Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Why community is the most powerful tool for transformation.

Community isn't just a feel-good buzzword. According to Gina Bianchini, it's a catalyst for personal and collective transformation.

Bianchini is the CEO and founder of community-building platform, Mighty Networks, and author of the book Purpose: Design a Community and Change Your Life. "Community is when people come together, and every single member has something to give and something to receive," she explains. In contrast to the one-directional dynamic of a speaker and their audience or a creator and their following, Bianchini argues that the power of community lies in two-way exchanges, where each member benefits the group and benefits from it. "Community is the single most effective way to get results and transformation you just can't get on your own," she says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Bianchini joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how to unlock the potential of purposeful communities. She shares strategies for finding your tribe during times of transition, the "people magic” created when we facilitate deep connections, and how creating community enables us to create the world and lives we imagine.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Gina Bianchini
• Gina’s Book: Purpose
• Ep.174 Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments 

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
• (02:15) - Defining Community vs. Audience
• (04:03) - Community as a Catalyst for Transformation
• (06:39) - Finding the Right Community
• (10:27) - The Future Story Framework
• (13:20) - People Magic & Facilitation
• (19:05) - The Final Three Questions
• (24:57) - 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

Reduce speaking anxiety and achieve your communication goals.

“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman, associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University.

In this Think Fast Talk Smart Rethinks episode, we revisit one of our most popular interviews. In it, Huberman, from the wildly popular Huberman Lab Podcast, shares his research on the autonomic continuum, a spectrum between states of high alertness or fear all the way down to deep sleep, and shares how to use the system to your advantage. “If people can conceptualize that the anxiety or stress response is the same as the excitement response, they feel different,” Huberman says.

Episode Reference Links:

• Andrew Huberman
• Ep.33 Hacking your Speaking Anxiety: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently 

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
• (02:48) - Stress & the Autonomic Continuum
• (04:56) - Controlling Alertness & Calmness
• (08:45) - Movement & Audience Perception
• (11:10) - Eye Movements for Anxiety Reduction
• (13:30) - Two Approaches to Managing Stress
• (18:14) - Preparing for Stress in Advance
• (20:16) - Effective Virtual Communication
• (22:18) - The Final Three Questions
• (27:26) - 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

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.

Sometimes the best way to explain an idea is to show it. That’s why Loom was built — to make communication more visual, authentic, and efficient. By combining video, screen sharing, and AI-powered editing, Loom helps teams connect and collaborate asynchronously, no matter where they are.

In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Joe Thomas, co-founder and CEO of Loom, now part of Atlassian, about how asynchronous video can make communication clearer, faster, and more personal. They discuss why “show, don’t tell” is such an effective communication principle, how authenticity builds trust, and why recording yourself might be one of the best ways to improve how you communicate.

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:

• Joe Thomas
• Ep.227 Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation
• Ep.230 Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage
• Ep.233 Tech Tools: Write with Confidence and Impact
• Ep.236 Tech Tools: Zeroing in on Your Email Communication
• Ep.239 Tech Tools: How Smarter Scheduling Leads to Stronger Communication 

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
• (01:18) - Loom Elevator Pitch
• (02:27) - Creation of Loom
• (03:50) - Show, Don’t Tell: Using Video Effectively
• (08:47) - Favorite Communicator
• (09:51) - Communication Hack or Tool
• (12:54) - 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.

How to unlock the power of groups through collective communication.

They say teamwork makes the dream work. But as Colin Fisher knows, unlocking the power of groups requires a specific kind of collective communication.

Fisher is an associate professor of organizations and innovation at University College London School of Management and author of The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups. His research reveals the dichotomy of group dynamics: "Groups can be the pinnacle of human accomplishment," he says. "But groups also have these tendencies to restrict us, to take away our individuality, and to sometimes make us the worst versions of ourselves.” The key, he argues, is fostering communication that maximizes the creative synergy of collaboration while minimizing the pressure to conform.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Fisher joins host Matt Abrahams to share evidence-based strategies for effective teamwork, from selecting the ideal group size to fostering psychological safety. Whether with our coworkers, our families, or our friends, Fisher’s insights reveal how collective communication can make or break group success.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Colin Fisher
• Colin’s Book: The Collective Edge
• Ep.174 Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments
• Ep.124 Making Meetings Meaningful Pt. 1: How to Structure and Organize More Effective Gatherings  
   

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
• (02:26) - Advantages and Disadvantages of Groups
• (04:00) - What Makes Teams Successful
• (05:44) - The Ideal Group Size
• (06:40) - Building Psychological Safety
• (08:56) - Launching a Team for Success
• (13:17) - Making Meetings More Effective
• (16:32) - The Final Three Questions
• (22:52) - 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.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

How to identify and rewrite the limiting beliefs holding you back.

Achieving what you want in life doesn’t just hinge on what you believe about your future. According to Muriel Wilkins, it has just as much to do with what you believe about your past and present.

Wilkins is an executive coach, author, and host of the HBR podcast Coaching Real Leaders. In her new book, Leadership Unblocked: Breakthrough the Beliefs that Limit Your Potential, she explains how our personal and professional blocks often stem from our own limiting beliefs about ourselves. “A belief is a story that you tell yourself,” she says, “It is the operating principle that is driving your behavior and the decisions you make.” Before we can take actions that will lead us to where we want to go, we have to uncover these hidden beliefs. Otherwise, Wilkins says, “We'll come back right to where we started. It's not just about what we do, it's about what we think about what we do that makes all the difference."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wilkins and host Matt Abrahams explore the three-step process of uncover, unpack, and unblock — Wilkins’ method for identifying limiting beliefs, understanding how they might be shaping our behavior, and updating narratives to align with who we actually want to be.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Muriel Wilkins
• Muriel’s Book: Leadership Unblocked
• Ep.102 Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel
• Ep.98 Give It to Me Straight: How to Give Honest, Constructive Feedback 
   

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
• (02:18) - The Seven Limiting Beliefs
• (04:44) - Three Steps to Becoming Unblocked
• (07:58) - Rethinking Values and Success
• (09:13) - Healthy vs. Toxic Productivity
• (11:57) - The Power of Mindset and Reframing
• (14:33) - Reverse Engineering Your Goals
• (17:42) - Managing Emotional Investment
• (21:22) - The Final Three Question
• (27:12) - 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.

This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.

Meetings are where collaboration happens — but too often, scheduling them feels like the biggest barrier to meaningful connection. That’s why Calendly was created: to simplify scheduling and make time for what truly matters — the conversation itself.

In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Calendly’s Vice President of Growth, Darren Chait, about how intentional scheduling leads to better communication, stronger relationships, and more productive meetings. They explore how data-driven insights can improve collaboration, reduce burnout, and help teams make every meeting count.

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:

• Darren Chait
• E.227 Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation 
• Ep.230 Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage 
• Ep.233 Tech Tools: Write with Confidence and Impact 
• Ep.236 Tech Tools: Zeroing in on Your Email Communication 

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
• (01:12) - Calendly Elevator Pitch
• (02:47) - The Origin of Calendly
• (04:44) - The Art of Intentional Scheduling
• (06:33) - Making Meetings More Effective
• (07:30) - Favorite Communicator
• (09:45) - Communication Hack or Tool
• (11:50) - 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.

When we truly listen, every conversation changes — including the one with ourselves.

Listening isn’t about waiting for your turn to speak — it’s about being present enough to truly hear. In a world full of noise, slowing down to listen can feel like a radical act. Yet it’s in those moments of stillness and attention that real understanding begins.

In this special Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, we explore what it means to “listen up” — to engage with intention, empathy, and curiosity. Along the way, listener questions spark insights on how to slow down fast conversations, apply communication tools in real life, and navigate the nuances of culture and connection. Because better communication doesn’t start with what we say — it starts with what we hear.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Ep.17 Think Fast: You Asked, We Answered
• Ep.114 Communication Means Paying Attention: The Four Pillars of Active Listening
• Ask Matt Anything (AMA) 1: Trust, Paraphrasing, and Nonverbal Cues   

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
• (02:42) - The Three Ps That Block Good Listening
• (03:39) - Ace Your Listening: Pace, Space, and Grace
• (05:59) - Listening Beyond Words: Nonverbal Cues That Matter
• (06:37) - Listening Through Paraphrasing
• (08:13) - Practicing Better Listening
• (09:30) - Choosing the Right Structure for Your Audience
• (12:55) - Applying Communication Skills Effectively
• (16:02) - Slowing Down Conversations
• (20:45) - Practicing and Getting Feedback
• (23:15) - What’s Next for Think Fast Talk Smart
• (25:07) - 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

Why we learn the most when we accept that we might be wrong.

Effective communication isn’t about having all the answers. As Astro Teller knows, it’s about finding (and sometimes fumbling) your way through the questions.

Teller is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and inventor who serves as Captain of Moonshots at X, Alphabet's Moonshot Factory. In his work leading teams toward audacious solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems, he embraces what he calls “a learning journey,” where being wrong isn’t the end, but the beginning. “As scary as it is to be wrong,” he says, it’s a necessary part of the discovery process. Whether experimenting in the lab or testing our thoughts and opinions in conversation with others, it’s about having the humility and curiosity to face the limits of our understanding. “When do you learn something? You learn something when you have a model about the world, and then you get some data that tells you you're wrong,” he says. “You learn nothing when you're right.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Teller and host Matt Abrahams discuss how embracing uncertainty drives innovation, why leaders should reward learning habits over outcomes, and how we learn the most when we’re not afraid to find that we might be wrong.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Astro Teller
• Astro’s Book: Sacred Cows 
• Ep.70 Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the Best 
• Ep.20 Question Your Questions: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication 

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
• (02:23) - Defining a Moonshot
• (04:26) - Building a Learning Machine
• (07:05) - Learning vs. Productivity
• (08:40) - Capturing and Sharing Learning
• (10:54) - Rewarding Habits, Not Outcomes
• (13:22) - Moonshot Success Stories
• (16:21) - The Power of Storytelling in Innovation
• (17:51) - Launching The Moonshot Podcast
• (19:42) - The Final Three Questions
• (25:45) - 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.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.

Staying on top of communication starts with staying in control of your inbox. That’s why Rahul Vohra, founder and CEO of Superhuman, believes that how we manage email directly shapes how we manage our time, focus, and relationships.

For years, Superhuman has helped professionals reach Inbox Zero faster — reducing email overload and reclaiming time for what truly matters. In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Vohra about the philosophy behind Inbox Zero, how better systems lead to clearer communication, and why mindfulness and intentional design can make us more effective communicators.
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:

• Rahul Vohra
• Ep.227 Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation 
• Ep.230 Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage 
• Ep.233 Tech Tools: Write with Confidence and Impact 

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
• (01:18) - The Philosophy Behind Inbox Zero
• (04:19) - The Superhuman Elevator Pitch
• (05:50) - The Origin of Superhuman
• (09:07) - Favorite Communicator
• (10:10) - Communication Hack or Tool
• (11:52) - 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.