Negotiate Anything

How to Handle a Bully With Ken Sterling

What do you do when a high-stakes negotiation turns aggressive? In this episode, Ken Sterling—EVP at BigSpeak, USC professor, and legendary dealmaker—reveals why the loudest person in the room is often the least dangerous. Ken grew up on the rough streets of New York, where he learned that negotiation wasn't just a business skill; it was a survival tactic. He shares a harrowing story of surviving a literal gun to his head at age 15 by using the very principles of leverage and influence he uses to close multi-million dollar deals today. If you want to move from "amygdala hijack" to a position of absolute calm, Ken’s TILT Framework is your roadmap. Connect with Ken Sterling: Website: BigSpeak.com Book: Tilt: Trust, Influence, Leverage & Timing LinkedIn: Ken Sterling 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!

The Mindset & Strategy Behind Massive Career Negotiations

What if the biggest thing holding you back in negotiations isn’t your strategy — but your mindset? In this powerful masterclass episode of Negotiate Anything, we bring together multiple expert voices to unpack what really drives success in negotiation—and why confidence, belief, and ambition often matter more than tactics alone. You’ll hear from Wies Bratby, founder of Women in Negotiation, whose clients have achieved an average 93% salary increase, alongside business coaches and legal experts who reveal how mindset shifts, communication skills, and relationship-building can transform your career and life. This episode goes far beyond surface-level tips. It dives into: Why most people aim too low—and how to start asking for what you actually deserve The hidden impact of underpayment and how to reposition your value How confidence, not just competence, drives breakthrough results The role of networking, collaboration, and an abundance mindset in long-term success Practical ways to set boundaries and navigate difficult conversations with clarity You’ll also learn why negotiation isn’t just about money—it’s about identity, self-worth, and the courage to step into bigger opportunities. If you’ve ever hesitated to ask for more, avoided a tough conversation, or questioned your value, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you the tools to move forward with intention. Because at the end of the day, the best opportunities aren’t given—they’re negotiated.

From Chaos to $745M: What It Really Takes to Build Something Big

What does it really take to build a $745 million startup from the ground up? Hint: It’s messy, painful, and nothing like the glamorous success stories you’ve heard. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Kwame Christian sits down with Cas and Mike Lazerow—the entrepreneurial power couple behind the massive success of Golf.com, which they sold to Time Warner for $745 million. But behind the impressive exit lies a story of relentless struggle, countless pivots, and emotional battles most founders never talk about. Cas and Mike pull back the curtain on entrepreneurship’s harshest realities, sharing: How embracing brutally tough conversations transformed their business (and marriage). The secret mindset shifts that separate those who rise from those who burn out. Why falling in love with the hardest parts of your journey can become your ultimate competitive edge. This isn’t just another success story. It’s an honest look at the intense emotional cost that comes with high-stakes entrepreneurship—and a masterclass in how to survive the darkest moments of building something great. If you’re grinding day after day, wondering why success still feels impossibly far away, this episode offers the reset and insights you never knew you needed. Welcome to the real journey. It’s time to start shoveling. Hit play now, and discover what success truly costs. ⁠Buy The Book: Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur’s Messy Path to Success⁠ 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!

Tell Stories That Actually Land - Allegra Solomon, John Moore

You can have the best facts in the world, but if you’re a bad storyteller, your message will never land. In this special Masterclass edition of Negotiate Anything, we go deep into the art and science of Storytelling. You’ll hear from two experts with completely different lenses: Allegra Salomon, an award-winning fiction writer, and John Moore, a master of LinkedIn communication and IT marketing. Whether you are writing a book, prepping a keynote, or trying to win a deal on LinkedIn, these strategies will help you move from being "just another voice" to being truly unforgettable. Connect With Allegra Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/there-s-nothing-left-for-you-here-allegra-solomon/7c35def4fe3bc669?ean=9781961897441&next=t Website: https://www.allegra-solomon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldengxl/?hl=en Connect with John Moore Follow John on LinkedIn

Forget Tactics — Rapport Gets the Deal Done

Conflict doesn’t have to break relationships—it can actually strengthen them when handled the right way. In this masterclass episode of Negotiate Anything, we explore the art and strategy of building rapport in even the most difficult conversations. Featuring insights from experts across law, business, and high-stakes negotiation, this episode reveals why connection—not control—is the real key to influence. You’ll learn how top negotiators stay composed in tense situations, use curiosity to uncover what’s really driving conflict, and ask the kinds of questions that make people feel heard and understood . From emotionally charged disputes to everyday workplace friction, the ability to build rapport can completely shift the outcome. But rapport alone isn’t enough. This episode also dives into the balance between empathy and strength—when to collaborate, when to hold firm, and how to position yourself strategically without damaging the relationship. Whether you’re navigating tough conversations at work or looking to sharpen your communication skills, this episode will give you practical tools you can use immediately.