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Matt Abrahams

Think Fast Talk Smart

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.

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

The hidden habits behind calm, confident communicators.

What does it really take to become a more confident communicator? In this special collaboration between Think Fast, Talk Smart and Headspace, host Matt Abrahams shares practical, mindful strategies for speaking with clarity, managing anxiety, listening more deeply, and connecting more authentically with others.

Across five short lessons, Matt outlines how to calm speaking nerves, become a better listener, structure your ideas clearly, engage any audience, and strengthen your presence — whether you’re leading a meeting, giving a presentation, or navigating everyday conversations.

Whether you’re speaking to a crowd or having a one-on-one conversation, these tools can help you communicate with more confidence, calm, and connection.

Episode Reference Links:

Headspace • 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(03:36) - Speaking Anxiety
(08:42) - Mindful Communication
(13:51) - Clarity & Structure
(17:28) - Creating Engagement
(24:53) - Building Presence
(29:55) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

292. Headspace Habits: Lessons for Calm, Confident Communication

What keeps us from being more social? Nick Epley calls it a “mind-reading mistake.”

We all think about what others think, particularly what they think about us. The problem, says Nick Epley, is that we’re almost always wrong.

Epley is a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and author of A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection. What keeps people from engaging authentically, connecting deeply, and enjoying a meaningful social life? It comes down to an error of social cognition, “A mind-reading mistake,” Epley says. “If I don't think you want to talk to me, I won't try. And I'll never find out that I'm wrong about that.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Epley and host Matt Abrahams explore why we hold ourselves back from meaningful conversation, and what happens when we don’t. From taking an interest in others to sharing more freely about ourselves, Epley shares strategies for being a little more social — and making your life considerably better as a result.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Nick Epley • Nick’s Book: 
A Little More SocialEp.133 From Good to Super: How Supercommunicators Unlock the Language of Connection 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(01:31) - Problems with Body Language
(04:15) - Perspective Getting
(07:14) - Asking Better Questions
(08:41) - Moving Beyond Small Talk
(10:13) - Why We Hold Back
(11:33) - Advice For Introverts
(15:17) - A Little More Social
(18:34) - The Final Three Questions
(24:45) - Conclusion

291. Hello, Stranger: Why Curiosity Beats Charisma Every Time

How can we approach aging with more joy, empathy, and meaningful connection?

We often talk about lifespan, or how long we live, but Kerry Burnight believes the more important question is how fully we live along the way.

Burnight is a gerontologist, former professor of geriatric medicine, and author of Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half. Drawing from decades of experience working with older adults, she discusses why adopting a “growth aging mindset” can change the way we think about getting older, and why autonomy matters just as much as safety in conversations with aging loved ones. As she puts it, “it’s not just the big moments, it’s the little moments, too.”

In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Burnight and host Matt Abrahams explore the role of listening, storytelling, and empathy in effective communication across generations. Through memorable examples and actionable advice, Burnight offers a compassionate framework for talking about — and thinking about — aging differently.

Episode Reference Links:

Dr. Kerry Burnight • Kerry’s Book: 
JoyspanEp.176 From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations • 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(03:27) - Aging Mindsets
(05:55) - Give of the Day
(09:23) - Difficult Aging Conversations
(18:39) - Explaining Complex Ideas
(20:08) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

290. Quick Thinks: How to Have Better Conversations About Aging

A full life isn’t about the quantity of time, but the quality.

Our lifespan might describe how long we live, but it doesn’t say anything about how well we live. For that, Kerry Burnight says, we need a different measure: joyspan.

Burnight is a gerontologist, former professor of geriatric medicine, and author of Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half. In her decades working with older adults, she noticed a gap: “I would have a lot of people who lived long lives and were in pretty darn good physical health. They were miserable.” That observation led her to dig into the research on well-being — and to find what it takes to enjoy a long life, not just endure one.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Burnight joins host Matt Abrahams to explore her joyspan framework, explaining how growth, connection, adapting, and giving contribute to a full life. From changing the conversation around aging to communicating more effectively across generations, Burnight offers practical wisdom for living better at any age.

Episode Reference Links:

Dr. Kerry Burnight • Kerry’s Book: 
JoyspanEp.176 From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations • 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(03:55) - Defining Joyspan
(06:02) - The Joyspan Matrix
(11:38) - Learning to Adjust
(12:32) - The Power of Stories
(16:13) - Internalized Ageism
(19:15) - The Final Three Questions
(26:28) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

289. Better with Age: Why Joy Matters More Than Longevity

The Tiger Sisters share the keys to collaborative communication.

Good marketing communication doesn’t just go one way. As the Tiger Sisters know, building a brand is about bringing your audience into the conversation.

Cherie and Jean Luo are sisters, tech and finance experts, and co-hosts of the Tiger Sisters Podcast, a show about money, power, and love. Their approach to content creation mirrors how they think about communication: know your audience, stay curious, and embrace feedback. “We often think about our community as the co-producers of our episodes,” Cherie says. “Each episode we put out is like a mini product. Once we put it out, we can get feedback on whether or not people are resonating.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, the Tiger Sisters join host Matt Abrahams, sharing how they’ve built a thriving brand through collaboration — with each other and with their audience. From simplifying complex topics to crafting messages that resonate, the Luo’s insights show why the best communication is about healthy back and forth.

Episode Reference Links:

Jean LuoCherie Brooke LuoTiger Sisters Podcast

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(03:42) - The Tiger Sisters Mission
(05:18) - Going Viral on TikTok
(07:08) - Explaining Complex Topics
(09:04) - Learning from the Audience
(11:13) - Working as Sisters & Co-Founders
(14:13) - Reinventing Careers
(15:39) - Family Expectations
(17:28) - Personal Branding
(20:05) - Teaching Through Storytelling
(22:10) - The Final Three Questions
(27:32) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

288. Turn Your Audience into Co-Creators: Lessons from the Tiger Sisters

If you want to do your best, you’d better get your rest.

The quality of your sleep fundamentally affects the quality of your communication. Communicating well, Dr. Cheri Mah says, starts with being well-rested.

“Sleep impacts nearly every aspect of how you function,” says Mah, a sleep physician, adjunct lecturer at Stanford Sleep Medicine Center, and internationally recognized expert on sleep and human performance. In her research and work, particularly with elite athletes and professional sports teams, she explores the link between getting rest and doing our best. “If you are getting quality sleep, you can think more clearly, react under pressure, make good judgment calls, have more patience, be more empathetic,” she says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Mah and host Matt Abrahams explore strategies for better sleep, from bedtime routines to paying off “sleep debt” to the “nappuccino” — a caffeine-fueled power nap. Whether you struggle to sleep or can nod off at any time or place, Mah’s insights reveal why doing our best requires getting our rest.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Dr. Cheri MahEp.183 Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication • 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
********
Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(01:15) - Sleep & Performance
(02:29) - Better Sleep Habits
(04:34) - Quieting a Racing Mind
(06:07) - Dr. Mah’s Night Routine
(07:37) - Sleep Extension
(09:10) - Preparing for Big Events
(10:02) - The Nappuccino
(11:39) - Managing Jet Lag
(14:14) - Chronotypes Explained
(16:18) - Starting the Day with Sleep
(17:58) - The Final Three Question
(22:15) - Conclusion

287. Give It a Rest to Do Your Best: The Sleep Habits That Catalyze Your Communication

Confidence, clarity, and speaking when it matters.

Confident communication isn’t about being the loudest in the room. For Susie Wolff, it’s about displaying assurance before you even open your mouth.

Wolff is a former professional race car driver, managing director of F1 Academy, and author of Driven. Throughout her career in one of the world's most male-dominated industries, she’s learned that confidence starts within. “If you want others to believe in you, you need to at least have confidence in your own abilities,” she says. By letting her capabilities speak for themselves, Wolff felt she didn’t have to. “I was never the loudest voice in the room. But I made sure when I did speak that I really had something to say.”

In this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, co-hosted by Matt Abrahams and Tiggy Valen, Wolff shares how inner drive creates outer clarity. From delivering hard truths with empathy to achieving buy-in for a bold vision, Wolff offers lessons on communicating with confidence, even in the face of stiff competition.

Episode Reference Links:

Susie Wolff • Susie’s Book: 
DrivenTiggy ValenPaddock ProjectEp.235 Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk • 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(03:56) - Early Motorsport Passion
(04:51) - Finding Your Voice
(06:23) - Building Confidence
(07:18) - Becoming a Leader
(09:38) - Cross-Cultural Communication
(10:47) - Building F1 Academy
(15:10) - Giving Tough Feedback
(18:22) - Embracing Discomfort
(20:51) - The Final Three Questions
(27:42) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

286. Driven to Succeed: Turn Doubt Into Your Competitive Advantage

The secret to better communication isn’t adding more—it’s knowing what to leave out.
Communication isn’t clearer when you say more — it’s clearer when you say less. As David Epstein puts it, we’re wired to keep adding, even when “the better solution is often what you take away.” The challenge isn’t having ideas; it’s choosing which one actually matters.

Epstein is an author and investigative journalist known for his New York Times bestseller Range. In his latest book, Inside the Box, he explores how constraints can sharpen creativity and elevate thinking, a theme that reflects his broader work at the intersection of psychology, performance, and innovation. “If you assume someone will only remember one thing,” he explains, “decide what that is before you start talking.” That simple constraint forces clarity — and changes how we communicate entirely.

In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Epstein and host Matt Abrahams unpack why limits make us better communicators and thinkers. From the dangers of “featuritis” to the creative breakthroughs sparked by restriction, they explore how blocking familiar paths leads to more original ideas and communication. 

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

David Epstein • David’s Book: 
Inside the BoxEp.108 All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well • 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(03:36) - Featuritis & Overload
(05:15) - Constraints & Creativity
(09:25) - Chunking Information
(10:46) - Familiarity & Innovation
(11:48) - Clarifying Through Feedback
(14:19) - Defining the Problem
(15:41) - Precluding Default Approaches
(17:21) - The Final Three Questions
(25:04) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

285. Think Inside the Box: How Constraints Spark Creativity and Communication

What stops you from speaking up when it matters most?

This week on Think Fast Talk Smart, we’re featuring a special episode from TED Business. Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact.

TED Business is a podcast from TED that offers you a new idea and perspective for any business conundrum — whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life — because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or here.

Episode Reference Links:

TED Business • 

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(03:49) - If Not You, Then Who?
(05:04) - The Cost of Silence
(06:28) - Avoiding Conflict at Work
(07:23) - Why Speaking Up Matters
(08:33) - Building Courage Through Practice
(09:43) - A Moral Compass for Conversations
(13:04) - Handling Tough Feedback
(18:43) - QORC Apology Framework
(20:33) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

How To Speak Up — When You Don’t Want To | From TED Business

Simple strategies to think faster, stay authentic, and communicate with confidence. 

How do you stay genuine without sounding rehearsed? What helps when your thoughts are moving faster than your words? And how can you handle high-pressure moments with more ease?

Strong communication isn’t about having the right lines ready—it’s about being present enough to respond with clarity. In the moment, it’s easy to rush, overthink, or lose your structure. But with the right tools, you can slow down, connect, and communicate with intention.

In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares insights from a live session with the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community. Through real audience questions, he outlines practical ways to manage nerves, adapt to different situations, and build communication habits that last.

Episode Reference Links:

Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community • 

Connect:

Premium Signup • >>>> 
Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback • >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
Episode Transcripts • >>>
 Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning • >>>
 FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart • >>>
 LinkedIn • ,
 Instagram • , 
YouTubeMatt Abrahams • >>>
 LinkedIn

Chapters:

 • (00:00) - Introduction 

 • (03:43) - Email Small Talk 

 • (06:20) - Slowing Down Your Thinking 

 • (08:30) - Controlling Speaking Pace 

 • (10:37) - Authenticity vs. Adapting 

 • (15:38) - Scripted Talks 

 • (18:30) - Handling No Questions 

 • (22:05) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

292. Headspace Habits: Lessons for Calm, Confident Communication

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