Nervous before a big moment? Do not reach for your phone, take a walk. Oliver Aust says movement beats checking emails, which only gets your blood racing. It is the first step in his BMW framework: body, mind, words. Calm the body, reframe the nerves as excitement, and prepare your…
The most memorable communication is not the most polished. It is the most human. Astro Teller shares that when you are honest, specific, and real, even stories about getting things wrong become exciting and meaningful, because people can see themselves in them. Emotion is the connection, and these three ingredients…
We spend most of our lives learning, so why do we make failure so shameful? Astro Teller shares hat being wrong is the exact moment learning happens, and emotionally avoiding it means avoiding growth. Tighten your learning loops by making failure okay. It is not the enemy of progress; it…
According to the Moonshot mindset, if you come up with an idea that is guaranteed to succeed, you will be… fired! That’s because any idea that is guaranteed to succeed is not RADICAL enough to make a difference. And that is the mindset that Astro Teller tries to inculcate in…
Looking for conversations to have on a date that go beyond the usual questions? This short explores how to avoid small talk and turn simple questions into more memorable conversations. Learn how to get out of small talk by bringing up something personal, interesting, or unexpected that gives the other…
What makes a good date? For a matchmaker, one simple question can reveal a lot about how a date went: what side of you did the other person bring out? In this short, discover how to tell if a date went well by paying attention to the emotions and personality…
Building a connection with someone doesn’t always require a long conversation. In this short, a simple voice note shows how small, personal gestures can help with connecting with people, building connections with others, and building social connections. Voice notes can make talking to friends feel more personal while creating an…
Rachel Greenwald has listened to thousands of first-date debriefs. She found the ONE question that tells her how each one went. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams welcomes back Rachel Greenwald, executive fellow at Harvard Business School, professional matchmaker, and co-teacher of Stanford's Designing for…
What does it take to build a business that lasts? Creating a successful business involves more than having a great idea, it requires a framework that can help you get to the last mile. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Daniel Lubetzky shares his 3 Cs…
Ever wished you could just ask Matt Abrahams your toughest communication question? Here is your chance. Join Matt and MasterClass for a free live Ask Matt Anything, built around his Strategic Communication certificate program. October 14 at 8:30 a.m. PT. Reserve your spot at fastersmarter.io/masterclass. What would you ask?
Our instinct in conflict is to respond right away and get tense. Matt Abrahams says the response should actually come last. In our recent episode with @LorraineKLee he walks through his CLEAR framework: check yourself, listen, explore, acknowledge, then respond. And remember, acknowledging what someone said does not mean you…
The updated Think Faster, Talk Smarter is here, and it is packed with new material. Matt Abrahams shares the features he added to help you communicate when it matters most, from navigating spontaneous conflict to proving your humanness when AI can polish anything. If you want to speak with more…
One snide comment at a birthday dinner ended a sibling relationship for years. And the fix for moments like this fits into five letters. In this Quick Thinks episode, Matt Abrahams shares an excerpt from the updated audiobook edition of his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, which now includes a…
What can you learn from the biggest Shark Tank mistakes? A strong idea isn't enough if you can't communicate it clearly, confidently, and convincingly. Daniel Lubetzky, former CEO of KIND, shares his insights in this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast. If you are wondering what pitching mistakes…
What does good leadership really look like? Great leaders aren't defined only by the decisions they make, but also by how they communicate, build trust, and bring people together around a shared purpose. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Daniel Lubetzky shares insights about the psychology…
What makes a brand successful? A strong brand is more than a logo, tagline, or product. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Daniel Lubetzky explores what a brand is, the definition of a brand, and how businesses can build a clear and meaningful identity that people…
Daniel Lubetzky of Shark Tank reveals that the fastest way to win his trust is to admit you don't know something. On this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams welcomes Daniel Lubetzky, the pioneering social entrepreneur who turned one bar from his basement into KIND Snacks, a…
What makes communication successful? According to Matt Abrahams, it starts with three essential ingredients: understanding your audience, defining your communication goals, and creating the right communication structure. In this episode, Lorraine K. Lee puts Matt Abrahams, the host of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, in the hot seat and…
In a world where AI can polish anything, how do you prove your communication came from you? In our new episode with Lorraine K. Lee, Matt Abrahams shares his TRUST framework: start with a Truthful foundation from lived experience, show Real-time processing ("my first inclination is"), Utilize specific personal evidence,…
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…