How to captivate an audience and make your message stick.

Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat because speakers aren’t prepared. For Guy Kawasaki, it’s because speakers miss the point. “If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience.”

A renowned author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Kawasaki knows that the point of great storytelling isn’t about information, it’s about emotion. “Too many speakers think, ‘I need to inform my audience. I need to get my story across,’” he says. But throughout his career, formerly as Chief Evangelist at Apple and now co-founder of Canva, he’s shown how successful communication is about captivating audiences, not conveying facts. “If you entertain people, you have a chance of informing them.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to explore practical strategies for building decks, structuring presentations, and tips for keeping audiences engaged. From investor pitches to keynote presentations, these strategies help create effective storytelling — in business and beyond.

Episode Reference Links:

• Guy Kawasaki
• Guy’s Book: Think Remarkable
• Ep.82 It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First
• Ep.47 Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder

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
• (01:50) - The Key to Great Storytelling
• (03:38) - The Purpose of a Pitch
• (07:23) - How to Structure a Pitch Effectively
• (08:55) - The 10-20-30 Rule for Slide Presentations
• (12:21) - Using Images vs. Text in Presentations
• (13:02) - Lessons from Podcasting
• (14:33) - The Final Three Questions
• (18:43) - Conclusion

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Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career.

Most of us know that career growth is important—but according to Catherine Fisher, we're thinking about it all wrong. It’s not just about landing a job or climbing the ladder; it’s about staying adaptable, building strong connections, and being proactive about opportunities before you need them.
As LinkedIn’s Vice President of Global Consumer Communications, Fisher has spent years helping professionals navigate an evolving job market. She says the biggest mistake people make is waiting until they’re unhappy or unemployed to think about their next move. “Your network is like a garden,” she explains. “You have to tend to it constantly if you want it to thrive.”
In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Fisher joins Matt Abrahams to share practical, actionable strategies for staying ahead. From recognizing when it’s time for a change to job crafting and personal branding, they explore how small but intentional moves can shape a career that aligns with your strengths and ambitions. Whether you're feeling stuck or simply want to future-proof your career, this conversation will give you the tools to stay in control and ready for what’s next.

This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.

Episode Reference Links:

• Catherine Fisher

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
• (01:10) - Signs for a Career Pivot
• (02:22) - Staying Proactive in Your Career
• (04:00) - Adopting a Growth Mindset
• (05:26) - Maintaining Career Motivation
• (08:07) - Using Job Descriptions for Growth
• (10:36) - Choosing the Right Skills
• (12:37) - Building a Strong Personal Brand
• (14:31) - Crafting Your Ideal Job
• (16:50) - Best Career Advice Received
• (17:50) - Career Lessons & Regrets
• (19:33) - Conclusion

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Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication.

Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage.
“What I have come to value about anxiety,” says McGonigal, “is it’s a sign that I care.” As she explains, feelings of stress alert us to things that matter to us and help us stay present in the moment — particularly useful, she says, when it comes to communication.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGonigal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to channel stress toward more effective communication and to a deeper connection to our own purpose and meaning.

This episode is brought to you by Loom. Try Loom for free today at loom.com/thinkfast.

Episode Reference Links:

• Kelly McGonigal
• Original Episode: Ep.69 Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication
• Ep.10 High-Stakes Communication: How to Manage Anxiety When Speaking in Front of Others
• Ep.33 Hacking your Speaking Anxiety: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently.

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
• (02:59) - The Benefits of Anxiety in Communication
• (06:18) - Presence and Anxiety in Performance
• (07:58) - Common Communication Mistakes
• (11:57) - Encouraging Audience Engagement
• (15:01) - Crafting Effective Communication
• (16:58) - The Joy of Movement
• (20:06) - The Final Three Questions
• (26:13) - Conclusion

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