Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

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 [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/jim-szafranski/], CEO of Prezi, believes that visuals and storytelling are key to making ideas stick. For more than 15 years, Prezi [https://prezi.com/] 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 [https://www.fastersmarter.io/] 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 Szafranski [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/jim-szafranski/] * Prezi [https://prezi.com/]  Connect: * Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/] * Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io * Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website [https://www.fastersmarter.io/227-tech-tools-move-your-audience-by-moving-through-your-presentation/] * Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io [http://fastersmarter.io/] * Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3] * Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/] Chapters: * (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 [http://prezi.com/thinkfast].

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 [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/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 [https://www.leapacademy.com/] and host of the Leap Academy Podcast [https://www.leapacademy.com/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 [https://www.fastersmarter.io/], 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 Golan [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/ilana-golan/] * Leap Academy [https://www.leapacademy.com/]  * Podcast | Leap Academy [https://www.leapacademy.com/podcast] * Ep.187 Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career [https://www.fastersmarter.io/187-experimenting-failing-and-finding-your-job-fit-catalyze-your-career/] * Ep.147 Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be [https://www.fastersmarter.io/147-disrupt-yourself-how-to-innovate-who-you-are-and-become-who-you-can-be/]   Connect: * Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/] * Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io * Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website [https://www.fastersmarter.io/226-reinvent-yourself-turning-uncertainty-into-opportunity] * Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io [http://fastersmarter.io/] * Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3] * Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/] Chapters: * (00:00) - Introduction * (02:18) - Breaking Barriers & Career Patterns * (02:57) - Waking Up to Change * (04:21) - Signs It’s Time for a Pivot * (07:24) - The Rise of Portfolio Careers * (10:56) - Communicating Career Leaps * (14:08) - Finding Clarity in Reinvention * (19:54) - The Final Three Questions * (22:49) - 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 [https://www.grammarly.com/?utm_campaign=arm&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=podcast&utm_content=directpodcasts] Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/p/premium/].

In the digital age, it’s critical to craft communication that fits the context. Like it or not, algorithms now decide whose messages get heard. “If you want to communicate effectively,” says Adam Aleksic [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/adam-aleksic/], “you need to be exactly aware of what that medium is doing.” Aleksic is a linguist, author, and educational content creator with millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. His latest book, Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language [https://fastersmarter.io/algospeak], explores how the platforms we use create new contexts that require new ways of communicating. “Every medium uniquely affects how we communicate, and we adapt our speech to these media,” he says. In the same way that we tailor communication for the contexts of the office, the gym, or the bar, digital platforms — and the algorithms that drive them — require the same contextualized communication. “You have to appeal to [the] algorithm,” he says. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart [https://www.fastersmarter.io/], Aleksic and host Matt Abrahams examine how words are born, change meaning, and spread in the digital age. Their conversation highlights practical ways to be more intentional with the words we choose by considering the medium, understanding the context, and adapting communication accordingly. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/]. Episode Reference Links: * Adam Aleksic [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/adam-aleksic/] * Adam’s Book: Algospeak [https://fastersmarter.io/algospeak] * Ep.91 Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication [https://www.fastersmarter.io/91-um-like-so-how-filler-words-can-create-more-connected-effective-communication/]  Connect: * Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/] * Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io * Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website [https://www.fastersmarter.io/225-speaking-fluent-internet-how-algorithms-are-changing-the-way-we-speak/] * Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io [http://fastersmarter.io/] * Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3] * Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/] Chapters: * (00:00) - Introduction * (00:50) - Language, Labels, & Identity * (03:09) - What Is Algospeak? * (04:15) - Generational Language Gaps * (06:32) - Communicating for Multiple Mediums * (09:14) - Mastering Virality & Engagement * (10:41) - Semiotics & Going Viral * (12:27) - The Evolution of “Like” * (13:38) - Hedging, Ambiguity, & Power Dynamics * (16:16) - Actionable Takeaways on Communication * (17:27) - Grammar: Rules, Context, & Changing Norms * (19:30) - The Final Three Questions * (25:23) - Conclusion

Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives. All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why Laura Spinney [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/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 [https://www.fastersmarter.io/proto]. 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 [https://www.fastersmarter.io/], 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 [https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/]. Episode Reference Links: * Laura Spinney [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/laura-spinney/]  * Laura’s Books: Proto [https://www.fastersmarter.io/proto] / Pale Rider [https://www.fastersmarter.io/pale-rider] * Ep.168 How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career [https://www.fastersmarter.io/168-how-story-can-change-everything-in-your-career/] * Ep.91 Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication [https://www.fastersmarter.io/91-um-like-so-how-filler-words-can-create-more-connected-effective-communication/]  Connect: * Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/] * Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io * Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website [https://www.fastersmarter.io/224-make-your-messages-epic-the-evolution-of-words-and-the-stories-they-carry/] * Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io [http://fastersmarter.io/] * Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3] * Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/] Chapters: * (00:00) - Introduction * (02:45) - Power & Limits of Language * (03:16) - Detecting Lies * (05:07) - Origins of Storytelling * (08:03) - What Makes a Great Story * (10:52) - Proto-Indo-European Language * (13:13) - Language Families & Connections * (15:27) - Language Clues in History * (17:38) - The Final Three Questions * (22:42) - Conclusion

By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections. Humor in communication isn’t all fun and games. According to Alison Wood Brooks [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/alison-wood-brooks/] and Naomi Bagdonas [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/naomi-bagdonas/], levity is one of the most serious tools we have in building successful connections. Wood Brooks and Bagdonas, both teachers, authors, and experts in the field of communication, recognize how crucial levity is to our professional and personal interactions. “It’s easy to think of [humor] as this extra bonus thing,” says Wood Brooks. “What we find is it’s incredibly core to how people are relating to each other.” Bagdonas agrees: “When there's the presence of laughter in team meetings, those teams are more successful and more creative. Leaders with a sense of humor—not even a good sense of humor—are seen as more motivating, more admired, [and] their teams report being more engaged.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart [https://www.fastersmarter.io/], Wood Brooks and Bagdonas join host Matt Abrahams to explore levity as a mindset, or as Bagdonas puts it, “Navigating life on the precipice of a smile.” Together, they share how lightness and humor can break barriers, bridge connections, and unlock the door to better communication. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/]. Episode Reference Links: * Alison Wood Brooks [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/alison-wood-brooks/]  * Alison’s Book: Talk [https://fastersmarter.io/talk/] * Naomi Bagdonas [https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/naomi-bagdonas/]  * Naomi’s Book: Humor, Seriously [http://fastersmarter.io/humorseriously] * Ep.13 Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your Communication [https://www.fastersmarter.io/13-make-em-laugh-how-to-use-humor-as-a-secret-weapon-in-your-communication/] * Ep.73 Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested Than Interesting [https://www.fastersmarter.io/73-listen-up-why-its-better-to-be-interested-than-interesting/] * Ep.89 Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections [https://www.fastersmarter.io/89-listen-listen-listen-how-to-build-deep-connections/] * Ep.169 Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count [https://www.fastersmarter.io/169-dont-be-a-zq-make-your-conversations-count/]    Connect: * Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/] * Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io * Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website [https://www.fastersmarter.io/223-laughing-matters-levity-leadership-and-lasting-connection/] * Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io [http://fastersmarter.io/] * Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3] * Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/] Chapters: * (00:00) - Introduction * (03:33) - Talk Tour Insights * (04:53) - Top Advice on Asking Questions * (07:03) - Guiding Principles for Leaders * (09:37) - Importance of Levity * (11:37) - Why Humor Matters * (13:26) - Letting Go of Comfort * (16:44) - Overthinking Levity * (18:50) - Creating Space for Levity * (22:22) - Conclusion  ***** This Episode is sponsored by Stanford. Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report [https://news.stanford.edu/connect/connect-2024?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tfts&utm_id=TFTS] Support Think Fast Talk Smart by joining TFTS Premium [https://www.fastersmarter.io/p/premium/].