Vulnerable leadership isn't about showing weakness. Vulnerability as a leader can help in building trust through honesty, empathy, and authenticity. This discussion between Matt Abrahams and Susan Cain explores just that. Vulnerability as a leader might strengthen relationships, encourage openness, and create psychologically safe teams.This episode explains how embracing vulnerability…
Quiet leaders often bring strengths that are easy to overlook, such as thoughtful decision-making, deep listening, and calm confidence. In this clip, Susan Cain talks about why introverted leaders can be just as effective as outspoken ones and how quiet leadership creates space for stronger collaboration, trust, and better decisions.…
Overcoming fear of public speaking doesn't mean eliminating nervousness, it just means learning how to communicate effectively despite it. This discussion between Matt Abrahams and Susan Cain dives into practical strategies for overcoming fear, managing public speaking anxiety, and building confidence in front of an audience. Susan talks about how…
Three people tend to dominate 70% of every meeting. Sadly, it's rarely the ones with the best ideas. In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast, host Matt Abrahams sits down with Susan Cain, former Wall Street lawyer, negotiation consultant, and New York Times bestselling author of Quiet:…
Want to walk into your next interview calm, clear, and ready for anything? Join us live on August 19th at 8:00 AM Pacific for Ace Your Interview with host Matt Abrahams, inside the Think Fast, Talk Smart learning community. Sharpen your skills, ask your questions, and get a full month…
Want to lead a better meeting? Start by asking, not telling. Matt Abrahams says the strongest leaders come armed with open questions, not just answers. Before your next meeting, tell people you'd like to hear their input, then ask, listen, and respond. One question he always keeps in his back…
The way you hold the mic tells the audience how nervous you are. Matt Abrahams's fix: hold it lightly instead of clutching, anchor your elbow to your body to keep it steady, and maintain a consistent six inches of distance so your volume stays even. Then let your other hand…
Staying relevant isn't about keeping up with every trend; it's about staying curious, adaptable, and open to continuous learning as the world changes. In this conversation featuring Nayeema Raza on the Think Fast Talk Smart hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion explores how to stay relevant in life as you…
Do you hate difficult conversations? Do you always struggle to discuss what matters most in such conversations? Do you often experience anxiety during confrontation? Well, this episode might have ALL the answers you are looking for! For starters, you probably need to focus on yourself. Because, believe it or not,…
Great communication often draws inspiration from unexpected places. In this clip from the Think Fast Talk smart podcast, Nayeema Raza discusses what communicators can learn from storytellers and artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Anton Chekhov. From the layered storytelling found in Kendrick Lamar's music and poetry to Anton Chekhov's…
How to be a good interviewer is about more than asking questions; it is about creating a conversation where the other person feels comfortable sharing meaningful insights. In this clip from the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, the discussion between Matt Abrahams and Nayeema Raza explores how to take a…
Headline writing is one of the most valuable communication skills because the right headline determines whether people pay attention to your message. In this conversation featuring Nayeema Raza on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion explores practical headline writing tips, including the 9-word rule…
There's a nine-word trick behind every question Nayeema Raza asks, and it works on more than headlines. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams speaks with journalist, former NYT/Vox producer, and host of Smart Girl, Dumb Questions, Nayeema Raza to unpack the tools she uses to…
A quick joke at the start of your next meeting could change everything. Matt Abrahams says humor isn't a distraction from your point. If done right, it actually brings people closer together. Levity is connecting. And once your audience responds positively, you've built the foundation for everything that follows. The…
Free. Live. And exactly what you need before your next job interview. Matt Abrahams is hosting Acing Your Next Job Interview inside the Think Fast Talk Smart learning community on August 19th at 8:00 AM Pacific. Learn how to answer tough questions, build your personal brand, and walk into any…
Why do some people command a room without raising their voice? Being heard isn't about speaking louder—it's about using your voice with intention. Breath, posture, and preparation all play a role in helping your message reach the people who need to hear it. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think…
First, make sense of it yourself. Then figure out how to explain it. Kai Ryssdal breaks down his writing process on Marketplace: research it until you understand it, imagine helping one real person grasp it, then deliver it in a way that respects the experts in the room too. Understandable,…
Preparation happens before you sit down. Presence happens once you're there. Kai Ryssdal on the paradox every communicator faces: do your homework so thoroughly that you can walk in and forget it. No notes. No producer in your ear. Just the conversation in front of you. "The only way to…
How do you explain complex ideas without losing your audience? The challenge isn't knowing more—it's helping others understand. For Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal, great communication comes from making difficult topics accessible while holding people's attention. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ryssdal joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how…
Meaning isn't about what you do while you're in the room. Stanford professor Brian Lowery says it has to reverberate beyond your presence. The question isn't "what's my purpose?" It's "who am I serving, and will my impact outlast me?" Who are you doing your work for beyond yourself? Full…
Some periods in our professional lives carry outsized influence: your first job, your first manager, a major new assignment, or any situation where you're navigating uncertainty. These moments reveal the importance of good leadership, because a little encouragement can build lasting confidence. Understanding the role of a good leader during…
Everyone says "just be yourself." Brian Lowery, Stanford professor and author, says that's the wrong goal. Sometimes your true self is in a bad mood. Sincerity asks something different: am I being as honest as I can right now, in this moment, with this person? When has "just being yourself"…
What makes a life meaningful? We often think purpose and meaning are the same thing, but according to Stanford professor Brian Lowery, they're fundamentally different. Purpose is what drives us. Meaning comes from the impact we have on others. In this live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart from Stanford’s…
In this conversation, we explore one of the most common leadership mistakes: confusing intent and impact. While leaders often step in to help with the best intentions, their actions can unintentionally undermine confidence, ownership, and trust in leadership. The conversation explores mistakes leaders make when trying to support their teams…