How to communicate clearly in any context, from newsrooms to the world stage.

All good communication, whether spoken or written, is built on the same foundation. In everything from police reporting for a newspaper to serving as spokesman for the Pope, Greg Burke has found the key: "Keep it as simple as possible."

Burke has worked as a journalist for Time Magazine and Fox News, as Director of Communications at IESE Business School in Barcelona and Madrid, and even as a communications advisor and spokesman for the Vatican. Across his varied experiences, he’s found that the biggest communication challenges often require the simplest solutions. From expressing “curiosity and real interest” in those we’re speaking with to ensuring our messages are “clear, consistent, and timely,” he advocates for core principles that apply in all types of communication.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Burke and host Matt Abrahams discuss communication strategies that work whether you’re presenting to a team of five or millions of parishioners worldwide. As Burke shares, it’s all very simple: “Know your audience, practice, and have fun.”

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Greg Burke
• 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
• (01:56) - Asking Good Questions
• (03:49) - Writing Clearly and Concretely
• (05:28) - Editing and AI’s Role in Writing
• (06:44) - Three Keys to Great Communication
• (08:33) - The Importance of Feedback
• (10:13) - Communication at the Vatican
• (12:57) - Crisis Communication: Lessons from the Vatican
• (15:59) - The Final Three Questions
• (22:40) - Conclusion

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This Episode is sponsored by Stanford. Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report
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How to turn doubt and suspicion into hopefulness and trust.

There’s a lot in the world to make us cynical about other people and their motives and intentions. But by “trusting loudly,” Professor Jamil Zaki believes we can renew our faith in one another.

Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience lab, and author of several books, including his most recent, Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness. While many people feel suspicious of others and are reluctant to trust them, Zaki finds that relying on other people is a necessary part of forming relationships.

“Acts of trust are the bedrock on which relationships are formed,” Zaki says. “The only way that strangers become friends and friends become best friends, the only way that we can build partnerships is through a willingness to count on one another.”

In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zaki joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss practical strategies for fostering trust and challenging our cynical assumptions, offering a hopeful perspective on human nature, backed by surprising scientific insights.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jamil Zaki
• Jamil’s Lab: Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab
• Jamil’s Book: Hope for Cynics
• Ep.158 Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication
• Ep.84 Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us
• Ep.129 Connect Deeply: How to Communicate So People Feel Seen and Heard

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
• (03:26) - Defining Trust and Its Importance
• (04:17) - Building Better Trust
• (05:48) - Understanding Cynicism
• (08:10) - The Cynicism Spectrum
• (10:30) - Fostering Hopeful Skepticism
• (12:44) - Challenges of Overcoming Cynicism
• (14:36) - Positive Gossip and Positive Noticing
• (17:34) - Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
• (20:30) - The Final Three Questions
• (29:13) - Conclusion

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Career growth starts with stepping outside your comfort zone.

Building a successful career isn’t about following a set path—it’s about knowing when to evolve and embracing change. Whitney Johnson believes that success comes from disrupting yourself—challenging routines, stepping into discomfort, and continuously evolving. “People think staying in their comfort zone is the safe choice,” she explains, “but real growth happens when we take intentional risks.”
As a bestselling author and leadership expert, Johnson has spent years helping individuals and organizations navigate change. She breaks down the S-curve of learning, a framework that helps professionals recognize when it’s time to move on, pivot, or double down on their current path. From identifying signs of stagnation to developing strategies for career reinvention, she shares practical tools for making bold moves with confidence.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Johnson joins host Matt Abrahams to explore why mastery can be a sign that it’s time for a change, how to manage the discomfort that comes with growth, and why personal disruption isn’t just a challenge—it’s the key to long-term success.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Whitney Johnson
• Whitney’s Books: Disrupt Yourself / Smart Growth
• Ep.147 Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be
  

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
• (02:09) - What Is Personal Disruption?
• (05:14) - Signs It’s Time to Disrupt Yourself
• (07:36) - Getting Comfortable with Discomfort
• (12:33) - Finding Your Next Career Move
• (16:22) - Ensuring Fulfillment After Disruption
• (22:10) - Best Career Advice Received
• (23:43) - Career Regrets & Lessons
• (25:14) - 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.