Épisodes

  • Jake Harriman: Building Trust Across Political Lines at More Perfect Union
    Nov 4 2025

    In this compelling episode, Jake Harriman, founder of More Perfect Union, discusses his mission to bridge America's partisan divide through community service, civics, and social gatherings. Harriman, a former Marine with extensive combat experience in Iraq, shares how his military background and a transformational encounter in Southern Iraq pushed him to address extreme poverty in Africa through the nonprofit Nuru International. He later transitioned to More Perfect Union, inspired by the growing political divide in America. The conversation covers Harriman's active efforts in various communities, from rural Texas to urban Washington D.C., to unite people across political lines through structured activities and curated conversations. Key negotiation lessons emphasize active listening, empathy, and finding common ground.


    00:00 Introduction to the Guest and His Mission

    01:10 Jake's Military Background and Lessons Learned

    02:10 Negotiation Stories from the Battlefield

    12:37 A Life-Changing Experience in Iraq

    17:33 Founding NRU International

    19:42 Challenges and Successes in Africa

    27:14 Negotiation Tactics in Challenging Environments

    27:58 Ensuring Safety in Remote Areas

    29:05 Building Trust with Local Leaders

    30:45 Personal Stories of Security and Negotiation

    32:03 Faith in the Military's Loyalty

    33:23 Transition to More Perfect Union

    35:24 Founding More Perfect Union

    37:02 Brickyards: Building Community Trust

    40:15 Success Stories from Brickyards

    48:25 Recruiting and Training Brickyard Leaders

    55:48 Final Thoughts and Getting Involved

    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    57 min
  • Hannah Riley Bowles: Lessons on gender, power and negotiation
    Oct 14 2025

    Join us in an insightful conversation with Hannah Riley Bowles, a professor at Harvard's Kennedy School and an expert in negotiation. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of gender differences in negotiation, strategies for closing the gender pay gap, and the socio-economic and family dynamics influencing women's career advancement. Learn about the essential S.U.R.E framework for effective negotiation and uncover the impact of family support systems on career growth. Whether you're negotiating a salary, balancing family and work, or seeking relationship harmony, this discussion provides actionable advice and profound insights.


    See more of Hannah's work here: https://hbr.org/2021/01/negotiating-your-next-job

    https://hbr.org/2014/06/why-women-dont-negotiate-their-job-offers


    00:00 Introduction: Gender and Negotiation

    00:29 Meet Hannah Riley Bowles

    01:09 Do Men and Women Negotiate Differently?

    03:35 The SURE Framework for Negotiation

    12:52 Women, Career Advancement, and Family

    33:14 The Role of Grandparents and Extended Family

    38:14 Conclusion: The Importance of Negotiation Training


    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    41 min
  • Dave Ferguson: From Waymo to Nuro and the Future of Self-Driving Cars
    Sep 30 2025

    Stan is joined by Dave Ferguson, Co-Founder and President of Nuro. In this episode, Dave discusses his transition from Waymo to Nuro, the pivotal shifts in their business model, and how they've managed to secure a monumental partnership with Uber and Lucid to create robo-taxis. Dave also opens up about the challenges faced during Nuro's evolution, from team restructuring to investor negotiations, and offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous vehicles. Don't miss this episode filled with valuable lessons on leadership, technology, and the path to a safer, autonomous future.


    00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

    01:26 Dave Ferguson's Background and Early Career

    03:24 Founding Nuro and Co-Founder Dynamics

    05:45 The Role of Coaching in Leadership

    07:06 Nuro's Initial Vision and Market Challenges

    09:30 The Strategic Pivot and Its Implications

    15:47 Navigating Partnerships and Investor Relations

    18:34 Post-Pivot Challenges and Negotiations

    24:40 Employee Motivation and Overcoming Friction

    25:07 Honesty and Vulnerability in Leadership

    26:18 Handling Employee Turnover

    28:06 Introduction to Nuro's New Business Model

    30:51 Partnerships with Uber and Lucid

    34:39 The Importance of Trust in Negotiations

    41:57 Future of Autonomous Vehicles

    47:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    48 min
  • Sami Inkinen: The Triathlon Champion Who Built 2 Multi-Billion Dollar Companies
    Sep 18 2025

    Join Stan as he dives deep into the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Sami Inkinen in this episode of All Things Negotiation. A two-time successful entrepreneur, Inkinen co-founded Trulia, an online real estate marketplace, and Virta Health, a revolutionary company aimed at reversing type 2 diabetes. Throughout the conversation, Inkinen shares insights on grit, risk-taking, and authenticity in the business world. Discover the highs and lows of startup life, the importance of burn-the-lifeboats mentality, and invaluable lessons on negotiation and long-term relationships from a leader whose ventures are valued at multiple billions of dollars. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a business veteran, Inkinen's stories of overcoming obstacles, staying focused, and balancing personal life are bound to inspire and inform.


    00:00 The Harsh Reality of Entrepreneurship

    00:25 Introducing Sami Inkinen: A Rare Breed of Entrepreneur

    01:08 Sami's Early Life and Entrepreneurial Journey

    02:07 Grit and Achievements: From Triathlons to Rowing Across the Pacific

    04:17 The Birth and Growth of Trulia

    09:38 Overcoming Challenges at Trulia

    12:34 Transition to Virta Health: A New Mission

    15:09 Virta Health's Approach to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

    19:34 Challenges in the Healthcare Industry

    24:00 The Power of Probabilistic Results

    24:43 Taking Risks and Innovating in Healthcare

    27:13 Burning the Lifeboats: A Philosophy for Entrepreneurs

    35:44 Balancing Multiple Identities

    38:52 The Importance of Authenticity and Vulnerability

    44:11 Advice for Young Founders on Negotiation


    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    47 min
  • Toyin Ajayi: Building a Multi-Billion Dollar Business That Delivers Healthcare Equity
    Sep 3 2025

    In this episode, Stan interviews Dr. Toyin Ajayi, a physician, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Cityblock Health. They discuss the challenges of healthcare delivery for underserved populations, building trust, value-based care, entrepreneurship, and lessons in negotiation and persuasion.


    00:00 - Introduction: The Art of Selling as a CEO

    00:18 - Meet Dr. Toyin Ajayi & Cityblock Health

    00:37 - Toyin’s Journey: Gaps in Medicaid Healthcare

    01:48 - The Revolving Door of Healthcare

    03:13 - Redesigning Care for Real Impact

    04:33 - Problems Cityblock Health Solves

    06:30 - Burnout & Moral Injury in Healthcare

    08:09 - Aligning Incentives: Patients, Providers, Payers

    09:02 - How Cityblock’s Model Works

    10:00 - Negotiating with Insurers & Enterprise Sales

    13:09 - Value-Based Arrangements & Preventative Care

    15:40 - Misaligned Incentives in Healthcare

    18:46 - The Role of Regulators & CMS

    20:05 - Administrative Complexity in US Healthcare

    22:05 - Building Trust with Patients

    24:05 - Anecdotes: Earning Patient Trust

    27:00 - For-Profit with a Mission: Aligning Investors & Impact

    29:45 - Current Events: Medicaid Policy & Technology

    32:00 - Advice for Entrepreneurs: Negotiation & Listening

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    51 min
  • Edward Alden: Trump’s Trade and Tariff Negotiations
    Aug 20 2025

    In this episode, Stan hosts Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and an expert on trade and trade policy. The discussion dives deep into President Trump's approach to tariffs and trade, examining the strategic rationale, economic impact, and international relations fallout.They discuss the historical context of the global trade order, the complexities of modern economic policies, and the potential long-term consequences for the U.S. economy and its global alliances. Through a critical lens, Alden and Stan explore whether Trump's tariff strategies are beneficial or detrimental, touching on specific examples like China's role and the contentious nature of the administration's negotiation tactics.


    00:00 Introduction to Tariffs and Trade Policy

    00:37 Meet Ed Alden: Trade Policy Expert

    01:18 Trump's Trade War: An Overview01:49 Historical Context of Global Trade

    03:33 Trump's Trade Philosophy and Goals

    05:40 Impact of Tariffs on the Economy

    07:24 Trump's Personal Involvement in Trade Negotiations

    08:27 Market Reactions and Economic Predictions

    14:27 Transactional Trade Deals vs. Strategic Agreements

    19:53 Challenges and Future of US Trade Policy

    25:16 Discussing Trump's Simplistic Approach to Complex Problems

    25:23 The Elephant in the Room: US-China Trade Relations

    25:30 Trump's Strategy: Building a Wall Around China?

    26:32 Biden's Coordinated Approach vs. Trump's Unilateral Actions

    28:30 The Consequences of Alienating Allies

    30:38 China's Strategic Win Amidst US Trade Policies

    32:46 China's Subtle Violations of Trade Rules

    36:04 The Rare Earth Minerals Negotiation

    38:30 Taiwan and Semiconductors: A Parallel Issue

    41:13 Congress's Abdication of Trade Authority

    44:27 The Historical Context of Tariffs

    50:24 Advising Trump on a Strategic Trade Approach

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    39 min
  • Sarah Franklin: Leading in Tech as a Female CEO
    Aug 6 2025

    In this episode, we are joined by Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice and former President and Chief Marketing Officer at Salesforce. Sarah shares her journey from 16 successful years at Salesforce to leading one of the top HR tech companies. Listen to her insights on building confidence, negotiating culture, and empowering employees. Sarah also discusses the role gender has played in her career, offering valuable advice for young women in leadership. Learn about the importance of community, the value of emotions in the workplace, and her vision for a supportive infrastructure for women and families.


    00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

    01:04 Sarah Franklin's Trailblazer Moment at Salesforce

    02:37 Transition to CEO of Lattice and Culture Building

    04:39 Leading by Example and Empathy in Leadership

    07:25 Empowering Employees and Gender Dynamics in Leadership

    10:06 Challenges and Strategies for Women in Leadership

    14:17 Balancing Work and Family as a Female Leader

    20:29 Mentorship and Supporting Women in the Workplace

    29:55 Emotional Intelligence and Logical Decision Making

    39:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    39 min
  • Matt Abrahams: How to Think Faster, Talk Smarter
    Jul 23 2025

    In this episode, we dive deep into the art of communication with Matt Abrahams, a Stanford GSB professor and author of 'Think Faster, Talk Smarter.' Matt discusses the importance of empathy in communication, how to be persuasive, effective listening, and dealing with anxiety. The conversation also explores practical frameworks for structured and spontaneous communication, pitching techniques, and navigating difficult conversations. Matt shares his insights on influential communicators and offers valuable advice for young professionals and anyone looking to improve their communication skills. Don't miss this insightful discussion filled with actionable tips and strategies!


    Check out Matt's book: https://geni.us/qZXj?redirect_from=podpage

    Check out Matt's Conversation with Rachel Greenwald: https://bit.ly/4m2PMfG

    Check out Matt's Podcast: https://www.fastersmarter.io/


    00:00 Building Relationships Through Communication

    00:31 Introducing Matt Abraham's: A Communication Expert

    02:02 The Importance of Strategic Communication

    03:36 Frameworks for Effective Communication

    07:18 Understanding Your Audience

    12:46 Managing Public Speaking Anxiety

    25:48 Effective Pitching Techniques

    29:08 Key Components of a Successful Pitch

    30:05 The Importance of Spontaneous Communication

    30:48 Pattern Recognition and Preparation

    33:10 Handling Difficult Conversations

    36:15 The Power of Listening

    40:59 Effective Social Media Communication

    42:01 The Value of Small Talk

    45:45 Advice for Young Professionals

    47:53 The Art of Apologizing

    53:41 Recommended Reading on Communication

    54:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    56 min