Special episode: Think Fast, Talk Smart

Show notes

Hi everyone, it's your host Russ. As summer winds down and everyone heads into a new season, I wanted to share something a little different. Recently, I sat down with Matt Abrahams, host of the podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart and a lecturer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. We traded seats and I took the guest chair while Matt interviewed me about the future of communication in the age of AI. We’re excited to re-run this episode today and whether you're writing a pitch, prepping for a tough conversation, or just curious how AI is changing the way we talk to each other, this one's a great listen. _Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu._ **Episode Reference Links:** - Stanford Profile: [https://profiles.stanford.edu/russ-altman"]( Russ Altman | [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/matt-forrest-abrahams"]( Matt Abrahams - [https://www.fastersmarter.io/"]( Learn more about Think Fast Talk Smart **Connect With Us:** - Episode Transcripts >>>[https://engineering.stanford.edu/magazine/collection/future-everything-podcast"]( The Future of Everything Website - Connect with Russ >>>[https://www.threads.net/@russbaltman"]( Threads /[https://bsky.app/profile/rbaltman.bsky.social"]( Bluesky /[https://mastodon.social/@rbaltman"]( Mastodon - Connect with School of Engineering >>>[https://twitter.com/stanfordENG"]( Twitter/X /[https://www.instagram.com/stanfordeng/"]( Instagram /[https://www.linkedin.com/school/stanford-university-school-of-engineering/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true"]( LinkedIn /[https://www.facebook.com/stanford.engineering/"]( Facebook **Chapters:** (00:00:00) **Introduction** Russ Altman introduces this feed-drop episode from Think Fast, Talk Smart, where he joins Matt Abrahams to discuss communication in the age of AI. (00:01:41) **The Future of Communication** Why AI may amplify strong communication rather than replace authentic human messages. (00:03:23) **Using AI as a Communication Tool** How AI can help adjust language for different audiences, flag jargon, and improve clarity. (00:04:00) **AI as a Pre-Editor** How Russ uses large language models to critique and strengthen his writing before sharing it with colleagues. (00:05:04) **Structuring a Strong Proposal** How to align with your audience’s mission, define the problem, and clearly show the path forward. (00:07:06) **Making Complex Ideas Accessible** Why stories, analogies, and audience awareness help make technical information easier to understand. (00:09:41) **Preparing for Tough Moments** Why anticipating difficult concepts, questions, and conversations can make communication more effective. (00:11:57) **Asking Better Questions** Why specificity and strong follow-up questions can guide more meaningful conversations. (00:12:51) **Questions as Opportunities** How questions can communicate curiosity, engagement, and respect rather than criticism. (00:15:01) **Building Effective Teams** How shared goals, relationships, diversity, and clear roles support collaboration. (00:17:55) **Productive Conflict** How leaders can encourage rigorous disagreement without damaging trust. (00:19:37) **Finding People’s Passion** What hosting The Future of Everything taught Russ about understanding what motivates people. (00:21:00) **Looking to the Future** Why young people give Russ hope about what comes next. (00:22:13) **A Communicator to Admire** Why Russ credits his father with shaping his own approach to communication. (00:23:06) **Three Ingredients for Better Communication** Know your audience, be specific, and bring a sense of joy to the conversation. (00:24:07) **Conclusion** **Connect With Us:** Episode Transcripts >>> [The">https://engineering.stanford.edu/magazine/collection/future-everything-podcast">The]( >> [Threads]( https://www.threads.net/@russbaltman">Threads / [Bluesky]( https://bsky.app/profile/rbaltman.bsky.social">Bluesky / [Mastodon]( https://mastodon.social/@rbaltman">Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>>[Twitter/X]( https://twitter.com/stanfordENG">Twitter/X / [Instagram]( https://www.instagram.com/stanfordeng/">Instagram / [LinkedIn]( https://www.linkedin.com/school/stanford-university-school-of-engineering/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true">LinkedIn / [Facebook]( https://www.facebook.com/stanford.engineering/">Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See [pcm.adswizz.com]( https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.