Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

"If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience."

Great presentations don't just share information—they create connection. As Apple's former Chief Evangelist and Canva's co-founder, Guy Kawasaki has spent decades helping people communicate ideas that inspire action. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to share practical strategies for crafting compelling presentations, building better slide decks, and using storytelling to keep audiences engaged. From investor pitches to keynote speeches, he explains why the best communicators don't just inform—they captivate.

Key Takeaways:

• Pitch to keep the conversation going. The goal of a pitch isn't to close the deal—it's to earn the next conversation.
• Keep it simple and audience-focused. Engage people with clear stories, concise visuals, and a message built around what they care about.

Activity:

• Choose an idea, project, or product you frequently explain. Challenge yourself to describe it in 30 seconds, focusing only on the problem you solve and why it matters to your audience. Then ask someone if they can clearly explain it back to you. Revise your pitch until they can.

Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

• Guy Kawasaki
• Guy’s Book: Think Remarkable
• Ep.82 It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First
• Ep.47 Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

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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. 

"You want to own the message and your narrative."

Strong communication is about more than delivering a message—it’s about building trust over time. As Zoom’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Storin has helped shape communication at one of the world’s most recognizable brands, balancing empathy, transparency, and consistency in an era of rapid technological change. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Storin joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how leaders can communicate with authenticity, navigate crises with clarity, and build cultures rooted in transparency. They explore the art and science of shaping perception, maintaining connection in hybrid workplaces, and creating messages that solve problems—not just capture attention.

Key Takeaways:

• Lead with authenticity and transparency. Clear, honest communication builds trust—especially during periods of change or crisis.
• Own your narrative. Consistent messaging and a clear story shape how others understand your brand, team, or ideas.

Activity:

• Before your next team update or difficult conversation, ask yourself: "What information can I share that will build trust?" Include one additional point of context or reasoning that helps your audience better understand the decision.

Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

• Kim Storin
• Ep.82 It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

********
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. 

"If these masters are still continually trying to improve their own craft, I don't have any excuses."

The world's best don't reach the top and stop learning—they keep refining their craft. David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass, has spent years sitting across from elite performers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs—and he’s discovered that excellence is less about talent than a relentless commitment to growth. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, he joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from building a company around learning, persuasion, and communication. From earning the trust of high-profile talent to leading creative and technical teams, Rogier reveals why curiosity, adaptability, and authentic relationship-building are essential communication skills.

Takeaways:

• Lead with curiosity. Build trust by asking thoughtful questions and focusing on the other person's needs, not your own. 
• Never stop improving. The world's top performers continuously seek feedback, refine their skills, and embrace lifelong learning.

Activity:

• Study an expert. Watch a communicator you admire—a speaker, leader, or interviewer—and identify three techniques they use to engage their audience. Try incorporating one of those techniques into your next presentation or meeting.

Printable Extended Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

• David Rogier
• Matt’s MasterClass

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

********
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. 

“Communication is the number one way to remove friction.”

If communication is the key to connection, then removing friction is what makes every interaction work. According to Vanessa Van Edwards, the most effective communicators aren’t just skilled with words—they know how to align their gestures, body language, and presence to make others feel at ease. A behavioral researcher and bestselling author of Captivate and Cues, Van Edwards studies the subtle signals that shape how we are perceived. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, she joins Matt Abrahams to explore the hidden factors that influence communication, from purposeful gestures and expressive body language to the words, images, and visual cues that build trust and credibility.

Takeaways:

• Great communication goes beyond words. Gestures, facial expressions, visual cues, and even the language we use in emails and meetings can either create friction or build trust, clarity, and connection.
• Focus on the other person, not yourself. By applying the Platinum Rule—treating others as they want to be treated—and intentionally putting people at ease, communicators can foster stronger relationships, deeper conversations, and greater influence.

Activity:

• Practice the Platinum Rule. Before your next important conversation, meeting, or email, take one minute to answer: “What does this person need from me right now?” Then tailor your communication to their priorities, concerns, and preferred style—not your own. Afterward, reflect on how that shift changed the quality of the interaction.

Printable PDF of Takeaways & Activity

Episode Reference Links:

• Vanessa Van Edwards
• Vanessa’s Books: Cues / Captivate
• Ep.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication 

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

Celebrating 300 episodes with listener questions from around the world. 

In this special 300th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams celebrates a major milestone with a live Ask Matt Anything session featuring questions from listeners around the world—and a few from the team behind the show. He introduces a new communication framework, PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point), before tackling topics ranging from word recall and public speaking nerves to storytelling, AI’s impact on communication, giving difficult feedback, and using gestures more effectively. Along the way, he shares practical strategies, favorite communication techniques, and lessons learned from 300 episodes dedicated to helping people communicate with confidence, clarity, and connection.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Ep.250 How to Navigate Conflict: Tools For Productive Communication

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

********
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. 

How to communicate with impact when the stakes are high.

Communication isn't about getting information out. It's about making sure it gets through. In an era of fragmented attention and endless platforms, the challenge isn't finding ways to speak—it's finding ways to connect.

According to Farnaz Khadem, Vice President of University Communications at Stanford, great communicators start with three questions: What's the goal? Who's the audience? And what does the data tell us? Whether guiding a university through a crisis, helping experts share their ideas with broader audiences, or deciding where a story should be told, she believes effective communication centers around understanding people. "People want to know what's actually happening," she says. "And if what is happening is you don't know what is happening, you have to tell people you don't know."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Khadem joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss the importance of preparation, transparency, and active listening when communicating during uncertainty. From navigating the opportunities and risks of AI to crafting stories that create genuine connection, she shares practical lessons for building trust, adapting to changing audiences, and communicating effectively when the stakes are highest.

Episode Reference Links:

• Farnaz Khadem
• Ep.22 Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis 

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

********
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. 

The nonverbal habits that make you look confident, composed, and authentic before you even speak.

How you carry yourself can shape how others perceive your confidence, credibility, and authenticity—often before you say a word. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares practical, research-backed techniques for strengthening your presence through body language, posture, gestures, and eye contact. Learn how to stand and sit with confidence, move with purpose, use your hands effectively, and avoid common nonverbal habits that can distract from your message. Whether you're presenting to an audience, leading a meeting, or navigating everyday conversations, these simple strategies can help you communicate with greater composure and impact.

Episode Reference Links:

• Ep.12 It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communica…
• Ep.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication  

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

********
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. 

Why the most effective communicators help people see not just what's changing, but why it matters to them.

For Sinéad Bovell, effective communication isn’t just about explaining what’s coming next—it’s about giving people the confidence and agency to engage with it.
Bovell is a futurist, founder of the tech education company WAYE, and an expert advisor to the United Nations AI Advisory Body. Known for making complex topics accessible to broad audiences, she has spent years helping leaders, organizations, and young people understand the implications of artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies. Her approach starts with a simple principle: meet people where they are and connect big ideas to what matters in their lives. “If you scare people too much, if you disempower them, they do unsubscribe from the very activities you need them to lean into.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Bovell joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how to communicate complexity without overwhelming people and why skills like adaptability and judgment are becoming more valuable in the age of AI. From making emerging technologies more accessible to building trust through relevance and empathy, they discuss what it takes to help audiences engage with change rather than fear it.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Sinéad Bovell

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

Practical communication strategies you can use immediately at work and beyond.

How do you speak up when a conversation is moving faster than you can think? What should you do when emotions threaten to derail your listening? And how can you give honest feedback to a boss who doesn’t seem interested in hearing it?

In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams answers listener questions from the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community on some of the most challenging workplace communication scenarios. From practical techniques for inserting your ideas into fast-paced meetings to strategies for managing emotions and delivering feedback upward, Matt shares actionable advice to help you communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and impact.

Episode Reference Links:

• Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community 

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

********
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. 

Why the best leaders treat uncertainty as a chance to learn, not a failure to avoid.

Most companies are built to grow. Far fewer are built to stay true to their purpose as they do.

Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, creator of the Lean Startup movement, and author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great. For Ries, innovation starts with a simple reality: nobody can predict the future. “If you're going to do something fundamentally new,” he says, “how are we supposed to forecast” what success will look like? Instead of relying on certainty, leaders should focus on learning. “If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ries and host Matt Abrahams explore how leaders can communicate through uncertainty, turn setbacks into valuable insights, and build cultures rooted in trust. From the power of the build-measure-learn feedback loop to the importance of making “deposits” in a company’s culture bank, Ries shares practical strategies for creating organizations that innovate, adapt, and stay true to their values as they grow.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Eric Ries
• Eric’s Book: Incorruptible
• Ep.56 Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really Stick
• Ep.54 Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values  

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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

********
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.