Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

“What you think is not gospel.”
Can arguing with yourself make you happier? Martin Seligman, positive psychology pioneer and author of Agency: The Psychological History of Human Progress, says our negative thoughts don’t have to dictate how we feel. By recognizing our internal narratives and challenging them with evidence, we can change our outlook and build a greater sense of agency. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Seligman and Matt Abrahams discuss flourishing, optimism, and the power of self-talk. They also examine why celebrating other people’s successes takes more than saying “congratulations,” and how active, constructive communication can deepen our relationships.
Takeaways:
Your thoughts aren’t facts. Negative self-talk can shape your emotions and actions, but learning to challenge those thoughts with realistic evidence can help you develop a more optimistic outlook.
Celebrate success with curiosity, not just congratulations. Asking thoughtful questions about someone’s good news helps them relive the experience and can deepen your relationship.

Activity:
Argue with yourself. Catch one negative thought you have about yourself this week and write it down as an argument rather than a fact. Then build the opposing case by listing three pieces of real evidence that challenge it.
To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:
Martin Seligman
Martin’s Book: Agency
Ep.179 Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
Ep.181 Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communicat…  

Connect:
Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
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

(01:20) - The Five Pillars of Flourishing

(04:51) - Changing Your Inner Dialogue

(06:22) - Challenging Negative Self-Talk

(07:58) - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

(09:38) - Building a Sense of Agency

(11:27) - Learning From Your Critics

(13:18) - The Final Three Questions

(20:17) - Conclusion

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

“Everybody you interact with needs that signal of respect.”
Feeling seen and respected can shape how we communicate and connect with others. For Stanford social psychologist and author of Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome, Claude Steele, understanding stereotype threat and “churn,” the tension that arises when we worry about being judged based on our identity, can help us build greater trust across differences. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Steele joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how stereotypes influence our interactions and how to reduce their impact. From giving feedback that communicates respect to building trust, Steele shares how seeing people’s full humanity and potential can strengthen our connections.
Takeaways:
Trust grows when people feel seen and respected. Recognizing someone’s abilities, potential, and individuality can reduce uncertainty and help build stronger relationships across differences.
Feedback works better when respect is explicit. Pairing high standards with a clear belief in someone’s ability to meet them can make critical feedback feel more trustworthy and motivating.

Activity:
Add a signal of respect. Think of someone you need to give constructive feedback to. Before delivering the critique, add one sentence that communicates both your standards and your confidence in their ability to meet them. Notice whether this changes how the feedback is received.

Episode Reference Links:
Claude Steele
Claude’s Book: Churn
Ep.40 Mindset Matters: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress 

Connect:
Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
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

(00:57) - What is Stereotype Threat?

(02:39) - Social Media and Stereotypes

(03:44) - Reducing Stereotype Threat

(07:18) - Building Personal Connections

(08:13) - Understanding Churn

(09:46) - Building Trust Through Feedback

(13:54) - The Final Three Questions

(19:10) - Conclusion

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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.

“The ability to handle yourself in interviews and other high-pressure situations can make the difference in getting the job and achieving your goals.”
A successful interview is more than answering questions well. It’s an opportunity to communicate what sets you apart and demonstrate the value you can bring. Preparation, structure, and storytelling can help you do that with confidence. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams and communication teacher Laura Joyce Davis share strategies for preparing for job interviews. From identifying what differentiates you to structuring answers and telling memorable stories, they explain how to present your experience with clarity while staying authentic and human.
Takeaways:
Preparation makes confidence easier. Identifying what sets you apart and stockpiling stories, examples, and evidence helps you answer questions clearly while staying present in the moment.
Structure turns experience into a stronger answer. Frameworks like “What? So what? Now what?” help you connect your skills and experiences directly to what matters to the interviewer.

Activity:
Build your interview bank. Create a simple bank of three strengths you want an interviewer to remember. Under each, add one story, piece of evidence, or testimonial that proves it. Use the bank to quickly assemble relevant answers rather than memorizing responses to individual questions.

Episode Reference Links:
Laura Joyce Davis
Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community

Connect:
Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
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

(00:56) - Preparing for Your Interview

(03:37) - Structuring Your Answers

(05:02) - The ADD Framework

(07:51) - Practicing for the Interview

(09:16) - Storytelling That Stands Out

(10:39) - Conflict, Beats, and Transformation

(14:28) - The One-Minute Story Exercise

(15:32) - The Importance of Pre-Work

(16:45) - Conclusion

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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.
With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence, knowing you're getting the best talent for your needs. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com/fast
Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

“Causality is this foundation that really allows us to anchor what we’re trying to do when we’re telling stories.”
Storytelling doesn’t require a dramatic narrative. For behavioral scientist and former Disney Imagineer Troy Campbell, even everyday information can become a story when we explain the “because” behind it, connecting what happened to why it matters. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Campbell joins Matt Abrahams to unpack the psychology behind storytelling and persuasion. From structuring ideas around goals, insights, and actions to creating “portals” that prepare audiences for what comes next, he shares practical ways to make communication more relevant, persuasive, and memorable.

Takeaways:
Stories are built on cause and change. Connecting information through the “because” behind it turns isolated facts into a narrative that helps audiences understand why something happened and why it matters.
Start by preparing your audience for what comes next. Effective “portals” create anticipation, shift people into the right mindset, and provide just enough context to help them engage with your message.

Activity:
Create a portal. Choose an upcoming meeting or presentation and redesign the first minute to prepare your audience for what follows. Build an opening that creates anticipation, shifts their mindset, and previews where you’re taking them before diving into the main content.
To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.
Episode Reference Links:
Troy Campbell
Ep.156 Creative Communication: How Our Design Choices Illustrate O… 

Connect:
Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
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

(00:56) - The Power of “Because”

(01:58) - Stories in Everyday Jobs

(03:03) - Goal, Insight, Action

(06:32) - Overcoming Change Resistance

(11:34) - Creating Powerful Portals

(17:54) - The Final Three Questions

(23:35) - Conclusion

“We are now competing in conversation with someone’s feed.”
Connecting with others requires more than knowing what to say. The signals we send through our body language, the questions we ask, and even where we position ourselves can shape how others experience a conversation. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, behavioral researcher and author of Cues and Captivate, Vanessa Van Edwards joins Matt Abrahams to explore the subtle cues that make communication more engaging. She shares strategies for navigating networking events, sparking more meaningful conversations, and signaling the warmth and competence that shape charisma and connection.

Takeaways:
Connection starts before you speak. Visible palms, eye contact, positioning, and other nonverbal cues can signal warmth and openness, shaping how others experience an interaction from the start.
Better conversations spark curiosity. Moving beyond routine small talk with engaging questions, surprising stories, and genuine enthusiasm can make interactions more memorable and meaningful.

Activity:
Create a conversational feed. Start a note on your phone and collect three things from your week—a surprising moment, an interesting observation, or a small win. Bring one into your next networking event or meeting as “conversational confetti” instead of defaulting to routine small talk.
Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities
Episode Reference Links:
Vanessa Van Edwards
Vanessa’s Books: Cues / Captivate
Ep.301 Trust at First Sight: Create More Meaningful Connections 

Connect:
Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
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

(00:37) - Why Your Hands Matter

(02:20) - Networking With Confidence

(05:34) - Make Small Talk More Engaging

(09:03) - The Science of Charisma

(13:11) - Conclusion

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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.
With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence, knowing you're getting the best talent for your needs. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com/fast
Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.