263. Smart Isn’t the Same as Clear: How to Sharpen Your Ideas

Why clarity and authenticity matter more than ever in modern communication.

Clear communication in the age of likes, LLMs, and constant noise isn’t about talking more. For Nick Thompson, it’s about being unmistakably clear and unmistakably yourself.

Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and former editor-in-chief of Wired, has spent his career shaping stories that hold attention. “Clear beats clever,” he says, stressing that authenticity and specificity are what make messages land. “If you can get across what you're really trying to say— if you can say it honestly, specifically, and ideally briefly—that's good. And if you can say it in a way that feels like you, that's great.”

Beyond journalism, Thompson is an elite marathon runner, ranking among the top competitive runners in the world, an identity that, for him, isn’t separate from writing or leadership but deeply connected to it. “[Running] has taught me all kinds of habits of mind and discipline and pacing,” he says, “There are all kinds of lessons from the sport that apply to my business life.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Thompson joins host Matt Abrahams to share how great communicators craft “sticky” ideas without chasing soundbites. From practical editorial tests to the importance of editing, structure, and authenticity, Thompson offers a roadmap for communication that doesn’t just get noticed but lasts.

Episode Reference Links:

• Nick Thompson
• Nick’s Book: The Running Ground
• Ep.183 Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication 

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Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (03:55) - Good Communication in the Modern Day
• (04:37) - Finding Your Authentic Voice
• (05:44) - The Power of Editing
• (07:28) - Reading Your Writing Out Loud
• (09:21) - How to Create “Sticky” Content
• (10:43) - AI’s Role in Journalism & Communication
• (12:46) - Using AI in Daily Life
• (13:30) - Running As Meditation
• (17:09) - What Running Teaches About Simplicity
• (18:44) - The Final Three Questions
• (23:02) - Conclusion

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