Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives.

All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why Laura Spinney says understanding language — where it comes from and how it evolves over time — can help us use it more effectively.

“Language is incredibly powerful,” says Spinney, an author and journalist published in the Atlantic, National Geographic, Nature, and New Scientist. As “humanity’s oldest tool,” language has evolved as we have, which Spinney explores in her latest book, Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global. In addition to the words themselves, there are also the stories that humans have carried with them for millennia. “Some stories that we still tell today,” Spinney notes, have remained stable for tens of thousands of years — providing more than just entertainment — shaping how we understand the world, share knowledge, and build community.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Spinney and host Matt Abrahams discuss why language and storytelling are fundamental to being human, what makes a story compelling, and how our ever-evolving language continues to be our best tool for communication and connection.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Laura Spinney
• Laura’s Books: Proto / Pale Rider
• Ep.168 How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career
• Ep.91 Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective 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
• (02:24) - Power & Limits of Language
• (02:55) - Detecting Lies
• (04:46) - Origins of Storytelling
• (07:42) - What Makes a Great Story
• (10:31) - Proto-Indo-European Language
• (12:52) - Language Families & Connections
• (15:06) - Language Clues in History
• (17:17) - The Final Three Questions
• (21:56) - Conclusion

*****
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Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them comes with a cost.

You want a more successful career, a more fulfilling relationship, a more meaningful life? What if all that’s standing in your way — are the conversations that you’re avoiding?

“Most things that we want in life are on the other side of a difficult conversation,” says Jenn Wynn, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business and previously the director of education at the Obama Foundation. For nearly 10 years, she has taught a course on difficult conversations that equips people to communicate through discomfort in pursuit of what they want. “Sometimes it's a difficult conversation with a loved one, a colleague, a boss… sometimes it's a difficult conversation with myself,” she says. “Are you going to give up on your biggest dreams because you weren't willing to step out of your comfort zone?”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wynn and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to build the “hard but worth-it skills” necessary for difficult communication. Whether it's asking for a raise, setting boundaries, or addressing conflict, Wynn’s insights show that the conversations you’re avoiding aren’t just holding you back — they’re keeping you from the life you really want.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Jenn Wynn
• The H.I. Note: Healing Inspirations from Life
• Ep.22 Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis

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
• (00:52) - Understanding Difficult Conversations
• (03:09) - Developing Emotional Intelligence
• (04:09) - Self-Awareness, Pause, Reframe
• (06:24) - Common Communication Barriers
• (08:20) - Listening for Understanding
• (10:57) - Using AI for Communication
• (12:49) - Creating Psychological Safety
• (15:25) - The Final Three Questions
• (20:39) - Conclusion

********
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How do you stay clear, calm, and precise when every word counts and there’s no room for error?

Staying calm and focused while translating high-stakes conversations in real time isn’t just a language skill — it’s a masterclass in communication under pressure. And for Giampaolo Bianchi, simultaneous interpreter for the United Nations and World Health Organization, it’s a challenge he meets with presence, precision, and a whole lot of preparation. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous Speaking series, Bianchi offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he prepares for — and performs in — moments where being calm, in control, and adaptable are essential.
“We don’t translate words — we translate ideas,” Bianchi explains, highlighting the mindset shift that allows interpreters to go beyond language and convey meaning with clarity and nuance. He shares the role of rigorous preparation, physical grounding, and mental focus in his work, and explains how tools like note systems, pre-session rituals, and active listening help manage cognitive load during live interpretation.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Bianchi and host Matt Abrahams explore how the principles of simultaneous interpretation apply far beyond the booth — offering valuable strategies for anyone who needs to communicate effectively under pressure, adapt in the moment, and ensure their smartest communication happens without a script.

Episode Reference Links:

• Giampaolo Bianchi
• 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 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
• (01:09) - Becoming a UN Interpreter
• (02:17) - Staying Calm Under Pressure
• (03:30) - Translating Emotion, Not Just Words
• (04:37) - Memory and Focus Techniques
• (06:18) - The Power of Preparation
• (07:44) - Pre-Meeting Rituals and Readiness
• (09:01) - Handling Mistakes in Real Time
• (10:11) - Interpreter Habits in Daily Life
• (11:12) - The Final Three Questions
• (14:52) - Conclusion

*****
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Master the art of thinking on your feet and turning unpredictability into powerful communication.

Being quick on your feet isn’t just a performance skill — it’s a communication necessity. And for Peter Sagal, longtime host of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, it’s a craft he’s honed over more than two decades in front of a live audience. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous Speaking series, Sagal shares what it really takes to communicate with presence, flexibility, and confidence when the script goes out the window.
“My job was no longer to be funny — my job was to make funny possible,” Sagal explains, reflecting on the shift from performer to facilitator. He opens up about how structure and ritual prepare him to embrace chaos, why listening matters more than cleverness, and how he defines success not by what he says, but by what others are able to say because of him. “Preparation is key,” he notes, “but being willing to let go of that preparation and follow what’s happening in the moment is really important.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sagal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to navigate speaking on the spot—whether you're managing meetings, leading teams, or handling high-stakes conversations—and offer a powerful reminder: the best spontaneous communicators don’t control the moment—they connect through it.

Episode Reference Links:

• Peter D Sagal
• 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 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) - Making Funny Possible
• (02:27) - Ditching the Script
• (05:42) - Pre-Show Rituals
• (07:57) - How to Introduce People Well
• (11:00) - Being Funny in the Moment
• (12:54) - Staying Present On Stage
• (15:14) - Gracious Communication
• (17:54) - The Final Three Questions
• (21:30) - Conclusion

********
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When communicating with their employees, most firms have no idea who they’re talking to.

Good communication is about knowing your audience. But if your organization is only focused on knowing your customers, James Root says you're forgetting a whole other cohort: your employees.

Root is a senior partner at Bain & Company, Chair of Bain Futures, and author of The Archetype Effect, in which he reveals a simple but overlooked truth: people want different things from their jobs. Despite this, most companies’ approach to employee motivation and reward is one-size-fits-all. “Every aspect of the standard organization model is built around this idea of the average worker,” he says. The problem? No average worker exists. “What people want from work is highly varied,” he says, and while many organizations spend millions to learn what drives their customers, “The mystery is why haven't we applied that same thinking to our workers?"

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Root and host Matt Abrahams explore how firms can transform organizational success by understanding their internal audience. Whether you're trying to attract new talent or encourage better performance from the team you already have, Root's research shows why it’s about knowing your audience — recognizing that different people are motivated by fundamentally different things at work.

Episode Reference Links:

• James Root
• James’ Book: The Archetype Effect
• The Archetype Quiz
• Ep.176 From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations
• Ep.104 How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way)

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
• (02:13) - The Evolving Nature of Work
• (05:13) - Leading Multigenerational Teams
• (08:42) - The Six Archetypes Explained
• (13:47) - The Archetypes Evolution
• (20:10) - The Final Three Question
• (23:28) - Conclusion

********
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Real connection means understanding your audience, staying true to yourself, and creating space for others.

How do you communicate who you are, what you stand for, and leave space for others to do the same? At the Stanford Seed Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, three GSB professors explored why real connection is built through authentic communication.

For Jesper Sørensen, authentic organizational communication means talking about a business in ways customers or investors can understand, like using analogies to relate a new business model to one that people already know. For incoming GSB Dean Sarah Soule, authentic communication is about truth, not trends. Her research on "corporate confession" shows that companies build trust when they admit their shortcomings — but only if those admissions connect authentically to their core business. And for Christian Wheeler, authentic communication means suspending judgment of ourselves and others. “We have a tendency to rush to categorization, to assume that we understand things before we really do,” he says. “Get used to postponing judgment.”

In this special live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and his panel of guests explore communication challenges for budding entrepreneurs. From the risks of comparing yourself to competitors to how your phone might undermine genuine connection, they reveal how authentic communication — whether organizational or personal — requires understanding your audience, staying true to your values, and creating space for others to be heard.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jesper Sørensen
• Christian Wheeler
• Sarah Soule
• Ep.194 Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1
  

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
• (01:13) - Jesper Sørensen on Strategic Analogies
• (04:16) - Sarah Soule on Corporate Confessions
• (08:56) - Christian Wheeler on Spontaneity & Presence
• (12:16) - Panel Discussion: AI’s Role in Research, Teaching, & Life
• (18:02) - Professors Share Current Projects
• (23:05) - Live Audience Q&A
• (33:02) - Conclusion

*****
This Episode is sponsored by Stanford. Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report
Support Think Fast Talk Smart by joining TFTS Premium.

How to be a skilled conversationalist in work, love, and life.

Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice is exactly the same. “Focus on how you make someone feel more than you focus on the words that you're saying,” she says.

As a professional coach, Greenwald helps people develop better communication skills, from executives in the business world to singles in the dating world. Building deep connections may at times be challenging, but as Greenwald says, it’s ultimately not complicated. “You're demonstrating that you're interested in someone and that you like them,” she says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Greenwald and host Matt Abrahams discuss relationship-building tactics like small talk, active listening, communication blindspots, and more.

Episode Reference Links:

• Rachel Greenwald
  

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
• (02:27) - Don’t Be a Data Collector
• (06:53) - How to Start and End Small Talk
• (11:40) - Romance vs. Work Communication
• (15:01) - The Role of Humor and Light Banter
• (17:47) - Conversation Pitfalls
• (22:06) - The Final Three Question
• (27:52) - Conclusion

********
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