Martin Seligman founded the science of happiness, but he'll be the first to tell you he's a pessimist!. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams speaks with Martin Seligman, the University of Pennsylvania psychologist who founded the field of positive psychology after a career spent studying…
Are you trying to fix what's wrong, or build on what's right? Martin Seligman spent his career on that distinction. As he shares in our new episode, traditional psychology focused on moving people from minus-eight to minus-three, but he wanted to understand how we go from plus-three to plus-eight. That…
Feedback techniques can make a big difference in how people learn, grow, and respond to criticism, especially in diverse groups. In this conversation, Claude Steele explores inclusive education, feedback in diverse groups, and how the way feedback is communicated can influence whether people see it as helpful or discouraging. The…
Stereotype threat psychology helps explain how awareness of negative stereotypes can affect a person's confidence, performance, and behavior. This discussion between Claude Steele and Matt Abrahams explores stereotype threat theory, the research behind the stereotype threat experiment, and how stereotypes can influence people even when they don't personally believe them.…
One sentence from a professor sent students' motivation off the charts. Claude Steele has spent a career finding out why. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams speaks with Claude Steele, the Stanford psychologist whose decades in social psychology gave a name to a modern condition:…
Student diversity can shape how people learn, participate, and respond to different forms of communication. In this conversation featuring Claude Steele on the Think Fast Talk Smart hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion explores diversity in education and why understanding students' differences in backgrounds and experiences matters when communicating with…
Strong communication is the skill that changes everything. Whether you are building rapport, managing your reputation, or navigating a difficult conversation, how you communicate matters. This fall, join Matt Abrahams for his @stanford Continuing Studies course, Communication Essentials for Work and Life, where you will explore persuasion, storytelling, body language,…
What can Steve Jobs' communication skills teach us about making an idea stick? The famous Think Different campaign wasn't just an advertising slogan - it demonstrated how a clear communication framework can turn a simple message into something people remember and identify with. In this conversation, Troy Campbell breaks down…
AI is disrupting work in all kinds of ways, for good and for bad. So what sets you apart? Matt Abrahams says it is the human aspects we bring to a job: connecting, listening, managing people, and making adjustments in times of uncertainty. Those are the themes worth leaning into,…
Back to work, back to school, back to leveling up. If a new opportunity is on your September horizon, here is a tip from Matt Abrahams to get you there: practice interviewing like it is a drill. Recruit a friend for a mock interview, or tell your favorite AI tool…
A successful interview is more than answering questions well. It’s an opportunity to communicate what sets you apart and demonstrate the value you can bring. Preparation, structure, and storytelling can help you do that with confidence. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams and communication…
What makes a story feel like an experience rather than just a sequence of information? Portal storytelling gives audiences an entry point into a new world, helping them become part of the story rather than simply listening to it. Drawing from the work of Disney Imagineering, Troy Campbell shares how…
The importance of "because" in storytelling goes beyond explaining why something happened - it gives your story meaning and helps your audience understand why they should care. In this conversation, Troy Campbell and Matt Abrahams discuss how "because" in storytelling can make a message more compelling, and why understanding the…
The Destiny Narrative is a powerful storytelling framework by Troy Campbell that can turn an ordinary experience into a compelling story with meaning and purpose. In this conversation with Troy on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion explores how to be a storyteller and…
Ask a story theorist what makes a story, and you will likely hear a single word: Because. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams speaks with Troy Campbell, chief scientist at the experience-design firm On Your Feet and a former marketing professor at the University of…
Pitch like a pro by focusing on what makes your idea compelling to the person you're pitching it to. Rhett Reese tells us how to pitch well, what makes a good pitch, and how to communicate an idea clearly enough to capture attention and create interest in the executive's mind.…
A feed gives us dopamine: excitement, surprise, a reason to keep going. A slow "how are you?" does not. Vanessa Van Edwards says we should stop opening on autopilot and get right into the good stuff, the way a feed hits you the second you open it. She calls it…
Have a big presentation in a week or two? Matt Abrahams has a tip for you: start reading out loud for 5 to 10 minutes a day. It builds the vocal stamina you need to project with energy from your first word to your last. A simple daily practice that…
Where do you look first when you meet someone? Most people say the eyes or the smile. Body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards says the real answer is the hands, because that is where we read intention. Going back to our caveman biology, an open palm signals one thing to…
People form an opinion of you based on where you stand at a networking event. (And your choices might be sabotaging your own networking efforts!) In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams returns to his conversation with Vanessa Van Edwards, lead investigator at Science…
Comedy writing is about more than simply coming up with jokes. You need to understand timing, characters, context, and what makes an idea genuinely funny. In this clip from the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast hosted by Matt Abrahams, Rhett Reese shares practical comedy writing tips, and some of the…
Conflict resolution is an essential communication skill, whether you're navigating disagreements at work or figuring out how to resolve conflict in relationships. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Matt Abrahams and Rhett Reese discuss practical conflict resolution strategies, how to approach disagreements constructively, and what it…
Knowing your audience is one of the most important principles of effective communication because the same message can land very differently depending on who you're speaking to. In this conversation, screenwriter Rhett Reese talks about why it's essential to understand your audience before you communicate, and how tailoring your message…
Every time you pitch something, you are telling two stories at the same time. The guy who wrote Deadpool reveals only ONE story gets noticed... In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams speaks with acclaimed screenwriter and producer Rhett Reese, co-writer of Deadpool, Zombieland, and G.I.…