• 27 minutes 34 seconds
    286. Driven to Succeed: Turn Doubt Into Your Competitive Advantage

    Confidence, clarity, and speaking when it matters.

    Confident communication isn’t about being the loudest in the room. For Susie Wolff, it’s about displaying assurance before you even open your mouth.

    Wolff is a former professional race car driver, managing director of F1 Academy, and author of Driven. Throughout her career in one of the world's most male-dominated industries, she’s learned that confidence starts within. “If you want others to believe in you, you need to at least have confidence in your own abilities,” she says. By letting her capabilities speak for themselves, Wolff felt she didn’t have to. “I was never the loudest voice in the room. But I made sure when I did speak that I really had something to say.”

    In this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, co-hosted by Matt Abrahams and Tiggy Valen, Wolff shares how inner drive creates outer clarity. From delivering hard truths with empathy to achieving buy-in for a bold vision, Wolff offers lessons on communicating with confidence, even in the face of stiff competition.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (03:06) - Early Motorsport Passion
    • (04:01) - Finding Your Voice
    • (05:33) - Building Confidence
    • (06:28) - Becoming a Leader
    • (08:48) - Cross-Cultural Communication
    • (09:57) - Building F1 Academy
    • (14:20) - Giving Tough Feedback
    • (17:32) - Embracing Discomfort
    • (20:01) - The Final Three Questions
    • (26:18) - Conclusion

     ********
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    7 May 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 1 second
    285. Think Inside the Box: How Constraints Spark Creativity and Communication

    The secret to better communication isn’t adding more—it’s knowing what to leave out.
    Communication isn’t clearer when you say more — it’s clearer when you say less. As David Epstein puts it, we’re wired to keep adding, even when “the better solution is often what you take away.” The challenge isn’t having ideas; it’s choosing which one actually matters.

    Epstein is an author and investigative journalist known for his New York Times bestseller Range. In his latest book, Inside the Box, he explores how constraints can sharpen creativity and elevate thinking, a theme that reflects his broader work at the intersection of psychology, performance, and innovation. “If you assume someone will only remember one thing,” he explains, “decide what that is before you start talking.” That simple constraint forces clarity — and changes how we communicate entirely.

    In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Epstein and host Matt Abrahams unpack why limits make us better communicators and thinkers. From the dangers of “featuritis” to the creative breakthroughs sparked by restriction, they explore how blocking familiar paths leads to more original ideas and communication.

    To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:46) - Featuritis & Overload
    • (04:25) - Constraints & Creativity
    • (08:35) - Chunking Information
    • (09:56) - Familiarity & Innovation
    • (10:58) - Clarifying Through Feedback
    • (13:29) - Defining the Problem
    • (14:51) - Precluding Default Approaches
    • (16:31) - The Final Three Questions
    • (23:40) - Conclusion

     ********
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    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.

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    4 May 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 33 seconds
    How To Speak Up — When You Don’t Want To | From TED Business

    What stops you from speaking up when it matters most?

    This week on Think Fast Talk Smart, we’re featuring a special episode from TED Business. Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact.


    TED Business is a podcast from TED that offers you a new idea and perspective for any business conundrum — whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life — because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or here.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:46) - If Not You, Then Who?
    • (04:01) - The Cost of Silence
    • (05:25) - Avoiding Conflict at Work
    • (06:20) - Why Speaking Up Matters
    • (07:30) - Building Courage Through Practice
    • (08:40) - A Moral Compass for Conversations
    • (12:01) - Handling Tough Feedback
    • (17:06) - QORC Apology Framework
    • (18:56) - Conclusion

    ********
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    30 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 40 seconds
    283. Ask Matt Anything: Authenticity, Anxiety, and Answering Well

    Simple strategies to think faster, stay authentic, and communicate with confidence. 


    How do you stay genuine without sounding rehearsed? What helps when your thoughts are moving faster than your words? And how can you handle high-pressure moments with more ease?

    Strong communication isn’t about having the right lines ready—it’s about being present enough to respond with clarity. In the moment, it’s easy to rush, overthink, or lose your structure. But with the right tools, you can slow down, connect, and communicate with intention.

    In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares insights from a live session with the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community. Through real audience questions, he outlines practical ways to manage nerves, adapt to different situations, and build communication habits that last.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:35) - Email Small Talk
    • (05:12) - Slowing Down Your Thinking
    • (07:22) - Controlling Speaking Pace
    • (09:29) - Authenticity vs. Adapting
    • (14:44) - Scripted Talks
    • (17:36) - Handling No Questions
    • (21:11) - Conclusion

    ********
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    23 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 27 minutes 39 seconds
    282. The Language of Luck: Why Fortune Favors Those Who Pay Attention

    If you can make conversation, you can make your own luck.

    Good communication isn’t passive. And good luck, says Tina Seelig, is the same. There’s “what the world gives us,” and then there’s “how we respond to it.”

    Seelig is executive director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University and author of What I Wish I Knew About Luck. For her, good fortune doesn’t find us, we find it. “Opportunities for lucky things to happen are ubiquitous. But they're invisible and most people don't see them,” she says. In the same way that communication requires active listening, making our own luck requires presence to the people and possibilities that come our way.

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Seelig and host Matt Abrahams explore how communication creates luck. From curious listening to resolving the conflicts that block opportunity, Seelig offers practical ways to respond to what life offers — and turn everyday interactions into the foundation for good fortune.

    To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:42) - Luck vs. Fortune
    • (03:51) - The Idea of Making Luck
    • (04:36) - Building Your Luck Framework
    • (05:45) - Listening Creates Opportunity
    • (06:52) - Focus on Others
    • (09:53) - Staying Connected to Others
    • (11:05) - Appreciation as a Habit
    • (12:00) - How Conflict Blocks Luck
    • (13:31) - Apologies Create Opportunity
    • (14:29) - Ask, Don’t Assume
    • (16:22) - Communicating for Your Audience
    • (18:09) - Prepare Your Stories
    • (21:55) - The Final Three Questions
    • (26:25) - Conclusion

    ********
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    20 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 41 minutes 21 seconds
    281. Be Clear, Be Concise, Be Remembered: Masters of Scale

    Great communication isn’t about saying more—it’s about making what you say matter.

    If we want to communicate more effectively, we need to treat communication less like a habit—and more like a series of intentional choices. In this special feed drop, we’re featuring a conversation from the ⁠Masters of Scale⁠ podcast, where host ⁠Jeff Berman⁠ sits down with Stanford lecturer and ⁠Think Fast, Talk Smart ⁠host Matt Abrahams to explore what it really takes to communicate with intention.

    Most of us default to what feels natural—long-winded openings, generic pitches, or focusing on what we want to say. But as Matt explains, effective communication starts with the audience. Get to the point quickly. Focus on what’s relevant. “Tell the time, don’t build the clock.”

    From high-stakes presentations to job interviews and everyday interactions, Matt shares practical, science-backed strategies for showing up with clarity and confidence. Communication is something we all do every day—but doing it well, especially when it counts, takes intention. As this conversation makes clear, small shifts in how we prepare, structure, and deliver our message can make all the difference.


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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (04:13) - Communication as a Skill
    • (04:43) - The Impact of Communication
    • (05:21) - Prevalence of Speaking Anxiety
    • (07:22) - Techniques for Reducing Anxiety
    • (09:57) - Core Principles: Repetition, Reflection, Feedback
    • (11:04) - Communication in Education
    • (12:14) - Opportunities to Improve Communication
    • (14:37) - Presenting & Pitching Ideas
    • (16:52) - Setting Clear Expectations
    • (20:09) - Characteristics of Productive Meetings
    • (24:38) - The Role of Repetition in Leadership
    • (25:28) - Structured Preparation for Interviews
    • (26:54) - The ADD Framework for Responses
    • (28:22) - Asking Insightful Questions
    • (29:42) - Defining Communication Objectives
    • (32:48) - Adapting Messages to Different Formats
    • (34:03) - Building Confidence in New Mediums
    • (35:13) - Recovering from Cognitive Lapses
    • (36:39) - The Pace, Space, Grace Framework
    • (38:34) - Navigating Differing Perspectives
    • (40:26) - Conclusion

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

    16 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 28 minutes 39 seconds
    280. Stay Relevant: Future Proof Your Career in an AI World

    Work is changing, not ending—what it takes to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.


    Careers aren’t ladders anymore — they’re climbing walls. As Aneesh Raman puts it, “work is changing, not ending,” and success today depends on how well you can navigate change and explain your path along the way.

    Raman is the Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn and a former presidential speechwriter for Barack Obama. His work focuses on the future of work and how individuals can adapt in an AI-driven world. In his book Open to Work, he argues that the most valuable skills today aren’t technical — they’re human. “We now have this technology that's gonna do more, better, faster… It will out efficiency us,” he explains. But that shift creates opportunity: “When you recognize that humans aren't meant to be machine-like, and that machines will eventually out machine us, that isn't the end state. It's going to be a more entrepreneurial era where we're going to rely on our unique ability to imagine, to invent, to create.”

    In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Raman and host Matt Abrahams explore what it takes to navigate a rapidly changing workplace. From the “Five C’s” to practical ways to redesign your role around human strengths, Raman shares how to stay relevant as work evolves, the power of audience-first communication, and why great storytelling starts with understanding yourself.

    To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:47) - Storytelling & Career Lessons
    • (05:12) - Obama’s Communication Style
    • (08:04) - Careers as Climbing Walls
    • (12:10) - The Rise of Human Skills
    • (15:46) - The Three Work Buckets
    • (21:42) - The Final Three Questions
    • (27:27) - Conclusion

    ********
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    Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

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

    13 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 44 minutes 31 seconds
    279. Rethinks: How to Leverage What People Already Want

    How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change.


    If you want to be a changemaker, you’ll have to convince others to join your cause. But according to Dan Heath, persuading your audience isn’t about creating new motivation — it’s about leveraging the motivation that’s already there.


    “The most important fuel for any change effort is motivation,” says Heath, the number-one New York Times bestselling author of Reset: How to Change What's Not Working. Instead of struggling to persuade people to want what you want, Heath suggests finding where your goals overlap with the things they already desire. "Before you even get to persuasion, if you can just tap and unleash the energy that's already there, you've already catapulted yourself toward success,” he says.


    In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Heath and host Matt Abrahams explore how to create more compelling communication using “leverage points,” or as Heath says, “where a little bit of effort yields a disproportionate return.” Whether getting buy-in from one teammate or achieving change across an entire organization, Heath shares practical tips for turning latent motivation into an engine for change.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (03:30) - The Power of Storytelling
    • (06:40) - Crafting Powerful Stories
    • (11:39) - Finding Great Stories
    • (14:58) - Leverage Points For Change
    • (18:10) - Wasted Resources & Motivation
    • (23:26) - Latent Desire in Systems
    • (25:35) - The Role of Systems in Communication
    • (29:24) - Communicating Progress
    • (32:46) - Lessons from Hosting a Podcast
    • (35:18) - The Final Three Questions
    • (43:22) - 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. 

    9 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 14 seconds
    278. How Do You Mean? It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It

    Whatever your message, the manner in which you deliver it is just as important.


    You found the right words. You picked the right time to say them. You even tailored them to your audience. Why did your message fall flat? “It's your tone,” says Jefferson Fisher.


    Fisher is a trial attorney, New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and one of the most-followed experts in communication today. From handling high-stakes communication in the courtroom to navigating everyday conversations, he says successful messaging isn’t just about what you say, but how you say it. “It’s not your words, it’s your tone,” he says, “The words might be right, but the way you [say them] — that's what ends up controlling the day. Tone controls everything.”


    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Fisher and host Matt Abrahams explore how to set the right tone in all kinds of communication. Whether you're navigating conflict, giving and receiving feedback, or just trying to connect, Fisher offers practical techniques for ensuring the manner of your communication matches what you mean.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:42) - Stop Winning Arguments
    • (04:16) - Ask, Don’t Persuade
    • (04:47) - Defuse Tension Fast
    • (05:54) - Read the Room
    • (07:50) - Observing vs. Absorbing
    • (09:22) - Framing Conversations
    • (11:35) - Fix Digital Communication
    • (13:15) - Improve Your Tone
    • (16:07) - Break People-Pleasing
    • (17:32) - Setting Clear Boundaries
    • (21:58) - The Final Three Questions
    • (24:59) - Conclusion

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

    6 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 54 seconds
    277. How Small Choices Shape Better Communication

    Real change isn’t about knowing what to do — it’s about actually doing it, one small choice at a time.


    Change doesn’t come from one big breakthrough. It comes from the small choices we make over and over — often in moments we barely notice.


    Eric Zimmer, behavior coach, host of The One You Feed podcast, and author of How A Little Becomes A Lot, says the real challenge isn’t figuring out what to do — it’s closing the gap between knowing and doing. “We all have areas where we know exactly what would help,” he says. “But somehow, we still don’t follow through.” His approach focuses on something simpler and more effective: small, low-resistance actions done consistently over time. “It’s not about doing everything,” Zimmer explains. “It’s about doing something — again and again — in the same direction.”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zimmer joins host Matt Abrahams to unpack how lasting change actually happens. From building awareness in the middle of everyday life to designing habits that are easier to stick with, he shares practical strategies for turning intention into action. “You don’t need to wait until you feel ready,” he says. “You can act even when it’s uncomfortable.”

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:38) - From Addiction to Transformation
    • (03:48) - The “Two Wolves” Parable
    • (05:33) - Awareness in Communication
    • (07:07) - Building Awareness Through Small Habits
    • (09:01) - The Knowing–Doing Gap
    • (10:25) - The SPAR Framework
    • (14:00) - Motivation vs. Action
    • (19:40) - The Final Three Questions
    • (25:07) - Conclusion

    ********
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    Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

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

    2 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 42 seconds
    276. Dead End Goals: Are Your Ambitions Actually Leading You Toward Meaning?

    The goals we set often lead us away from the meaning we ultimately seek.


    Meaning in life isn’t a concrete point we can route toward. That’s why we need what Arthur Brooks calls “proxy goals” — and much better ones than we typically choose.

    Brooks, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness, says that meaning can't be pursued directly, but rather through proxy goals — markers that lead us to what we're really seeking. “The big, complex, meaning-filled things in life, you can't see them directly,” he says. “If you want to find meaning, you have to have proxy goals.” The problem is that many of us have chosen terrible proxies. “Money, power, pleasure, fame, prestige; those are really bad proxy goals for the meaning of life,” Brooks says. “You're never gonna find it.”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Brooks returns to the show, and with host Matt Abrahams, he explores how we can move from searching for meaning to actually finding it. From understanding the three components of meaning to transcending the “me self,” Brooks offers practical guidance for those who strive and strive, yet still feel like something’s missing.

    To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:40) - The Striver Mindset
    • (04:14) - Three Parts of Meaning
    • (08:04) - Me Self vs. I Self
    • (10:13) - Transcendence Explained
    • (12:18) - Proxy Goals
    • (14:58) - Meaning vs. Achievement
    • (20:05) - Daily Protocols
    • (21:55) - This or That
    • (23:29) - 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.

    Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

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

    30 March 2026, 1:00 pm
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