What Matt Abrahams has said about Filler words

2 quotes · 1 episode · Oct 25, 2026

Matt Abrahams, Lecturer in strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter and host of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast, has been quoted on Filler words 2 times in 1 episode of The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk, most recently on October 25, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

Abrahams argues that in an AI era a few disfluencies make speakers sound more human and authentic.
“in a world of AI where everything can be perfect and polished, having a few disfluencies and repetitive words actually makes you more human”
The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk: 712: Matt Abrahams - How to Become a Better Communicator: Speaking With Confidence, Structuring Your Message, and Thinking Fast on Your Feet (Oct 25, 2026) · Listen from 43:46
Abrahams recommends ending each phrase out of breath so the necessary inhale creates a pause instead of a filler word.
“So if we train ourselves to end every sentence and every phrase out of breath, What must I do before I start speaking again? I have to inhale”
The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk: 712: Matt Abrahams - How to Become a Better Communicator: Speaking With Confidence, Structuring Your Message, and Thinking Fast on Your Feet (Oct 25, 2026) · Listen from 43:16

Episodes

712: Matt Abrahams - How to Become a Better Communicator: Speaking With Confidence, Structuring Your Message, and Thinking Fast on Your Feet
The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk · Oct 25, 2026 · 55 min
Ryan Hawk talks with Stanford lecturer Matt Abrahams about interviewing, opening and closing talks, small talk, filler words, reflection journaling, and communication structures.

In their words

Episodes

Matt Abrahams on other topics