Empathy at the Table: Real Conversations with People who Negotiate Every Day

In this episode of  Empathy at The Table  , we speak with Thomas Erikson, author of the global bestseller Surrounded by Idiots, a book that has sold nearly 10 million copies and been translated into over 70 languages. The conversation explores the foundations of human behavior, self-awareness, and communication through the lens of Erikson’s well-known behavioral model (red, yellow, green, blue). R...

Divorce is rarely just "ending a relationship"... it’s how people negotiate when emotions, history and financial stakes collide. In this episode of Empathy at the Table , Tony Anagor speaks with divorce mediator Joe Dillon, co-founder of Equitable Mediation Services, who has helped over 1,000 couples navigate one of the most emotionally charged negotiations of their lives. Joe brings a u...

You're Not Bad at Negotiation , You're Playing a Biased Game Lucy Watson spent over 25 years in high-stakes environments across tech, finance, and consulting, before realising a deeper pattern shaping outcomes in negotiation: gender dynamics and unconscious bias. In this episode, she breaks down why many women underperform in negotiations not due to lack of skill, but because of structural...

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, Tony Anagor sits down with one of the world’s most respected voices in negotiation, Giuseppe Conti, for a rich conversation on negotiation, influence, leadership, and the future of dealmaking. Named the world’s #1 negotiation guru, Giuseppe brings a rare mix of practitioner and academic insight (what he calls a pracademic perspective) shaped by leadership r...

Join Tony Anagor in a deep and insightful conversation with negotiation expert Eduard Beltran. Eduard is an international negotiation and leadership advisor, speaker, author of Trust Me , and a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council. With experience spanning governments, Fortune 500 companies, academia, and high-stakes negotiations, he brings a 360° perspective on how negotiation r...

Why do some ideas get ignored while others actually move people to act? In this episode of Empathy at the Table , Tony Anagor speaks with persuasion expert Joshua Bandoch about what really drives influence in real conversations, from leadership to negotiation. Joshua shares the neuroscience behind decision-making and explains why emotions come before logic, how this shapes the way people respond,...

In Episode 63 of Empathy at the table: Gerry Parran, a negotiation expert with over four decades of experience. Whether you're new to negotiation or looking to hone your skills, Gerry shares real-world tips, frameworks, and stories that will elevate your approach and confidence in any deal. Key Topics: The origins of Gerry Parran’s negotiation journey, starting unconsciously in the tech indust...

In Episode 62 of Empathy at The Table, Tony Anagor interviews Michael Gates, an expert in cross-cultural communication and negotiation. They explore the importance of understanding cultural nuances, the value of diverse teams, and the need for adaptability in negotiations. Michael shares personal anecdotes and insights from his extensive experience in the field, emphasizing the significance of sel...

In this episode of Empathy at The Table  , Tony welcomes back negotiation expert Keld Jensen to discuss the evolving landscape of negotiation, the importance of trust and collaboration, and the impact of AI on negotiation practices. Keld shares insights from his journey into negotiation, emphasizing the need for transparency and emotional intelligence in negotiations. He also discusses real-world...

In this episode of Empathy at the Table , a very engaging conversation, Sophia Holzer shares her insights on emotional intelligence, leadership, and the generational shifts in values and perspectives. As a bridge between generations, she discusses the importance of understanding oneself and others, the need for dialogue, and the role of emotional intelligence in fostering meaningful connections. T...

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, Tony Anagor interviews Carlota Pi, co-founder and executive president of Holaluz, a renewable energy company. Carlota shares her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of values, emotional intelligence, and intuition in business. She discusses the challenges of leading in a male-dominated industry and the significance of cr...

negotiation, first offer, negotiation strategies, human psychology, credible offers Summary In this conversation, Michael W Phillips discusses the strategic importance of making the first offer in negotiations. He emphasizes that presenting a number early can influence the negotiation dynamics and set the stage for a more favorable outcome. The discussion highlights the psychological aspects of ne...

Keywords sales, negotiation, transparency, behavioral science, decision making, trust, pricing strategy, emotional intelligence, leadership, sales history Summary In this episode of Empathy at the Table, Todd Caponi, a sales expert and author, discusses the importance of transparency in sales and negotiation. He shares insights from his experience in behavioral science and how it impacts decision-...

Summary In this episode of Empathy at the Table, Tony Anagor and Glyn Bailey discuss the nuances of negotiation, emphasizing the importance of intention and character in achieving successful outcomes. They explore how negotiation is not just about getting a deal but creating real value, and how inner work and self-awareness play crucial roles in the negotiation process. Keywords: negotiation, inte...

Summary In this episode of Empathy at the Table, host Tony Anagor interviews DB Bedford, an expert in emotional intelligence and workplace civility. DB shares his journey from a troubled youth in Oakland to becoming a thought leader in emotional intelligence. He discusses the importance of understanding emotions, the fragility of human interactions, and the need for intentional practice in emotion...

Discover the incredible story of Totti Karpela, a former Finnish SWAT negotiator turned global conflict resolution expert. In this exclusive episode of Empathy at the Table with Tony Anagor, Totti shares how emotional intelligence, not force, is the real key to de-escalation—whether in hostage situations or high-stakes business deals. You’ll learn: What makes a “tough” negotiator How silence can c...

In this special episode, the tables are turned. Instead of hosting, I’m the one in the hot seat. Storyteller Esther Mogoda interviews me about my journey as an entrepreneur, coach, negotiation skills trainer, and podcast host. We dive into my origins, why I do what I do, and how I know this is the work I was born to do. It’s raw, honest, and deeply personal. If you’ve ever wondered why telling you...

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, host Tony Anagor speaks with negotiation expert Josh Weiss about his journey into the field of negotiation, the importance of education, and the role of failure in the negotiation process. They discuss how children's literature can be used to teach conflict resolution skills, the significance of resilience, and the necessity of debriefing after negotiat...

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, I sat down with my good friend and seasoned negotiator Tony Shepherd—a lawyer, consultant, and straight-talker with over three decades of experience. This conversation pulled no punches. We challenged a lot of the feel-good ideas people have around negotiation—like the myth of “win-win” and the danger of being overly collaborative. Tony shared stories that...

In this special 50th episode of Empathy at the Table, I sit down once again with Sebastian Ross, Academic Director at IESE Business School, to explore the deep inner transformation founders must undergo to scale not just their companies—but themselves. From emotional intelligence in startups and feedback-driven leadership to conscious capitalism and self-growth for entrepreneurs, this powerful con...

In this deeply personal episode of Empathy at the Table, I sit down with Chuck Kissel, CEO of CSU Fullerton Auxiliary Services, to talk about leadership, loyalty, and life-changing perspective. Chuck spent over 30 years rising through the ranks of a $70M organization, leading nearly 2,000 people. But what truly shook me—and shaped this conversation—is what happened one day in the office during the...

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, host Tony Anagor sits down with Jeremy Pollack—martial artist, peace psychologist, and founder of Pollack Peacebuilding Systems—for a powerful conversation on the psychology of conflict and negotiation. From boardrooms to battlefields of the mind, Jeremy shares how emotional intelligence, nervous system awareness, and self-reflection shape how we resolve co...

I recently was invited to the Three Points Podcast for a powerful conversation on a topic I’m deeply passionate about: Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation (EIN).In this episode, we unpack the myths around negotiation and explore why it’s not about winning or losing, but about creating value, building trust, and navigating conversations with empathy and clarity. To know more about ⁠⁠Tony Anagor⁠⁠ F...

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, I sit down with Dr. Bruno Cignacco—international consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of The Art of Compassionate Business—to explore how compassion, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety drive real business results. We discuss the power of kindness in leadership, building trust-based company cultures, and why empathy is essential for high-perfor...

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, I had the pleasure of sitting down with someone I deeply admire—Abasiama Idaresit—a pioneering tech entrepreneur and investor shaping the future of Africa’s digital economy. We spoke not just about deals and startups, but about something deeper: what it truly takes to negotiate and build in Africa’s fast-moving tech space. From understanding cultural contex...