Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake.

Communicating under pressure isn’t just a useful skill — it can be the difference between escalation and resolution. For Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and CEO of The Black Swan Group, it’s a daily discipline built on empathy, self-regulation, and intentional listening. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous Speaking miniseries, Voss offers a rare window into the mindset and methods that helped him show up calm, focused, and adaptable when the pressure is sky-high.
“Emotional intelligence is an insane accelerator to outcomes,” Voss shares, explaining how empathy, tone, and timing can shift the direction of any conversation. He breaks down techniques like labeling and mirroring, explores how to use silence and word choice strategically, and explains why overthinking can be just as risky as acting too fast. From gut-level pattern recognition to tactical use of voice, Voss shows how communication becomes more impactful when we’re not trying to control — but to connect.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Voss and host Matt Abrahams dive into how negotiation techniques developed for life-or-death situations can be applied far beyond them — offering powerful takeaways for anyone who needs to think clearly under pressure, stay agile in the moment, and communicate effectively when it matters most.

Episode Reference Links:

• Chris Voss
• Chris’s Book: Never Split the Difference
• Ep.197 Prep or Perish: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (1 of 3)
• Ep.198 Pause and Effect: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (2 of 3)
• Ep.199 Blunder Pressure: Mastering In-the-Moment Communication (3 of 3)
• Ep.203 No Script, No Problem: Final Secrets to Speaking Under Pressure (Bonus)

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
• (02:50) - Path to Hostage Negotiation
• (03:42) - Power of Emotional Intelligence
• (05:00) - Staying Calm Under Pressure
• (06:10) - Mental Prep & Mindset
• (07:18) - Trusting Your Gut
• (07:58) - Avoiding Overthinking
• (09:01) - Flexibility in Negotiations
• (10:15) - Listen More, Talk Less
• (10:31) - Labeling & Mirroring
• (12:51) - Tone Shapes Impact
• (14:06) - The Final Three Questions
• (19:37) - Conclusion

*****
Thank you to our sponsors:

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Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.

Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski, CEO of Prezi, believes that visuals and storytelling are key to making ideas stick.
For more than 15 years, Prezi has been reimagining the way we share information, helping communicators move beyond static slides and into dynamic, memorable experiences. In the first episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Szafranski about why visuals are so powerful for retention, how non-linear storytelling can make presentations more engaging, and the role AI now plays in shaping the stories we tell.
In addition to insight-packed discussions, this miniseries explores innovative tools that enhance the way we communicate and connect. Whether you want to make your presentations more memorable, craft stories that stick, or connect with your audience on a deeper level, these episodes will help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jim Szafranski
• Prezi

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
• (01:18) - Prezi Elevator Structure
• (02:09) - The Power of Visuals in Storytelling
• (04:12) - Making Complex Ideas Simple
• (06:22) - When to Use Visuals
• (09:01) - Advantages of Non-Linear Storytelling
• (11:26) - AI’s Role in Visual Communication
• (14:22) - Favorite Communicator
• (15:37) - Communication Hack or Tool
• (17:28) - 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.

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Reinventing your life or career starts with reflection and conversation.

Making the leap — to a new career, to the next stage of a relationship, or to a different version of yourself — requires honest communication. For Ilana Golan, being “leap-ready” requires that we answer three questions: Why me? Why this? And why now?

Golan knows all about these leaps, as her career spans corporate executive roles, entrepreneurship, and even F-16 flight instruction. As the founder of Leap Academy and host of the Leap Academy Podcast, she helps equip others to navigate their own personal and professional reinventions. As she says, “It’s really about communicating from the vision,” which starts as an inside job. “Why is this the right thing for me right now? You convince yourself first, because when you're [at] peace with what you're trying to do, it's a lot easier to convince others.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Golan and host Matt Abrahams explore how honest communication shapes every stage of reinvention, whether that’s listening to the signals your mind and body are sending you — like “sleepwalking through life” and imagining something more — or articulating your pivot in ways that create understanding rather than resistance. Wherever you hope to leap, Golan’s insights show how to communicate through change with confidence and clarity.

Episode Reference Links:

• Ilana Golan
• Leap Academy
• Podcast | Leap Academy
• Ep.187 Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career
• 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
• (02:08) - Breaking Barriers & Career Patterns
• (02:47) - Waking Up to Change
• (04:11) - Signs It’s Time for a Pivot
• (07:14) - The Rise of Portfolio Careers
• (10:46) - Communicating Career Leaps
• (13:58) - Finding Clarity in Reinvention
• (19:39) - The Final Three Questions
• (22:34) - Conclusion

********
This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today

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