Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart

One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication.

  • 27 minutes 37 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
    • (02:36) - Storytelling & Career Lessons
    • (05:01) - Obama’s Communication Style
    • (07:53) - Careers as Climbing Walls
    • (11:59) - The Rise of Human Skills
    • (15:35) - The Three Work Buckets
    • (20:41) - The Final Three Questions
    • (26:26) - Conclusion

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    13 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 44 minutes 10 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
    • (03:59) - The Power of Storytelling
    • (07:09) - Crafting Powerful Stories
    • (12:08) - Finding Great Stories
    • (15:27) - Leverage Points For Change
    • (18:39) - Wasted Resources & Motivation
    • (23:06) - Latent Desire in Systems
    • (25:15) - The Role of Systems in Communication
    • (29:04) - Communicating Progress
    • (32:26) - Lessons from Hosting a Podcast
    • (34:58) - The Final Three Questions
    • (43:00) - Conclusion

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    9 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 13 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
    • (02:31) - Stop Winning Arguments
    • (04:05) - Ask, Don’t Persuade
    • (04:36) - Defuse Tension Fast
    • (05:43) - Read the Room
    • (07:39) - Observing vs. Absorbing
    • (09:11) - Framing Conversations
    • (11:24) - Fix Digital Communication
    • (13:04) - Improve Your Tone
    • (15:56) - Break People-Pleasing
    • (17:21) - Setting Clear Boundaries
    • (20:57) - The Final Three Questions
    • (23:58) - Conclusion

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    6 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 53 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
    • (02:27) - From Addiction to Transformation
    • (03:37) - The “Two Wolves” Parable
    • (05:22) - Awareness in Communication
    • (06:56) - Building Awareness Through Small Habits
    • (08:50) - The Knowing–Doing Gap
    • (10:14) - The SPAR Framework
    • (13:49) - Motivation vs. Action
    • (18:39) - The Final Three Questions
    • (24:06) - Conclusion

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

    2 April 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 40 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
    • (02:29) - The Striver Mindset
    • (04:03) - Three Parts of Meaning
    • (07:53) - Me Self vs. I Self
    • (10:02) - Transcendence Explained
    • (12:07) - Proxy Goals
    • (14:47) - Meaning vs. Achievement
    • (19:04) - Daily Protocols
    • (20:54) - This or That
    • (22:28) - 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.

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

    30 March 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 26 seconds
    275. Cracking the Code: Learn The Unspoken Rules of Workplace Success

    Why mastering unspoken workplace communication is essential to long-term career success.


    Succeeding at work doesn’t just depend on how hard you work or how smart you are. According to Erin McGoff, it often comes down to whether you understand the “secret language” everyone else seems to be speaking.


    McGoff is a career creator, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and author of The Secret Language of Work: Hyper Helpful Scripts for Every Situation. Known for her wildly popular AdviceWithErin platform, she helps millions of professionals phrase things more effectively — without sounding stiff or robotic. “It’s this hidden curriculum to the workforce,” she explains, describing the unwritten rules of interviews, negotiations, and professional etiquette. “It’s not written down anywhere. It’s not equally distributed.” Her mission is to make those invisible rules visible — and usable.

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGoff and host Matt Abrahams explore how to communicate with confidence, advocate for yourself strategically, and build a professional brand with intention. Confidence, she says, isn’t fixed: “Confidence isn’t binary. Confidence is a spectrum.” It starts internally, with how we speak to ourselves, and strengthens when we “get really good at what you do.”

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (04:39) - The Secret Language of Work
    • (06:15) - Building Confidence
    • (08:22) - Creating Your Professional Brand
    • (09:43) - Setting Expectations at Work
    • (12:14) - Advocate Strategically
    • (14:17) - Mastering First Impressions
    • (15:33) - Professional vs. Personal
    • (18:02) - Interview Before, During, After
    • (23:04) - Nonverbal Presence
    • (23:28) - The Final Three Questions
    • (27:27) - 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.

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

    26 March 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 13 seconds
    274. Choose Connection Over Perfection: Why Happiness Starts with Better Communication

    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.”

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (04:15) - Defining Happiness
    • (06:27) - Gratitude in Practice
    • (07:10) - Acting Extroverted
    • (09:07) - The Comparison Trap
    • (11:05) - Reflection vs. Rumination
    • (11:52) - Best Self Exercise
    • (13:16) - Building Positive Psychology
    • (14:41) - Happiness Drives Success
    • (16:09) - Relationships as a Seesaw
    • (18:29) - Being Known vs. Impressive
    • (21:13) - The Final Three Questions
    • (25:46) - 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. 

    23 March 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 42 seconds
    273. Quick Thinks: How to Create Messages People Remember

    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.


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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:05) - Embodied Cognition Explained
    • (04:18) - The Impact of Environment on Attention
    • (05:42) - Sparking Curiosity in Your Audience
    • (09:58) - Avoiding Cognitive Overload
    • (14:25) - Using Visuals to Improve Recall
    • (18:20) - 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. 

    19 March 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 40 seconds
    272. Say What Sticks: The Neuroscience of Memorable Communication

    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.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:25) - Attention vs. Memory
    • (05:01) - Novelty & Surprise
    • (06:22) - Why Attention Isn’t Enough
    • (07:50) - The Power of Priming
    • (09:23) - Priming in Business Communication
    • (10:07) - Why Audiences Forget
    • (13:18) - Smart Repetition
    • (14:54) - The Final Three Questions
    • (21:34) - 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. 

    16 March 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 47 seconds
    271. Rethinks: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change

    The secret to building habits that stick.


    Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are easier to form than most people think,” he says, “If you do it in the right way.”


    As the founder and director of Stanford's Behavior Design Lab, Fogg has devoted much of his career to researching human psychology, motivation, and behavior. According to him, habit formation isn’t a product of simply doing something over and over again. “It's not a function of repetition,” he says, “it's a function of emotion.”


    As Fogg discusses with host Matt Abrahams in this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, bringing our behavior in line with our goals is easier than we think — we just have to know the emotional levers to pull.


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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:29) - The Information-Action Fallacy
    • (04:12) - The Behavior Model: Motivation, Ability, Prompt
    • (05:52) - Designing a Reading Habit
    • (07:30) - What Is a Habit?
    • (10:39) - Making Paraphrasing a Habit
    • (13:16) - Specificity vs. Repetition
    • (15:35) - Choosing Habits You Enjoy
    • (16:33) - The Final Three Questions
    • (21:39) - 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. 

    12 March 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 23 seconds
    270. Make Belief: The Mindset Shifts That Make Your Communication Stronger

    Why beliefs can either cap our potential or push us toward possibility.


    What you believe about yourself could be holding you back. Fortunately, Nir Eyal says beliefs aren’t truths — and you can choose new ones.

    Eyal is a former lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Stanford d.school, a celebrated author, and a renowned expert on human behavior and potential. His latest book, Beyond Belief, reveals how limiting beliefs — like “I’m a bad communicator” — quietly shape what we see, feel, and do. “A belief doesn't have to be true” to limit our potential, he says. But the same holds in reverse: a belief doesn't have to be true to expand who and what we can become. “Beliefs are tools, not truths. It just has to be useful.”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Eyal and host Matt Abrahams explore how to identify the beliefs that hold us back — and how to replace them with ones that propel us forward. From keeping a belief journal to practicing perspective-shifting “turnarounds,” Eyal offers practical tips for rewriting the stories we tell ourselves and becoming the people we want to be.

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

    Episode Reference Links:

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:31) - The Power of Attention
    • (04:16) - The Hook Model & Surprise
    • (06:41) - Structure vs. Novelty
    • (08:36) - Identity & Limiting Beliefs
    • (11:38) - Beliefs Vs. Facts
    • (15:03) - The Four-Question Test
    • (20:53) - The Final Three Questions
    • (24:04) - 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. 

    9 March 2026, 1:00 pm
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