Smart Talk book cover

Smart Talk by Lisa B. Marshall Summary

Smart Talk
Lisa B. Marshall
Communication skill
Business
Self-growth
Relationship
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of Smart Talk

Master your conversations with "Smart Talk" - the Swiss Army knife of communication endorsed by Apple's Guy Kawasaki. Learn to navigate difficult conversations, negotiate effectively, and build golden relationships that determine results. Your roadmap to becoming irresistibly persuasive in every situation.

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Key takeaways

1

The Power of Smart Talk: Your 10-Second Advantage

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Have you ever watched someone command a room effortlessly, turning strangers into allies and difficult situations into opportunities? That magnetic quality isn't magic - it's smart communication. Lisa B. Marshall discovered this truth the hard way as a young GE management trainee when she realized her communication style was "rocking all the other small ships" without her awareness. This wake-up call launched her mission to help others master effective communication, eventually reaching millions through her podcast "The Public Speaker" in over 200 countries. Smart Talk isn't just about speaking well - it's about connecting authentically, navigating difficult conversations with grace, and turning everyday interactions into opportunities for meaningful connection. Whether you struggle with difficult conversations or simply want to enhance your persuasive abilities, mastering smart talk provides a competitive edge that transforms ordinary communicators into confident, diplomatic, and successful ones.

2

First Impressions and the Art of Connection

3

Navigating Life's Challenging Conversations

4

The Persistence Principle and Strategic Follow-Up

5

Speaking with Diplomatic Grace

6

The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback

7

Transform Your Communication, Transform Your Life

Explore Your Way of Learning
Smart Talk isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Communication skill. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Smart Talk Summary in 9 Minutes

Quick Summary
Quick Summary
Smart Talk Summary in 9 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Smart Talk into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

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Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Smart Talk in a Nutshell

Flash Card
Flash Card
Top 10 Insights from Smart Talk in a Nutshell

Distill Smart Talk into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Flash Mode Swiper

Fun Mode - Smart Talk Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Fun
Fun
Smart Talk Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Experience Smart Talk through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.

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Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Smart Talk Summary in 0 Minutes

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Personalize
Experience Smart Talk in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

Personalize Mode

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

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@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
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