Best Think Fast Talk Smart Communication Techniques Podcasts (2025)

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199. Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3) 22:45

6d ago22:45

22:45

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot. Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most of our communication, there’s no time to plan, practice, or perfect — we have to respond in the moment. Spontaneous communication is a part of…

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Art is Like a Shark: Creating a Career in the World of Art with Dr. James Fox, Art Historian and Broadcaster 34:47

6d ago34:47

34:47

Art history isn't just about museums and galleries—it's a gateway to developing crucial professional skills and understanding human creativity across time and cultures. In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett interviews Dr. James Fox, a renowned art historian, broadcaster, and Cambridge Scholar, who shares insights into his diverse …

1
198. Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3) 25:02

11d ago25:02

25:02

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot. Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most of our communication, there’s no time to plan, practice, or perfect — we have to respond in the moment. Spontaneous communication is a part of…

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197. Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3) 25:12

13d ago25:12

25:12

This three-part miniseries is all about keeping your cool when speaking on the spot. Communicating effectively can be challenging enough, even with plenty of time to prepare what we want to say. But for most of our communication, there’s no time to plan, practice, or perfect — we have to respond in the moment. Spontaneous communication is a part of…

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Busting Myths About Accountancy with Karl Edge, Chief People Officer and Head of Regions at KPMG UK 32:13

13d ago32:13

32:13

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett interviews Karl Edge, Chief People Officer and Head of Regions at KPMG UK, who shares his 34-year journey from a working-class background to a leadership position at one of the world's leading professional services firms. What You’ll Learn: Why accountancy is far from boring: how it provides a…

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196. Ditch the Dictionary: Communicate Confidently Through Connection 22:29

20d ago22:29

22:29

Communication isn’t about perfect word choice, it’s about connecting with others. For native speakers and language learners alike, communicating comes with all kinds of challenges. But no matter how much we stumble over our words, Lindsay McMahon says communication isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection. The CEO and founder of All Ears Engl…

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195. Q&A on Conflict, Confidence, and Connection: Me2We 2025 Part 2 13:15

25d ago13:15

13:15

Stanford experts answer live questions on leadership, authenticity, and communication. What happens when four top Stanford thinkers take live questions from a room full of leaders? In Part 2 of this special Think Fast, Talk Smart series from the Stanford LEAD Me2We Conference, Matt Abrahams and his panel of expert GSB faculty—Allison Kluger, Naomi …

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194. Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1 32:16

27d ago32:16

32:16

Effective leadership begins with the way you communicate. Leading with impact isn’t about speaking louder—it’s about communicating in ways that resonate with what people already value. In Part 1 of this special two-part series from the Stanford LEAD Me2We Conference, Matt Abrahams brings together four expert GSB faculty—Allison Kluger, Nir Halevy, …

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Building a Career Through Trust and Culture with Will Lankston, Managing Director of Timpson Direct 31:25

27d ago31:25

31:25

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Will Lankston, Managing Director of Timpson Direct. What You’ll Learn: How to thrive in an empowering workplace culture built on trust and kindness Why saying "yes" to challenging opportunities accelerates career progression The power of personality-based hiring and why cultural f…

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193. Conquer questions: ADDing Value To Your Answers 11:59

1M ago11:59

11:59

Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answers. A great presentation doesn’t end with the final slide—it continues through the Q&A, where real engagement happens. Yet, for many speakers, this is the most nerve-wracking part. In this episode, Matt Abrahams explores why Q&A can feel intimidating and …

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192. Quick Thinks: How to Supersize Your Stories 10:38

1M ago10:38

10:38

How to craft compelling stories that captivate, inspire, and make an impact. Great storytelling isn't just about telling tales—it’s about crafting experiences that captivate, inspire, and drive change. In this special Quick Thinks bonus episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams welcomes bestselling author Dan Heath for a masterclass on the p…

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191. Memorable Messages: Choose Words That Capture Attention and Stay Remembered 23:10

1M ago23:10

23:10

How to craft communication that your audience will remember. Why do some messages stick, while others go in one ear and out the other? When it comes to crafting memorable communication, Ada Aka says not all verbiage is created equal. “Certain words are intrinsically more memorable than others,” says Aka, an assistant professor of marketing at Stanf…

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From Olympic Hopeful to CEO: Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell's Journey of Breaking Barriers 32:13

1M ago32:13

32:13

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell, CEO of Ten Thousand Interns Foundation. Join them as they explore: Rebecca's journey from elite swimming to charity leadership The challenges of being a trailblazer in a predominantly white sport Her decision to retire from swimming before the London 2012 Ol…

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190. Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already Want 25:25

2M ago25:25

25:25

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,” s…

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189. Numbers Need Narrative: Use Data to Influence and Inspire 21:09

2M ago21:09

21:09

Why numbers are only as compelling as the narratives we attach to them. Facts and figures can be your friend, but before you load your presentation full of data, Miro Kazakoff has a word of caution: “Data’s objective, but people are not.” You might think that your data speaks for itself, but Kazakoff says numbers need a narrative. A senior lecturer…

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How to Take Control of Your Career: A We Are Futures Roundtable Discussion 34:30

2M ago34:30

34:30

In this special roundtable episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Victoria Geary and James Rimmer, Senior Strategists at We Are Futures. Join them as they explore: How their careers evolved from unexpected starting points The importance of staying curious throughout your career Why networking is simpler than you think How to m…

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188. Mind Reading 101: To Know What Your Audience Thinks, Just Ask 24:48

2M ago24:48

24:48

How to really know what your audience is thinking. To be a great communicator, you have to get out of your own head. But that’s not all, says Matt Lieberman. According to him, you also have to get into the head of someone else. “Mind-reading is this remarkable ability that humans have,” explains Lieberman, a professor of psychology, director of UCL…

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187. Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career 22:13

2M ago22:13

22:13

Rethink career success by testing, adapting, and staying open to unexpected opportunities. Career planning isn’t as straightforward as we often assume—but according to Dorie Clark, that’s actually a good thing. Instead of following a rigid path, she believes we should be “treating our careers like a series of experiments”—testing, iterating, and st…

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186. Own Your Impact: How to Communicate Your Personal Power 21:04

2M ago21:04

21:04

Why good communication starts with tapping into your power. Impactful communication isn’t just about the words you use. According to Chris Lipp, it’s about the power you deliver them with. “When we have a belief in ourselves, what we say changes,” says Lipp, a professor at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business and author of The Science of …

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Breaking Free from Corporate Life: A Journey into Sustainable Entrepreneurship with Laura Harnett of Seep 34:34

2M ago34:34

34:34

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett welcomes Laura Harnett, Founder of Seep, a sustainable cleaning products company making waves in retail. Join them as they explore: How a career spanning retail, consulting, and investment led to founding Seep The impact of personal challenges on entrepreneurial decisions The journey from corp…

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185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication 19:43

3M ago19:43

19:43

How to captivate an audience and make your message stick. Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat because speakers aren’t prepared. For Guy Kawasaki, it’s because speakers miss the point. “If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience.” A renowned author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Kawa…

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184. Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your Career 22:21

3M ago22:21

22:21

Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career. Most of us know that career growth is important—but according to Catherine Fisher, we're thinking about it all wrong. It’s not just about landing a job or climbing the ladder; it’s about staying adaptable, building strong connections, and being proactive about opportunities before …

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183. Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication 27:20

3M ago27:20

27:20

Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication. Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage. “What I have come to value about anxiety,” says McGonigal, “is it’s a sign that I care.” As she explains,…

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How AI is Transforming Marketing in 2025, Expert Insights from Guy Hanson of Validity 32:08

3M ago32:08

32:08

In this episode of Careers Unwrap, host Mark Fawcett welcomes Guy Hanson, Vice President of Customer Engagement at Validity, a renowned expert in digital marketing and data management. Join them as they explore: The evolving landscape of AI in marketing from "wow" and "now" The critical role of data in modern marketing How data literacy shapes futu…

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182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing 21:34

3M ago21:34

21:34

Clarify your purpose — and stop wasting time. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, …

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181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing 24:23

3M ago24:23

24:23

Why connection is the key to a life well lived. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections…

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180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing 22:13

3M ago22:13

22:13

Why creating happiness in the future starts today. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connecti…

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179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing 24:12

3M ago24:12

24:12

A double definition of happiness — and how to cultivate both parts. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication…

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How to Lead with Balance in Insurance with Nick Turner, Group Chief Executive Officer at NFU Mutual 34:12

3M ago34:12

34:12

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Nick Turner, Group Chief Executive Officer at NFU Mutual. Join them as they explore: The origins and importance of insurance in modern society How NFU Mutual started and what makes it different as a mutual The diverse range of career opportunities in insurance Nick's journey from …

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178. Navigating Chaos and Uncertainty: The Power of Transparency and Empathy 20:22

3M ago20:22

20:22

Clear communication during times of uncertainty. Whether leading people through a 15-minute meeting or a years-long pandemic, communication requires compassion. For Dr. Anthony Fauci, that means being clear about who we’re speaking to and concise in what we say. As one of the world's leading experts in infectious diseases and public health, Fauci h…

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177. Don’t Resolve, Evolve: Top 10 Lessons For 2025 21:39

4M ago21:39

21:39

Ten essential communication strategies designed to elevate your skills. 2024 has been an incredible year for learning and growth, and as we head into 2025, there’s no better time to reflect on the skills and strategies that can shape our communication and careers. In this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams takes us through ten…

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Debunking Hospitality Myths and Building Careers with Kelly Johnstone, COO of Springboard 31:48

4M ago31:48

31:48

In this episode of Careers Unwrap, host Mark Fawcett welcomes Kelly Johnstone, Chief Operations Officer of Springboard and a seasoned executive in the tourism, leisure, and hospitality industry. Together, they explore the vibrant world of hospitality and the opportunities it offers. Join them as they explore: The current state of the hospitality in…

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176. From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations 19:15

4M ago19:15

19:15

Age diversity and cross-generational synergy can transform an organization. Most of us know age diversity matters in the workplace. But according to UCLA’s Bob McCann, we're thinking about it all wrong: it's not just about having different generations present — it's about creating meaningful connections between them. As director of UCLA's Leadershi…

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Ask Matt Anything (AMA) 1: Trust, Paraphrasing, and Nonverbal Cues 15:49

4M ago15:49

15:49

Enjoy this preview of our first Ask Matt Anything (AMA). We are excited to introduce this special edition of Think Fast, Talk Smart, featuring a preview of our first-ever Ask Matt Anything (AMA) episode. Typically, these sessions are exclusive to our Think Fast, Talk Smart Premium members, where Matt Abrahams answers the most pressing communication…

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175. Mastering Toasts and Tributes: Making Your Words Count 16:05

4M ago16:05

16:05

Crafting impactful toasts for every occasion. "Almost reflexively, most of us focus in the moment on how others are perceiving us, yet these situations aren't about us at all." Matt Abrahams, host of Think Fast, Talk Smart, shares an excerpt from his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot, on the art…

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174. Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments 20:06

4M ago20:06

20:06

Turn any meeting or get-together into a chance for deep connection and collaboration. Whether you’re holding a team meeting or hosting a family get-together, the success of any gathering, says Priya Parker, isn’t about the perfect agenda or venue, but about the intentionality behind how you bring people together. “90% of the success of any gatherin…

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Modern HR Insights with Danny Harmer, Chief People Officer at Aviva 35:56

4M ago35:56

35:56

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Danny Harmer, Chief People Officer at Aviva. Join them as they explore: How HR has evolved from personnel administration to strategic business partnership The impact of COVID-19 on workplace practices and hybrid working Why commercial acumen is crucial for HR professionals The bal…

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173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays 14:21

5M ago14:21

14:21

Master holiday conversations. The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, communication challenges and as we gather with family, friends, and colleagues, effective communication becomes crucial. To help make this time more enjoyable, this special Think Fast Talk Smart “Rethinks” episode revisits favorite “recipes” from past …

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How to Find Your Career Path with Nicola Semple 32:52

5M ago32:52

32:52

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Nicola Semple, Career and Confidence Coach. Join them as they explore: How to navigate major career decisions and transitions The importance of self-reflection in career development What makes a great career coach Why curiosity is crucial for career growth How to embrace change in…

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Between the Lines: In Storytelling, Simplify to Amplify - Premium Sampler 18:09

5M ago18:09

18:09

Visit fastersmarter.io/premium to become a Premium subscriber. "Start with the action moment or right before it," advises Hilary Price whose one-panel comic strips offer insights far beyond humor—they’re lessons in concise storytelling that resonate with anyone seeking to communicate effectively. “Simplify and amplify,” Price advises, emphasizing t…

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172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication 19:55

5M ago19:55

19:55

Mindfulness can transform your communication and your career. When we react, our instincts and impulses are in the driver’s seat. But when we take the time to reflect, that’s when Marshall Goldsmith says we take back control of how we respond. “Before speaking at work, breathe,” Goldsmith says. “Is my comment going to improve this other human b…

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Career Lessons That Never Get Old: Best of 2024 38:09

5M ago38:09

38:09

In this special episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett reflects on an incredible year of conversations, insights, and inspiration. Join us as we explore: The fascinating world of archaeology with Phil Harding The transition from frontline journalism to digital platforms with Fiona Campbell The evolving landscape of AI and creativity with J…

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171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2 20:00

5M ago20:00

20:00

Make your audience a part of the story. Great storytellers don't just relay information — they create experiences. As magicians, TikTok influencers, and stand-up comedians, these masters of engagement know that true connection happens when you make your audience a part of the story. In part two of this special series on storytelling, host Matt Abra…

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170. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1 15:10

5M ago15:10

15:10

Wisdom from the witness stand to the newsstand. The best storytellers might not call themselves storytellers at all. But from litigating in the courtroom to crafting newspaper cartoons, these experts know how to weave narratives that resonate. In part one of this special two-part series, host Matt Abrahams explores the foundations of effective stor…

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169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count 24:34

5M ago24:34

24:34

What makes a great conversation? “Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business School professor and author Alison Wood Brooks. Yet she believes these everyday exchanges are the gateway to deeper connection and opportunity. An expert in the science of conversation, Wood Brooks, teaches a popular course titled Talk and has spent years resea…

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Launching: Think Fast Talk Smart Premium 2:33

5M ago2:33

2:33

Introducing our new Premium membership, designed to enhance communication and career skills with expanded content and tools. Enjoy early access to live events, AMAs (Ask Matt Anything), eQuips—Essential Quick Insight Playlists—Extended Deep Thinks episodes, and the AI Chat Matt tool. The focus is on building a global community where members can con…

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168. How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career 24:32

6M ago24:32

24:32

Make your message memorable. “Immediately forgettable” — that’s how Matthew Dicks describes most of the business communication that he encounters. If you want to be remembered, he says, it’s time to tell stories. A veteran elementary school teacher, storytelling coach, and best-selling author, Dicks knows how the right narrative can transform munda…

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The Power of Naivety: Building Wealthy Social Enterprises with Brett Wigdortz 31:34

6M ago31:34

31:34

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Brett Wigdortz, Founder of Teach First and Tiney. Join them as they explore: How Brett transformed from management consultant to education entrepreneur Why being young and "naive" can be your greatest asset The importance of early years education in closing the opportunity gap How…

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167. Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication 22:43

6M ago22:43

22:43

Beyond the Big Screen. Every business meeting, product launch, or marketing communication has something in common with your favorite movie: they all succeed or fail based on their ability to make you feel something. Just ask Jeff Small, CEO of Amblin Partners. "Good stories win," says Small, who leads one of the world's most renowned independent fi…

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166. Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fail You 19:39

6M ago19:39

19:39

Why practice is the key to success. If there’s anyone who knows about performing under pressure, it’s former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck. Whether playing in front of thousands or presenting to ten, his key to success is practice. "There's a romantic notion that you rise to the occasion," says Luck, a Stanford graduate and four-time Pro Bowl selecti…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Think Fast Talk Smart Communication Techniques Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen