How do you share strong feelings without coming across as overly emotional? Matt Abrahams has a two-step approach. First, name it. Telling yourself "this is me being really excited" or "this is me being upset" creates space between you and the emotion. Then, down-regulate it by channeling it into a…
Here is a mistake almost everyone makes: winging the ending. Matt Abrahams explains that the moment someone signals "in conclusion," people start to check out, so your close has to count. Structure it around your goal: what you want your audience to know, feel, and do. A little gratitude does…
Ever catch yourself saying the same thing over and over when you get nervous? You are not alone. Matt Abrahams says that when we are anxious, we tend to fall into patterns and repetition, but here is the reassuring part: repetition is not always a bad thing. Saying something more…
The moment you hint at the end in your presentation, your audience checks out. Immediately. In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, recorded live by host Matt Abrahams inside the Think Fast, Talk Smart Learning Community, the focus was on how to fix the final thirty…
AI is becoming a practical tool for improving how we prepare, practice, and deliver our communication. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Matt Abrahams shares with Lorraine K. Lee, how he personally uses AI for communication skills, offering insights into how to use AI to improve…
The increasing use of AI raises an important question: can technology help us become more empathetic communicators, or does it risk making our interactions feel less human? In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Matt Abrahams is interviewed by Lorraine K. Lee. Lorraine raises questions about the…
AI and authenticity can seem like opposing ideas, but AI can actually help us become more intentional about how we communicate. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, the seats are flipped, and Lorraine K. Lee questions Matt Abrahams. Together, they talk about AI and communication, how…
Can you really trust a machine to write your emails just because it sounds smart...ish? Think Fast, Talk Smart flips its format to celebrate the updated edition of Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Host Matt Abrahams becomes the guest, and Lorraine K. Lee, author of Unforgettable Presence and a fan favorite…
Think humor has no place in serious communication? Matt Abrahams would disagree. A bit of levity up front builds connection, and connection makes people more receptive to your message. It is not about being a comedian. It is about being human. Where could you add a little lightness to your…
Do not fear the weakness question. Reframe it. Matt Abrahams shares a simple structure: answer the question, give a specific example of how you are improving, and describe the value it brings to the role. Suddenly, a weakness becomes proof that you grow, adapt, and deliver. What would your answer…
Want a bigger, more confident voice? Do not push harder. Breathe better. Matt Abrahams explains that lower, slower breathing gives you the vocal support to actually project. A simple way to build awareness: read out loud. The words are right in front of you, so you can focus entirely on…
Using AI the right way will always make you feel worse about using it, says a groundbreaking study. The guests of episode 326 of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast conducted this study to figure out the best way to use AI in the workplace. Jeremy Utley is an adjunct…
There are three kinds of speakers: the rambler who thinks out loud and loses the room, the robot who scripts and rehearses until they sound stiff, and the raconteur who tells a story. Oliver Aust shares that the best communicators use structure, not scripts, and lead with a vision. Which…
Do not build a LinkedIn profile for the job you have. Build one for the job you want. Oliver Aust breaks down his PACE framework for standing out: get your profile right, know exactly who you want to reach, post consistently, and engage with others so they engage with you.…
Great work doesn’t always speak for itself. For communication strategist and author of Message Machine: How Communications Will Make You An Unstoppable Founder, Oliver Aust, getting your ideas noticed requires “message-market fit,” finding the right words and stories to make people understand why what you offer matters. In this episode…
Initiating conflict can feel uncomfortable, but knowing how to approach a difficult conversation can make all the difference. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Priya Parker shares her checklist for how to initiate conflict thoughtfully and productively. The conversation explores conflict management, conflict prevention, and resolution,…
When someone asks you a question, your instinct is probably to brace for an attack. Russ Altman wants you to flip that. On our latest episode, the Stanford professor shares the mindset shift he teaches his PhD students: treat every question as a little gift. A good question means someone…
Worried AI is coming for your job? Russ Altman has a question for you first: why are you communicating at all? Stanford AI researcher and self-described AI optimist argues that if you're being authentic and you actually have a message, a tool like ChatGPT isn't a threat; it's an amplifier.…
From writing a research grant to proposing marriage to explaining quantum physics to your grandmother, effective communication begins with clarity. Stanford Graduate School of Business' Matt Abrahams sits down with Russ Altman, Senior Fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence to discuss the future of communication in an AI-driven…
Evolving through experience can also mean evolving through conflict. Priya Parker joins Matt Abrahams on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast to explore how disagreements can help teams grow, adapt, and become stronger. The conversation looks at conflict management, conflict prevention and resolution, and practical conflict resolution techniques that can…
Conflict management is not just about resolving disagreements after they happen - it’s also about understanding how to prevent conflict and create better conversations from the start. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Priya Parker joins Matt Abrahams to explore conflict prevention and resolution, practical conflict…
The fix for conflict at work is not fighting LESS, but fighting BETTER, says Priya Parker. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams welcomes back Priya Parker, the master facilitator and bestselling author of The Art of Gathering. Priya returns with her new book, The Art…
Conflict resolution at work doesn't always have to mean avoiding disagreements - it can be about learning how to have better conversations when people see things differently. In this conversation featuring Priya Parker on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion explores how low-stakes arguing…
Building trust as a leader starts with creating an environment where people feel respected, heard, and supported. Claude Steele shares how being a kind leader can strengthen relationships and help people feel more comfortable contributing their ideas and perspectives. The discussion also highlights communication techniques that leaders can use to…