264. Show Your Receipts: Communicating in a Post-Truth World

264. Show Your Receipts: Communicating in a Post-Truth World

Author: Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart February 16, 2026 Duration: 24:59

Why curiosity is the best way to start a conversation.


No matter how wide political, cultural, and generational divides seem to grow, Fareed Zakaria is convinced: communication has the power to connect.

Zakaria is the host of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, a Washington Post columnist, and author of Age of Revolutions, a book about the seismic societal shifts that define modern history. In his decades of translating complex geopolitical issues for broad audiences, he’s found the key to navigating change and conflict. “The most important thing is being genuinely curious,” he says, “genuinely believing that everybody has a story to tell. Everybody has something to teach you. Everybody has a lesson you can learn.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zakaria and host Matt Abrahams explore how curiosity opens the door to conversation. Whether we’re communicating across ideological divides or bridging gaps between our past, present, and future, Zakaria shows why maintaining connection starts with a willingness to learn.

Episode Reference Links:

Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (03:04) - The “Age of Revolutions”
  • (05:10) - Do Facts Still Matter?
  • (06:41) - How To Persuade
  • (08:45) - On-Camera Communication
  • (11:13) - Making Radical Ideas Mainstream
  • (12:42) - When To Change Your Mind
  • (14:09) - Helping Adolescents Communicate
  • (19:51) - The Final Three Questions
  • (23:38) - 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.

This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.

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: 284

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Podcast Episodes
89. Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:28
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…
86. Building Habits: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:10
Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are easier to form than most people think,” he says, “If you do it in the right way.”As the founder and director of Stanford'…
85. Rethinks: Don't Get Lost in Translation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:37
Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge, especially without a script or prepared speech.In this "Rethinks" episode, we revisit Matt's conversation with Kenneth Romeo abou…
84. Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:36
“The self is incompatible with freedom, the way most people understand it, because the self is a constraint,” says social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior Brian Lowery. “The ‘you’ you’re talking abou…
83. You Need a Manifesto: How to Communicate Your Convictions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:10
“If you're not living life according to your own values, you're most likely living them according to someone else's,” says Charlotte Burgess-Auburn.Burgess-Auburn is a designer, artist, educator, and the Director of Comm…