Big Swings Only

You've been told to "network" to get ahead. But what if that’s actually holding you back? In this episode, Andy Lopata joins Kwame to challenge everything we think we know about networking. Discover why most professionals waste time with tactics instead of strategy—and how real business success is built on intentional, strategic relationships that nobody taught you to build. Connect with Andy andy...

What does it take to genuinely connect across cultures, identities, and worldviews? In this episode, we sit down with my friend Melisande Kingchatchaval Schifter to unpack the mindset and skillset behind powerful human connection. Having lived on multiple continents, worked across sectors, and spoken several languages, Melly brings a rare global lens to the art—and strategy—of bridging difference....

Join me for an insightful LinkedIn Live session where we delve into the art of negotiating with kids and teens. Ever wondered how negotiation principles apply to children? Is it even feasible to negotiate with a teenager? We’ll be addressing all these questions and more. Contact ANI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kwame Chris...

Your paycheck isn’t just a number — it’s a reflection of what you believe you deserve. But most of us were never taught how to ask for more. In this raw and practical episode, LinkedIn journalist and Gen Z voice Gianna Prudente joins Kwame Christian to expose the emotional barriers that keep people — especially young professionals — from negotiating their worth. You’ll learn how to reframe the con...

They won’t listen. They won’t budge. And every argument feels like running into a wall. Sound familiar? In this episode, Kwame Christian breaks down exactly how to deal with stubborn people in negotiation—without losing your cool or wasting your time. You’ll learn why trying to “change” them never works, how your own ego might be making things worse, and the smarter strategies that actually move t...

What if the real reason people overlook you has nothing to do with your skills—and everything to do with how you show up? In this powerful episode, Kwame sits down with Jamé Jackson—storyteller, actor, fashion journalist, and LinkedIn’s resident voice for creatives—to uncover the brutal truth about presence, authenticity, and why faking confidence never works. Jamé shares how she went from feeling...

Most negotiation failures start before the conversation even begins In this episode, Kwame sits down with Seth Freeman — NYU and Columbia professor, corporate lawyer, and author of 15 Tools to Turn the Tide — to reveal the single most practical negotiation tool you’ve probably never heard of: the TTT Grid. Together, they break down: Why elite negotiators rely on checklists (and why you should too)...

You’re not being ignored because your ideas are bad — you’re being ignored because your delivery is forgettable. Buy the book: Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience by Bill McGowan In this episode, Emmy-winning journalist and communication coach Bill McGowan joins Kwame Christian to expose the hidden mistakes even smart professionals make when they speak. From meetings to pitches, p...

That’s the rule Sharmin Ali lives by — even when it almost killed her. Buy now the book ⁠Bitch, Stop! Please . . . : An Entrepreneur's Journey of Innovation, from Chaos to Clarity⁠ by Sharmin Ali In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Sharmin reveals what it takes to walk away from Google, build two multi-million dollar companies across continents, and face the brutal cost of ambition. We go dee...

Blame is easy. But real power? That comes when you take responsibility for your part — and invite others to do the same. In this masterclass with Sheila Heen, we dismantle the blame game and show you the negotiation move that changes everything. Connect with Sheila Heen: ⁠Follow Sheila on LinkedIn⁠ Buy the Book: ⁠Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most  ⁠ ⁠triadconsultinggroup.co...

If no one’s following you, it’s not your message — it’s your mindset. In this raw and revealing episode, change strategist Pam Marmon exposes the hidden forces that sabotage even the smartest visions: fear, control, passive resistance, and the lie we keep telling ourselves — that change is just “hard.” You’ll learn: Why employees resist you, not just the change The subtle ways leaders micromanage...

If you think empathy makes you soft, you’ve already lost the negotiation. In this masterclass, psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Judith Orloff dismantles the myth that empathy is a weakness — and reveals how it can become your sharpest strategic edge in business, leadership, and life. You’ll learn: Why emotionally detached “logic” leaders burn out — and how to fix it How to disarm aggression...

You don’t have a “difficult people” problem — you have a perception problem. Most of the tension you feel with others doesn’t come from who they are — it comes from how you’re reading them. In this masterclass episode, Kwame Christian breaks down the psychological patterns that make certain personalities seem “impossible” — and shows you how to turn frustration into collaboration using practical,...

Most people think they’re bad at negotiating. The truth? They’re just not noticing when the negotiation begins. In this episode, professor and global negotiation expert Suzanne de Janasz joins Kwame to reveal why missed moments — not missing skills — are what keep most people stuck. Whether it’s asking your partner for help, challenging unfair dynamics at work, or speaking up about the “small thin...

They read you before they hear you. In this episode, Dr. David Matsumoto—renowned psychologist, judo black belt, and expert in nonverbal behavior—reveals how your body language shapes every negotiation before a single word is spoken. You'll learn the critical difference between nonverbal behavior and nonverbal communication, why observation is your most underused superpower, and how to project con...

In this episode, world-renowned chef and entrepreneur Robert Irvine reveals the turning point that changed his leadership forever.  He built his empire through grit and command — but it wasn’t until he embraced empathy that everything truly leveled up. Robert shares the raw, behind-the-scenes lessons that reshaped how he leads people, grows businesses, and connects in high-stakes negotiations. If...

People don’t trust who you are—they trust what they feel around you. In this powerful episode, Kwame Christian sits down with Shawn Anthony—entrepreneur, talent manager, and host of School’s Over… Now What?—to reveal the hidden mechanics behind trust, influence, and real connection. Discover how Shawn turned his ability to connect people into a six-figure side hustle and then a thriving media busi...

If self-promotion makes you cringe, you're not alone In this episode, Emmy-winning journalist turned communications coach Jessica Chen shares a new, smarter way to stand out at work — especially if being loud, flashy, or self-congratulatory just isn't your style. Drawing from her book Smart, Not Loud, Jessica explains how to build executive presence, advocate for yourself, and get noticed for all...

Most feedback fails not because it’s wrong — but because it triggers defensiveness. ⁠Buy the book Let's Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower by Therese Huston⁠ In this episode, cognitive scientist and author Therese Huston joins Kwame Christian to reveal the brain science behind effective, non-threatening feedback. You’ll learn why even well-meaning feedback can backfire, how to prevent e...

You don’t need pressure to persuade — you need the right question. In this episode, Yale professor and bestselling author Zoe Chance joins Kwame Christian to share the most practical, science-backed influence strategies used by top leaders, negotiators, and communicators. You'll learn how to apply her signature "magic question" in real conversations, how unfair forgiveness can increase loyalty, an...

Two of the most powerful men in America—Elon Musk and Donald Trump—just had a very public, very personal falling out. What caused it? And more importantly, what can this teach us about trust, loyalty, power dynamics, and how relationships break down when interests collide? This is not about politics—it’s about people. In this non-partisan breakdown, negotiation expert Kwame Christian unpacks the d...

Everyone talks about getting buy-in—but how do you actually do it when you have no product, no team, and no traction? In this episode, Marc Howland breaks down the exact strategy he used to build Breadless from scratch. From convincing a co-founder at a barbecue, to earning community trust through gym pop-ups, and finally closing $1.1M in funding—Marc reveals the step-by-step process to go from re...

They smile, they compliment, they even laugh at your jokes—but something always feels off. In this episode, Kwame Christian sits down with NYU psychology professor and best-selling author Tessa West to uncover the real danger of workplace frenemies. From subtle mixed signals to the science of stress, you’ll learn how these ambiguous relationships drain your confidence, distort your judgment, and q...

They judge you in milliseconds — before you say a single word. And if your presence doesn’t match your message, you're not just being ignored — you're being dismissed. In this episode, Kwame Christian sits down with presence expert Evan Weiner to explore the hidden science behind how people experience you — and why that can instantly boost or sabotage your power in negotiation, leadership, and lif...

What if the key to commanding respect wasn’t about proving yourself—but about being yourself? In this inspiring conversation, Elena Kohn, in-house counsel at AdventHealth and co-author of Women in Law: Discovering the True Meaning of Success, joins Kwame Christian to unpack the power of authenticity in high-stakes environments. As an immigrant, first-generation lawyer, and mother, Elena shares how...