how we answer it.Teoh is a facilitator of the course Interpersonal...

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2024 / 3 / 26

135. Rethink: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why deep connection with others starts by connecting more deeply with ourselves.How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need...

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2024 / 3 / 26

135. Best of: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness

Why deep connection with others starts by connecting more deeply with ourselves.How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question more often — and be more...

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2024 / 3 / 19

134. How to Chat with Bots: The Secrets to Getting the Information You Need from AI

Leveraging AI to unlock new levels of creativity and communication innovationJoin Matt Abrahams with creativity and innovation experts Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar to explore the transformative potential of AI...

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2024 / 3 / 12

133. From Good to Super: How Supercommunicators Unlock the Language of Connection

The ways supercommunicators operate and how to emulate their techniques.Across more than 130 episodes, Think Fast, Talk Smart has touched a lot on what it takes to be a good communicator. But what about...

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2024 / 3 / 5

132. Lean Into Failure: How to Make Mistakes That Work

Effective and productive teams and relationships are based on the ability to communicate safely and to fail successfully. In this episode, Amy Edmondson, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of...

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2024 / 2 / 27

131. Friction Fixing: How to Use Obstacles to Your Advantage

Why resistance isn’t always a bad thing.Friction — that’s Professor Huggy Rao’s metaphor for the forces that hamper workplace efficiency. But as he says, some friction can be helpful — if you know how to use...

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2024 / 2 / 20

130. Best Of: How to Maintain a Powerful Presence in Your Communication

“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, are all powerful tools to strengthen your communication.Host and Stanford Graduate...

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2024 / 2 / 20

130. Rethinks: How to Maintain a Powerful Presence in Your Communication

“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, are all powerful tools to strengthen your communication.Host and Stanford Graduate...

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2024 / 2 / 13

129. Connect Deeply: How to Communicate So People Feel Seen and Heard

New York Times Opinion columnist David Brooks shares how to communicate so that others feel seen, heard, and understood.All too often, we communicate without really connecting. The key to building deep...

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2024 / 2 / 8

128. Four Powerful Principles, Pt 2: Your Questions Answered

Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience.Join Matt Abrahams engaging with his international audience and answering questions that touch upon some of today's most pressing communication...

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2024 / 2 / 8

128. Four Powerful Principles Pt. 2: Your Questions Answered

Join Matt Abrahams engaging with his international audience and answering questions that touch upon some of today's most pressing communication challenges. Matt offers advice on everything from the nuances of...

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2024 / 2 / 6

127. Four Principles of Powerful, Focused Communication, Pt. 1

Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience and shares a lesson around concision, relevance, accessibly, and precision in messaging. In this "masterclass," he emphasizes the communicator's role as a...

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2024 / 2 / 6

127. Four Principles of Powerful, Focused Communication Pt. 1

Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience and shares a lesson around concision, relevance, accessibly, and precision in messaging. In this "masterclass," he emphasizes the communicator's role as a...

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2024 / 1 / 30

126. Making Meetings Meaningful, BONUS: When Face-to-Face Meetings Matter

If we want to generate better ideas, then we need to get people back to the office.In this bonus meetings mini-series episode, we feature an episode from the newest podcast from Stanford Graduate School of...

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2024 / 1 / 30

126. BONUS Making Meetings Meaningful: When Face-to-Face Meetings Matter

If we want to generate better ideas, then we need to get people back to the office.In this bonus meetings mini-series episode, we feature an episode from the newest podcast from Stanford Graduate School of...

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2024 / 1 / 29

Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast (A Sound Bite!)

Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in business and in life. Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of...

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2024 / 1 / 23

125. Making Meetings Meaningful Pt. 2: Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings

How can we make meetings more effective? How can we keep people engaged and interested? Whether it’s in person or on Zoom, here are a few techniques you can use to make your gatherings more meaningful,...

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2024 / 1 / 23

125. Making Meetings Meaningful, Pt. 2: Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings

How can we make meetings more effective? How can we keep people engaged and interested? Whether it’s in person or on Zoom, here are a few techniques you can use to make your gatherings more meaningful,...

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2024 / 1 / 16

124. Making Meetings Meaningful Pt. 1: How to Structure and Organize More Effective Gatherings

Delve into why people hate meetings, explore what hinders their effectiveness, and how to change that. Karin Reed (Emmy Award winner) and Joe Allen (“The Meeting Doctor”) join Matt Abrahams in the first of a...

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2024 / 1 / 16

124. Making Meetings Meaningful, Pt. 1: How to Structure and Organize More Effective Gatherings

Delve into why people hate meetings, explore what hinders their effectiveness, and how to change that. Karin Reed (Emmy Award winner) and Joe Allen (“The Meeting Doctor”) join Matt Abrahams in the first...

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2024 / 1 / 9

123. Rethink: Why Curiosity Is Communication’s Secret Weapon

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask.This week we revisit Matt's discussion with Debra Schifrin about how to craft...

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2024 / 1 / 9

123. Rethinks: Why Curiosity Is Communication’s Secret Weapon

The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask.This week we revisit Matt's discussion with Debra Schifrin about how to craft inquiries that can lead to better communication outcomes....

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2024 / 1 / 9

123. Best Of: Why Curiosity Is Communication’s Secret Weapon

The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask.This week we revisit Matt's discussion with Debra Schifrin about how to craft inquiries that can lead to better communication outcomes....

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2024 / 1 / 2

122. How To Be More Confident and Calm in Your Communication: Managing the "ABC’s" of Communication Anxiety

Research-backed techniques on how to beat nervousness in the moment. In this episode, Matt uses clips from experts from previous TFTS episodes to provide you with several communication anxiety management...

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2023 / 12 / 26

121. Building Trust and Connection: How to Lead with Vulnerability

We have to be vulnerable in order to build trust in our relationships. But as Jacob Morgan says, “Vulnerability for leaders is not the same as it is for everybody else.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk...

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2023 / 12 / 26

121. Building trust and connection: How to lead with vulnerability

We have to be vulnerable in order to build trust in our relationships. But as Jacob Morgan says, “Vulnerability for leaders is not the same as it is for everybody else.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk...

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2023 / 12 / 19

120. A Few of Matt’s Favorite Things: 10 Communication Takeaways from 2023's TFTS Episodes

Matt reflects on all the advice we've heard this season and shares the top 10 takeaways that he’s applying to his own communication:(00:00) Matt's Introduction(00:42) Jonah Berger: episode 80(02:09) Rachel...

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2023 / 12 / 12

119. Best Of: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress

“Stress is natural,” says Alia Crum, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford. “Stress is inevitable when you’re living a life that’s connected with things you care about. And learning how to embrace...

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2023 / 12 / 12

119. Rethinks: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress

“Stress is natural,” says Alia Crum, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford. “Stress is inevitable when you’re living a life that’s connected with things you care about. And learning how to embrace...

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2023 / 12 / 12

119. Rethink: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Stress is natural,” says Alia Crum, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford. “Stress is inevitable when you’re living a life that’s...

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2023 / 12 / 5

118. Maximizing your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You Want

What comes to people’s minds when they think about you, and can you control it? Dorie Clark says you can — with the power of your personal brand.According to Clark, “You have brand equity in your own life.”...

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2023 / 11 / 28

117. Say It, See It: How to Connect Through Conversation

Communication is about so much more than sharing words. As neuroscientist Shane O’Mara explains, communication is about sharing reality.According to O’Mara, “A conversation is where we create a shared reality...

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2023 / 11 / 21

116. Quick Thinks: Don't Sweat the Small Talk

Even if you don’t think you’re a natural, anyone can become proficient at the art of small talk by utilizing the right tactics and behaviors. In this collaboration with Harvard Business Review, strategic...

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2023 / 11 / 14

Best of: How We Set and Achieve Goals

Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most interesting to Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor...

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2023 / 11 / 14

115. Rethink: How We Set and Achieve Goals

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most...

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2023 / 11 / 14

115. Best of: How We Set and Achieve Goals

Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most interesting to Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor...

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2023 / 11 / 14

115. Rethinks: How We Set and Achieve Goals

Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most interesting to Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor of...

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2023 / 11 / 7

114. Communication Means Paying Attention: The Four Pillars of Active Listening

We should all be audience-centric in communication. But, as Julian Treasure contests, we need to take it one step further. What is the listening I am speaking into?, he says, is the question every...

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2023 / 11 / 7

Communication Means Paying Attention: The Four Pillars of Active Listening

We should all be audience-centric in communication. But, as Julian Treasure contests, we need to take it one step further. What is the listening I am speaking into?, he says, is the question every...

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2023 / 10 / 31

113. Missing Something? How to Kick FOMO with Conscious Decision-Making

What if you had that job? What if you were with that person? What if there’s a better option out there? If you find yourself asking these questions, Patrick McGinnis invented the term for what you’re...

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2023 / 10 / 31

Missing Something? How to Kick FOMO with Conscious Decision-Making

What if you had that job? What if you were with that person? What if there’s a better option out there? If you find yourself asking these questions, Patrick McGinnis invented the term for what you’re...

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2023 / 10 / 24

112. From Mistakes to "Missed Takes"

This episode we're sharing an excerpt from Matt Abrahams's audiobook, Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Listen in as Matt explains how to think like a movie director, where a mistake isn't a grave error, but...

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2023 / 10 / 24

From Mistakes to "Missed Takes"

This episode we're sharing an excerpt from Matt Abrahams's audiobook, Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Listen in as Matt explains how to think like a movie director, where a mistake isn't a grave error, but...

Download
2023 / 10 / 16

111. Rethinks: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication

“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.”On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Tina Seelig, the Professor of the Practice at Stanford’s department of management science and...

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2023 / 10 / 16

111. Rethink: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.”On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Tina Seelig, the Professor of the Practice...

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2023 / 10 / 16

Best Of: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication

“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.”On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Tina Seelig, the Professor of the Practice at Stanford’s department of management science...

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2023 / 10 / 16

111. Best Of: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication

“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.”On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Tina Seelig, the Professor of the Practice at Stanford’s department of management science...

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2023 / 10 / 10

TL;DR: How to Write to Capture Busy Readers

Whatever you’re writing, Todd Rogers says most people are too busy to read it. That’s why, he says, “you want to make it as easy as possible for them."Rogers is a professor of public policy at the Harvard...

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2023 / 10 / 10

110. Write It Well: How to Craft an Email to Capture Busy Readers

Whatever you’re writing, Todd Rogers says most people are too busy to read it. That’s why, he says, “you want to make it as easy as possible for them."Rogers is a professor of public policy at the Harvard...

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2023 / 10 / 3

109. Simplify! How to Communicate Complex Ideas Simply and Effectively

You said it. But did they hear it? For Frances Frei, communication is about saying things simply enough for an audience to truly understand.As a professor of technology and operations management at Harvard...

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2023 / 10 / 3

Simplify! How to Communicate Complex Ideas Simply and Effectively

You said it. But did they hear it? For Frances Frei, communication is about saying things simply enough for an audience to truly understand.As a professor of technology and operations management at Harvard...

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2023 / 9 / 26

108. All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well

If you’re reading from your notes, you’re going to miss the magic of the moment. That’s why Adam Tobin, Dan Klein, and Patricia Ryan Madsen bring improv techniques to all their communication.Communication...

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2023 / 9 / 26

All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well

If you’re reading from your notes, you’re going to miss the magic of the moment. That’s why Adam Tobin, Dan Klein, and Patricia Ryan Madsen bring improv techniques to all their communication.Communication...

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2023 / 9 / 19

107. Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

In this episode, executive producer Jenny Luna interviews host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams about the tips and tools in his new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak...

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2023 / 9 / 19

Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

In this episode, executive producer Jenny Luna interviews host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams about the tips and tools in his new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak...

Download
2023 / 9 / 12

Best Of: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication

In January of 2020 we launched Think Fast Talk Smart with the goal of helping people improve their communication skills. Now, with more than 100 episodes and an engaged audience tuning in from more than...

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2023 / 9 / 12

106. Rethink: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In January of 2020 we launched Think Fast Talk Smart with the goal of helping people improve their communication skills. Now, with more than 100...

Download
2023 / 9 / 12

106. Best Of: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication

In January of 2020 we launched Think Fast Talk Smart with the goal of helping people improve their communication skills. Now, with more than 100 episodes and an engaged audience tuning in from more than...

Download
2023 / 9 / 12

106. Rethinks: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication

In January of 2020 we launched Think Fast Talk Smart with the goal of helping people improve their communication skills. Now, with more than 100 episodes and an engaged audience tuning in from more than 200...

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2023 / 9 / 5

Radical Candor: The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Career

Moving forward in our careers often means giving and receiving feedback. But how candid can we be in communicating with others? For Kim Scott, anything less than radical just isn’t enough.An executive,...

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2023 / 9 / 5

105. Radical Candor: The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Career

Moving forward in our careers often means giving and receiving feedback. But how candid can we be in communicating with others? For Kim Scott, anything less than radical just isn’t enough.An executive,...

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2023 / 8 / 29

How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)

"We're wired to look for the path of least resistance and efficiency, and that's normally a good thing, but it can get in the way when we want to make a change," says Wharton professor Katy...

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2023 / 8 / 29

104. How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)

"We're wired to look for the path of least resistance and efficiency, and that's normally a good thing, but it can get in the way when we want to make a change," says Wharton professor Katy...

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2023 / 8 / 22

103. Simple Is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any Audience

The best communicators express ideas simply. And to do that, says Carmine Gallo, “you have to connect with people in a language they understand.”Gallo is an author, communication coach, and lecturer at...

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2023 / 8 / 22

Simple Is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any Audience

The best communicators express ideas simply. And to do that, says Carmine Gallo, “you have to connect with people in a language they understand.”Gallo is an author, communication coach, and lecturer at...

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2023 / 8 / 15

102. Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel

What does it take to have a presence that’s felt by those around us? According to Muriel Wilkins, the answer is simple: Be present.“Having presence, at the root of it, [is] your ability to be present,” says...

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2023 / 8 / 15

Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel

What does it take to have a presence that’s felt by those around us? According to Muriel Wilkins, the answer is simple: Be present.“Having presence, at the root of it, [is] your ability to be present,” says...

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2023 / 8 / 8

We Belong Together: How Communication Fuels Connection and Community

When it comes to emotional and physical wellbeing, Psychology professor Geoffrey Cohen says there is one healthy behavior that outweighs the others: authentic connection. “It is really, really important,” he...

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2023 / 8 / 8

101. We Belong Together: How Communication Fuels Connection and Community

When it comes to emotional and physical wellbeing, Psychology professor Geoffrey Cohen says there is one healthy behavior that outweighs the others: authentic connection. “It is really, really important,” he...

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2023 / 8 / 1

100. Shut Up! How to Communicate Better by Talking Less

What does it take to be a more effective communicator? According to Dan Lyons, it starts with knowing when to shut your mouth.As a journalist, author, and screenwriter, Lyons knows a thing or two about...

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2023 / 8 / 1

Shut Up! How to Communicate Better by Talking Less

What does it take to be a more effective communicator? According to Dan Lyons, it starts with knowing when to shut your mouth.As a journalist, author, and screenwriter, Lyons knows a thing or two about...

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2023 / 7 / 25

Best of: How to Handle Challenging Conversations

Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of...

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2023 / 7 / 25

99. Rethink: How to Handle Challenging Conversations

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of...

Download
2023 / 7 / 25

99. Best of: How to Handle Challenging Conversations

Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of...

Download
2023 / 7 / 25

99. Rethinks: How to Handle Challenging Conversations

Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of...

Download
2023 / 7 / 18

Give It to Me Straight: How to Give Honest, Constructive Feedback

How do we deal with professional blind spots? According to David Dodson, MBA ’87, we need the panoramic perspective of those who work around us.“360 reviews, done properly, are a massive...

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2023 / 7 / 18

98. Give It to Me Straight: How to Give Honest, Constructive Feedback

How do we deal with professional blind spots? According to David Dodson, MBA ’87, we need the panoramic perspective of those who work around us.“360 reviews, done properly, are a massive...

Download
2023 / 7 / 11

No Rules, No Trust: How Accountability Shapes Communication

Communication is like a game. For it to work, each person has to trust that their partner will play by the rules. As Professor Anat Admati says, the same is true for corporations and their stakeholders.“To...

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2023 / 7 / 11

97. No Rules, No Trust: How Accountability Shapes Communication

Communication is like a game. For it to work, each person has to trust that their partner will play by the rules. As Professor Anat Admati says, the same is true for corporations and their stakeholders.“To...

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2023 / 6 / 27

Rock and Role: How Assigning Gender to Inanimate Objects Influences Us

Why is a boat a “she?” Why give names like Alexa or Siri to inanimate pieces of software? According to assistant professor of organizational behavior Ashley Martin, ascribing gender to everyday objects...

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2023 / 6 / 27

96. Rock and Role: How Assigning Gender to Inanimate Objects Influences Us

Why is a boat a “she?” Why give names like Alexa or Siri to inanimate pieces of software? According to assistant professor of organizational behavior Ashley Martin, ascribing gender to everyday objects...

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2023 / 6 / 20

95. The Power of No: How Boundaries Help Us Live More Empowered Lives

Saying no can seem risky. We worry about offending others, damaging relationships, or hurting our own reputation. But as Vanessa Patrick says, no is an empowering word that gives us greater agency in our...

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2023 / 6 / 20

The Power of No: How Boundaries Help Us Live More Empowered Lives

Saying no can seem risky. We worry about offending others, damaging relationships, or hurting our own reputation. But as Vanessa Patrick says, no is an empowering word that gives us greater agency in our...

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2023 / 6 / 13

LEADing ideas: Research-Backed Tips and Tools from Four Stanford Professors

Breaking new ground, Think Fast, Talk Smart steps into the world of live events, bringing together an eager audience of LEAD students from Stanford University and a top-notch panel of former podcast guests:...

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2023 / 6 / 13

94. LEADing ideas: Research-Backed Tips and Tools from Four Stanford Professors

Breaking new ground, Think Fast, Talk Smart steps into the world of live events, bringing together an eager audience of LEAD students from Stanford University and a top-notch panel of former podcast guests:...

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2023 / 6 / 6

93. All the Feels: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness

How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question more often — and be more precise in how we answer it.Teoh is a facilitator of the course Interpersonal...

Download
2023 / 6 / 6

All the Feels: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness

How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question more often — and be more precise in how we answer it.Teoh is a facilitator of the course Interpersonal...

Download
2023 / 5 / 30

92. No Regrets: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career

“What people regret over time are things they didn't do. They didn't take that trip, they didn't ask that person out on a date. They didn't start that business,” says former political speech writer and...

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2023 / 5 / 30

No Regrets: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career

“What people regret over time are things they didn't do. They didn't take that trip, they didn't ask that person out on a date. They didn't start that business,” says former political speech writer and...

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2023 / 5 / 23

91. Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication

We’re often advised not to use “um” or “uh”, or “so” and “you know” in our communication. But linguist Valerie Fridland might argue otherwise. “Language is about how we encode both the linguistic message and...

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2023 / 5 / 23

Um, like, so: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication

We’re often advised not to use “um” or “uh”, or “so” and “you know” in our communication. But linguist Valerie Fridland might argue otherwise. “Language is about how we encode both the linguistic message and...

Download
2023 / 5 / 23

Um, like, so: How filler words can create more connected, effective communication

We’re often advised not to use “um” or “uh”, or “so” and “you know” in our communication. But linguist Valerie Fridland might argue otherwise. “Language is about how we encode both the linguistic message and...

Download
2023 / 5 / 23

91. Um, like, so: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication

We’re often advised not to use “um” or “uh”, or “so” and “you know” in our communication. But linguist Valerie Fridland might argue otherwise. “Language is about how we encode both the linguistic message and...

Download
2023 / 5 / 16

90. Best of: Brains Love Stories – How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People’s Emotions

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist and the host of the PBS series The Brain, to discuss why our brains are...

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2023 / 5 / 16

90. Rethinks: Brains Love Stories – How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People’s Emotions

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist and the host of the PBS series The Brain, to discuss why our brains are wired...

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2023 / 5 / 16

90. Rethink: Brains Love Stories – How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People’s Emotions

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist and the host of the...

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2023 / 5 / 16

Best of: Brains Love Stories – How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People’s Emotions

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist and the host of the PBS series The Brain, to discuss why our brains are...

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2023 / 5 / 9

89. Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections

Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice is exactly the same. “Focus on how you make someone feel more than you focus on the words that you're saying,”...

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2023 / 5 / 9

Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections

Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice is exactly the same. “Focus on how you make someone feel more than you focus on the words that you're saying,”...

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2023 / 5 / 2

88. Rethink: Leading From Home – How to Create the Right Environment for Communication

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.*This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart recently won "Best Business Podcast Episode" at the 2023 Webby Awards.* “You’re not going to hit the mark with...

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2023 / 5 / 2

88. Rethinks: Leading From Home – How to Create the Right Environment for Communication

*This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart won "Best Business Podcast Episode" at the 2023 Webby Awards.* “You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of everybody,” says...

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2023 / 5 / 2

88. Best of: Leading From Home – How to Create the Right Environment for Communication

*This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart recently won "Best Business Podcast Episode" at the 2023 Webby Awards.* “You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of...

Download
2023 / 5 / 2

Best of: Leading From Home – How to Create the Right Environment for Communication

*This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart recently won "Best Business Podcast Episode" at the 2023 Webby Awards.* “You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of...

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2023 / 4 / 25

87. Know What You’re Saying: How Communicating Tests Our Understanding

We’ve all been there — we think we understand something, but when it comes time to explain it to someone else, we flounder.According to Gregory LaBlanc, a lecturer in management at Stanford GSB, attempting to...

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2023 / 4 / 25

Know What You’re Saying: How Communicating Tests Our Understanding

We’ve all been there — we think we understand something, but when it comes time to explain it to someone else, we flounder.According to Gregory LaBlanc, a lecturer in management at Stanford GSB, attempting to...

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2023 / 4 / 18

86. Building Habits: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change

Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are easier to form than most people think,” he says, “If you do it in the right way.”As the founder and director...

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2023 / 4 / 18

Building Habits: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change

Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are easier to form than most people think,” he says, “If you do it in the right way.”As the founder and director...

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2023 / 4 / 11

85. Rethink: Don't Get Lost in Translation

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge, especially without a script or prepared speech.In this...

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2023 / 4 / 11

85. Best of: Don't Get Lost in Translation

Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge, especially without a script or prepared speech.In this "Best of" episode, we revisit Matt's conversation with Kenneth...

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2023 / 4 / 11

85. Rethinks: Don't Get Lost in Translation

Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge, especially without a script or prepared speech.In this "Rethinks" episode, we revisit Matt's conversation with...

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2023 / 4 / 11

Best of – Don't Get Lost in Translation

Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge, especially without a script or prepared speech.In this "Best of" episode, we revisit Matt's conversation with Kenneth...

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2023 / 4 / 4

84. Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us

“The self is incompatible with freedom, the way most people understand it, because the self is a constraint,” says social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior Brian Lowery. “The ‘you’...

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2023 / 4 / 4

Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us

“The self is incompatible with freedom, the way most people understand it, because the self is a constraint,” says social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior Brian Lowery. “The ‘you’...

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2023 / 3 / 28

You Need a Manifesto: How to Communicate Your Convictions

“If you're not living life according to your own values, you're most likely living them according to someone else's,” says Charlotte Burgess-Auburn.Burgess-Auburn is a designer, artist, educator, and the...

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2023 / 3 / 28

83. You Need a Manifesto: How to Communicate Your Convictions

“If you're not living life according to your own values, you're most likely living them according to someone else's,” says Charlotte Burgess-Auburn.Burgess-Auburn is a designer, artist, educator, and the...

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2023 / 3 / 21

It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First

It’s easy to feel like the star of the show when giving a presentation. But according to communication guru Nancy Duarte, you’re not the hero of this story.For Duarte, founder and CEO of world-renowned...

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2023 / 3 / 21

82. It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First

It’s easy to feel like the star of the show when giving a presentation. But according to communication guru Nancy Duarte, you’re not the hero of this story.For Duarte, founder and CEO of world-renowned...

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2023 / 3 / 14

81. Fact or Fiction? How to Communicate When We Hold Different Beliefs

Why does disagreement feel so personal? According to author, journalist, and physician Seema Yasmin, it’s because beliefs aren’t just about what we think, they’re about who we are.“What [people] believe is...

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2023 / 3 / 14

Fact or Fiction? How to Communicate When We Hold Different Beliefs

Why does disagreement feel so personal? According to author, journalist, and physician Seema Yasmin, it’s because beliefs aren’t just about what we think, they’re about who we are.“What [people] believe is...

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2023 / 3 / 8

Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others

Words have impact. But when it comes to enchanting audiences and captivating with communication, Jonah Berger, PhD ’07, says some words are more potent than others.Berger is a Wharton School professor and an...

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2023 / 3 / 8

80. Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others

Words have impact. But when it comes to enchanting audiences and captivating with communication, Jonah Berger, PhD ’07, says some words are more potent than others.Berger is a Wharton School professor and an...

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2023 / 2 / 28

Equity by Design: How Diversity Ignites Creativity

If we want healthier companies, schools, and teams associate professor of organizational behavior Adina Sterling says investing in the health of marginalized groups “can have enormous spillover effects for...

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2023 / 2 / 28

79. Equity by Design: How Diversity Ignites Creativity

If we want healthier companies, schools, and teams associate professor of organizational behavior Adina Sterling says investing in the health of marginalized groups “can have enormous spillover effects for...

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2023 / 2 / 14

Three Guiding Principles for Successful Communication

To celebrate our 75th episode, we hosted a live "Ask Me Anything" event with Matt. In this global gathering, listeners called in with questions ranging from making a first impression and giving negative...

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2023 / 2 / 14

78. Three Guiding Principles for Successful Communication

To celebrate our 75th episode, we hosted a live "Ask Me Anything" event with Matt. In this global gathering, listeners called in with questions ranging from making a first impression and giving negative...

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2023 / 2 / 7

77. Quick Thinks: AI Has Entered The Chat – A "Conversation" with ChatGPT

In this "Quick Thinks" episode, host Matt Abrahams interviews ChatGPT, an AI natural language processing chatbot, about its purpose, sources of information, ethical considerations, and the importance of human...

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2023 / 2 / 7

Quick Thinks: AI Has Entered The Chat – A "Conversation" with ChatGPT

In this "Quick Thinks" episode, host Matt Abrahams interviews ChatGPT, an AI natural language processing chatbot, about its purpose, sources of information, ethical considerations, and the importance of human...

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2023 / 2 / 1

Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast | Season 4 Trailer

Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of strategic communication at Stanford GSB, as he sits down with experts from across campus to discuss public speaking anxiety, speaking off the cuff, nailing a Q&A, and...

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2023 / 1 / 24

76. Change My Mind: Using “Pre-suasion” to Influence Others

Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their framing.For Cialdini, the Regent's Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University,...

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2023 / 1 / 24

Change My Mind: Using “Pre-suasion” to Influence Others

Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their framing.For Cialdini, the Regent's Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University,...

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2023 / 1 / 10

Love & Money: How to Talk About Big Decisions Together

Do love and money mix? Labor economist and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor emerita Myra Strober says absolutely. “Separating money and love is not a good idea. I have had 40 years to think...

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2023 / 1 / 10

75. Love & Money: How to Talk About Big Decisions Together

Do love and money mix? Labor economist and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor emerita Myra Strober says absolutely. “Separating money and love is not a good idea. I have had 40 years to think...

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2022 / 12 / 20

74. Rethinks: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences

In one of our most popular episodes, professor of Marketing Baba Shiv shares his research on how emotions affect decision making. Knowing this, and applying techniques to help guide our audience through...

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2022 / 12 / 20

74. Rethink: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In one of our most popular episodes, professor of Marketing Baba Shiv shares his research on how emotions affect decision making. Knowing this, and...

Download
2022 / 12 / 20

Best Of: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences

In one of our most popular episodes, professor of Marketing Baba Shiv shares his research on how emotions affect decision making. Knowing this, and applying techniques to help guide our audience...

Download
2022 / 12 / 20

74. Best Of: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences

In one of our most popular episodes, professor of Marketing Baba Shiv shares his research on how emotions affect decision making. Knowing this, and applying techniques to help guide our audience...

Download
2022 / 12 / 6

73. Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested Than Interesting

As a communication expert, Alison Wood Brooks spends a lot of time talking about talking. But, as she says, listening is just as important.“My course is called TALK,” says Wood Brooks, who is the O'Brien...

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2022 / 12 / 6

73. Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested than Interesting

As a communication expert, Alison Wood Brooks spends a lot of time talking about talking. But, as she says, listening is just as important.“My course is called TALK,” says Wood Brooks, who is the O'Brien...

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2022 / 12 / 6

Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested than Interesting

As a communication expert, Alison Wood Brooks spends a lot of time talking about talking. But, as she says, listening is just as important.“My course is called TALK,” says Wood Brooks, who is the O'Brien...

Download
2022 / 11 / 22

Quick Thinks: Talk It Out – How to Successfully Negotiate and Resolve Conflict

When it comes to negotiating and managing conflict, Professor Michele Gelfand says it’s time to get creative.Everybody has wants and needs. So what do we do when our priorities compete with those of other...

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2022 / 11 / 22

72. Quick Thinks: Talk It Out – How to Successfully Negotiate and Resolve Conflict

When it comes to negotiating and managing conflict, Professor Michele Gelfand says it’s time to get creative.Everybody has wants and needs. So what do we do when our priorities compete with those of other...

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2022 / 11 / 8

71. Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your Gameplan

As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not commands.Sørensen says strategy can be directed from the C-suite, but it doesn’t have to be. “Lots of...

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2022 / 11 / 8

Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your Gameplan

As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not commands.Sørensen says strategy can be directed from the C-suite, but it doesn’t have to be. “Lots of...

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2022 / 10 / 25

70. Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the Best

What’s the secret to coming up with good ideas? For Jeremy Utley, it’s about generating as many as possible. The director of executive education at the Stanford d.school, Utley says, “very few problems...

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2022 / 10 / 25

Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the Best

What’s the secret to coming up with good ideas? For Jeremy Utley, it’s about generating as many as possible. The director of executive education at the Stanford d.school, Utley says, “very few problems...

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2022 / 10 / 11

69. Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication

Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage.“What I have come to value about...

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2022 / 10 / 11

Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication

Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage.“What I have come to value about...

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2022 / 9 / 27

68. Directive vs. Dialogue: Communicating Better as a Leader

As the dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business, Dean Jon Levin knows the importance of crafting the right message and sharing it in the right way. But, as he says, one of the biggest challenges for any...

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2022 / 9 / 27

Directive vs. Dialogue: Communicating Better as a Leader

As the dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business, Dean Jon Levin knows the importance of crafting the right message and sharing it in the right way. But, as he says, one of the biggest challenges for any...

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2022 / 9 / 13

What Is Normal? How Culture Affects Communication Styles

Why do we drive on only one side of the road? Why don’t we sing in libraries? Why wear a swimsuit?For Professor Michele Gelfand, it all comes down to culture. As a cross-cultural psychologist, Gelfand is...

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2022 / 9 / 13

67. What Is Normal? How Culture Affects Communication Styles

Why do we drive on only one side of the road? Why don’t we sing in libraries? Why wear a swimsuit?For Professor Michele Gelfand, it all comes down to culture. As a cross-cultural psychologist, Gelfand is...

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2022 / 8 / 30

66. Rethink: Lessons from Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman to Help You Hack your Speaking Anxiety

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,”...

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2022 / 8 / 30

Best Of: Lessons from Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman to Help You Hack your Speaking Anxiety

“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman associate professor of neurobiology...

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2022 / 8 / 30

66. Rethinks: Lessons from Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman to Help You Hack your Speaking Anxiety

“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman associate professor of neurobiology...

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2022 / 8 / 30

66. Best Of: Lessons from Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman to Help You Hack your Speaking Anxiety

“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman associate professor of neurobiology...

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2022 / 8 / 16

Ties That Bind: Why Remote and Hybrid Teams Need the Right Connection

“We need to be much more adaptive in the way we think about hybrid work,” says Michael Arena. “Experiment, experiment, experiment.”Innovation relies on teams connecting in very specific ways. But are those...

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2022 / 8 / 16

65. Ties That Bind: Why Remote and Hybrid Teams Need the Right Connection

“We need to be much more adaptive in the way we think about hybrid work,” says Michael Arena. “Experiment, experiment, experiment.”Innovation relies on teams connecting in very specific ways. But are those...

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2022 / 8 / 2

64. Rethinks: Techniques for Managing Your Reputation

How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. But we can build the reputation we want through conscious communication.On this episode, strategic...

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2022 / 8 / 2

64. Best of: Techniques for Managing Your Reputation

How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. But we can build the reputation we want through conscious communication.On this podcast episode, strategic...

Download
2022 / 8 / 2

64. Rethink: Techniques for Managing Your Reputation

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. But we can build the reputation we want through...

Download
2022 / 8 / 2

Best of: Techniques for Managing Your Reputation

How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. But we can build the reputation we want through conscious communication.On this podcast episode, strategic...

Download
2022 / 7 / 18

63. Cheap Talk: What Economics Has to Say About Communication

Your words — are they credible? Or are they what Paul Oyer calls “cheap talk?”According to professor of economics Paul Oyer, how our words align with our actions isn’t just a matter of communication, but a...

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2022 / 7 / 18

Cheap Talk: What Economics Has to Say About Communication

Your words — are they credible? Or are they what Paul Oyer calls “cheap talk?”According to professor of economics Paul Oyer, how our words align with our actions isn’t just a matter of communication, but a...

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2022 / 7 / 5

62. Rethink: Summer Learning Series, How Humor Can Be a Secret Weapon in Communication

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In the kickoff to our Summer Learning Series, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes. This interview features Stanford GSB faculty members...

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2022 / 7 / 5

Best Of: Summer Learning Series, How Humor Can Be a Secret Weapon in Communication

In the kickoff to our Summer Learning Series, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes. This interview features Stanford GSB faculty members Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas and gives specific insights...

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2022 / 7 / 5

62. Best Of: Summer Learning Series, How Humor Can Be a Secret Weapon in Communication

In the kickoff to our Summer Learning Series, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes. This interview features Stanford GSB faculty members Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas and gives specific insights...

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2022 / 7 / 5

62. Rethinks: Summer Learning Series, How Humor Can Be a Secret Weapon in Communication

In the kickoff to our Summer Learning Series, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes. This interview features Stanford GSB faculty members Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas and gives specific insights...

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2022 / 6 / 21

Courage, Ambiguity, Belonging and Data: How to Design Your Communication for Success

All communication comes from a place of creativity and creativity is rooted in design. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, strategic communications lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams...

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2022 / 6 / 21

61. Courage, Ambiguity, Belonging and Data: How to Design Your Communication for Success

All communication comes from a place of creativity and creativity is rooted in design. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, strategic communications lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams...

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2022 / 6 / 7

Communicating Uncertainty: How to Connect With Your Audience, Even When The Answers Aren’t Clear

“It's not reassuring when we don't know the answers to critically important questions involved in health and wellbeing. But it's far more of a problem if we try to pretend we do.” In this episode...

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2022 / 6 / 7

60. Communicating Uncertainty: How to Connect With Your Audience, Even When The Answers Aren’t Clear

“It's not reassuring when we don't know the answers to critically important questions involved in health and wellbeing. But it's far more of a problem if we try to pretend we do.” In this episode...

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2022 / 5 / 24

59. From Dreaming to Doing: How We Set and Achieve Goals

Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most interesting to Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor...

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2022 / 5 / 24

From Dreaming to Doing: How We Set and Achieve Goals

Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most interesting to Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor...

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2022 / 5 / 10

58. Forgiveness: How the Right Communication Repairs Relationships

In relationships between imperfect people, mistakes are inevitable. And when we find ourselves with damaged connections, it’s a specific kind of communication that can help us make amends.Fred Luskin is the...

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2022 / 5 / 10

Forgiveness: How the Right Communication Repairs Relationships

In relationships between imperfect people, mistakes are inevitable. And when we find ourselves with damaged connections, it’s a specific kind of communication that can help us make amends.Fred Luskin is the...

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2022 / 4 / 26

Are You Listening?: How to Stay Open and Curious to Other People’s Ideas

“Listening actively and deeply happens when I genuinely believe that the person who's speaking has intrinsic worth and brings a perspective that I lack and need.”This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart...

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2022 / 4 / 26

57. Are You Listening?: How to Stay Open and Curious to Other People’s Ideas

“Listening actively and deeply happens when I genuinely believe that the person who's speaking has intrinsic worth and brings a perspective that I lack and need.”This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart...

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2022 / 4 / 12

56. Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really Stick

“Anyone can make a complicated thing sound complicated. It takes real skill to make it sound simple.”This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart features Steve Blank, seasoned entrepreneur,...

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2022 / 4 / 12

Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really Stick

“Anyone can make a complicated thing sound complicated. It takes real skill to make it sound simple.”This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart features Steve Blank, seasoned entrepreneur,...

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2022 / 3 / 29

Ideas & Empathy: How to Design and Communicate with Others in Mind

“Very often, you are not designing for yourself. And you kind of have to get out of your own way to effectively design with others’ needs in mind.”In this podcast episode, lecturer Matt Abrahams is joined by...

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2022 / 3 / 29

55. Ideas & Empathy: How to Design and Communicate with Others in Mind

“Very often, you are not designing for yourself. And you kind of have to get out of your own way to effectively design with others’ needs in mind.”In this podcast episode, lecturer Matt Abrahams is joined by...

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2022 / 3 / 15

54. Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values

“A mistake that some leaders make is to assume that the people in your organization share your core values. Some of the time some of them do, but there's a bunch who don't, and those are the most difficult...

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2022 / 3 / 15

Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values

“A mistake that some leaders make is to assume that the people in your organization share your core values. Some of the time some of them do, but there's a bunch who don't, and those are the most difficult...

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2022 / 3 / 1

Step Up and Stand Out: How to Create the Right Environment for Communication

“You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of everybody,” says Jonathan Levav, the King Philanthropies Professor of Marketing. “That’s critical to create an environment...

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2022 / 3 / 1

53. Step Up and Stand Out: How to Create the Right Environment for Communication

“You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of everybody,” says Jonathan Levav, the King Philanthropies Professor of Marketing. “That’s critical to create an environment...

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2022 / 2 / 16

Communicating Our Mistakes: How to Avoid Common Flaws and Make Better Decisions

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams sits down with finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen to talk about their new podcast, All Else Equal.Think...

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2022 / 2 / 16

52. Communicating Our Mistakes: How to Avoid Common Flaws and Make Better Decisions

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams sits down with finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen to talk about their new podcast, All Else Equal.Think...

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2022 / 2 / 10

51. We Asked, You Answered: Celebrating our 50th Episode with your Anxiety Management Plans

In this 50th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and executive producer Jenny Luna share the winners' plans from our Confident Communicator Challenge and offer new, research-backed...

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2022 / 2 / 10

We Asked, You Answered: Celebrating our 50th Episode with your Anxiety Management Plans

In this 50th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and executive producer Jenny Luna share the winners' plans from our Confident Communicator Challenge and offer new, research-backed...

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2022 / 2 / 2

Telling Good Stories: How to Use the Elements of Narrative to Keep Listeners Engaged

“Make them want to turn the page,” says Paula Moya, a professor at Stanford University and author of The Social Imperative: Race, Close Reading, and Contemporary Literary Criticism. In this episode of...

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2022 / 2 / 2

50. Telling Good Stories: How to Use the Elements of Narrative to Keep Listeners Engaged

“Make them want to turn the page,” says Paula Moya, a professor at Stanford University and author of The Social Imperative: Race, Close Reading, and Contemporary Literary Criticism. In this episode of...

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2022 / 1 / 18

Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively

“We have to make data emotional because emotions are what drive us to act,” says Chip Heath, a professor of organizational behavior and author of the new book, Making Numbers Count: The Art of...

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2022 / 1 / 18

49. Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively

“We have to make data emotional because emotions are what drive us to act,” says Chip Heath, a professor of organizational behavior and author of the new book, Making Numbers Count: The Art of...

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2022 / 1 / 5

Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication Anxiety

“Eighty five percent of people report being nervous about speaking in public, and I believe the other 15% are lying,” says Matt Abrahams, lecturer in Strategic Communication and podcast host. “What is it...

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2022 / 1 / 5

48. Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication Anxiety

“Eighty five percent of people report being nervous about speaking in public, and I believe the other 15% are lying,” says Matt Abrahams, lecturer in Strategic Communication and podcast host. “What is it...

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2021 / 12 / 14

Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder

“Great founders are great storytellers,” says Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Stephanos Zenios in this “Quick Thinks” episode. Zenios is the director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies...

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2021 / 12 / 14

47. Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder

“Great founders are great storytellers,” says Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Stephanos Zenios in this “Quick Thinks” episode. Zenios is the director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies...

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2021 / 12 / 3

46. Stay Creative: How to Keep Your Ideas Fresh and Practical

“To be creative, ideas must be both novel and useful. That’s the definition that we use in creativity research,” says Justin Berg, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School...

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2021 / 12 / 3

Stay Creative: How to Keep Your Ideas Fresh and Practical

“To be creative, ideas must be both novel and useful. That’s the definition that we use in creativity research,” says Justin Berg, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School...

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2021 / 11 / 18

Recipes From the “Communication Kitchen”: How to Handle Three Common Challenges This Holiday Season

In each episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams asks his guests the same question: “What are the first three ingredients in a successful communication...

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2021 / 11 / 18

45. Recipes From the “Communication Kitchen”: How to Handle Three Common Challenges This Holiday Season

In each episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams asks his guests the same question: “What are the first three ingredients in a successful communication...

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2021 / 11 / 11

44. Act Like a Leader: How Lessons From The Theater Can Help You Step into Power

"Leadership is a role that you play, like a part you play in other people’s lives. And [your] expression of that role is your responsibility as a leader,” says Stanford GSB lecturer Melissa Jones Briggs....

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2021 / 11 / 11

Act Like a Leader: How Lessons From The Theater Can Help You Step into Power

"Leadership is a role that you play, like a part you play in other people’s lives. And [your] expression of that role is your responsibility as a leader,” says Stanford GSB lecturer Melissa Jones Briggs....

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2021 / 10 / 28

43. Get Psyched: How Time and Situations Shape Our Communication

“Social psychologists believe that if we want to understand our own behavior and the behavior of others, the first thing we have to ask or notice is, ‘What is the situation in which they are performing, in...

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2021 / 10 / 28

Get Psyched: How Time and Situations Shape Our Communication

“Social psychologists believe that if we want to understand our own behavior and the behavior of others, the first thing we have to ask or notice is, ‘What is the situation in which they are performing, in...

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2021 / 10 / 15

42. Space, Pace, and Grace: How to Handle Challenging Conversations

Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of...

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2021 / 10 / 15

Space, Pace, and Grace: How to Handle Challenging Conversations

Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of...

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2021 / 9 / 30

Speak like a Founder: How Successful Entrepreneurs Communicate to Their Teams

“Part of teamwork is dating,” says Stefanos Zenios, The Investment Group of Santa Barbara Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Operations, Information & Technology. “Dating each other to see whether...

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2021 / 9 / 30

41. Speak like a Founder: How Successful Entrepreneurs Communicate to Their Teams

“Part of teamwork is dating,” says Stefanos Zenios, The Investment Group of Santa Barbara Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Operations, Information & Technology. “Dating each other to see whether...

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2021 / 9 / 16

40. Mindset Matters: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress

“Stress is natural, stress is inevitable when you're living a life that's connected with things you care about. And learning how to embrace it, learning how to work with it is really what helps us thrive and...

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2021 / 9 / 16

Mindset Matters: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress

“Stress is natural, stress is inevitable when you're living a life that's connected with things you care about. And learning how to embrace it, learning how to work with it is really what helps us thrive and...

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2021 / 9 / 2

Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist and the host of the PBS series The Brain, to discuss why our...

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2021 / 9 / 2

39. Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist and the host of the PBS series The Brain, to discuss why our...

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2021 / 8 / 19

38. The New Normal: How Hybrid Work Actually Works

“One of the things I think is really exciting about all this, and perhaps a little bit frightening, is nobody actually knows how to do it. It is not something that we’ve ever done before. And I’ve studied a...

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2021 / 8 / 19

The New Normal: How Hybrid Work Actually Works

“One of the things I think is really exciting about all this, and perhaps a little bit frightening, is nobody actually knows how to do it. It is not something that we’ve ever done before. And I’ve studied a...

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2021 / 8 / 5

37. Be Better: How Communication Catalyzes Business Transformation

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB Lecturer Robert Siegel sits down with Matt Abrahams to discuss the role of communication in helping businesses to adapt and transform and his new...

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2021 / 8 / 5

Be Better: How Communication Catalyzes Business Transformation

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB Lecturer Robert Siegel sits down with Matt Abrahams to discuss the role of communication in helping businesses to adapt and transform and his new...

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2021 / 7 / 15

Perfecting Teamwork: Building High-Performing Teams By Encouraging Learning

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sara Singer, a professor of organizational behavior (by courtesy) at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a professor of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine,...

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2021 / 7 / 15

36. Perfecting Teamwork: Building High-Performing Teams By Encouraging Learning

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sara Singer, a professor of organizational behavior (by courtesy) at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a professor of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine,...

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2021 / 6 / 25

Leading From The Hot Seat: How To Communicate Under Pressure

“I say sometimes that leadership is a journey into yourself. It’s self-renewal, self-reflection, self-confidence. It’s going to bed kind of scratching your head and saying, “Man, I’m not as good,”...

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2021 / 6 / 25

35. Leading From The Hot Seat: How To Communicate Under Pressure

“I say sometimes that leadership is a journey into yourself. It’s self-renewal, self-reflection, self-confidence. It’s going to bed kind of scratching your head and saying, “Man, I’m not as good,”...

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2021 / 6 / 3

How We Gain — Or Give Away — Authority While Speaking

“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, are all tools to increase the strength of your communication. In this episode...

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2021 / 6 / 3

34. How We Gain — Or Give Away — Authority While Speaking

“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, are all tools to increase the strength of your communication. In this episode...

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2021 / 5 / 13

33. Hacking your Speaking Anxiety: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently.

“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman, associate professor of neurobiology...

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2021 / 5 / 13

Hacking your Speaking Anxiety: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently.

“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman, associate professor of neurobiology...

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2021 / 4 / 22

32. Speech That Empowers: How to Encourage Growth and Resilience in a Younger Audience

“Communication is such a delicate dance and kids need to emerge from childhood having practiced,” says Julie Lythcott-Haims, former associate vice provost of undergraduate education Stanford...

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2021 / 4 / 22

Speech That Empowers: How to Encourage Growth and Resilience in a Younger Audience

“Communication is such a delicate dance and kids need to emerge from childhood having practiced,” says Julie Lythcott-Haims, former associate vice provost of undergraduate education Stanford...

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2021 / 4 / 16

31. Quick Thinks: How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communication

It has been over a year since millions of people have switched from office work to working from home. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and host Matt Abrahams highlights guests’ top...

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2021 / 4 / 16

Quick Thinks: How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communication

It has been over a year since millions of people have switched from office work to working from home. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and host Matt Abrahams highlights guests’ top...

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2021 / 3 / 31

Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts Conflict

“Communication, conflict, and cooperation are intertwined in a multitude of ways,” says Nir Halevy, associate professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. In this episode...

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2021 / 3 / 31

30. Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts Conflict

“Communication, conflict, and cooperation are intertwined in a multitude of ways,” says Nir Halevy, associate professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. In this episode...

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2021 / 3 / 11

29. Question Everything: Why Curiosity Is Communication’s Secret Weapon

The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturers Matt Abrahams and Debra Schifrin discuss...

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2021 / 3 / 11

Question Everything: Why Curiosity Is Communication’s Secret Weapon

The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturers Matt Abrahams and Debra Schifrin discuss...

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2021 / 2 / 18

Building Strong Relationships: How to Effectively Communicate in Your Professional and Personal Life

Recognizing the importance of forging connections with others — and learning how to build those bonds in real time — is the focus of a course that’s been the most popular elective at Stanford GSB for decades:...

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2021 / 2 / 18

28. Building Strong Relationships: How to Effectively Communicate in Your Professional and Personal Life

Recognizing the importance of forging connections with others — and learning how to build those bonds in real time — is the focus of a course that’s been the most popular elective at Stanford GSB for decades:...

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2021 / 1 / 28

27. Psychology Trumps Technology: How to Be a Better Communicator on Social Media

“Psychology trumps technology,” says Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab and professor in the Department of Communication at Stanford.“If you want to understand what's going on in...

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2021 / 1 / 28

Psychology Trumps Technology: How to Be a Better Communicator on Social Media

“Psychology trumps technology,” says Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab and professor in the Department of Communication at Stanford.“If you want to understand what's going on in...

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2021 / 1 / 8

Writing to Win: How to Quickly Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged

“The reader is impatient,” says Glenn Kramon, Stanford GSB lecturer in management and editor at the New York Times. “Start with the most important conclusion and then explain how you got there.”On the latest...

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2021 / 1 / 8

26. Writing to Win: How to Quickly Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged

“The reader is impatient,” says Glenn Kramon, Stanford GSB lecturer in management and editor at the New York Times. “Start with the most important conclusion and then explain how you got there.”On the latest...

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2020 / 12 / 4

Quick Thinks: All Effective Communication Must Start With This

As we look back on more than 20 interviews with Think Fast, Talk Smart guests, we’ve heard one piece of advice over and again: Know Your Audience. This wisdom echoes what research clearly shows:...

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2020 / 12 / 4

25. Quick Thinks: All Effective Communication Must Start With This

As we look back on more than 20 interviews with Think Fast, Talk Smart guests, we’ve heard one piece of advice over and again: Know Your Audience. This wisdom echoes what research clearly shows:...

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2020 / 11 / 20

24. Feelings First: How emotion shapes our communication, decisions, and experiences

“Something like 90 to 95% of our decisions and behaviors are constantly being shaped the non-consciously by emotional brain system.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Professor of Marketing Baba Shiv...

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2020 / 11 / 20

24. Feelings First: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences

“Something like 90 to 95% of our decisions and behaviors are constantly being shaped the non-consciously by emotional brain system.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Professor of Marketing Baba Shiv...

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2020 / 11 / 20

Feelings First: How emotion shapes our communication, decisions, and experiences

“Something like 90 to 95% of our decisions and behaviors are constantly being shaped the non-consciously by emotional brain system.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Professor of Marketing Baba Shiv...

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2020 / 11 / 6

Look Within: How to Lead with Self Awareness and Vulnerability

“Effective is being able to achieve your goals, which is important, but there are plenty of people who achieve their goals that most of us would find unworthy. So the question what does it take to be a good...

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2020 / 11 / 6

23. Look Within: How to Lead with Self Awareness and Vulnerability

“Effective is being able to achieve your goals, which is important, but there are plenty of people who achieve their goals that most of us would find unworthy. So the question what does it take to be a good...

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2020 / 10 / 22

Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis

“Knowing your values gives you a beacon, or a lamppost, that can inform how you’re going to prioritize your actions.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of...

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2020 / 10 / 22

22. Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis

“Knowing your values gives you a beacon, or a lamppost, that can inform how you’re going to prioritize your actions.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of...

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2020 / 10 / 9

Words Matter: How to Make Your Communication Inclusive

What way can the language we use reinforce existing stereotypes and biases? In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sarah Soule, Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Organizational Behavior sits down...

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2020 / 10 / 9

21. Words Matter: How to Make Your Communication Inclusive

What way can the language we use reinforce existing stereotypes and biases? In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sarah Soule, Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Organizational Behavior sits down...

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2020 / 9 / 25

Question Your Questions: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication

“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Tina Seelig, the Professor of the Practice in Stanford’s department of Management Science and...

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2020 / 9 / 25

20. Question Your Questions: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication

“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Tina Seelig, the Professor of the Practice in Stanford’s department of Management Science and...

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2020 / 9 / 11

19. Showing Your Smile From Behind a Mask: How Culture and Emotion Impact Communication

“In companies, you’re interacting with other people who come from different cultural contexts, and in order to be effective, you have to understand how much of your own communication and other people’s...

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2020 / 9 / 11

Showing Your Smile From Behind a Mask: How Culture and Emotion Impact Communication

“In companies, you’re interacting with other people who come from different cultural contexts, and in order to be effective, you have to understand how much of your own communication and other people’s...

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2020 / 8 / 28

Managing in the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

“The less time you can spend dwelling on your mistakes, the more mental energy you can devote to doing what you need to do in that moment.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Christian Wheeler, the...

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2020 / 8 / 28

18. Managing in the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

“The less time you can spend dwelling on your mistakes, the more mental energy you can devote to doing what you need to do in that moment.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Christian Wheeler, the...

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2020 / 8 / 13

Think Fast: You Asked, We Answered

We asked listeners to send in their communication conundrums and ended up with an inbox full of thoughtful, specific questions. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host and Stanford GSB lecturer...

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2020 / 8 / 13

17. Think Fast: You Asked, We Answered

We asked listeners to send in their communication conundrums and ended up with an inbox full of thoughtful, specific questions. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host and Stanford GSB lecturer...

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2020 / 7 / 31

16. Quick Thinks: How to Craft Your Body Language When Confronting Objections

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Knowing what to say to a skeptical audience is paramount, but how can your body language communicate empathy, openness, and power? In this “Quick...

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2020 / 7 / 31

16. Quick Think: How to Craft Your Body Language When Confronting Objections

Knowing what to say to a skeptical audience is paramount, but how can your body language communicate empathy, openness, and power? In this “Quick Think” episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, we revisit Matt...

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2020 / 7 / 31

Quick Think: How to Craft Your Body Language When Confronting Objections

Knowing what to say to a skeptical audience is paramount, but how can your body language communicate empathy, openness, and power? In this “Quick Think” episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, we revisit Matt...

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2020 / 7 / 16

15. The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You Want

Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-or-lose battle, we’re already showing resistance, and setting ourselves up for difficulty. But what if...

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2020 / 7 / 16

The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You Want

Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-or-lose battle, we’re already showing resistance, and setting ourselves up for difficulty. But what if...

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2020 / 7 / 2

14. Be Better At Work: How to Communicate Better With Coworkers and Employees

Most of the work we do requires coordinating and collaborating with others. But how can we ensure the benefits of working with others, while avoiding conflict that’s inherent to communicating within groups?In...

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2020 / 7 / 2

Be Better At Work: How to Communicate Better With Coworkers and Employees

Most of the work we do requires coordinating and collaborating with others. But how can we ensure the benefits of working with others, while avoiding conflict that’s inherent to communicating within groups?In...

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2020 / 6 / 22

13. Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your Communication

Humor does more than just make people laugh. It allows you to connect with your audience, diffuse tension, elevate status, and compel others to your point of view. Humor can also help you and your message...

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2020 / 6 / 22

Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your Communication

Humor does more than just make people laugh. It allows you to connect with your audience, diffuse tension, elevate status, and compel others to your point of view. Humor can also help you and your message...

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2020 / 6 / 5

12. It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communicate Power

Power exists in every relationship — whether we like that idea or not — and to be effective in any role, power needs to be understood. In this episode, Matt Abrahams sits down with Professor of...

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2020 / 6 / 5

It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communicate Power

Power exists in every relationship — whether we like that idea or not — and to be effective in any role, power needs to be understood. In this episode, Matt Abrahams sits down with Professor of...

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2020 / 5 / 21

11. The Science of Influence: How to Persuade Others And Hold Their Attention

We’re constantly bombarded with competing images, messaging, and bids for our attention. That's why as communicators, it’s increasingly important to know what engages people.In this episode of Think Fast,...

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2020 / 5 / 21

The Science of Influence: How to Persuade Others And Hold Their Attention

We’re constantly bombarded with competing images, messaging, and bids for our attention. That's why as communicators, it’s increasingly important to know what engages people.In this episode of Think Fast,...

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2020 / 5 / 7

10. High-Stakes Communication: How to Manage Anxiety When Speaking in Front of Others

Most people feel nervous in situations such as speaking in front of a class, pitching a big idea, or giving a toast, yet research-backed techniques can help manage both the symptoms and sources of our...

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2020 / 5 / 7

High-Stakes Communication: How to Manage Anxiety When Speaking in Front of Others

Most people feel nervous in situations such as speaking in front of a class, pitching a big idea, or giving a toast, yet research-backed techniques can help manage both the symptoms and sources of our...

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2020 / 4 / 23

9. Quick Think: How Being Present-Oriented Improves Communication

Although it may feel counter intuitive, letting go of our prepared notes and focusing on the present can help us communicate more effectively.In this "Quick Thinks" podcast episode, host Matt Abrahams speaks...

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2020 / 4 / 23

9. Quick Thinks: How Being Present-Oriented Improves Communication

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Although it may feel counter intuitive, letting go of our prepared notes and focusing on the present can help us communicate more effectively.In this...

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2020 / 4 / 23

Quick Think: How Being Present-Oriented Improves Communication

Although it may feel counter intuitive, letting go of our prepared notes and focusing on the present can help us communicate more effectively.In this "Quick Thinks" podcast episode, host Matt Abrahams speaks...

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2020 / 4 / 10

Don't Get Lost in Translation: How Non-Native Speakers Can Communicate With Confidence

Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge. In this podcast episode, host Matt Abrahams speaks with Ken Romeo, the Associate Director for the Stanford Language...

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2020 / 4 / 10

8. Don't Get Lost in Translation: How Non-Native Speakers Can Communicate With Confidence

Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge. In this podcast episode, host Matt Abrahams speaks with Ken Romeo, the Associate Director for the Stanford Language...

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2020 / 4 / 3

Quick Think: Use This Framework to Speak up in Virtual Meetings

We've all been in the situation where you have something important to contribute to a meeting and you don't know how to insert your thoughts. On this "Quick Thinks" episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart,...

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2020 / 4 / 3

7. Quick Think: Use This Framework to Speak up in Virtual Meetings

We've all been in the situation where you have something important to contribute to a meeting and you don't know how to insert your thoughts. On this "Quick Thinks" episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart,...

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2020 / 4 / 3

7. Quick Thinks: Use This Framework to Speak up in Virtual Meetings

We've all been in the situation where you have something important to contribute to a meeting and you don't know how to insert your thoughts. On this "Quick Thinks" episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, podcast...

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2020 / 3 / 27

6. Quick Thinks: Communicating and Leading Virtually

Leading successful meetings remotely and being a strong speaker on-screen require specific skills. Communicating effectively has to do with your presence, ability to leverage tools, and your audience...

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2020 / 3 / 27

Quick Think: Communicating and Leading Virtually

Leading successful meetings remotely and being a strong speaker on-screen require specific skills. Communicating effectively has to do with your presence, ability to leverage tools, and your...

Download
2020 / 3 / 27

6. Quick Think: Communicating and Leading Virtually

Leading successful meetings remotely and being a strong speaker on-screen require specific skills. Communicating effectively has to do with your presence, ability to leverage tools, and your...

Download
2020 / 3 / 12

5. From Monologue to Dialogue: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience

Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehand – there are specific techniques you can use to respond to these challenging situations without sounding...

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2020 / 3 / 12

From Monologue to Dialogue: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience

Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehand – there are specific techniques you can use to respond to these challenging situations without sounding...

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2020 / 2 / 27

The Journey to Mastery: How Self Reflection Can Improve Communication

What does it mean to truly master communication? How can we speak and write for the most impact? In this podcast episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturers JD...

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2020 / 2 / 27

4. The Journey to Mastery: How Self Reflection Can Improve Communication

What does it mean to truly master communication? How can we speak and write for the most impact? In this podcast episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturers JD...

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2020 / 2 / 11

When Knowing Too Much Can Hurt Your Communication: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible

As communicators, we often need to take complex information (e.g., financial, technical, or scientific) and make it more understandable for our audience – we’re experts and they likely aren’t. But...

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2020 / 2 / 11

3. When Knowing Too Much Can Hurt Your Communication: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible

As communicators, we often need to take complex information (e.g., financial, technical, or scientific) and make it more understandable for our audience – we’re experts and they likely aren’t. But...

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2020 / 1 / 30

Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your Reputation

How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. But we can build the reputation we want through conscious communication. On this podcast episode, strategic...

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2020 / 1 / 30

2. Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your Reputation

How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. But we can build the reputation we want through conscious communication. On this podcast episode, strategic...

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2020 / 1 / 15

Speaking Without a Net: How to Master Impromptu Communication

Most professional communication is spontaneous in nature: it’s providing feedback in the moment, answering questions, introducing people. On this podcast episode, Strategic Communication lecturer Matt...

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2020 / 1 / 15

1. Speaking Without a Net: How to Master Impromptu Communication

Most professional communication is spontaneous in nature: it’s providing feedback in the moment, answering questions, introducing people. On this podcast episode, Strategic Communication lecturer Matt...

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2020 / 1 / 10

Introducing Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast

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