The Tiger Sisters share the keys to collaborative communication.

Good marketing communication doesn’t just go one way. As the Tiger Sisters know, building a brand is about bringing your audience into the conversation.

Cherie and Jean Luo are sisters, tech and finance experts, and co-hosts of the Tiger Sisters Podcast, a show about money, power, and love. Their approach to content creation mirrors how they think about communication: know your audience, stay curious, and embrace feedback. “We often think about our community as the co-producers of our episodes,” Cherie says. “Each episode we put out is like a mini product. Once we put it out, we can get feedback on whether or not people are resonating.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, the Tiger Sisters join host Matt Abrahams, sharing how they’ve built a thriving brand through collaboration — with each other and with their audience. From simplifying complex topics to crafting messages that resonate, the Luo’s insights show why the best communication is about healthy back and forth.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jean Luo
• Cherie Brooke Luo
• Tiger Sisters Podcast

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
• (02:34) - The Tiger Sisters Mission
• (04:10) - Going Viral on TikTok
• (06:00) - Explaining Complex Topics
• (07:56) - Learning from the Audience
• (10:05) - Working as Sisters & Co-Founders
• (13:05) - Reinventing Careers
• (14:31) - Family Expectations
• (16:20) - Personal Branding
• (18:57) - Teaching Through Storytelling
• (21:02) - The Final Three Questions
• (26:23) - 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.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

If you want to do your best, you’d better get your rest.

The quality of your sleep fundamentally affects the quality of your communication. Communicating well, Dr. Cheri Mah says, starts with being well-rested.

“Sleep impacts nearly every aspect of how you function,” says Mah, a sleep physician, adjunct lecturer at Stanford Sleep Medicine Center, and internationally recognized expert on sleep and human performance. In her research and work, particularly with elite athletes and professional sports teams, she explores the link between getting rest and doing our best. “If you are getting quality sleep, you can think more clearly, react under pressure, make good judgment calls, have more patience, be more empathetic,” she says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Mah and host Matt Abrahams explore strategies for better sleep, from bedtime routines to paying off “sleep debt” to the “nappuccino” — a caffeine-fueled power nap. Whether you struggle to sleep or can nod off at any time or place, Mah’s insights reveal why doing our best requires getting our rest.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Dr. Cheri Mah
• Ep.183 Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better 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
• (02:57) - Sleep & Performance
• (04:11) - Better Sleep Habits
• (06:16) - Quieting a Racing Mind
• (07:49) - Dr. Mah’s Night Routine
• (09:19) - Sleep Extension
• (10:52) - Preparing for Big Events
• (11:44) - The Nappuccino
• (13:21) - Managing Jet Lag
• (15:56) - Chronotypes Explained
• (18:00) - Starting the Day with Sleep
• (19:40) - The Final Three Question
• (23:57) - 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.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Confidence, clarity, and speaking when it matters.

Confident communication isn’t about being the loudest in the room. For Susie Wolff, it’s about displaying assurance before you even open your mouth.

Wolff is a former professional race car driver, managing director of F1 Academy, and author of Driven. Throughout her career in one of the world's most male-dominated industries, she’s learned that confidence starts within. “If you want others to believe in you, you need to at least have confidence in your own abilities,” she says. By letting her capabilities speak for themselves, Wolff felt she didn’t have to. “I was never the loudest voice in the room. But I made sure when I did speak that I really had something to say.”

In this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, co-hosted by Matt Abrahams and Tiggy Valen, Wolff shares how inner drive creates outer clarity. From delivering hard truths with empathy to achieving buy-in for a bold vision, Wolff offers lessons on communicating with confidence, even in the face of stiff competition.

Episode Reference Links:

• Susie Wolff
• Susie’s Book: Driven
• Tiggy Valen
• Paddock Project
• Ep.235 Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk

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
• (03:06) - Early Motorsport Passion
• (04:01) - Finding Your Voice
• (05:33) - Building Confidence
• (06:28) - Becoming a Leader
• (08:48) - Cross-Cultural Communication
• (09:57) - Building F1 Academy
• (14:20) - Giving Tough Feedback
• (17:32) - Embracing Discomfort
• (20:01) - The Final Three Questions
• (27:06) - 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.

This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

The secret to better communication isn’t adding more—it’s knowing what to leave out.
Communication isn’t clearer when you say more — it’s clearer when you say less. As David Epstein puts it, we’re wired to keep adding, even when “the better solution is often what you take away.” The challenge isn’t having ideas; it’s choosing which one actually matters.

Epstein is an author and investigative journalist known for his New York Times bestseller Range. In his latest book, Inside the Box, he explores how constraints can sharpen creativity and elevate thinking, a theme that reflects his broader work at the intersection of psychology, performance, and innovation. “If you assume someone will only remember one thing,” he explains, “decide what that is before you start talking.” That simple constraint forces clarity — and changes how we communicate entirely.

In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Epstein and host Matt Abrahams unpack why limits make us better communicators and thinkers. From the dangers of “featuritis” to the creative breakthroughs sparked by restriction, they explore how blocking familiar paths leads to more original ideas and communication.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• David Epstein
• David’s Book: Inside the Box
• Ep.108 All In: How Improv Helps You Show Up and Communicate Well

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
• (02:28) - Featuritis & Overload
• (04:07) - Constraints & Creativity
• (08:17) - Chunking Information
• (09:38) - Familiarity & Innovation
• (10:40) - Clarifying Through Feedback
• (13:11) - Defining the Problem
• (14:33) - Precluding Default Approaches
• (16:13) - The Final Three Questions
• (25:12) - 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.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

What stops you from speaking up when it matters most?

This week on Think Fast Talk Smart, we’re featuring a special episode from TED Business. Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact.

TED Business is a podcast from TED that offers you a new idea and perspective for any business conundrum — whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life — because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or here.

Episode Reference Links:

• TED Business

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
• (02:46) - If Not You, Then Who?
• (04:01) - The Cost of Silence
• (05:25) - Avoiding Conflict at Work
• (06:20) - Why Speaking Up Matters
• (07:30) - Building Courage Through Practice
• (08:40) - A Moral Compass for Conversations
• (12:01) - Handling Tough Feedback
• (17:06) - QORC Apology Framework
• (18:56) - 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.

Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Simple strategies to think faster, stay authentic, and communicate with confidence.

How do you stay genuine without sounding rehearsed? What helps when your thoughts are moving faster than your words? And how can you handle high-pressure moments with more ease?

Strong communication isn’t about having the right lines ready—it’s about being present enough to respond with clarity. In the moment, it’s easy to rush, overthink, or lose your structure. But with the right tools, you can slow down, connect, and communicate with intention.

In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares insights from a live session with the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community. Through real audience questions, he outlines practical ways to manage nerves, adapt to different situations, and build communication habits that last.

Episode Reference Links:

• Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community

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
• (02:35) - Email Small Talk
• (05:12) - Slowing Down Your Thinking
• (07:22) - Controlling Speaking Pace
• (09:29) - Authenticity vs. Adapting
• (15:46) - Scripted Talks
• (18:38) - Handling No Questions
• (22:13) - 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.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

If you can make conversation, you can make your own luck.

Good communication isn’t passive. And good luck, says Tina Seelig, is the same. There’s “what the world gives us,” and then there’s “how we respond to it.”

Seelig is executive director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University and author of What I Wish I Knew About Luck. For her, good fortune doesn’t find us, we find it. “Opportunities for lucky things to happen are ubiquitous. But they're invisible and most people don't see them,” she says. In the same way that communication requires active listening, making our own luck requires presence to the people and possibilities that come our way.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Seelig and host Matt Abrahams explore how communication creates luck. From curious listening to resolving the conflicts that block opportunity, Seelig offers practical ways to respond to what life offers — and turn everyday interactions into the foundation for good fortune.

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

Episode Reference Links:

• Tina Seelig
• Tina’s Book: What I Wish I Knew About Luck
• Ep.111 Rethinks: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication
• Ep.159 Earn Your Audience: You Can’t Lead If No One’s Listening

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
• (02:42) - Luck vs. Fortune
• (03:51) - The Idea of Making Luck
• (04:36) - Building Your Luck Framework
• (05:45) - Listening Creates Opportunity
• (06:52) - Focus on Others
• (09:53) - Staying Connected to Others
• (11:05) - Appreciation as a Habit
• (12:00) - How Conflict Blocks Luck
• (13:31) - Apologies Create Opportunity
• (14:29) - Ask, Don’t Assume
• (16:22) - Communicating for Your Audience
• (18:09) - Prepare Your Stories
• (21:55) - The Final Three Questions
• (26:25) - 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.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

Great communication isn’t about saying more—it’s about making what you say matter.

If we want to communicate more effectively, we need to treat communication less like a habit—and more like a series of intentional choices. In this special feed drop, we’re featuring a conversation from the ⁠Masters of Scale⁠ podcast, where host ⁠Jeff Berman⁠ sits down with Stanford lecturer and ⁠Think Fast, Talk Smart ⁠host Matt Abrahams to explore what it really takes to communicate with intention.

Most of us default to what feels natural—long-winded openings, generic pitches, or focusing on what we want to say. But as Matt explains, effective communication starts with the audience. Get to the point quickly. Focus on what’s relevant. “Tell the time, don’t build the clock.”

From high-stakes presentations to job interviews and everyday interactions, Matt shares practical, science-backed strategies for showing up with clarity and confidence. Communication is something we all do every day—but doing it well, especially when it counts, takes intention. As this conversation makes clear, small shifts in how we prepare, structure, and deliver our message can make all the difference.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jeff Berman
• Masters of Scale

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
• (04:13) - Communication as a Skill
• (04:43) - The Impact of Communication
• (05:21) - Prevalence of Speaking Anxiety
• (07:22) - Techniques for Reducing Anxiety
• (09:57) - Core Principles: Repetition, Reflection, Feedback
• (11:04) - Communication in Education
• (12:14) - Opportunities to Improve Communication
• (14:37) - Presenting & Pitching Ideas
• (16:52) - Setting Clear Expectations
• (20:09) - Characteristics of Productive Meetings
• (24:38) - The Role of Repetition in Leadership
• (25:28) - Structured Preparation for Interviews
• (26:54) - The ADD Framework for Responses
• (28:22) - Asking Insightful Questions
• (29:42) - Defining Communication Objectives
• (32:48) - Adapting Messages to Different Formats
• (34:03) - Building Confidence in New Mediums
• (35:13) - Recovering from Cognitive Lapses
• (36:39) - The Pace, Space, Grace Framework
• (38:34) - Navigating Differing Perspectives
• (40:26) - 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.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.