Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques Podcast By Matt Abrahams Think Fast Talk Smart cover art

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

By: Matt Abrahams Think Fast Talk Smart
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One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication. Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges. Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships. Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.©Think Fast Talk Smart LLC Career Success Economics Language Learning
Episodes
  • 274. Choose Connection Over Perfection: Why Happiness Starts with Better Communication

    274. Choose Connection Over Perfection: Why Happiness Starts with Better Communication
    Mar 23 2026
    How to communicate for deeper connection—and greater happiness.Happiness isn’t just a feeling—it’s something you can actively shape through how you think, connect, and communicate.Sonja Lyubomirsky, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside and co-author of How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most, defines happiness as two key components: “being happy in your life and being happy with your life.” And while many people separate happiness from meaning or purpose, she explains that “they almost always go together.” Her research shows how the small habits we practice—like gratitude—can have a powerful effect, helping to “neutralize negative emotions” and shift how we see our lives. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lyubomirsky and host Matt Abrahams explore the science of wellbeing and the habits that help us feel more fulfilled. From gratitude practices to breaking free from the comparison trap, they share practical strategies for boosting happiness and explain why connection isn’t just about being loved, but truly “feeling loved.”Episode Reference Links:Sonja LyubomirskySonja’s Book: How To Feel Loved179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Well…181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communicat…182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (04:50) - Defining Happiness (07:02) - Gratitude in Practice (07:45) - Acting Extroverted (09:42) - The Comparison Trap (11:40) - Reflection vs. Rumination (12:27) - Best Self Exercise (13:51) - Building Positive Psychology (15:16) - Happiness Drives Success (16:44) - Relationships as a Seesaw (19:04) - Being Known vs. Impressive (21:45) - The Final Three Questions (26:18) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.
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    25 mins
  • 273. Quick Thinks: How to Create Messages People Remember

    273. Quick Thinks: How to Create Messages People Remember
    Mar 19 2026

    Memorable communication isn’t about saying more—it’s making the right idea stick.


    No matter how compelling a presentation feels in the moment, most of what you say won’t last in your audience’s memory. The key isn’t trying to make people remember everything — it’s ensuring they remember what matters most.


    Carmen Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, author, and expert on how the brain pays attention and forms memories. Her research explores how communication can move beyond passive listening and become an experience the brain actually holds onto. “The way we come to know the world is through the interaction of brain, body, and environment,” she explains. “The more you invite your audiences to interact with anything, especially physically, the more you impact cognition.”

    In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams explore practical, research-backed ways to make communication more memorable. They discuss why handwriting notes can deepen understanding, how curiosity and tension capture attention, and why communicators should avoid overwhelming audiences with too much information. Instead, Simon encourages speakers to structure ideas so audiences can recognize patterns and return to a clear core message.


    Episode Reference Links:

    • Carmen Simon
    • Carmen’s Book: Impossible to Ignore
    • Ep.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions

    Connect:

    • Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
    • Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
    • Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
    • Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
    • Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
    • Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn


    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:31) - Embodied Cognition Explained
    • (04:44) - The Impact of Environment on Attention
    • (06:08) - Sparking Curiosity in Your Audience
    • (10:24) - Avoiding Cognitive Overload
    • (15:04) - Using Visuals to Improve Recall
    • (18:59) - Conclusion

    ********
    Thank you to our sponsors.     These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

    This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today

    Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • 272. Say What Sticks: The Neuroscience of Memorable Communication

    272. Say What Sticks: The Neuroscience of Memorable Communication
    Mar 16 2026

    People are forgetful. Here’s how to make your messages more memorable.


    After any presentation, your audience will forget about 90% of what you said. That’s okay, says Carmen Simon — just make sure they remember the right 10%.

    Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, speaker, author, and expert on how the brain processes and retains information. Her research reveals a humbling truth: “We forget our lives almost as quickly as we live them,” she says. But instead of fighting our forgetfulness, Simon believes we can work with it — by getting intentional about what we want people to remember. “So many people aspire at attention and memory, but very few really know what they want to be memorable for,” she says. “Ask the question: what is my 10% message?”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to distill your communication for maximum memorability. Whether you're pitching an idea or presenting to a team, Simon’s practical techniques will help you ensure your 10% message is the one your audience takes away.

    Episode Reference Links:

    • Carmen Simon
    • Carmen’s Book: Impossible to Ignore
    • Ep.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions

    Connect:

    • Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
    • Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
    • Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
    • Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
    • Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
    • Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn


    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:36) - Attention vs. Memory
    • (05:12) - Novelty & Surprise
    • (06:33) - Why Attention Isn’t Enough
    • (08:01) - The Power of Priming
    • (09:34) - Priming in Business Communication
    • (10:18) - Why Audiences Forget
    • (13:29) - Smart Repetition
    • (15:05) - The Final Three Questions
    • (21:58) - Conclusion

    ********
    Thank you to our sponsors.     These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

    This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today

    Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

    Show more Show less
    23 mins
All stars
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I just stumbled on this podcast today and I’m already 6 episodes down.

Take a listen and then apply what you learn

Advice you can use

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This was a fun and comprehensive podcast. The ideas presented are very well thought out; and the communication between the presenters are fun and easy to follow! I like the focus on each aspect of the conversation, such as being in the moment, in the hot seat. Yes, and! Improve was a chapter that helped me immensely! I will continue to listen; thank you, Matt Abrahams!

Communicastic! - ok fantastic then!

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This podcast is very good, especially for people that want to gain more knowledge and change. I learned a lot listening to the Stanford graduates. I don’t have to go to college if I can listen to this, if I could ask questions then we would learn even more.

Interesting

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Just what i needed I love this as I aspire to be a speaker this is helping me so much!

Amazing

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