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 how shifting your mindset can turn it into an opportunity rather than a challenge. Drawing from his book, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, he shares expert-backed techniques for structuring responses, managing audience expectations, and maintaining composure under pressure. Whether you're facing a tough crowd or just want to refine your speaking skills, you’ll walk away with the confidence to command the room—no matter the question.

Audio excerpt based on Speaking Up without Freaking Out by Matt Abrahams (printed book by Kendall Hunt Publishing 2016), read by the author. Copyright 2024 by Matthew Abrahams LLC.

Episode Reference Links:

• Speaking Up Without Freaking Out | Audio Book
• Speaking Up Without Freaking Out

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
• (01:36) - The Challenge of Q&A
• (03:02) - Preparing for Q&A in Advance
• (03:42) - When to Take Questions
• (04:31) - How to Ask for Questions Effectively
• (05:34) - Audience Anxiety in Q&A
• (06:49) - Managing Questions Efficiently
• (07:50) - Answering Questions with Confidence
• (09:03) - The ADD Method for Answering Questions
• (10:16) - Closing Your Q&A with Impact
• (11:10) - Conclusion

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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 power of stories.
Dan breaks down the elements of an impactful story, sharing a case study from his book Reset, outlining how to find compelling stories that connect with audiences, the structure of engaging narratives that keep people hooked, and the power of analogies and unexpected contrasts in storytelling.

Get more done with Grammarly. Download Grammarly for free at grammarly.com/podcast.

Episode Reference Links:

• Dan Heath
• Dan’s Books: Reset: How to Change What's Not Working
• Ep.190 Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already Want
• Ep.170 Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1
• Ep.171 Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2

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
• (02:41) - A Story About Change: The Hospital Case Study
• (03:49) - Breaking Down the Elements of a Great Story
• (06:21) - Finding the Right Stories
• (08:07) - Crafting Stories with Purpose
• (09:40) - Conclusion

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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 Stanford Graduate School of Business. In her research of consumer behavior and decision-making, she’s uncovered how language shapes not just our perception of the world, “but how the world stays with us over time." From concrete terms to emotionally charged ones, certain words have more staying power than others, and to communicators who want to capture audiences (and keep them), she says, “Carefully chosen words, they're going to be taking the attention.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Aka joins Matt Abrahams to explore the science of memorable communication. From creating brand slogans that stick to choosing words that align with your message, she reveals how to create communication that won't be forgotten.

Episode Reference Links:

• Ada Aka
• Ep.80 Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others

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
• (02:05) - The Power of Words in Memory
• (03:45) - What Makes Words Memorable?
• (06:04) - Informal and Conversational Language
• (07:38) - AI & Memory
• (09:34) - Memorable Slogans
• (11:26) - Predicting Memorability: Why We Get It Wrong
• (13:15) - Framing in Communication
• (15:24) - Creating Meaningful Interactions
• (17:34) - The Final Three Questions
• (22:21) - Conclusion

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