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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

“Communication is the number one way to remove friction.”

If communication is the key to connection, then removing friction is what makes every interaction work. According to Vanessa Van Edwards, the most effective communicators aren’t just skilled with words—they know how to align their gestures, body language, and presence to make others feel at ease. A behavioral researcher and bestselling author of Captivate and Cues, Van Edwards studies the subtle signals that shape how we are perceived. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, she joins Matt Abrahams to explore the hidden factors that influence communication, from purposeful gestures and expressive body language to the words, images, and visual cues that build trust and credibility.

Takeaways:

 • Great communication goes beyond words. Gestures, facial expressions, visual cues, and even the language we use in emails and meetings can either create friction or build trust, clarity, and connection.
 • Focus on the other person, not yourself. By applying the Platinum Rule—treating others as they want to be treated—and intentionally putting people at ease, communicators can foster stronger relationships, deeper conversations, and greater influence.

Activity:

 • Practice the Platinum Rule. Before your next important conversation, meeting, or email, take one minute to answer: 
“What does this person need from me right now?” • Then tailor your communication to their priorities, concerns, and preferred style—not your own. Afterward, reflect on how that shift changed the quality of the interaction.

Episode Reference Links:

Vanessa Van Edwards • Vanessa’s Books: 
Cues • / 
CaptivateEp.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal 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

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(01:01) - The Importance of Strategic Communication
(01:45) - The Power of Gestures
(04:10) - A Readiness Check for Speakers
(05:56) - Over-Signaling vs. Under-Signaling
(08:18) - Dangerous Words in Communication
(12:27) - Imagery Cues & First Impressions
(15:03) - Virtual Backgrounds Matter
(17:33) - The Platinum Rule
(19:01) - The Final Three Questions
(23:59) - Conclusion

301. Trust at First Sight: Create More Meaningful Connections

Celebrating 300 episodes with listener questions from around the world. 

In this special 300th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams celebrates a major milestone with a live Ask Matt Anything session featuring questions from listeners around the world—and a few from the team behind the show. He introduces a new communication framework, PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point), before tackling topics ranging from word recall and public speaking nerves to storytelling, AI’s impact on communication, giving difficult feedback, and using gestures more effectively. Along the way, he shares practical strategies, favorite communication techniques, and lessons learned from 300 episodes dedicated to helping people communicate with confidence, clarity, and connection.

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

Episode Reference Links:

Ep.250 How to Navigate Conflict: Tools For Productive 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

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(01:13) - PREP Framework
(04:13) - Improving Word Recall
(07:10) - Public Speaking Nerves
(11:35) - Concise vs. Detailed Communication
(13:39) - AI & Communication Skills
(16:12) - Storytelling Fundamentals
(18:51) - Lingo vs. Jargon
(20:22) - Difficult Feedback Conversations
(22:36) - The Power of Paraphrasing
(25:07) - Effective Gestures
(29:28) - 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. 

Upwork is a one-stop platform to find, hire, and pay expert freelancers. Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

300. Matt’s Answers for Better Speaking and Leadership

How to communicate with impact when the stakes are high.

Communication isn't about getting information out. It's about making sure it gets through. In an era of fragmented attention and endless platforms, the challenge isn't finding ways to speak—it's finding ways to connect.

According to Farnaz Khadem, Vice President of University Communications at Stanford, great communicators start with three questions: What's the goal? Who's the audience? And what does the data tell us? Whether guiding a university through a crisis, helping experts share their ideas with broader audiences, or deciding where a story should be told, she believes effective communication centers around understanding people. "People want to know what's actually happening," she says. "And if what is happening is you don't know what is happening, you have to tell people you don't know."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Khadem joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss the importance of preparation, transparency, and active listening when communicating during uncertainty. From navigating the opportunities and risks of AI to crafting stories that create genuine connection, she shares practical lessons for building trust, adapting to changing audiences, and communicating effectively when the stakes are highest.

Episode Reference Links:

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

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
(01:01) - Communication Fundamentals
(02:21) - Choosing the Right Channel
(04:01) - Building Communication Networks
(05:13) - Coaching Better Communicators
(07:07) - Crisis Preparation
(09:10) - Crisis Response
(11:03) - The Power of Storytelling
(12:51) - AI in Communications
(15:52) - The Final Three Questions
(21:06) - 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.

To see what Scribe could look like for your organization, head to scribe.how/thinkfast and mention Think Fast for your first month of Scribe Capture free.

299. Choose The Right Channel: How Stanford Finds Its Voice

The nonverbal habits that make you look confident, composed, and authentic before you even speak.

How you carry yourself can shape how others perceive your confidence, credibility, and authenticity—often before you say a word. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares practical, research-backed techniques for strengthening your presence through body language, posture, gestures, and eye contact. Learn how to stand and sit with confidence, move with purpose, use your hands effectively, and avoid common nonverbal habits that can distract from your message. Whether you're presenting to an audience, leading a meeting, or navigating everyday conversations, these simple strategies can help you communicate with greater composure and impact. 

Episode Reference Links:

Ep.12 It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communica…Ep.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal 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

 Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(00:37) - Be Big, Balanced, and Still
(01:31) - The Right Speaking Stance
(02:16) - Moving with Purpose
(03:07) - Presence While Seated
(03:53) - What to Do with Your Hands
(04:38) - Gesturing Beyond Your Shoulders
(05:27) - Effective Eye Contact
(06:12) - Thinking While Speaking
(06:57) - Bringing It All Together
(07:44) - Practice Through Recording
(08:30) - Conclusion

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

Upwork is a one-stop platform to find, hire, and pay expert freelancers. Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

298. Quick Thinks: How to Look Confident, Composed, and Credible

Why the most effective communicators help people see not just what's changing, but why it matters to them.

For Sinéad Bovell, effective communication isn’t just about explaining what’s coming next—it’s about giving people the confidence and agency to engage with it.
Bovell is a futurist, founder of the tech education company WAYE, and an expert advisor to the United Nations AI Advisory Body. Known for making complex topics accessible to broad audiences, she has spent years helping leaders, organizations, and young people understand the implications of artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies. Her approach starts with a simple principle: meet people where they are and connect big ideas to what matters in their lives. “If you scare people too much, if you disempower them, they do unsubscribe from the very activities you need them to lean into.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Bovell joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how to communicate complexity without overwhelming people and why skills like adaptability and judgment are becoming more valuable in the age of AI. From making emerging technologies more accessible to building trust through relevance and empathy, they discuss what it takes to help audiences engage with change rather than fear it.

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

Episode Reference Links:

Sinéad Bovell

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
(01:00) - Explaining Complex Ideas
(03:48) - The Future of Soft Skills
(06:52) - Talking About AI Without Fear
(10:33) - Storytelling for Young Audiences
(12:46) - Reaching Young Audiences
(15:01) - Career Pivots & Reinvention
(16:53) - Becoming a Better Communicator
(18:59) - The Final Three Questions
(25:09) - Conclusion

297. Agency Over Anxiety: Communicating in Uncertain Times

Practical communication strategies you can use immediately at work and beyond.

How do you speak up when a conversation is moving faster than you can think? What should you do when emotions threaten to derail your listening? And how can you give honest feedback to a boss who doesn’t seem interested in hearing it?

In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams answers listener questions from the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community on some of the most challenging workplace communication scenarios. From practical techniques for inserting your ideas into fast-paced meetings to strategies for managing emotions and delivering feedback upward, Matt shares actionable advice to help you communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and impact.

Episode Reference Links:

Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community • 

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
(00:34) - Speaking Up in Meetings
(03:14) - Listening Through Emotion
(06:30) - Giving Feedback Upward
(10:07) - Conclusion

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

Upwork is a one-stop platform to find, hire, and pay expert freelancers. Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

296. AMA: Speaking Out, Staying Grounded, and Managing Up

Why the best leaders treat uncertainty as a chance to learn, not a failure to avoid.

Most companies are built to grow. Far fewer are built to stay true to their purpose as they do.

Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, creator of the Lean Startup movement, and author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great. For Ries, innovation starts with a simple reality: nobody can predict the future. “If you're going to do something fundamentally new,” he says, “how are we supposed to forecast” what success will look like? Instead of relying on certainty, leaders should focus on learning. “If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ries and host Matt Abrahams explore how leaders can communicate through uncertainty, turn setbacks into valuable insights, and build cultures rooted in trust. From the power of the build-measure-learn feedback loop to the importance of making “deposits” in a company’s culture bank, Ries shares practical strategies for creating organizations that innovate, adapt, and stay true to their values as they grow.

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

Episode Reference Links:

Eric Ries • Eric’s Book: 
IncorruptibleEp.56 Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really StickEp.54 Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values • 

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
(00:53) - Lean Startup Fundamentals
(02:35) - Business Plans vs. Reality
(05:03) - Learning from Failure
(06:43) - Why Companies Go Bad
(09:21) - The Culture Bank
(12:23) - The Final Three Questions
(18:43) - Conclusion

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

Upwork is a one-stop platform to find, hire, and pay expert freelancers. Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

295. Culture Club: Communicating Values That Scale

Do you really win the negotiation if it means losing the relationship?

You might think that successful negotiation means getting what you want here and now. But Stan Christensen says this short-sighted view is selling many negotiators short.

Christensen is a professional negotiator, host of the All Things Negotiation podcast, and instructor of one of Stanford's most popular courses on the subject. His core insight: most negotiations happen with people you’ll see again — which means success isn’t about claiming victory, it’s about building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. “Most people think of negotiation statically,” he says. “It's you and I. There's a fixed pie. We're trying to get more for ourself and less for the other party. In reality, 95% of negotiations are gonna be with people you see again, so I define success as contributing to the value of the long-term relationship.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Christensen and host Matt Abrahams explore what it takes to negotiate well — from the power of listening and asking questions to managing emotions and communicating for collaboration. Whether you're negotiating a business deal or just deciding where to go to dinner, Christensen shows why every negotiation is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship.

Episode Reference Links:

Stan ChristensenAll Things Negotiation PodcastEp.15 The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You WantEp.204 Tough Talks: Turn Tension Into Trust • 

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
(00:43) - What Is Negotiation?
(01:22) - Negotiating Every Day
(02:24) - The Power of Listening
(03:57) - Asking Better Questions
(05:58) - Handling Emotions
(06:56) - Authentic Emotion
(07:54) - Body Language Matters
(08:45) - Collaboration in Negotiation
(10:23) - Framing Conversations
(11:48) - Setting the Agenda
(13:10) - Co-Creating Structure
(14:46) - A Common Negotiation Mistake
(15:25) - Why Start a Podcast
(16:29) - Learning from Guests
(17:26) - The Final Three Questions
(22:53) - Conclusion

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

Upwork is a one-stop platform to find, hire, and pay expert freelancers. Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

294. Ask & You Shall Receive: Questions For Better Negotiations

What it takes to lead as a communicator and communicate as a leader.

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions — it’s about how you communicate them. As Matt Abrahams puts it, “Communication is operationalized leadership.”

At a recent Me2We event, in connection with Stanford GSB's Executive Education LEAD program, Abrahams held a live discussion with four of the podcast’s most popular guests: Celine Teoh, facilitator of the GSB’s famous Interpersonal Dynamics course; Huggy Rao, organizational behavior professor and co-author of The Friction Project; legendary Stanford basketball coach Tara VanDerveer; and Dave Dodson, lecturer and author of The Manager's Handbook.

In this special live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, the panel shares frameworks and lessons for leading and communicating more effectively. From Teoh’s five A’s for inviting dissent to Rao’s warning against “jargon monoxide,” from VanDerveer’s relationship-first approach to Dodson’s case for leading like a teacher, this conversation explores what it takes to communicate as a leader — and lead as a communicator.

Episode Reference Links:

Celine TeohTara VanDerveerHuggy Rao • Huggy’s Book: 
The Friction ProjectDavid Dodson • David’s Book: 
The Manager’s HandbookEp.194 Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1 • 

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:

293. 5 Leadership Lessons From Stanford: Me2We 2026

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
(00:46) - Speaking Anxiety
(05:52) - Mindful Communication
(11:01) - Clarity & Structure
(14:38) - Creating Engagement
(20:14) - Building Presence
(25:16) - Conclusion

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

Upwork is a one-stop platform to find, hire, and pay expert freelancers. Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

292. Headspace Habits: Lessons for Calm, Confident Communication

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 fascinated by social environments and their effects on human behavior, particularly, how strictly people adhere to social norms.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Gelfand joins host and lecturer of strategic communications Matt Abrahams to explain why some cultures are “tight” and “have strict social norms,” while others are “loose,” with “more permissibility of behavior.”

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

Episode Reference Links:

Threatening Language Can Be Contagious. This New Tool Tracks Its SpreadWhy the Pandemic Slammed “Loose” Countries Like the U.S.Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our WorldMindset Quiz: How Tight or Loose Are You?

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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. 

Upwork is a one-stop platform to find, hire, and pay expert freelancers. Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

67. What Is Normal? How Culture Affects Communication Styles

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