“Causality is this foundation that really allows us to anchor what we’re trying to do when we’re telling stories.”

Storytelling doesn’t require a dramatic narrative. For behavioral scientist and former Disney Imagineer Troy Campbell, even everyday information can become a story when we explain the “because” behind it, connecting what happened to why it matters. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Campbell joins Matt Abrahams to unpack the psychology behind storytelling and persuasion. From structuring ideas around goals, insights, and actions to creating “portals” that prepare audiences for what comes next, he shares practical ways to make communication more relevant, persuasive, and memorable.

Takeaways:

• Stories are built on cause and change. Connecting information through the “because” behind it turns isolated facts into a narrative that helps audiences understand why something happened and why it matters.
• Start by preparing your audience for what comes next. Effective “portals” create anticipation, shift people into the right mindset, and provide just enough context to help them engage with your message.

Activity:

• Create a portal. Choose an upcoming meeting or presentation and redesign the first minute to prepare your audience for what follows. Build an opening that creates anticipation, shifts their mindset, and previews where you’re taking them before diving into the main content.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

• Troy Campbell
• Ep.156 Creative Communication: How Our Design Choices Illustrate O…

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
• (00:56) - The Power of “Because”
• (01:58) - Stories in Everyday Jobs
• (03:03) - Goal, Insight, Action
• (06:32) - Overcoming Change Resistance
• (11:34) - Creating Powerful Portals
• (17:54) - The Final Three Questions
• (23:35) - Conclusion

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“We are now competing in conversation with someone’s feed.”

Connecting with others requires more than knowing what to say. The signals we send through our body language, the questions we ask, and even where we position ourselves can shape how others experience a conversation. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, behavioral researcher and author of Cues and Captivate, Vanessa Van Edwards joins Matt Abrahams to explore the subtle cues that make communication more engaging. She shares strategies for navigating networking events, sparking more meaningful conversations, and signaling the warmth and competence that shape charisma and connection.

Takeaways:

• Connection starts before you speak. Visible palms, eye contact, positioning, and other nonverbal cues can signal warmth and openness, shaping how others experience an interaction from the start.
• Better conversations spark curiosity. Moving beyond routine small talk with engaging questions, surprising stories, and genuine enthusiasm can make interactions more memorable and meaningful.

Activity:

• Create a conversational feed. Start a note on your phone and collect three things from your week—a surprising moment, an interesting observation, or a small win. Bring one into your next networking event or meeting as “conversational confetti” instead of defaulting to routine small talk.

Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

• Vanessa Van Edwards
• Vanessa’s Books: Cues / Captivate
• Ep.301 Trust at First Sight: Create More Meaningful Connections

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
• (00:37) - Why Your Hands Matter
• (02:20) - Networking With Confidence
• (05:34) - Make Small Talk More Engaging
• (09:03) - The Science of Charisma
• (13:11) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

“We’re all salespeople at the end of the day.”

Whether you’re pitching a movie, an idea, or yourself, persuasion is about more than the story you’re telling—it’s also about the story your audience sees for themselves. For Deadpool and Zombieland screenwriter Rhett Reese, that means keeping communication concise, compelling, and centered on what your audience needs. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Reese joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from screenwriting that apply far beyond Hollywood. From cutting unnecessary words to crafting pitches that make your audience the protagonist, he explores how storytelling, collaboration, and clarity can make any message more persuasive.

Takeaways:

• Every pitch tells two stories. You’re selling the idea itself, but you’re also showing your audience how saying yes can solve their problem, reduce their risk, and lead to their success.
• Brevity makes your message stronger. Cutting unnecessary words and choosing them carefully helps your ideas land with greater clarity, impact, and memorability.

Activity:

• Tell the second story. Take a pitch you’re currently working on and write one sentence describing the idea you’re selling. Then write a second sentence from your audience’s perspective: “If I say yes, what becomes possible for me?” Use that second story to reshape your pitch around their success, not just your idea.

Printable Expanded Takeaways & Activities

Episode Reference Links:

• Rhett Reese
• Ep.167 Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication

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) - Make Every Word Count
• (03:09) - How to Pitch an Idea
• (07:38) - Creatively Collaborating
• (10:35) - Creating Space for Feedback
• (12:49) - AI & the Future of Hollywood
• (16:44) - The Final Three Questions
• (23:15) - Conclusion

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Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.