Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

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. 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.

Categories: Education

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This live Q&A with host Matt Abrahams celebrates 200 episodes of Think Fast, Talk Smart.


In an age of endless content and information, how do we ensure our communication cuts through the noise? Across 200 episodes of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams has discovered four essential ingredients that help messages rise above the chatter: concision, relevance, accessibility, and precision.

“Attention is our most precious commodity in the world today, and we need to make sure that we engage our audience so we get their attention,” says Abrahams in this special 200th episode. How do we capture and keep that attention? As he’s explored with guests throughout the show, effective and engaging communication — from all kinds of people and in all kinds of places — is concise, relevant, accessible, and precise.

In this special 200th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams shares insights gleaned from hundreds of conversations with communication experts, followed by a live Q&A with listeners from around the world. From crafting compelling elevator pitches to managing speaking anxiety, this celebration episode offers practical advice for focused communication that is sure to be the focus of your audience’s attention.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (04:30) - Concision in Effective Messaging
  • (07:42) - Make Your Message Relevant
  • (13:34) - Ensuring Accessibility
  • (17:46) - The Importance of Precision
  • (24:35) - Craft an Impactful Elevator Pitch
  • (28:23) - Build a Stronger Vocabulary
  • (30:19) - Communicating Numbers and Data
  • (32:48) - Responding When Caught Off Guard
  • (34:47) - Confidence for Speaking and Presenting
  • (37:45) - Steering Conversations Back on Track
  • (40:18) - Dream Podcast Guest
  • (41:19) - What’s Coming Next
  • (42:59) - Conclusion

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Previous episodes

  • 207 - 200. Four Keys for Focused Communication: Live Lessons from Our 200 Episodes 
    Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • 206 - 199. Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3) 
    Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • 205 - 198. Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3) 
    Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • 204 - 197. Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3) 
    Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • 203 - 196. Ditch the Dictionary: Communicate Confidently Through Connection 
    Tue, 08 Apr 2025
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