In today’s episode of The Future is How, I explore the power of communication with Matt Abrahams—author, podcast host, communication coach, and lecturer in Strategic Communication at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.
Matt helps people become more confident and connected communicators, whether they’re on stage, in a meeting, or having a hard conversation with themselves.

In our conversation today, we talk about the following topics:
• Why asking the right questions is the Swiss army knife of communication
• How improvisation can help us speak more authentically and adapt to change
• The power of framing (and reframing) to influence thinking and outcomes
• Why it’s about connection, not perfection
• How rituals, self-talk, and reframing can help reduce public speaking anxiety
• What it means to shape your future through the words you choose

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Where to find Matt Abrahams:
• Website: ⁠https://mattabrahams.com⁠
• Podcast: ⁠https://www.fastersmarter.io/⁠
• Book: ⁠https://mattabrahams.com/books⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrahamsmatt/⁠
• YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkFastTalkSmart

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Where to find Frederik G. Pferdt:
• NextLetter – ⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/#nextletter⁠

• What's Next Is Now The Book: ⁠⁠https://www.whatsnextisnowthebook.com

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/fgpferdt/⁠⁠⁠
• YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/frederikgpferdt⁠⁠⁠
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/frederikgpferdt/⁠⁠⁠
• Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.frederikgpferdt.com/⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Intro
(02:12) Matt’s future bio: Contributing to a world of better understanding
(04:54) Engagement is critical in communication
(05:38) Sustained attention: the gold standard
(06:28) Tools to foster engagement: physical, mental, linguistic
(08:18) Why striving to be “right” can block real connection
(09:54) The improvisation mindset
(15:10) “Wrong name”: habits, improv games & communication skills
(20:28) Heuristics and shortcuts—helpful but not enough
(21:52) Why questions are your best communication tool
(25:23) The power of framing and reframing
(31:15) How language shapes the future we create
(32:57) A Mindstate Moment with Frederik
(38:02) Overcoming anxiety in public speaking with rituals and perspective
(44:40) Self-talk and communicating with yourself

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Music: Andreas Horchler