Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

• 230. Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage

  Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Clear communication isn’t just about sharing information — it’s about making ideas stick. That’s why Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma, believes the key to effective collaboration lies in turning complex concepts into simple, memorable visuals.For years, Figma has been reshaping the way teams brainstorm, design, and build together — making it easier than ever to bring ideas to life in real time. In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Yamashita about how visuals facilitate shared understanding, why frameworks enhance team communication, and how to craft insights that people naturally remember and reuse.In addition to insight-packed discussions, this miniseries explores innovative tools that enhance the way we communicate and connect. Whether you want to make your presentations more memorable, craft stories that stick, or connect with your audience on a deeper level, these episodes will help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.Episode Reference Links:Yuhki YamashitaEp.227 Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:16) - Figma Elevator Structure (02:07) - Joining Figma (03:17) - The Power of Visual Storytelling (04:36) - Creating Shared Meaning with Visuals (05:37) - Favorite Communicator (08:59) - Communication Hack or Tool (10:36) - 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.Try Prezi today and get 25% off exclusively at prezi.com/thinkfast.

  --------  

  11:28

  --------

  11:28
• 229. Rethinks: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot

  To celebrate its second anniversary, we revisit our favourite tools and tips from Matt’s book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter.Original executive producer Jenny Luna turns the tables and interviews host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams about his bestselling book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot. To celebrate the book’s second anniversary, this special Rethinks episode dives into Matt’s most practical tips, powerful frameworks, and mindset shifts to help you speak with confidence in any spontaneous situation. From managing anxiety to structuring your thoughts on the fly, it’s filled with tools to help you become a more effective communicator.Episode Reference Links:Jenny LunaThink Faster Talk Smarter Ep.10 High-Stakes Communication: How to Manage Anxiety When Speaking in Front of OthersEp.112 From Mistakes to "Missed Takes"Ep.107 Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:54) - Defining Spontaneous Speaking (03:44) - Origins of Matt’s Interest (04:35) - The Six-Step Methodology (05:20) - Shifting Your Mindset (09:30) - Practical Structures for Speaking (11:45) - The “F-Word” of Spontaneous Speaking (13:18) - Communication Lessons from Martial Arts (14:38) - The Karate Pants Story (16:34) - Hosting 100 Episodes (17:49) - On-the-Spot Challenges (24:17) - 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.Build a better website with Squarespace today. Try Squarespace free for 14 days and receive 10% off your first purchase Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.  

  --------  

  24:45

  --------

  24:45
• 228. Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling

  Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake.Communicating under pressure isn’t just a useful skill — it can be the difference between escalation and resolution. For Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and CEO of The Black Swan Group, it’s a daily discipline built on empathy, self-regulation, and intentional listening. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous Speaking miniseries, Voss offers a rare window into the mindset and methods that helped him show up calm, focused, and adaptable when the pressure is sky-high.“Emotional intelligence is an insane accelerator to outcomes,” Voss shares, explaining how empathy, tone, and timing can shift the direction of any conversation. He breaks down techniques like labeling and mirroring, explores how to use silence and word choice strategically, and explains why overthinking can be just as risky as acting too fast. From gut-level pattern recognition to tactical use of voice, Voss shows how communication becomes more impactful when we’re not trying to control — but to connect.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Voss and host Matt Abrahams dive into how negotiation techniques developed for life-or-death situations can be applied far beyond them — offering powerful takeaways for anyone who needs to think clearly under pressure, stay agile in the moment, and communicate effectively when it matters most.Episode Reference Links:Chris Voss Chris’s Book: Never Split the Difference Ep.197 Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3)Ep.198 Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3)Ep.199 Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3)Ep.203 No Script, No Problem: Final Secrets to Speaking Under Pressure (Bonus)   Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:28) - Path to Hostage Negotiation (03:20) - Power of Emotional Intelligence (04:38) - Staying Calm Under Pressure (05:48) - Mental Prep & Mindset (06:56) - Trusting Your Gut (07:36) - Avoiding Overthinking (08:39) - Flexibility in Negotiations (09:53) - Listen More, Talk Less (10:09) - Labeling & Mirroring (12:29) - Tone Shapes Impact (13:44) - The Final Three Questions (19:15) - Conclusion  *****Thank you to our sponsors:Strawberry.me. Get $50 off coaching today at Strawberry.me/smartSupport Think Fast Talk Smart by joining TFTS Premium.     

  --------  

  20:56

  --------

  20:56
• 227. Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation

  Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski, CEO of Prezi, believes that visuals and storytelling are key to making ideas stick.For more than 15 years, Prezi has been reimagining the way we share information, helping communicators move beyond static slides and into dynamic, memorable experiences. In the first episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Szafranski about why visuals are so powerful for retention, how non-linear storytelling can make presentations more engaging, and the role AI now plays in shaping the stories we tell.In addition to insight-packed discussions, this miniseries explores innovative tools that enhance the way we communicate and connect. Whether you want to make your presentations more memorable, craft stories that stick, or connect with your audience on a deeper level, these episodes will help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.Episode Reference Links:Jim SzafranskiPrezi Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:18) - Prezi Elevator Structure (02:09) - The Power of Visuals in Storytelling (04:12) - Making Complex Ideas Simple (06:22) - When to Use Visuals (09:01) - Advantages of Non-Linear Storytelling (11:26) - AI’s Role in Visual Communication (14:22) - Favorite Communicator (15:37) - Communication Hack or Tool (17:28) - 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.Try Prezi today and get 25% off exclusively at prezi.com/thinkfast.

  --------  

  18:19

  --------

  18:19
• 226. Reinvent Yourself: Turning Uncertainty Into Opportunity

  Reinventing your life or career starts with reflection and conversation. Making the leap — to a new career, to the next stage of a relationship, or to a different version of yourself — requires honest communication. For Ilana Golan, being “leap-ready” requires that we answer three questions: Why me? Why this? And why now?Golan knows all about these leaps, as her career spans corporate executive roles, entrepreneurship, and even F-16 flight instruction. As the founder of Leap Academy and host of the Leap Academy Podcast, she helps equip others to navigate their own personal and professional reinventions. As she says, “It’s really about communicating from the vision,” which starts as an inside job. “Why is this the right thing for me right now? You convince yourself first, because when you're [at] peace with what you're trying to do, it's a lot easier to convince others.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Golan and host Matt Abrahams explore how honest communication shapes every stage of reinvention, whether that’s listening to the signals your mind and body are sending you — like “sleepwalking through life” and imagining something more — or articulating your pivot in ways that create understanding rather than resistance. Wherever you hope to leap, Golan’s insights show how to communicate through change with confidence and clarity.Episode Reference Links:Ilana GolanLeap Academy Podcast | Leap AcademyEp.187 Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your CareerEp.147 Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:56) - Breaking Barriers & Career Patterns (02:35) - Waking Up to Change (03:59) - Signs It’s Time for a Pivot (07:02) - The Rise of Portfolio Careers (10:34) - Communicating Career Leaps (13:46) - Finding Clarity in Reinvention (19:01) - The Final Three Questions (21:56) - Conclusion  ********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 Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.      

  --------  

  23:32

  --------

  23:32

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques