Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Episode 265: Complexity to Connection: Humanizing High-Stakes Communication
Host: Matt Abrahams
Guests: Dr. Jonathan Berek and Dr. Phil Polakoff
Release Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this illuminating episode, Matt Abrahams sits down with renowned medical experts and communicators Dr. Jonathan Berek (gynecological oncologist, filmmaker, and faculty director at Stanford) and Dr. Phil Polakoff (distinguished health transformation advisor, author, and nonprofit CEO). Their dialogue centers around humanizing high-stakes communication—especially in medicine—drawing on decades of professional experience and their ventures into storytelling, advocacy, and teaching.

The discussion explores actionable strategies to move from complexity to authentic connection, with lessons on storytelling, empathy, listening, and adapting communication styles to different audiences. Together, they unpack how mastering these skills improves not only medical outcomes, but also personal and professional relationships.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Bringing Attention and Funding to Healthcare Issues

[03:04] Jonathan Berek: On Philanthropy and Advocacy in Women's Cancer

• Created "Under One Umbrella" at Stanford to raise money for women’s cancer research, funding research, professorships, and clinical innovation.
• Impact: Enhanced research capabilities and improved patient outcomes globally.

[03:57] Phil Polakoff: Broadening the Definition of Health

• Cites the World Health Organization’s broad definition of health, adding a spiritual dimension.
• Advocated for healthcare transformation by focusing on the “three Ps”: practicalities, policies, and political will.
• Experiential insights from his fieldwork with CDC and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health highlighted vast urban/rural disparities.

"For me, the real opportunity now is, can we cross the chasm and bridge the gap so it becomes for all of our society?"
— Phil Polakoff [05:01]

2. The Power and Practice of Storytelling

[05:33] Jonathan Berek: Connecting Through Stories

• Early passion for theater and creative writing shaped his approach.
• Uses short documentaries and patient stories to create emotional engagement and foster understanding of complex medical advances.
• Seeing and hearing personal stories evokes empathy and motivates support more effectively than data alone.

"If they hear a patient's story... people get that, they understand and they think, wow, this is a very important medical advance."
— Jonathan Berek [07:00]

[07:42] Phil Polakoff: Conciseness, Empathy, and Memorable Messaging

• Experience in radio and politics taught him to listen, be empathetic, and communicate with brevity.
• Offers the “trifecta of words”: relationships, service/purpose, and bold, passionate action.

"You listen more, speak less... Think bold, start small, move with passion and purpose."
— Phil Polakoff [08:19]

3. Communicating Complex Ideas Simply

[10:07] Jonathan Berek: Audience-Centered Explanation

• Practice "leveling": Know your audience and avoid speaking above or below them.
• Use familiar language and relatable examples without condescension.

"You communicate in a style and with words and phrases that you think will connect with that particular audience."
— Jonathan Berek [10:14]

[09:31] Phil Polakoff: Preparation and Mentorship

• Stresses the importance of preparation (“do your homework”) and seeking guidance outside one’s comfort zone.
• Learning from mentors is key to effective communication and personal growth.

4. Listening and Empathy: The Core of Connection

[11:09] Jonathan Berek: Listening as Respect and Empathy

• Communication starts with listening and empathy, demonstrating openness and respect.
• Preparation and presence (“show up on time”) are forms of respect.

"The two most important skills in communication are empathy and listening."
— Jonathan Berek [11:09]

[12:06] Phil Polakoff: The Value of Clarity and Directness

• Prefers clarity in both commitment and communication.
• Advocates for defining deliverables and tangible results to ensure meaningful collaboration.

5. Improvisation and Spontaneity in High-Stakes Communication

[13:20] Jonathan Berek: Applying Improv to Medicine

• Improv isn’t just comedy—every patient interaction requires improvisation.
• Practicing improv builds readiness for spontaneous, high-stakes conversations (e.g., medical discussions).

"Every interaction you have with a patient, you improvise... Practicing [improvisation] allows you to get more in touch with your ability to improvise so that when you're in a difficult situation... it helps you refine your skills."
— Jonathan Berek [13:23]

[14:08] Matt Abrahams: Practicing Spontaneity

• Most communication is spontaneous; practicing improv techniques enhances real-world readiness and poise.

6. Navigating Career Pivots and Advocacy

[14:58] Phil Polakoff: From “I” to “We”

• Shifted focus from personal achievement to collective impact (“illness” to “wellness”).
• Emphasizes being laser focused and the importance of executive coaching.
• Critiques overextension (“you can't be a clinician and a politician...you'll lose focus”) and champions moderation and joy in later career stages.

"If 'I' is replaced by 'we,' even illness becomes wellness. Only working together will we have a healthier society."
— Phil Polakoff [15:23]

[17:18] Jonathan Berek: The Evolving Importance of Mentorship

• Matured from personal expertise to mentorship and big-picture thinking.
• Credits having mentors and continuous learning for career progression.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On storytelling:

  "People feel the emotion when they see a story ... If they hear someone saying, 'I took this drug ... it gave me a remission in my cancer,' people get that."
  — Jonathan Berek [06:38]

• On effective communication and relationships:

  "Relationships, service and purpose. ... You listen more, speak less."
  — Phil Polakoff [08:19]

• On personal growth:

  "How to be smarter. ... You have to learn to be much more circumspect and it takes a while."
  — Jonathan Berek [20:06]

• On starting meaningful interactions:

  "It's the start, not the finish, of a dynamic, meaningful interaction."
  — Phil Polakoff [21:07]

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 03:04: Jonathan Berek discusses philanthropic impact on women’s cancer research.
• 05:33: The value of storytelling and how personal stories motivate action.
• 07:42: Phil Polakoff on distilling complex messages and the importance of listening.
• 10:07: Jonathan Berek on “leveling” communication for audience understanding.
• 11:09: The primacy of empathy and listening in connecting with others.
• 13:20: Improv techniques as a tool to navigate spontaneous, high-stakes conversations.
• 14:58: Shifting from a self-focused (“I”) to community (“we”) approach in health advocacy.
• 19:48-20:28: Rapid-fire advice on lessons learned and communicators admired.

Actionable Takeaways for Listeners

• Communicate with empathy and active listening to foster deeper connection and respect.
• Tell compelling stories—personal relevance and emotional engagement motivate understanding and action.
• Tailor your message to the audience’s knowledge and needs; translate complexity into relatable language without condescension.
• Be concise and clear—say more with fewer words when addressing high-stakes or broad audiences.
• Practice improvisation to prepare for spontaneous, unscripted conversations—especially in critical situations.
• Seek mentors and embrace continual learning, recognizing the value of guidance through different career stages.
• Shift from personal accomplishment to collaborative change—focus on collective “we” over “I,” especially in societal issues like health.

Closing Reflections

The paths of Dr. Berek and Dr. Polakoff illustrate that humanizing communication is a dynamic, lifelong process—rooted in genuine listening, storytelling, clarity, and empathy. Their advice and methodologies are directly applicable whether you’re in healthcare, business, or any high-stakes environment.

"Find mentors and guides. Think about how you tell stories and connect. Make them concise, make them empathetic."
— Matt Abrahams [21:36]

This is just the start of a bigger, ongoing conversation about making complexity relatable and driving meaningful change through how we communicate.