Episodes

117. Say It, See It: How to Connect Through Conversation
Nov. 28, 2023

117. Say It, See It: How to Connect Through Conversation

Research from neuroscience shows that communication builds a shared reality.
116. Quick Thinks: Don't Sweat the Small Talk
Nov. 21, 2023

116. Quick Thinks: Don't Sweat the Small Talk

Tips and techniques on mastering the art of chit chat.
115. Rethinks: How We Set and Achieve Goals
Nov. 14, 2023

115. Rethinks: How We Set and Achieve Goals

Explore an essential ingredient of human behavior: motivation.
113. Missing Something? How to Kick FOMO with Conscious Decision-Making
Oct. 31, 2023

113. Missing Something? How to Kick FOMO with Conscious Decision-Making

How to conquer one of our greatest fears: the fear of missing out.
112. From Mistakes to "Missed Takes"
Oct. 24, 2023

112. From Mistakes to "Missed Takes"

A special episode from Matt Abrahams's Think Faster, Talk Smarter audiobook.
111. Rethinks: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication
Oct. 16, 2023

111. Rethinks: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication

“The more questions you ask, the more you learn, the more engaged you will be with others.”
Guest: Tina Seelig
110. Write It Well: How to Craft an Email to Capture Busy Readers
Oct. 10, 2023

110. Write It Well: How to Craft an Email to Capture Busy Readers

How to use structure, simplicity, and everyday vocabulary to transmit ideas more effectively.
Guest: Todd Rogers
109. Simplify! How to Communicate Complex Ideas Simply and Effectively
Oct. 3, 2023

109. Simplify! How to Communicate Complex Ideas Simply and Effectively

Why simple communication is the key to moving others to action.
Guest: Frances Frei
108. All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well
Sept. 26, 2023

108. All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well

If you’re reading from your notes, you’re going to miss the magic of the moment.
107. Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot
Sept. 19, 2023

107. Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

Tips and tools from Matt's new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter.
Guest: Jenny Luna
106. Rethinks: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication
Sept. 12, 2023

106. Rethinks: Using Skills From Improv to Master Your In-The-Moment Communication

In January of 2020 we launched Think Fast Talk Smart with the goal of helping people improve their communication skills. Now, with more than 100 episodes and an engaged audience tuning in from more than 200 countries, we're proud to take you back to the very first episode, where the magic began. As we've discussed multiple times on the show, most professional communication is spontaneous in nature. It’s providing feedback in the moment, answering questions, introducing people. On this inaugural ...
105. Radical Candor: The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Career
Sept. 5, 2023

105. Radical Candor: The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Career

The power of being both caring and challenging when giving feedback.
Guest: Kim Scott
104. How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)
Aug. 29, 2023

104. How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)

Making our goals more achievable by making reaching them more enjoyable.
Guest: Katy Milkman
103. Simple Is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any Audience
Aug. 22, 2023

103. Simple Is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any Audience

Intentional, straightforward messaging helps you connect with others.
102. Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel
Aug. 15, 2023

102. Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel

The best communicators create a strong presence.
101. We Belong Together: How Communication Fuels Connection and Community
Aug. 8, 2023

101. We Belong Together: How Communication Fuels Connection and Community

How communication can help us find the connection we crave and need.
99. Rethinks: How to Handle Challenging Conversations
July 25, 2023

99. Rethinks: How to Handle Challenging Conversations

Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs , a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of silence, but learning often happens when we create distance for useful reflection.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart , Dobbs talks with host Matt Abrahams about the importance of “space, pace, and grace” when you’re receiving others’ feedback and handling the emotions that come out dur...
98. Give It to Me Straight: How to Give Honest, Constructive Feedback
July 18, 2023

98. Give It to Me Straight: How to Give Honest, Constructive Feedback

Workplace feedback can be your company’s secret weapon.
Guest: David Dodson
97. No Rules, No Trust: How Accountability Shapes Communication
July 11, 2023

97. No Rules, No Trust: How Accountability Shapes Communication

Why you can’t have trust and accountability without rules.
Guest: Anat Admati
94. LEADing ideas: Research-Backed Tips and Tools from Four Stanford Professors
June 13, 2023

94. LEADing ideas: Research-Backed Tips and Tools from Four Stanford Professors

Breaking new ground, Think Fast, Talk Smart steps into the world of live events, bringing together an eager audience of LEAD students from Stanford University and a top-notch panel of former podcast guests: Jesper B. Sørensen , Sarah Soule , Jonathan Levav ,and Szu-chi Huang . Topics include crafting strategy for successful leadership and tips on how to effectively lead a hybrid team. This episode also features an interactive audience segment, where various participants of the Stanford LEAD prog...