Episodes

  • The Leadership Trap High Achievers Can't See -Jessica Kriegel

    The Leadership Trap High Achievers Can't See -Jessica Kriegel
    May 28 2026
    Jessica 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!
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Brian Ahearn: The Hard Talks We Avoid—And Why We Need Them

    Brian Ahearn: The Hard Talks We Avoid—And Why We Need Them
    May 25 2026
    In 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!
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    34 mins
  • Why Smart People Still Fall Apart in Chaos - Liz Tran

    Why Smart People Still Fall Apart in Chaos - Liz Tran
    May 21 2026
    Most 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
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • How Nature Heals What Stress Breaks - with Tracy Teuscher

    How Nature Heals What Stress Breaks - with Tracy Teuscher
    May 18 2026
    What 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!
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Stop Leaving Money (and Your Life) on the Table: Negotiate Smarter

    Stop Leaving Money (and Your Life) on the Table: Negotiate Smarter
    May 15 2026
    What 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.
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Embrace the Pain: What It Really Takes to Build a Billion-Dollar Business - Alex Jekowsky

    Embrace the Pain: What It Really Takes to Build a Billion-Dollar Business - Alex Jekowsky
    May 14 2026
    Most 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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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Why Introverts Burn Out — with Patience Ogunbona

    Why Introverts Burn Out — with Patience Ogunbona
    May 12 2026
    What if the real reason you feel stuck, burned out, or unseen isn’t because you’re not capable… but because you’ve been performing as someone you’re not? In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author Patience Ogunbona shares the internal negotiations that transformed her life, career, and voice. From walking away from performative success to embracing quiet confidence, Patience reveals why authenticity is the missing piece behind true influence, fulfillment, and courageous leadership. Together, we unpack: Why trying to “prove yourself” quietly destroys performance The identity shift that changes how you show up in conversations and leadership How introverts can lead powerfully without pretending to be extroverts The hidden connection between burnout and self-betrayal Why the wrong environment slowly erodes your confidence and worth How to trust your own voice again — even after years of masking The surprising power of “I am” statements and identity-based transformation Practical strategies for difficult conversations, meetings, interruptions, and leadership as an introvert Patience also shares the deeply personal story behind writing her new book, the breakthrough framework she uses with clients, and the mindset shifts that help leaders move from not worthy to noteworthy. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from performing, struggled to speak up, or wondered whether success should feel more aligned than this — this conversation is for you. Because the most important negotiation you’ll ever have… is the one happening inside your own head. Connect with Patience Ogunbona: 🎙️ Podcast: Quietly Confident Introvert (on YouTube) 📖 Book: Aligned — available on Amazon (hardback and Kindle) 💼 Connect on LinkedIn - Patience Ogunbuna
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Stop Seeking Validation: The Secret to Authentic Confidence and Executive Presence

    Stop Seeking Validation: The Secret to Authentic Confidence and Executive Presence
    May 11 2026
    You think you’re being authentic. You’re not. In this powerful conversation, media expert, keynote speaker, and author Jeanne Sparrow breaks down the real meaning of authenticity — and it’s not what you think. Most people confuse authenticity with oversharing. Others stay silent, mistaking fear for integrity. Jeanne explains why true authenticity isn’t about saying everything — it’s about knowing who you are, what you bring to the table, and how to use that power with intention. You’ll learn: Why oversharing kills trust (and isn’t real connection) How to tell the difference between fear and truth How to adapt without losing yourself Why your presence speaks louder than your words — and how to own it Whether you're leading a team, having a tough conversation, or just trying to show up more powerfully — this episode will change how you think about being “yourself.” Connect with Jeanne ⁠jeannesparrow.com⁠ ⁠Buy now The Book - FEARLESS AUTHENTICITY - by Jeanne Sparrow⁠ 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!⁠
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    57 mins