Big Swings Only

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...

Is your fear of being seen as "too much" keeping you silent? Kwame Christian sits down with assertive communication expert Ivna Curi to dismantle one of the most damaging myths in leadership and workplace culture — that speaking up means being aggressive. You’ll learn the four pillars of true assertiveness, how to balance confidence with warmth, and why staying silent often creates more backlash t...

You don’t need to feel calm to stay in control. In this raw and eye-opening episode, Kwame Christian sits down with The Anxious Achiever host Morra Aarons-Mele to unpack what really happens when anxiety hits in the middle of a high-stakes conversation. Whether you're a leader, negotiator, or just trying to survive the next Zoom meeting, this conversation offers practical tools to ground yourself,...

Most leaders won’t say what they really think — Nancy Medoff does. In this fearless conversation, Nancy returns to the show with a raw and honest look at what happens when a communication expert steps into politics and faces public scrutiny head-on. She shares the emotional toll, the unexpected memes, and the mindset shift that helped her stop chasing approval and start creating real impact. From...

One bad reaction can destroy the trust you spent years building. In this episode, forensic psychologist and leadership expert Nashater Deu Solheim joins Kwame Christian to unpack the hidden emotional triggers that sabotage high-stakes conversations. You’ll learn how to recognize defensiveness before it takes over, use silence as a power move, and ask the one question that keeps you in control — ev...

Negotiation isn’t just a skill — it’s a life-changing mindset. In this special crossover episode, negotiation expert Kwame Christian joins Mike Lander of Higgle to reveal how he went from avoiding conflict to teaching millions how to navigate it. You’ll hear the story behind his rise as a globally recognized voice on negotiation, the neuroscience that explains why most conversations go wrong, and...

If every hard conversation feels heavy, it’s time to change the script. In this episode, speaker and author Erin Diehl shares how joy, empathy, and humor can transform even the most uncomfortable interactions. Whether you’re negotiating with a client, giving feedback to a teammate, or bracing for a tense talk at home, Erin explains how to shift your mindset, calm your nervous system, and lead with...

The worst deals don’t break you later — they fool you early. In this episode, sales strategist Kim Orlesky reveals why bad-fit clients slip through your filter, how to recognize red flags before it's too late, and what it really means to sell from a place of power. From walking away from misaligned deals to reframing budget conversations and asserting value without pressure, this conversation is a...

Why Doing Everything Right Still Leaves You Stuck? How to Finally Level Up? This episode is a masterclass in leadership evolution — raw, real, and exactly what high achievers need to hear when the next level feels just out of reach. Jade Davis, VP at the Port of Cleveland and advisor to the largest Black woman-owned public affairs firm in Ohio, joins Kwame to reveal the invisible shift that transf...

What if your next life-changing opportunity came from a single conversation with a stranger? In this electrifying episode, Dr. Ruth Gotian returns to share the real secrets behind connecting with anyone—from Nobel Prize winners to NBA champions. Whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, Ruth breaks down her proven approach to building authentic relationships that open doors,...

What if the key to persuading someone wasn’t hiding your flaws—but revealing them? In this episode, Kwame Christian sits down with behavioral science expert and bestselling author Richard Shotton (The Illusion of Choice) to uncover the hidden psychological levers behind trust, influence, and decision-making. From the Stolen Thunder effect to the surprising power of using precise numbers, you’ll le...

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...

In a market where confidence is cheap and trust is everything — Nikko Santo Pietro delivers the real game. Selling real estate in Beverly Hills during the worst market in decades? That’s exactly what Nikko Santo Pietro is doing — and thriving. In this episode, Nikko breaks down how he closes multimillion-dollar deals by combining bold marketing, sharp pricing strategies, and next-level negotiation...

Authenticity wins — but only if you know how to share your story. In this episode, Shaquille Alexander reveals the power of authentic storytelling in leadership, sharing how his journey from adversity to public service became his greatest asset. As a first-time candidate running for City Treasurer in Whitehall, Ohio, Shaq opens up about his upbringing, his commitment to the community that raised h...

Stop being afraid to ask — because staying silent is costing you. In this episode, Crystal Ware shares her powerful insights on why so many people, especially women, struggle to ask for what they deserve. Whether it’s negotiating your salary, setting boundaries, or simply speaking up, Crystal reveals how to overcome the fear of asking and finally own your worth. You’ll discover practical strategie...

Master the secret tactics spies use to win trust and uncover the truth. In this gripping episode, Jeremy Hurewitz, corporate intelligence expert and author of "Sell Like a Spy," reveals the secret persuasion tactics used by the CIA, FBI, and elite intelligence officers. Hurewitz draws on his years of experience working alongside former CIA case officers, FBI negotiators, and counterintelligence ex...

Stop chasing tactics — strategy is what wins big deals. In this episode, Patrick Tinney reveals the truth behind successful negotiations: it’s not about clever tricks or aggressive tactics — it’s about strategy. From navigating high-stakes deals to mastering leverage and risk management, Patrick shares the secrets that have helped him close hundreds of millions of dollars in deals. You’ll learn wh...

In high-stakes conflict, the greatest power is knowing when to pause. In this episode, Kwame Christian sits down with William Ury, Harvard negotiation master, co-founder of the Harvard Program on Negotiation, and co-author of the global bestseller "Getting to Yes." But beyond the books and accolades, Ury reveals his most profound secret — "Going to the Balcony." William Ury shares the gripping sto...

Most people spend their lives chasing success — but they never realize they’re running in the wrong direction. In this episode, former NFL running back Raymont Harris reveals the shocking truth about mindset that transformed his life — from growing up in poverty and losing his mother at birth to achieving his dreams in professional sports and beyond. Raymont shares the secrets behind his elite min...

Why Most People Lose Big Without Noticing In this episode, Jeremy Delk reveals how his journey from a small town in Kentucky to Wall Street was shaped by the toughest negotiations of all — the ones with himself. Jeremy’s raw stories of losing millions, battling self-doubt, and building a multimillion-dollar venture capital firm expose the brutal truth most people miss: Success isn’t just about str...

Most people are failing at their goals because they’ve been taught the wrong way to set them. ⁠Buy Now: Big Goals: The Science of Setting Them, Achieving Them, and Creating Your Best Life by Caroline Miller⁠ In this transformative episode, Caroline Miller, a leading expert in goal setting and positive psychology, exposes the fatal flaws of the widely accepted SMART goals approach. Caroline reveals...

Saying "yes" when you mean "no" is a slow poison. ⁠Buy The Book Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes⁠ In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah, a physician turned organizational psychologist, reveals the hidden costs of excessive compliance and how it silently destroys your self-worth. Learn why we mistake compliance for consent, how social conditioning traps you in silence, and the psychology...