229. Rethinks: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot

Update: 2025-09-16

Description

To celebrate its second anniversary, we revisit our favourite tools and tips from Matt’s book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter.

Original executive producer Jenny Luna turns the tables and interviews host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams about his bestselling book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot. To celebrate the book’s second anniversary, this special Rethinks episode dives into Matt’s most practical tips, powerful frameworks, and mindset shifts to help you speak with confidence in any spontaneous situation. From managing anxiety to structuring your thoughts on the fly, it’s filled with tools to help you become a more effective communicator.

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Chapters:

(00:00 ) - Introduction

(03:11 ) - Defining Spontaneous Speaking

(04:01 ) - Origins of Matt’s Interest

(04:52 ) - The Six-Step Methodology

(05:37 ) - Shifting Your Mindset

(09:47 ) - Practical Structures for Speaking

(12:02 ) - The “F-Word” of Spontaneous Speaking

(13:35 ) - Communication Lessons from Martial Arts

(14:55 ) - The Karate Pants Story

(16:51 ) - Hosting 100 Episodes

(18:06 ) - On-the-Spot Challenges

(25:00 ) - Conclusion

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