272. Say What Sticks: The Neuroscience of Memorable Communication

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

People are forgetful. Here’s how to make your messages more memorable.


After any presentation, your audience will forget about 90% of what you said. That’s okay, says Carmen Simon — just make sure they remember the right 10%.

Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, speaker, author, and expert on how the brain processes and retains information. Her research reveals a humbling truth: “We forget our lives almost as quickly as we live them,” she says. But instead of fighting our forgetfulness, Simon believes we can work with it — by getting intentional about what we want people to remember. “So many people aspire at attention and memory, but very few really know what they want to be memorable for,” she says. “Ask the question: what is my 10% message?”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to distill your communication for maximum memorability. Whether you're pitching an idea or presenting to a team, Simon’s practical techniques will help you ensure your 10% message is the one your audience takes away.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (00:54) - Attention vs. Memory
  • (03:30) - Novelty & Surprise
  • (04:51) - Why Attention Isn’t Enough
  • (06:19) - The Power of Priming
  • (07:52) - Priming in Business Communication
  • (08:36) - Why Audiences Forget
  • (11:47) - Smart Repetition
  • (13:23) - The Final Three Questions
  • (18:50) - Conclusion

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

With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence, knowing you're getting the best talent for your needs. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com/fast

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

More description

People are forgetful. Here’s how to make your messages more memorable.


After any presentation, your audience will forget about 90% of what you said. That’s okay, says Carmen Simon — just make sure they remember the right 10%.

Simon is a cognitive neuroscientist, speaker, author, and expert on how the brain processes and retains information. Her research reveals a humbling truth: “We forget our lives almost as quickly as we live them,” she says. But instead of fighting our forgetfulness, Simon believes we can work with it — by getting intentional about what we want people to remember. “So many people aspire at attention and memory, but very few really know what they want to be memorable for,” she says. “Ask the question: what is my 10% message?”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Simon and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to distill your communication for maximum memorability. Whether you're pitching an idea or presenting to a team, Simon’s practical techniques will help you ensure your 10% message is the one your audience takes away.

Episode Reference Links:

Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (00:54) - Attention vs. Memory
  • (03:30) - Novelty & Surprise
  • (04:51) - Why Attention Isn’t Enough
  • (06:19) - The Power of Priming
  • (07:52) - Priming in Business Communication
  • (08:36) - Why Audiences Forget
  • (11:47) - Smart Repetition
  • (13:23) - The Final Three Questions
  • (18:50) - 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.

With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence, knowing you're getting the best talent for your needs. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com/fast

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

2026-03-16 19 min Transcript 10 chapters
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