Podcast
Negotiate Anything
Hosted by Kwame Christian Esq., M.A. · EN
Transform your relationships. Speak your truth. Get what you deserve—with Kwame Christian as your guide. With over 16 million downloads and more than 1,600 episodes, Negotiate Anything was the world’s leading negotiation podcast for nearly a decade, reaching listeners in more than 180 countries. But it’s about more than negotiation—it’s about confidence, connection, and creating outcomes that respect your values.
About the Host: Kwame Christian, Esq., M.A.
Kwame Christian the founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute. He's known for his viral TEDx Talk, “Finding Confidence in Conflict,” and is a bestselling author of two books:
• How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race (2022)
• Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life (2020)
As a degrees in law, psychology, and public policy, Kwame brings a wealth of knowledge to every episode. He’s also a LinkedIn instructor with over 2.3 million learners, making complex negotiation concepts accessible to everyone.
Why This Podcast?
At the American Negotiation Institute, we believe that the best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations. Our mission is to empower you to negotiate anything, anywhere. Whether you’re a seasoned negotiator or just starting, our podcast equips you with the tools and confidence to navigate any conversation.
Tune in to Transform Your Life:
Join millions of listeners who have already unlocked the power of negotiation. Subscribe now and start mastering the skills that will transform your professional and personal life. Watch our episodes on YouTube for more visual insights and tips.
Connect with Us:
• Website: American Negotiation Institute
• Email: simon@negotiateanything.com
• LinkedIn: Kwame Christian
• YouTube: Negotiate Anything
Produced by the American Negotiation Institute
For ad inquiries, please reach out to: Network+NA@yapmedia.com
102episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Stop Defending Yourself — Start Listening and Win Any Negotiation
4d ago01:09:04Tap to summarizeWhat if the biggest threat to your relationship isn’t conflict — it’s the way you communicate during it? In this thought-provoking conversation, negotiation expert and mediator Alice Shikina joins Kwame Christian to reveal why so many successful professionals excel at communication in the boardroom but struggle to connect with the people they love most. Drawing from years of mediation experience, Alice shares a powerful perspective: every relationship is a negotiation, and learning how to negotiate well can transform the way we handle conflict at home. Together, they unpack the hidden communication patterns that fuel arguments, including interruptions, defensiveness, emotional escalation, and the common misconception that listening simply means hearing someone speak. You'll discover why acknowledgment is often the missing ingredient in difficult conversations, how unspoken emotions drive seemingly unrelated conflicts, and why de-escalation begins long before an argument starts. Whether you're navigating challenges with a spouse, partner, child, colleague, or friend, this episode offers practical tools to help you listen more deeply, communicate more effectively, and strengthen your most important relationships. Key topics include: * Why every relationship is a negotiation * The real reason people feel unheard * How to prevent conversations from escalating * The role of emotional intelligence in conflict resolution * Why "I hear you" isn't enough * Practical techniques for active listening and acknowledgment * Creating relationship ground rules that actually work If you've ever walked away from a conversation feeling misunderstood—or struggled to understand someone else—this episode will change the way you think about communication forever. Connect with Alice: 🎙️ Podcast: Negotiation with Alice 📖 Don't Sleep on the Couch: Winning More Arguments Without Losing Your Marriage — coming soon 📖 Influenceable — also forthcoming 🌐 https://www.shikinamediation.com/
Transcribe →This #1 Marketing Expert PROVES You’re Branding All Wrong!
1w ago00:45:25Tap to summarizeMost people are doing branding completely backwards — and it’s killing their results. In this powerful conversation, global CEO and marketing thought leader Giuseppe Stigliano reveals why everything you thought you knew about branding is wrong, and what to do instead. You’ll discover: Why “pushing” your brand no longer works in today’s saturated market The shift from making people want things to making things people want How to apply marketing principles to your career, relationships, and personal brand The five steps every human relationship — and every great brand — follows Why trying to be on every platform is a losing game, and the smarter alternative Giuseppe has advised some of the world’s top business leaders, co-authored books with Philip Kotler (the father of modern marketing), and his work has reached over 100,000 people worldwide. This episode isn’t just about selling products — it’s about understanding people, creating real value, and building a brand that attracts without chasing. If you want to stand out in a world drowning in choices, this is your blueprint. Connect with Giuseppe giuseppestigliano.com Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn negotiateanything.com Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!
Transcribe →Why the "Just Be Yourself" Is a Terrible Negotiation Advice - Dr. Laura Sicola
2w ago00:56:25Tap to summarizeWhat if the biggest thing holding you back isn't a lack of skill — it's your definition of authenticity? In this thought-provoking conversation, communication expert, TEDx speaker, and Speaking to Influence author Dr. Laura Sicola challenges one of the most common beliefs about personal growth: the idea that being authentic means staying exactly as you are. From navigating unexpected career pivots to breaking free from the "expert's curse," Laura shares why the most successful people aren't the ones with perfectly planned paths—they're the ones willing to embrace discomfort, adapt their communication, and take opportunities before they feel fully ready. Together, we explore why fear often disguises itself as authenticity, how mastering different communication "languages" expands your influence, and why your next breakthrough may be hiding on the other side of a conversation you're afraid to have. You'll discover: Why "How did you get where you are?" might be the wrong question The hidden danger of the expert's curse How to communicate complex ideas without sounding simplistic The difference between authenticity and comfort Why code-switching isn't inauthentic—it's a leadership skill The role of courage, curiosity, and transferable skills in creating extraordinary opportunities This episode is packed with practical insights, powerful stories, and mindset shifts that will challenge the way you think about growth, influence, and what it really means to be yourself. If you've ever felt stuck between who you are and who you're becoming, this conversation is for you. Connect with Dr. Laura Sicola 🌐 - https://laurasicola.com/ 📖 - Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice TEDx Talks - Want to sound like a leader? Start by saying your name right | Laura Sicola | TEDxPenn
Transcribe →Reverse Interview: Kwame Answers the Hard Questions - End Every Sentence With This to Win Any Talk
2w ago01:09:26Tap to summarizeKwame Christian, negotiation expert and host of Negotiate Anything, reveals the conversation tactics most speakers never have time to share on stage — including how to regain control when someone else is running the room, how to draw out a person who goes completely silent, and why most hard conversations at home are doomed before they even start. This is a reverse interview. Kwame was the keynote speaker at the Life and Annuity Conference (hosted jointly by the Society of Actuaries, ACLI, and LIMRA LOMA) — and the audience Q&A ran so long they ran out of time on stage. So conference organizers Karen Terry and Joe Wurzburger brought the best questions straight to the podcast.
Transcribe →The Leadership Trap High Achievers Can't See -Jessica Kriegel
3w ago01:04:27Tap to summarizeJessica Kriegel, Chief Science Officer at Culture Partners, lost her father two days after he came home for good — and spent the next year drinking to forget it. What pulled her out wasn't hustle. It was surrender. Jessica is the Chief Science Officer of Culture Partners, a global workplace consulting firm that drives results for some of the world's largest organizations. She's also the author of Surrender to Lead and host of the CEO Daily Brief podcast. Her research sits at the intersection of culture, belief systems, and measurable business outcomes. In this episode, Kwame and Jessica unpack why the need to control is quietly destroying results — and why the fastest path to what you want requires you to give up the illusion you ever had control in the first place. Connect with Jessica www.jessicakriegel.com Buy the book: Surrender to Lead: The Counterintuitive Approach to Driving Extraordinary Results Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn negotiateanything.com Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!
Transcribe →Brian Ahearn: The Hard Talks We Avoid—And Why We Need Them
3w ago00:34:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Negotiate Anything, host Kwame Christian welcomes back Brian Ahearn, Chief Influence Officer at Influence People, to discuss the powerful lessons and insights from Brian's new book, "His Story, My Story, Our Story." The book chronicles the complexities of Brian's relationship with his late father, a Marine Corps veteran who faced significant challenges after serving in Vietnam. Brian shares how understanding his father's experiences helped him develop empathy and strengthen their relationship. This episode delves into how these personal revelations can apply to negotiations and influence in everyday life. What will be covered: The story of Brian Ahearn's relationship with his father and the personal journey of reconciling past issues. Insights on establishing empathy and connection with loved ones who are military veterans. Techniques from the science of influence and negotiation applied to personal relationships. Connect with Brian https://brianahearn.biz/ Follow Brian On LinkedIn Order now the Book His Story, My Story, Our Story by Brian Ahearn Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn The Ultimate Negotiation Guide Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race! Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!
Transcribe →Why Smart People Still Fall Apart in Chaos - Liz Tran
4w ago01:02:53Tap to summarizeMost people are optimizing for the wrong kind of smart — and it's costing them everything when the world shifts. Liz Tran is a former venture capital executive, CEO coach, and author of AQ. She spent years inside the highest-pressure rooms in tech before walking away to build a coaching practice rooted in one conviction: the people who thrive in chaos aren't the smartest or the most emotionally intelligent — they're the most adaptable. Connect with Liz Website: https://liz-tran.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liztran1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liztranwrites/ Headshot Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N6ik2WblfgHVX7NSRbfpR96g56f4Uxd6/view
Transcribe →How Nature Heals What Stress Breaks - with Tracy Teuscher
4w ago01:24:06Tap to summarizeWhat if the most powerful stress-relief tool you have access to is completely free — and you've been ignoring it your whole life? In this episode, Kwame sits down with Tracy Teuscher — PR strategist, branding expert, and certified eco-therapist — to explore why modern life is burning us out, and how reconnecting with nature can restore what chronic stress quietly destroys. They dive into the science of forest bathing and phytoncides, why kindness is not weakness, how to set better boundaries without losing your warmth, and what it really means to lead with authenticity in a world designed to distract you. Tracy also shares her deeply personal journey through loss, grief, and a decade of using nature as medicine — and gives you simple, actionable practices you can start today, whether you have a forest nearby or just a stone in your pocket. Connect with Tracy Nature Therapy Earth Website - https://naturetherapy.earth/Nature Therapy Earth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/naturetherapy.earthNature Therapy Earth YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@naturetherapyearth The Buzz Maker® Website - https://www.thebuzzmaker.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebuzzmaker Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebuzzmaker LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebuzzmaker/ Save Ohio Bees Website - https://saveohiobees.org/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/saveohiobees Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/saveohiobees Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn negotiateanything.com Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!
Transcribe →Stop Leaving Money (and Your Life) on the Table: Negotiate Smarter
May 1501:13:48Tap to summarizeWhat if the very thing holding you back from success isn’t your skill—but your silence? In this masterclass episode, we dive deep into the hidden cost of not advocating for yourself—and why staying quiet could be costing you far more than you realize. From physicians navigating burnout and unfair contracts to professionals leaving millions on the table by avoiding salary negotiations, this conversation unpacks the real stakes behind everyday decisions we’re often too uncomfortable to confront. You’ll hear powerful insights from industry leaders who challenge the belief that negotiation is conflict—and instead reframe it as a collaborative, career-defining skill. Discover why saying “no” is often the most professional thing you can do, how to build leverage without burning bridges, and why your long-term success depends on setting boundaries today. This episode isn’t just about negotiation—it’s about identity, courage, and reclaiming control over your career and your life. If you’ve ever hesitated to ask for more, feared being seen as “too much,” or struggled to advocate for yourself, this is the perspective shift you’ve been waiting for. Because at the end of the day, the question isn’t whether you can negotiate—it’s whether you’re willing to.
Transcribe →Embrace the Pain: What It Really Takes to Build a Billion-Dollar Business - Alex Jekowsky
May 1401:03:46Tap to summarizeMost entrepreneurs talk about deals. Alex Jekowsky of CENTS has negotiated over $220 million worth of them. In this episode on negotiation, acquisitions, fundraising, and entrepreneurship, Alex breaks down the real psychology behind high-stakes dealmaking — from navigating multimillion-dollar acquisitions to building trust with investors, overcoming rejection, and turning painful setbacks into transformational opportunities. But this conversation goes far beyond tactics. Alex shares the emotional realities of entrepreneurship: the pressure, the uncertainty, the loneliness, and the resilience required to keep building when the odds are against you. From renegotiating a failed acquisition deal on the back of a coffee shop receipt to raising the largest venture round in laundry technology history, this episode is packed with battle-tested lessons on leadership, authenticity, reputation, and growth. You’ll learn:• Why the best negotiators focus on alignment, not manipulation• The hidden danger of “selling” instead of “showing”• How great founders structure deals people actually want to win• Why pain tolerance may be the ultimate entrepreneurial advantage• The mindset shifts that helped Alex scale Sense into an industry-defining company Whether you’re raising capital, buying a business, leading a team, or negotiating your next opportunity, this episode delivers practical wisdom from someone who’s lived every side of the table. This isn’t theory. It’s real-world dealmaking at the highest level. Connect with Alex Jekowsky: 🌐 Trycents - for laundromat owners and anyone interested in the garment care and repair industry 💼 Connect on LinkedIn - Alexander Jekowsky
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