204. Tough Talks: Turn Tension Into Trust
Tue, 20 May 2025
How to have the conversations that are most difficult — and most important.Before you can have har...
203. No Script, No Problem: Final Secrets to Speaking Under Pressure (Bonus)
Thu, 15 May 2025
Stay sharp, sound confident, and speak with impact — even when you're put on the spot.Communicatin...
202. Own Your Brand: How to Communicate with Presence and Impact
Tue, 13 May 2025
The power of creating the reputation you want to have.Whether you know it or not, you have a brand. ...
201. Ballpark to the Boardroom: How Alex Rodriguez Hits a Communication Home Run
Tue, 06 May 2025
Alex Rodriguez shares why in sports and business, striking out is just a part of the game.From the b...
200. Four Keys for Focused Communication: Live Lessons from Our 200 Episodes
Tue, 29 Apr 2025
This live Q&A with host Matt Abrahams celebrates 200 episodes of Think Fast, Talk Smart.In an ag...
199. Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3)
Tue, 22 Apr 2025
This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating ef...
198. Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3)
Thu, 17 Apr 2025
This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating ef...
197. Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3)
Tue, 15 Apr 2025
This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot.Communicating ef...
196. Ditch the Dictionary: Communicate Confidently Through Connection
Tue, 08 Apr 2025
Communication isn’t about perfect word choice, it’s about connecting with others.For native spea...
195. Q&A on Conflict, Confidence, and Connection: Me2We 2025 Part 2
Thu, 03 Apr 2025
Stanford experts answer live questions on leadership, authenticity, and communication.What happens w...
194. Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1
Tue, 01 Apr 2025
Effective leadership begins with the way you communicate.Leading with impact isn’t about speaking ...
193. Conquer Questions: ADDing Value To Your Answers
Tue, 25 Mar 2025
Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answer...
192. Quick Thinks: How to Supersize Your Stories
Thu, 20 Mar 2025
How to craft compelling stories that captivate, inspire, and make an impact.Great storytelling isn't...
191. Memorable Messages: Choose Words That Capture Attention and Stay Remembered
Tue, 18 Mar 2025
How to craft communication that your audience will remember.Why do some messages stick, while others...
190. Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already Want
Tue, 11 Mar 2025
How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change.If you want to be a changemaker, you’ll have to...
189. Numbers Need Narrative: Use Data to Influence and Inspire
Tue, 04 Mar 2025
Why numbers are only as compelling as the narratives we attach to them.Facts and figures can be your...
188. Mind Reading 101: To Know What Your Audience Thinks, Just Ask
Tue, 25 Feb 2025
How to really know what your audience is thinking.To be a great communicator, you have to get out of...
187. Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career
Thu, 20 Feb 2025
Rethink career success by testing, adapting, and staying open to unexpected opportunities.Career pla...
186. Own Your Impact: How to Communicate Your Personal Power
Tue, 18 Feb 2025
Why good communication starts with tapping into your power.Impactful communication isn’t just abou...
185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication
Tue, 11 Feb 2025
How to captivate an audience and make your message stick.Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat...
184. Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your Career
Thu, 06 Feb 2025
Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career.Most of us know that career growt...
183. Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication
Tue, 04 Feb 2025
Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication.Stress, anxiety, nervousn...
182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
Thu, 30 Jan 2025
Clarify your purpose — and stop wasting time.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on wh...
181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
Tue, 28 Jan 2025
Why connection is the key to a life well lived.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on wh...
180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
Thu, 23 Jan 2025
Why creating happiness in the future starts today.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on...
179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
Tue, 21 Jan 2025
A double definition of happiness — and how to cultivate both parts.The new year gives us an opport...
178. Navigating Chaos and Uncertainty: The Power of Transparency and Empathy
Tue, 14 Jan 2025
Clear communication during times of uncertainty.Whether leading people through a 15-minute meeting o...
177. Don’t Resolve, Evolve: Top 10 Lessons For 2025
Tue, 07 Jan 2025
Ten essential communication strategies designed to elevate your skills.2024 has been an incredible y...
176. From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations
Tue, 31 Dec 2024
Age diversity and cross-generational synergy can transform an organization.Most of us know age diver...
Ask Matt Anything (AMA) 1: Trust, Paraphrasing, and Nonverbal Cues
Thu, 26 Dec 2024
Enjoy this preview of our first Ask Matt Anything (AMA).We are excited to introduce this special edi...
175. Mastering Toasts and Tributes: Making Your Words Count
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
Crafting impactful toasts for every occasion."Almost reflexively, most of us focus in the moment on ...
174. Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments
Tue, 17 Dec 2024
Turn any meeting or get-together into a chance for deep connection and collaboration.Whether you’r...
173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays
Tue, 10 Dec 2024
Master holiday conversations.The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, com...
Between the Lines: In Storytelling, Simplify to Amplify - Premium Sampler
Thu, 05 Dec 2024
Visit fastersmarter.io/premium to become a Premium subscriber."Start with the action moment or right...
172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication
Tue, 03 Dec 2024
Mindfulness can transform your communication and your career.When we react, our instincts and impuls...
171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2
Thu, 28 Nov 2024
Make your audience a part of the story.Great storytellers don't just relay information — they crea...
170. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1
Tue, 26 Nov 2024
Wisdom from the witness stand to the newsstand.The best storytellers might not call themselves story...
169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count
Tue, 19 Nov 2024
What makes a great conversation?“Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business Scho...
Launching: Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
Thu, 14 Nov 2024
Introducing our new Premium membership, designed to enhance communication and career skills with exp...
168. How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career
Tue, 12 Nov 2024
Make your message memorable.“Immediately forgettable” — that’s how Matthew Dicks describes m...
167. Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication
Tue, 05 Nov 2024
Beyond the Big Screen.Every business meeting, product launch, or marketing communication has somethi...
166. Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fail You
Tue, 29 Oct 2024
Why practice is the key to success.If there’s anyone who knows about performing under pressure, it...
165. Building Your Personal Brand Makes a Promise: Are You Keeping It?
Tue, 22 Oct 2024
Create more meaningful communication by defining your audience. Before you even think about communi...
164. Rethinks: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence Others
Tue, 15 Oct 2024
The inner workings of social influence and persuasion.Want to change someone’s mind? First, explai...
163. Is Your Audience Ignoring You? How Authenticity Creates Connection
Tue, 08 Oct 2024
How acceptance and authenticity can transform all of our interactions.What’s the key to experienci...
162. Unlock Career Opportunities: How to Make the Right Moves
Tue, 01 Oct 2024
Being present in the moment and staying open to whatever unfolds.We all want to lead lives and caree...
Bonus: How to Manage Speaking Anxiety the Think Faster, Talk Smarter Way
Thu, 26 Sep 2024
Gain control over your speaking and excel in your communication.For the first anniversary of his boo...
161. Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You’re Talking To
Tue, 24 Sep 2024
Know your audience and tailor the message for them.In high-stakes communication, every word counts. ...
160. Rethinks: How to Communicate Your Gameplan
Tue, 17 Sep 2024
Why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up.As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it...
159. Earn Your Audience: You Can’t Lead If No One’s Listening
Tue, 10 Sep 2024
What it takes to develop as a leader.Great leaders and great communicators aren't born, they're made...
158. Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication
Tue, 03 Sep 2024
“Acts of trust are the bedrock on which relationships are formed.”There’s a lot in the world t...
157. Communicating the Future: Defining Where We Want AI to Take Us
Tue, 27 Aug 2024
Artificial intelligence can now do a lot of things. But if you’re worried about it taking your pla...
156. Creative Communication: How Our Design Choices Illustrate Our Values
Tue, 20 Aug 2024
As a designer, Scott Doorley is interested in how humans create the world around them. It’s a conv...
155. Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly
Tue, 13 Aug 2024
Navigators know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In charting a course th...
154. Rethinks: Communicating Better as a Leader
Tue, 06 Aug 2024
"In a leadership role, so much more of communication is about connecting with people, establishing s...
153. Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to Communication
Tue, 30 Jul 2024
Tara VanDerveer has more wins than any other coach in NCAA basketball history. But as she says, moti...
152. Fix Your Communication: Why It’s About Connection Over Perfection
Tue, 23 Jul 2024
“Anything is fixable,” say Frances Frei and Anne Morriss. As cohosts of the Fixable podcast, the...
151. Get Hired: How the Right Communication Can Advance Your Career
Tue, 16 Jul 2024
Whether winning over a hiring manager or winning new business, career success often hinges on how we...
150. Communication Tips from the Classroom and Around the World
Tue, 09 Jul 2024
Sometimes, what’s communicated to us can have a big impact on how we communicate to others. This e...
149. Rethinks: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career
Tue, 02 Jul 2024
“What people regret over time are things they didn’t do. They didn’t take that trip, they didn...
148. Conviction and Compassion: How to Have Hard Conversations
Tue, 25 Jun 2024
In our personal and professional lives, some conversations are harder than others. To navigate the d...
147. Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be
Tue, 18 Jun 2024
Innovation and disruption aren’t just for organizations. According to Whitney Johnson, we can find...
146. Stress Resets: How to Change Your Internal Dialogue to Communicate Better
Tue, 11 Jun 2024
Stress can get in the way of our communication with others. To manage our stress, psychologist Jenny...
145. Rethinks: The Art of Negotiation, How to Get More of What You Want
Tue, 04 Jun 2024
Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-...
144. Communicating Through Conflict: How to Get Along with Anyone
Tue, 28 May 2024
Many of us would rank getting along with colleagues as an important aspect of work, but, as Amy Gall...
143. Adopt a VC Mindset: Achieve More by Thinking and Communicating Like a Venture Capitalist
Tue, 21 May 2024
In choosing who to date, what job to pursue, or how to invest our money, most people are just lookin...
142. Power and Persuasion: Live Insights from Stanford Experts
Tue, 14 May 2024
A special live edition from the Me2We event at Stanford, where strategic communications expert and p...
141. An Invitation for Innovation: Why Creativity Is Found, Not Forced
Tue, 07 May 2024
So you want to lead your team toward innovation. Does that require that you know where you’re goin...
140. Rethinks: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehan...
139. Lose Yourself: The Secret to Finding Flow and Being Fully Present
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
Whether you're looking to boost your productivity, find more joy in your work, or simply be more pre...
138. Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication
Tue, 16 Apr 2024
From the way you communicate, to the way build your life and career, Graham Weaver, MBA ’99, says ...
137. When Words Aren’t Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication
Tue, 09 Apr 2024
If communication is like painting, words are the primary colors. But to convey deeper meaning, we ne...
136. The Art of Disagreeing Without Conflict: Navigating the Nuance
Tue, 02 Apr 2024
Disagreement and conflict may look the same on the surface, but the two concepts are, in fact, very ...
135. Rethinks: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness
Tue, 26 Mar 2024
How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question ...
134. How to Chat with Bots: The Secrets to Getting the Information You Need from AI
Tue, 19 Mar 2024
Join Matt Abrahams with creativity and innovation experts Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar to explore the...
133. From Good to Super: How Supercommunicators Unlock the Language of Connection
Tue, 12 Mar 2024
Across more than 130 episodes, Think Fast, Talk Smart has touched a lot on what it takes to be a goo...
132. Lean Into Failure: How to Make Mistakes That Work
Tue, 05 Mar 2024
Effective and productive teams and relationships are based on the ability to communicate safely and ...
131. Friction Fixing: How to Use Obstacles to Your Advantage
Tue, 27 Feb 2024
Friction — that’s Professor Huggy Rao’s metaphor for the forces that hamper workplace efficien...
130. Rethinks: How to Maintain a Powerful Presence in Your Communication
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Pro...
129. Connect Deeply: How to Communicate So People Feel Seen and Heard
Tue, 13 Feb 2024
All too often, we communicate without really connecting. The key to building deep connections with o...
128. Four Powerful Principles Pt. 2: Your Questions Answered
Thu, 08 Feb 2024
Join Matt Abrahams engaging with his international audience and answering questions that touch upon ...
127. Four Principles of Powerful, Focused Communication Pt. 1
Tue, 06 Feb 2024
Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience and shares a lesson around concision, relevanc...
126. BONUS Making Meetings Meaningful: When Face-to-Face Meetings Matter
Tue, 30 Jan 2024
If we want to generate better ideas, then we need to get people back to the office.In this bonus mee...
Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast (A Sound Bite!)
Mon, 29 Jan 2024
Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in ...
125. Making Meetings Meaningful Pt. 2: Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings
Tue, 23 Jan 2024
How can we make meetings more effective? How can we keep people engaged and interested? Whether it’...
124. Making Meetings Meaningful Pt. 1: How to Structure and Organize More Effective Gatherings
Tue, 16 Jan 2024
Delve into why people hate meetings, explore what hinders their effectiveness, and how to change tha...
123. Rethinks: Why Curiosity Is Communication’s Secret Weapon
Tue, 09 Jan 2024
The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask.This week we revisit Matt's d...
122. How To Be More Confident and Calm in Your Communication: Managing the "ABC’s" of Communication Anxiety
Tue, 02 Jan 2024
Research-backed techniques on how to beat nervousness in the moment. In this episode, Matt uses cli...
121. Building Trust and Connection: How to Lead with Vulnerability
Tue, 26 Dec 2023
We have to be vulnerable in order to build trust in our relationships. But as Jacob Morgan says, “...
120. A Few of Matt’s Favorite Things: 10 Communication Takeaways from 2023's TFTS Episodes
Tue, 19 Dec 2023
Matt reflects on all the advice we've heard this season and shares the top 10 takeaways that he’s ...
119. Rethinks: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
“Stress is natural,” says Alia Crum, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford. “Stress...
118. Maximizing your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You Want
Tue, 05 Dec 2023
What comes to people’s minds when they think about you, and can you control it? Dorie Clark says y...
117. Say It, See It: How to Connect Through Conversation
Tue, 28 Nov 2023
Communication is about so much more than sharing words. As neuroscientist Shane O’Mara explains, c...
116. Quick Thinks: Don't Sweat the Small Talk
Tue, 21 Nov 2023
Even if you don’t think you’re a natural, anyone can become proficient at the art of small talk ...
115. Rethinks: How We Set and Achieve Goals
Tue, 14 Nov 2023
Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help ...
114. Communication Means Paying Attention: The Four Pillars of Active Listening
Tue, 07 Nov 2023
We should all be audience-centric in communication. But, as Julian Treasure contests, we need to tak...
113. Missing Something? How to Kick FOMO with Conscious Decision-Making
Tue, 31 Oct 2023
What if you had that job? What if you were with that person? What if there’s a better option out t...
112. From Mistakes to "Missed Takes"
Tue, 24 Oct 2023
This episode we're sharing an excerpt from Matt Abrahams's audiobook, Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Li...
111. Rethinks: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication
Mon, 16 Oct 2023
“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.”On this episode of Think Fast, Ta...
110. Write It Well: How to Craft an Email to Capture Busy Readers
Tue, 10 Oct 2023
Whatever you’re writing, Todd Rogers says most people are too busy to read it. That’s why, he sa...
109. Simplify! How to Communicate Complex Ideas Simply and Effectively
Tue, 03 Oct 2023
You said it. But did they hear it? For Frances Frei, communication is about saying things simply eno...
108. All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well
Tue, 26 Sep 2023
If you’re reading from your notes, you're going to miss the magic of the moment. That’s why Adam...
107. Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot
Tue, 19 Sep 2023
In this episode, executive producer Jenny Luna interviews host and strategic communications lecturer...
106. Rethinks: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication
Tue, 12 Sep 2023
In January of 2020 we launched Think Fast Talk Smart with the goal of helping people improve their ...
105. Radical Candor: The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Career
Tue, 05 Sep 2023
Moving forward in our careers often means giving and receiving feedback. But how candid can we be in...
104. How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)
Tue, 29 Aug 2023
"We're wired to look for the path of least resistance and efficiency, and that's normally a good thi...
103. Simple Is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any Audience
Tue, 22 Aug 2023
The best communicators express ideas simply. And to do that, says Carmine Gallo, “you have to conn...
102. Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel
Tue, 15 Aug 2023
What does it take to have a presence that’s felt by those around us? According to Muriel Wilkins, ...
101. We Belong Together: How Communication Fuels Connection and Community
Tue, 08 Aug 2023
When it comes to emotional and physical wellbeing, Psychology professor Geoffrey Cohen says there is...
100. Shut Up! How to Communicate Better by Talking Less
Tue, 01 Aug 2023
What does it take to be a more effective communicator? According to Dan Lyons, it starts with knowin...
99. Rethinks: How to Handle Challenging Conversations
Tue, 25 Jul 2023
Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management a...
98. Give It to Me Straight: How to Give Honest, Constructive Feedback
Tue, 18 Jul 2023
How do we deal with professional blind spots? According to David Dodson, MBA ’87, we need the pa...
97. No Rules, No Trust: How Accountability Shapes Communication
Tue, 11 Jul 2023
Communication is like a game. For it to work, each person has to trust that their partner will play ...
96. Rock and Role: How Assigning Gender to Inanimate Objects Influences Us
Tue, 27 Jun 2023
Why is a boat a “she?” Why give names like Alexa or Siri to inanimate pieces of software? Accord...
95. The Power of No: How Boundaries Help Us Live More Empowered Lives
Tue, 20 Jun 2023
Saying no can seem risky. We worry about offending others, damaging relationships, or hurting our ow...
94. LEADing ideas: Research-Backed Tips and Tools from Four Stanford Professors
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
Breaking new ground, Think Fast, Talk Smart steps into the world of live events, bringing together a...
93. All the Feels: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness
Tue, 06 Jun 2023
How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question ...
92. No Regrets: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and Career
Tue, 30 May 2023
“What people regret over time are things they didn't do. They didn't take that trip, they didn't a...
91. Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication
Tue, 23 May 2023
We’re often advised not to use “um” or “uh”, or “so” and “you know” in our communi...
90. Rethinks: Brains Love Stories – How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People’s Emotions
Tue, 16 May 2023
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with Da...
89. Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections
Tue, 09 May 2023
Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice ...
88. Rethinks: Leading From Home – How to Create the Right Environment for Communication
Tue, 02 May 2023
*This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart won "Best Business Podcast Episode" at the 2023 Webby Awards...
87. Know What You’re Saying: How Communicating Tests Our Understanding
Tue, 25 Apr 2023
We’ve all been there — we think we understand something, but when it comes time to explain it to...
86. Building Habits: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are...
85. Rethinks: Don't Get Lost in Translation
Tue, 11 Apr 2023
Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge, especiall...
84. Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us
Tue, 04 Apr 2023
“The self is incompatible with freedom, the way most people understand it, because the self is a c...
83. You Need a Manifesto: How to Communicate Your Convictions
Tue, 28 Mar 2023
“If you're not living life according to your own values, you're most likely living them according ...
82. It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
It’s easy to feel like the star of the show when giving a presentation. But according to communica...
81. Fact or Fiction? How to Communicate When We Hold Different Beliefs
Tue, 14 Mar 2023
Why does disagreement feel so personal? According to author, journalist, and physician Seema Yasmin,...
80. Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others
Wed, 08 Mar 2023
Words have impact. But when it comes to enchanting audiences and captivating with communication, Jon...
79. Equity by Design: How Diversity Ignites Creativity
Tue, 28 Feb 2023
If we want healthier companies, schools, and teams associate professor of organizational behavior Ad...
78. Three Guiding Principles for Successful Communication
Tue, 14 Feb 2023
To celebrate our 75th episode, we hosted a live "Ask Me Anything" event with Matt. In this global ga...
77. Quick Thinks: AI Has Entered The Chat – A "Conversation" with ChatGPT
Tue, 07 Feb 2023
In this "Quick Thinks" episode, host Matt Abrahams interviews ChatGPT, an AI natural language proces...
Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast | Season 4 Trailer
Wed, 01 Feb 2023
Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of strategic communication at Stanford GSB, as he sits down with expe...
76. Change My Mind: Using “Pre-suasion” to Influence Others
Tue, 24 Jan 2023
Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their framing.F...
75. Love & Money: How to Talk About Big Decisions Together
Tue, 10 Jan 2023
Do love and money mix? Labor economist and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor emerita My...
74. Rethinks: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences
Tue, 20 Dec 2022
In one of our most popular episodes, professor of Marketing Baba Shiv shares his research on how emo...
73. Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested Than Interesting
Tue, 06 Dec 2022
As a communication expert, Alison Wood Brooks spends a lot of time talking about talking. But, as sh...
72. Quick Thinks: Talk It Out – How to Successfully Negotiate and Resolve Conflict
Tue, 22 Nov 2022
When it comes to negotiating and managing conflict, Professor Michele Gelfand says it’s time to ge...
71. Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your Gameplan
Tue, 08 Nov 2022
As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not comman...
70. Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the Best
Tue, 25 Oct 2022
What’s the secret to coming up with good ideas? For Jeremy Utley, it’s about generating as many ...
69. Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication
Tue, 11 Oct 2022
Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says...
68. Directive vs. Dialogue: Communicating Better as a Leader
Tue, 27 Sep 2022
As the dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business, Dean Jon Levin knows the importance of crafting...
67. What Is Normal? How Culture Affects Communication Styles
Tue, 13 Sep 2022
Why do we drive on only one side of the road? Why don’t we sing in libraries? Why wear a swimsuit?...
66. Rethinks: Lessons from Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman to Help You Hack your Speaking Anxiety
Tue, 30 Aug 2022
“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited abo...
65. Ties That Bind: Why Remote and Hybrid Teams Need the Right Connection
Tue, 16 Aug 2022
“We need to be much more adaptive in the way we think about hybrid work,” says Michael Arena. “...
64. Rethinks: Techniques for Managing Your Reputation
Tue, 02 Aug 2022
How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. Bu...
63. Cheap Talk: What Economics Has to Say About Communication
Mon, 18 Jul 2022
Your words — are they credible? Or are they what Paul Oyer calls “cheap talk?”According to pro...
62. Rethinks: Summer Learning Series, How Humor Can Be a Secret Weapon in Communication
Tue, 05 Jul 2022
In the kickoff to our Summer Learning Series, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes. This in...
61. Courage, Ambiguity, Belonging and Data: How to Design Your Communication for Success
Tue, 21 Jun 2022
All communication comes from a place of creativity and creativity is rooted in design. In this episo...
60. Communicating Uncertainty: How to Connect With Your Audience, Even When The Answers Aren’t Clear
Tue, 07 Jun 2022
“It's not reassuring when we don't know the answers to critically important questions involved in ...
59. From Dreaming to Doing: How We Set and Achieve Goals
Tue, 24 May 2022
Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help ...
58. Forgiveness: How the Right Communication Repairs Relationships
Tue, 10 May 2022
In relationships between imperfect people, mistakes are inevitable. And when we find ourselves with ...
57. Are You Listening?: How to Stay Open and Curious to Other People’s Ideas
Tue, 26 Apr 2022
“Listening actively and deeply happens when I genuinely believe that the person who's speaking has...
56. Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really Stick
Tue, 12 Apr 2022
“Anyone can make a complicated thing sound complicated. It takes real skill to make it sound simpl...
55. Ideas & Empathy: How to Design and Communicate with Others in Mind
Tue, 29 Mar 2022
“Very often, you are not designing for yourself. And you kind of have to get out of your own way t...
54. Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values
Tue, 15 Mar 2022
“A mistake that some leaders make is to assume that the people in your organization share your cor...
53. Step Up and Stand Out: How to Create the Right Environment for Communication
Tue, 01 Mar 2022
“You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of everybody,...
52. Communicating Our Mistakes: How to Avoid Common Flaws and Make Better Decisions
Wed, 16 Feb 2022
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams sits down with finance professors Jona...
51. We Asked, You Answered: Celebrating our 50th Episode with your Anxiety Management Plans
Thu, 10 Feb 2022
In this 50th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and executive producer Jenny Luna...
50. Telling Good Stories: How to Use the Elements of Narrative to Keep Listeners Engaged
Wed, 02 Feb 2022
“Make them want to turn the page,” says Paula Moya, a professor at Stanford University and autho...
49. Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively
Tue, 18 Jan 2022
“We have to make data emotional because emotions are what drive us to act,” says Chip Heath, a p...
48. Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication Anxiety
Wed, 05 Jan 2022
“Eighty five percent of people report being nervous about speaking in public, and I believe the ot...
47. Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder
Mon, 13 Dec 2021
“Great founders are great storytellers,” says Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Ste...
46. Stay Creative: How to Keep Your Ideas Fresh and Practical
Thu, 02 Dec 2021
“To be creative, ideas must be both novel and useful. That’s the definition that we use in creat...
45. Recipes From the “Communication Kitchen”: How to Handle Three Common Challenges This Holiday Season
Thu, 18 Nov 2021
In each episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams asks...
44. Act Like a Leader: How Lessons From The Theater Can Help You Step into Power
Thu, 11 Nov 2021
"Leadership is a role that you play, like a part you play in other people’s lives. And [your] expr...
43. Get Psyched: How Time and Situations Shape Our Communication
Thu, 28 Oct 2021
“Social psychologists believe that if we want to understand our own behavior and the behavior of o...
42. Space, Pace, and Grace: How to Handle Challenging Conversations
Fri, 15 Oct 2021
Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management a...
41. Speak like a Founder: How Successful Entrepreneurs Communicate to Their Teams
Thu, 30 Sep 2021
“Part of teamwork is dating,” says Stefanos Zenios, The Investment Group of Santa Barbara Profes...
40. Mindset Matters: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress
Thu, 16 Sep 2021
“Stress is natural, stress is inevitable when you're living a life that's connected with things yo...
39. Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions
Thu, 02 Sep 2021
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with Da...
38. The New Normal: How Hybrid Work Actually Works
Thu, 19 Aug 2021
“One of the things I think is really exciting about all this, and perhaps a little bit frightening...
37. Be Better: How Communication Catalyzes Business Transformation
Thu, 05 Aug 2021
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB Lecturer Robert Siegel sits down with Matt A...
36. Perfecting Teamwork: Building High-Performing Teams By Encouraging Learning
Thu, 15 Jul 2021
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sara Singer, a professor of organizational behavior (by c...
35. Leading From The Hot Seat: How To Communicate Under Pressure
Thu, 24 Jun 2021
“I say sometimes that leadership is a journey into yourself. It’s self-renewal, self-reflection,...
34. How We Gain — Or Give Away — Authority While Speaking
Thu, 03 Jun 2021
“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Pro...
33. Hacking your Speaking Anxiety: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently.
Thu, 13 May 2021
“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited abo...
32. Speech That Empowers: How to Encourage Growth and Resilience in a Younger Audience
Thu, 22 Apr 2021
“Communication is such a delicate dance and kids need to emerge from childhood having practiced,”...
31. Quick Thinks: How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communication
Fri, 16 Apr 2021
It has been over a year since millions of people have switched from office work to working from home...
30. Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts Conflict
Wed, 31 Mar 2021
“Communication, conflict, and cooperation are intertwined in a multitude of ways,” says Nir Hale...
29. Question Everything: Why Curiosity Is Communication’s Secret Weapon
Thu, 11 Mar 2021
The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask. In this episode of Think Fas...
28. Building Strong Relationships: How to Effectively Communicate in Your Professional and Personal Life
Thu, 18 Feb 2021
Recognizing the importance of forging connections with others — and learning how to build those bo...
27. Psychology Trumps Technology: How to Be a Better Communicator on Social Media
Thu, 28 Jan 2021
“Psychology trumps technology,” says Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Medi...
26. Writing to Win: How to Quickly Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged
Fri, 08 Jan 2021
“The reader is impatient,” says Glenn Kramon, Stanford GSB lecturer in management and editor at ...
25. Quick Thinks: All Effective Communication Must Start With This
Fri, 04 Dec 2020
As we look back on more than 20 interviews with Think Fast, Talk Smart guests, we’ve heard one pie...
24. Feelings First: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences
Fri, 20 Nov 2020
“Something like 90 to 95% of our decisions and behaviors are constantly being shaped the non-consc...
23. Look Within: How to Lead with Self Awareness and Vulnerability
Fri, 06 Nov 2020
“Effective is being able to achieve your goals, which is important, but there are plenty of people...
22. Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis
Thu, 22 Oct 2020
“Knowing your values gives you a beacon, or a lamppost, that can inform how you’re going to prio...
21. Words Matter: How to Make Your Communication Inclusive
Thu, 08 Oct 2020
What way can the language we use reinforce existing stereotypes and biases? In this episode of Thin...
20. Question Your Questions: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication
Thu, 24 Sep 2020
“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.” On this episode of Think Fast, T...
19. Showing Your Smile From Behind a Mask: How Culture and Emotion Impact Communication
Thu, 10 Sep 2020
“In companies, you’re interacting with other people who come from different cultural contexts, a...
18. Managing in the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
Thu, 27 Aug 2020
“The less time you can spend dwelling on your mistakes, the more mental energy you can devote to d...
17. Think Fast: You Asked, We Answered
Thu, 13 Aug 2020
We asked listeners to send in their communication conundrums and ended up with an inbox full of thou...
16. Quick Thinks: How to Craft Your Body Language When Confronting Objections
Fri, 31 Jul 2020
Knowing what to say to a skeptical audience is paramount, but how can your body language communicate...
15. The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You Want
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-...
14. Be Better At Work: How to Communicate Better With Coworkers and Employees
Thu, 02 Jul 2020
Most of the work we do requires coordinating and collaborating with others. But how can we ensure th...
13. Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your Communication
Mon, 22 Jun 2020
Humor does more than just make people laugh. It allows you to connect with your audience, diffuse te...
12. It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communicate Power
Fri, 05 Jun 2020
Power exists in every relationship — whether we like that idea or not — and to be effective in a...
11. The Science of Influence: How to Persuade Others And Hold Their Attention
Thu, 21 May 2020
We’re constantly bombarded with competing images, messaging, and bids for our attention. That's wh...
10. High-Stakes Communication: How to Manage Anxiety When Speaking in Front of Others
Thu, 07 May 2020
Most people feel nervous in situations such as speaking in front of a class, pitching a big idea, or...
9. Quick Thinks: How Being Present-Oriented Improves Communication
Thu, 23 Apr 2020
Although it may feel counter intuitive, letting go of our prepared notes and focusing on the present...
8. Don't Get Lost in Translation: How Non-Native Speakers Can Communicate With Confidence
Fri, 10 Apr 2020
Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge. In this p...
7. Quick Thinks: Use This Framework to Speak up in Virtual Meetings
Fri, 03 Apr 2020
We've all been in the situation where you have something important to contribute to a meeting and yo...
6. Quick Thinks: Communicating and Leading Virtually
Fri, 27 Mar 2020
Leading successful meetings remotely and being a strong speaker on-screen require specific skills. C...
5. From Monologue to Dialogue: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience
Thu, 12 Mar 2020
Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehan...
4. The Journey to Mastery: How Self Reflection Can Improve Communication
Thu, 27 Feb 2020
What does it mean to truly master communication? How can we speak and write for the most impact? In ...
3. When Knowing Too Much Can Hurt Your Communication: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible
Tue, 11 Feb 2020
As communicators, we often need to take complex information (e.g., financial, technical, or scientif...
2. Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your Reputation
Thu, 30 Jan 2020
How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. Bu...
1. Speaking Without a Net: How to Master Impromptu Communication
Wed, 15 Jan 2020
Most professional communication is spontaneous in nature: it’s providing feedback in the moment, a...
Introducing Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast
Fri, 10 Jan 2020
Join Matt Abrahams, lecturer in strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as ...