213. Rethinks: Building Trusting Relationships Through Communication

213. Rethinks: Building Trusting Relationships Through Communication

Author: Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart July 1, 2025 Duration: 29:19

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, and author of several books, including his most recent, Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness. While many people feel suspicious of others and are reluctant to trust them, Zaki finds that relying on other people is a necessary part of forming relationships.

“Acts of trust are the bedrock on which relationships are formed,” Zaki says. “The only way that strangers become friends and friends become best friends, the only way that we can build partnerships is through a willingness to count on one another.”

In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zaki joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss practical strategies for fostering trust and challenging our cynical assumptions, offering a hopeful perspective on human nature, backed by surprising scientific insights.

Episode Reference Links:

 

Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (03:06) - Defining Trust and Its Importance
  • (03:57) - Building Better Trust
  • (05:28) - Understanding Cynicism
  • (07:50) - The Cynicism Spectrum
  • (10:10) - Fostering Hopeful Skepticism
  • (12:24) - Challenges of Overcoming Cynicism
  • (14:16) - Positive Gossip and Positive Noticing
  • (17:14) - Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
  • (20:10) - The Final Three Questions
  • (28:11) - 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.

Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com

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


Ever find yourself scrambling for the right words in a high-stakes meeting or struggling to get your point across clearly? That’s the territory Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques explores. Hosted by Matt Abrahams, a Stanford lecturer and author who understands the real-world pressure of thinking on your feet, this podcast digs into the mechanics of how we connect and convey ideas. Each episode features conversations with specialists across various fields, moving beyond theory to deliver concrete methods you can use immediately. Whether it’s navigating a difficult conversation, structuring a persuasive pitch, or simply becoming a more engaged listener, Matt focuses on the tactical skills that build confidence. The discussions are grounded in his professional experience and academic background, offering a blend of research and relatable application. You’ll hear specific techniques for organizing your thoughts under pressure, using storytelling to make data memorable, and adjusting your communication style for different audiences. This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s a resource for anyone who needs to influence, lead, or collaborate more effectively in their career and daily interactions. Tune in to this practical podcast for a regular dose of insights that aim to make your communication more intentional and impactful, one conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Podcast Episodes
212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your Way to the Perfect Job Fit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:45
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 com…
211. Small Screens, Strong Signals: Mastering Modern Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:17
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 virtua…
210. First Impression to Lasting Impact: Use Status Strategically [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:05
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 l…
209. Find Your Fit, Find Your Focus - Catalyze Your Career [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:40
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…
206. Crafting Narratives That Motivate: What’s Your Strategy Story? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:21
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:…
205. Say What Sucks: Catalyzing Organizational Change with AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:38
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…
204. Tough Talks: Turn Tension Into Trust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:56
How to have the conversations that are most difficult — and most important.Before you can have hard conversations with others, you need to have an honest conversation with yourself. That's the counterintuitive advice fro…