Best Q Visual Communication Podcasts (2025)

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250. How to Navigate Conflict: Tools For Productive Communication 28:51

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9h ago28:51

28:51

Celebrate our 250th episode with expert strategies that make tough conversations easier — and more meaningful. Some of the most meaningful shifts in how we communicate come from the moments that challenge us the most. In this special 250th episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams reflects on the insights that have shown him how conflict can …

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249. Quick Thinks: Rituals That Make Teamwork Work 18:43

5d ago18:43

18:43

The right rituals—and the right conversations—can transform how your team collaborates. Strong collaboration starts with thoughtful practices and clear communication. As Molly Sands, Head of the Teamwork Lab at Atlassian, emphasizes, the teams that thrive are the ones that regularly pause to align on what matters and how they’re progressing. “You w…

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248. Better Together: How to Supercharge Your Team’s Productivity 25:11

7d ago25:11

25:11

The secret to effective teamwork and collaboration. To collaborate, we have to communicate. As Molly Sands knows, “The more that we can get on the same page, the more effective we are.” Sands is a behavioral scientist and the head of the Teamwork Lab at Atlassian, where she researches how teams can collaborate more effectively and efficiently, espe…

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247. “Matt”er of Fact: Coaching on Feedback and Q&A 17:16

14d ago17:16

17:16

Two new Think Fast Talk Smart AI tools put communication skills to the test in real time. Technology promises many things, but few experiments illustrate its potential more vividly than a coach in conversation with his own digital counterpart. In this episode, Matt Abrahams introduces two new AI-powered tools from the Think Fast Talk Smart Online L…

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246. Shared Wisdom: How Communication Defines Culture and Builds Community 23:18

19d ago23:18

23:18

Why good communication is the key to good communities. Community and communication go hand-in-hand. For Sandy Pentland, the culture and cohesion of any group “has to do with the stories [people] tell each other.” Pentland is a professor at MIT, where he helped create and direct the MIT Media Lab. As a pioneer in computational social science, he’s u…

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245. Mindful Messages: Leveraging the Power of Presence 20:38

21d ago20:38

20:38

When you enter a conflict trying to win, Deepak Chopra says you’ve already lost. “We can resolve any conflict,” says Dr. Deepak Chopra. All it takes is what he calls “conscious communication.” Chopra is a physician, a leading authority on integrative wellbeing, and the author of over 97 books. His “conscious communication” approach puts presence at…

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244. Community Creates Change: Build Relationships That Actually Matter 26:09

26d ago26:09

26:09

Why community is the most powerful tool for transformation. Community isn't just a feel-good buzzword. According to Gina Bianchini, it's a catalyst for personal and collective transformation. Bianchini is the CEO and founder of community-building platform, Mighty Networks, and author of the book Purpose: Design a Community and Change Your Life. "Co…

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243. Rethinks: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently 28:32

29d ago28:32

28:32

Reduce speaking anxiety and achieve your communication goals. “There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman, associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University. In this Think Fast Talk Smart Rethink…

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242. Tech Tools: The Power of Showing, Not Telling 14:22

1M ago14:22

14:22

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Sometimes the best way to explain an idea is to show it. That’s why Loom was built — to make communication more visual, authentic, and efficient. By combining video, screen sharing, and AI-powered editing, Loom helps teams connect and collaborate asynchronously, no matter where …

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241. Team Spirit: How to Make Group Work Work 24:11

1M ago24:11

24:11

How to unlock the power of groups through collective communication. They say teamwork makes the dream work. But as Colin Fisher knows, unlocking the power of groups requires a specific kind of collective communication. Fisher is an associate professor of organizations and innovation at University College London School of Management and author of Th…

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240. Belief It or Not: How to Rewrite the Narratives That Hold You Back 28:26

1M ago28:26

28:26

How to identify and rewrite the limiting beliefs holding you back. Achieving what you want in life doesn’t just hinge on what you believe about your future. According to Muriel Wilkins, it has just as much to do with what you believe about your past and present. Wilkins is an executive coach, author, and host of the HBR podcast Coaching Real Leader…

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239. Tech Tools: How Smarter Scheduling Leads to Stronger Communication 13:18

2M ago13:18

13:18

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Meetings are where collaboration happens — but too often, scheduling them feels like the biggest barrier to meaningful connection. That’s why Calendly was created: to simplify scheduling and make time for what truly matters — the conversation itself. In this episode of the Think…

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238. AMA: Why Listening Might Be Your Most Powerful Skill 26:26

2M ago26:26

26:26

When we truly listen, every conversation changes — including the one with ourselves. Listening isn’t about waiting for your turn to speak — it’s about being present enough to truly hear. In a world full of noise, slowing down to listen can feel like a radical act. Yet it’s in those moments of stillness and attention that real understanding begins. …

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237. Mistake It Till You Make It: Learn Faster and Fail Smarter 26:57

2M ago26:57

26:57

Why we learn the most when we accept that we might be wrong. Effective communication isn’t about having all the answers. As Astro Teller knows, it’s about finding (and sometimes fumbling) your way through the questions. Teller is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and inventor who serves as Captain of Moonshots at X, Alphabet's Moonshot Factory. I…

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236. Tech Tools: Zeroing in on Your Email Communication 13:20

2M ago13:20

13:20

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Staying on top of communication starts with staying in control of your inbox. That’s why Rahul Vohra, founder and CEO of Superhuman, believes that how we manage email directly shapes how we manage our time, focus, and relationships. For years, Superhuman has helped professionals…

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235. Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk 20:35

2M ago20:35

20:35

The road to mastery is paved with small improvements every day. Communicating can feel daunting at times. What does it take to find your voice in the moments that matter most? As Chiney Ogwumike says, “There is freedom on the other side of your fear.” As a professional basketball player, NBA and WNBA analyst for ESPN, and advocate for gender equali…

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234. Need to Know: Lead With Transparency, Character, and Silence 24:48

2M ago24:48

24:48

When it comes to leading a team, there’s no such thing as too much information. Good leadership is about good communication. And for General Stanley McChrystal, that means creating a culture of free-flowing information: “The goal is to have everyone know everything all the time,” he says. McChrystal is a retired four-star general, former commander …

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233. Tech Tools: Write with Confidence and Impact 11:54

2M ago11:54

11:54

By Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart

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232. Pause, Don’t Panic: Finding Calm in High-Stakes Moments 26:35

3M ago26:35

26:35

To connect with others, you have to get out of your own head. Whether presenting to millions on live television or talking to just one person, Dan Harris knows that the quality of every interaction depends on the presence you bring to it. Harris is a former national news anchor for ABC News and is now the host of the 10% Happier podcast and author …

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231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean 24:54

3M ago24:54

24:54

Why what isn’t said can communicate more than what is spoken. We often speak in hints and half-truths, not because we can’t be direct, but because subtlety protects our relationships. “An awful lot of the time, we don’t just blurt out what we mean,” says Steven Pinker. “We hint, we wink, we beat around the bush — counting on our listener to read be…

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230. Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage 11:28

3M ago11:28

11:28

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Clear communication isn’t just about sharing information — it’s about making ideas stick. That’s why Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma, believes the key to effective collaboration lies in turning complex concepts into simple, memorable visuals. For years, Figma has…

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229. Rethinks: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot 24:51

3M ago24:51

24:51

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 o…

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228. Negotiate Your Way to Success: Empathy, Mirroring, and Labeling 20:16

3M ago20:16

20:16

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 l…

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227. Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation 18:19

3M ago18:19

18:19

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 informa…

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226. Reinvent Yourself: Turning Uncertainty Into Opportunity 23:41

4M ago23:41

23:41

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 thes…

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225. Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak 27:41

4M ago27:41

27:41

In the digital age, it’s critical to craft communication that fits the context. Like it or not, algorithms now decide whose messages get heard. “If you want to communicate effectively,” says Adam Aleksic, “you need to be exactly aware of what that medium is doing.” Aleksic is a linguist, author, and educational content creator with millions of foll…

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224. Make Your Messages Epic: The Evolution of Words and the Stories They Carry 23:23

4M ago23:23

23:23

Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives. All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why Laura Spinney says understanding language — where it comes from and how it evolves over time — can help us use it more effectively. “Language is incredibly powerful,” says Spinney, an author and journalis…

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223. Laughing Matters: Levity, Leadership, and Lasting Connection 23:17

4M ago23:17

23:17

By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections. Humor in communication isn’t all fun and games. According to Alison Wood Brooks and Naomi Bagdonas, levity is one of the most serious tools we have in building successful connections. Wood Brooks and Bagdonas, both teachers, authors, and experts in the field of communication, r…

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222. Discussing Through Discomfort: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the Most 24:36

4M ago24:36

24:36

Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them comes with a cost. You want a more successful career, a more fulfilling relationship, a more meaningful life? What if all that’s standing in your way — are the conversations that you’re avoiding? “Most things that we want in life are on the other side of a difficult conversation,” says Jenn Wy…

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221. Don’t Get Lost in Translation: Staying Cool When Every Word Counts 19:08

4M ago19:08

19:08

How do you stay clear, calm, and precise when every word counts and there’s no room for error? Staying calm and focused while translating high-stakes conversations in real time isn’t just a language skill — it’s a masterclass in communication under pressure. And for Giampaolo Bianchi, simultaneous interpreter for the United Nations and World Health…

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220. Prep Like a Pro: Communication Confidence, Clarity, and Comedy 25:46

4M ago25:46

25:46

Master the art of thinking on your feet and turning unpredictability into powerful communication. Being quick on your feet isn’t just a performance skill — it’s a communication necessity. And for Peter Sagal, longtime host of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, it’s a craft he’s honed over more than two decades in front of a live audience. In this expa…

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219. Six Motivations, One Workplace: Who Are You at Work? 24:55

5M ago24:55

24:55

When communicating with their employees, most firms have no idea who they’re talking to. Good communication is about knowing your audience. But if your organization is only focused on knowing your customers, James Root says you're forgetting a whole other cohort: your employees. Root is a senior partner at Bain & Company, Chair of Bain Futures, and…

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218. Teaching Truths & Tactics: Live Lessons From Stanford in Cape Town 34:46

5M ago34:46

34:46

Real connection means understanding your audience, staying true to yourself, and creating space for others. How do you communicate who you are, what you stand for, and leave space for others to do the same? At the Stanford Seed Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, three GSB professors explored why real connection is built through authentic communicat…

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217. Rethinks: How to Build Deep Connections 28:48

5M ago28:48

28:48

How to be a skilled conversationalist in work, love, and life. Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice is exactly the same. “Focus on how you make someone feel more than you focus on the words that you're saying,” she says. As a professional coach, Greenwald helps people develop better communi…

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216. Wired for Words: A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Influence 25:59

5M ago25:59

25:59

Understanding your audience's psychology is the key to crafting communication that resonates. Persuading others isn't about magic spells or mind-reading tricks. According to Emily Falk, the real secret is simpler: know what your audience finds relevant, and you’ll be able to craft a message that resonates. Falk is a professor of communication, psyc…

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215. The New Media Landscape: Trust, Transparency, and Transformation 18:23

5M ago18:23

18:23

For your communication to be credible, you can’t just say it — you have to do it. Want people to believe what you say? According to Richard Edelman, the words you choose only get you halfway there. To build real trust, he says, you have to practice what you preach. “Action builds trust,” says Edelman. “If you don't do something, you can't talk abou…

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214. From Crisis to Clarity: Simplicity, Feedback, and the Art of Being Heard 23:48

5M ago23:48

23:48

How to communicate clearly in any context, from newsrooms to the world stage. All good communication, whether spoken or written, is built on the same foundation. In everything from police reporting for a newspaper to serving as spokesman for the Pope, Greg Burke has found the key: "Keep it as simple as possible." Burke has worked as a journalist fo…

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213. Rethinks: Building Trusting Relationships Through Communication 29:43

6M ago29:43

29:43

How to turn doubt and suspicion into hopefulness and trust. There’s a lot in the world to make us cynical about other people and their motives and intentions. But by “trusting loudly,” Professor Jamil Zaki believes we can renew our faith in one another. Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience lab,…

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212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your Way to the Perfect Job Fit 26:08

6M ago26:08

26:08

Career growth starts with stepping outside your comfort zone. Building a successful career isn’t about following a set path—it’s about knowing when to evolve and embracing change. Whitney Johnson believes that success comes from disrupting yourself—challenging routines, stepping into discomfort, and continuously evolving. “People think staying in t…

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211. Small Screens, Strong Signals: Mastering Modern Communication 26:41

6M ago26:41

26:41

In the age of virtual communication, here’s how to ensure your messages convey what you mean. Texts. Emails. Slacks. Zooms. We’re communicating in more ways than ever, but Andrew Brodsky has a word of warning: Your virtual communication might be sending messages you’re not aware of. Brodsky is the author of PING: The Secrets of Successful Virtual C…

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210. First Impression to Lasting Impact: Use Status Strategically 28:29

6M ago28:29

28:29

Career success takes a status boost, not a power grab. How do you chart the career course you’ve always imagined? According to Alison Fragale, it’s about gaining influence through status, power, and ultimately, being “a likeable badass.” As a research psychologist, professor, speaker, and author, Fragale is on a mission to help women take control o…

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209. Find Your Fit, Find Your Focus - Catalyze Your Career 26:03

6M ago26:03

26:03

How to turn curiosity, clarity, and AI into your most powerful job search tools. Job search isn’t just about landing your next role—it’s about understanding who you are and how you want to show up in the world. According to Andrew Seaman, Senior Managing Editor for Jobs and Career Development at LinkedIn, that process begins with curiosity, not cer…

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06 Religion's Role in Human Development 17:31

6M ago17:31

17:31

This episode examines the historical role of religion in shaping human society. Rather than focusing on faith or doctrine, Carl looks at how religion helped early humans organise, cooperate, and create meaning in an unpredictable world. We explore how belief systems provided structure, morality, identity, and a sense of belonging—and how those func…

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208. Ambiguity to Action: Tensions and Trade-Offs of Leadership and Communication 26:27

6M ago26:27

26:27

Amidst constant change, clear communication is the key to navigating uncertainty. How do you communicate with others when you’re confused yourself? For Rob Siegel, leadership isn’t about avoiding uncertainty, it’s about embracing the clarity that ambiguity can bring. "What if ambiguity is the new normal?" asks Siegel, a venture investor and lecture…

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05 Marcus Aurelius on Being a Good Man 18:45

6M ago18:45

18:45

In this episode, Carl explores how Stoic philosophy—especially the writings of Marcus Aurelius—can help us navigate modern life with more calm, discipline, and perspective. Through personal reflection and practical application, we look at what it means to lead yourself, stay anchored in difficult situations, and build emotional resilience.…

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207. From Conflict to Connection: Having Crucial Conversations that Count 28:20

7M ago28:20

28:20

How victim, villain, and helpless stories sabotage our most important conversations. The hardest conversations aren’t just about what you say to the other person. According to Joseph Grenny, critical conversations begin with the stories that you tell yourself. As a leading expert on business performance and communication, and a New York Times bests…

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206. Crafting Narratives That Motivate: What’s Your Strategy Story? 25:45

7M ago25:45

25:45

Great strategy starts with a question—and a story worth believing in. A good strategy isn’t just built—it’s told. For Martin Reeves, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and author of The Imagination Machine and Like: The Button That Changed the World, strategy and imagination are both deeply communicative processes, rooted in storytelling, curi…

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205. Say What Sucks: Catalyzing Organizational Change with AI 42:01

7M ago42:01

42:01

A live SXSW panel on how employee complaints illuminate the path to organizational innovation. Wrong question: How can AI revolutionize productivity in my organization? Right question: What do my employees hate most about their jobs? For the Portland Trail Blazers, a winning game plan for AI implementation didn’t begin with a tech-first approach — …

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03 Cashflow Survival Guide 13:35

7M ago13:35

13:35

Cashflow is one of the most common reasons small businesses struggle—not because they’re unprofitable, but because money doesn’t move at the right time. In this episode, Carl takes a practical look at how cash actually flows through a business—from incoming revenue to outgoing expenses—and why timing, not just totals, is often the key to survival. …

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04 Our Relationship with Time 13:52

7M ago13:52

13:52

We live by time, but rarely stop to examine it. In this episode, Carl explores and shares how human beings came to measure, organise, and structure life around time—from early sun tracking and seasonal rhythms to the invention of clocks, calendars, and modern schedules. Part 1 covers the origins of timekeeping: how different cultures made sense of …