

All Things Negotiation
Stan Christensen
A podcast about negotiation, persuasion, and influence—taught through real stories.
Hosted by Stan Christensen, who has taught negotiation at Stanford University for over 20 years, this bi-weekly podcast features founders, executives, investors, and foreign policy experts sharing real-world negotiation experiences.
Episodes explore how leaders negotiate with venture capitalists, employees, customers, boards, and governments—and what actually works when the stakes are high.
If you want to improve your negotiation skills, leadership judgment, and ability to influence outcomes, this podcast off
Hosted by Stan Christensen, who has taught negotiation at Stanford University for over 20 years, this bi-weekly podcast features founders, executives, investors, and foreign policy experts sharing real-world negotiation experiences.
Episodes explore how leaders negotiate with venture capitalists, employees, customers, boards, and governments—and what actually works when the stakes are high.
If you want to improve your negotiation skills, leadership judgment, and ability to influence outcomes, this podcast off
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 12, 2026 • 46min
Fareed Zakaria: Navigating a World of Rising Powers and Shifting Alliances
In this conversation with Fareed Zakaria, the discussion centers on negotiation as the core of foreign policy and the danger of confusing tactical success with strategic clarity. Zakaria weighs in on the U.S conflict in Iran and shares a dire warning about how it could affect U.S negotiations for years to come. Stan and Fareed discuss a wide range of bilateral relationships and the potential risk of an “imperial trap” we might be falling into as we erode trust and the post-1945 order.Check out Fareed on his podcast:https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/fareed-zakaria-gpsAnd CNN: https://podcasts.apple.com/iq/podcast/fareed-zakaria-gps/id37778509000:00 Tactics vs Strategy01:33 Iran Talks Undermined03:46 Israel US Goals Diverge06:00 Iraq Lessons and Aims08:20 Pressuring Israel12:25 China Reads the Signals15:11 Tariffs and Trust18:01 Allies and Supply Chains21:55 India and Turkey23:11 Turkey Drifts Westward23:59 Pressuring Putin to Talk25:43 Both Sides and Overreach28:50 Norms Versus Guardrails32:00 Why Congress Stays Silent35:35 Can GOP Reclaim Reagan38:03 Democrats and Culture Wars42:10 Great Negotiators and WrapHost 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.

Feb 24, 2026 • 46min
Jenna Nicholas: Negotiating For Purpose And Profit
In this podcast episode, Stan welcomes investor and CEO Jenna Nicholas to discuss the growing inflection point where financial performance aligns with social and environmental impact. They explore Nicholas’s book, "The Enlightened Bottom Line: Exploring the Intersection of Spirituality, Business and Investing," including her motivation to interview investors and business leaders about transformational moments, values, and legacy. Nicholas shares case studies such as Patagonia’s Holdfast Collective structure to perpetuate environmental impact, Panera’s COVID-era partnership to provide school lunches through USDA support, and companies like Devoted Health and Barry-Wehmiller that connect trust and empathy to business performance. Check out Jenna's book at: https://www.jenna-nicholas.com/00:00 Impact Investing Inflection00:57 Negotiation Lessons Revisited01:48 Why Write The Book04:26 Patagonia And Panera Stories07:33 HEAL Framework Explained08:15 ESG Goes Mainstream14:46 Convincing The Skeptics17:00 Trust Purpose And Performance19:39 Spirituality At Work23:13 Embedding Values In Culture25:21 What Is Impact Experience33:40 Measuring Outcomes And Commitments35:50 Education Equity Breakthroughs41:47 Deep Listening As Persuasion44:36 Closing Thoughts And Book Plug

Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 4min
Jeremy Andrus: The Turnaround Entrepreneur behind Traeger Grills
In this revealing episode, Stan sits down with Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills, to delve into his gripping experiences in entrepreneurship and business transformation. Jeremy shares the tumultuous journey of rethinking and reinventing Traeger Grills amidst economic upheavals, tariffs, and a toxic corporate culture. The conversation covers the critical importance of negotiation, managing complex supplier relationships, leveraging partnerships with major retailers like Costco, and the power of transparency in leadership. Alongside anecdotes from his time at Skullcandy and a harrowing poisoning scare in China, Jeremy offers invaluable insights into building a resilient business that's not just about survival, but winning.00:27 Meet Jeremy Andres: CEO of Traeger Grills01:12 Navigating Challenges: COVID and Tariffs02:47 Reinvention and Survival Strategies05:38 Transparency and Team Communication10:43 Jeremy's Harvard Business School Journey13:16 Early Entrepreneurial Struggles17:17 Joining Skullcandy: The Early Days21:55 Negotiating Deals and Raising Capital29:05 Acquiring Traeger Grills: The Surprises30:04 Acquiring a 27-Year-Old Business30:35 Cultural Challenges and Realizations33:01 Negotiating a Buyout33:34 Revamping the Supply Chain34:37 Dealing with Toxic Culture36:59 Retail Negotiations and Battle Scars37:25 Costco's Tough Negotiation Tactics48:38 Supplier Negotiations in China55:54 Building Strong Supplier Relationships01:03:33 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHost 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. #AllThingsNegotiation #NegotiationStrategy #DealMaking #BusinessLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #MethodicalThinking #BATNA #Leverage #SalesLeadership #FounderLife #CLevelLeadership #StrategicThinking #BusinessPodcast #StanAndJeremy #Traeger

Jan 13, 2026 • 44min
David Neeleman: The JetBlue founder who built five successful airlines
In this episode, Stan welcomes David Neeleman, a renowned figure in the airline industry, for an in-depth conversation on the intricacies of building successful airlines. David, who has founded five airlines including JetBlue and Breeze Airways, shares his insights on effective negotiation, leadership, and personal growth. The discussion covers his career journey, significant milestones, key strategies in negotiating with stakeholders, and maintaining a strong company culture. David also opens up about challenges, including his time at Southwest Airlines and the infamous Valentine's Day crisis at JetBlue, and the lessons learned from these experiences. 01:04 David Neeleman's Early Career and Morris Air02:21 The Sale to Southwest Airlines04:43 Challenges at Southwest and Moving On06:33 Founding WestJet and Navitaire09:40 The Birth of JetBlue11:17 JetBlue's Success and Differentiation13:29 Negotiating with Boeing and Airbus16:03 Customer Engagement and Communication Strategies22:14 Total Transparency and Accountability22:39 The Valentine's Day Massacre Crisis25:43 Lessons from Getting Fired29:51 Founding Azul Airlines32:18 Navigating Cross-Cultural Challenges34:14 The Success of Breeze Airways42:25 Effective Negotiation Strategies43:34 Advice for Young ProfessionalsHost 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.

Dec 9, 2025 • 57min
Chip Conley: The entrepreneur who reinvented three industries
In this episode, Stan talks with Chip Conley, an iconic entrepreneur and the founder of the Joie De Vivre hotel chain, a key player in Airbnb, and the creator of the Modern Elder Academy. They dive into the principles of karmic capitalism, lessons learned from building and scaling multiple successful businesses, and strategies for maintaining a good reputation. Chip shares his experiences at Airbnb, dealing with regulation challenges, and the importance of inter-generational collaboration. They also discuss the Modern Elder Academy, where Chip helps individuals navigate midlife transitions and find new purpose. This episode is rich with lessons in negotiation, leadership, and holistic thinking.Check out: Chip’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeChrysalisPodcastModern Elder Academy: https://www.meawisdom.com/Chip’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeChrysalisPodcast00:00 Introduction to Karmic Capitalism00:20 Meet Chip Conley: Entrepreneurial Journey02:48 Founding Joie de Vivre Hotel Chain05:55 Negotiating with Bands and Tour Managers11:26 Risk and Decision Making in Business15:21 Hotel Vitale: A Case Study in Negotiation19:26 Managing Through Economic Downturns23:34 Transition to Airbnb and Burning Man Involvement29:20 The Ethos of Burning Man29:39 Negotiation Strategies and Personal Stories31:46 Joining Airbnb: A New Challenge33:08 Building Culture and Facing Challenges at Airbnb36:33 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics40:28 Regulation and Host Relations45:02 Founding the Modern Elder Academy48:09 Helping People Navigate Midlife Transitions52:25 The Value of Wisdom and Experience54:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Nov 20, 2025 • 49min
David Rubenstein: Carlyle Co-Founder on Negotiation Lessons from Wall Street to Washington
In this insightful episode you will learn about the power of persuasion and negotiation from David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group. Dive into his extensive experience in relationship-building, fundraising, and leadership. Discover Rubenstein's methods for becoming an effective communicator and the significance of self-deprecating humor and active listening in negotiations. Gain an insider's perspective on political dynamics, U.S. presidencies, and nonprofit leadership as Rubenstein shares stories from his distinguished career. Whether in business, politics, or personal relationships, find out how persistence, integrity, and bipartisanship are key to success.00:00 Introduction: The Power of Persuasion01:00 Building Relationships: Insights from David Rubenstein01:38 Developing an Outgoing Personality03:34 Lessons from Ted Sorenson04:47 The Role of Persistence in Fundraising08:17 Recruiting and Integrity at Carlisle11:36 Leadership Transitions at Carlisle14:36 Current Political Climate and Bipartisanship21:07 International Relations and Allies23:06 Presidential Power and Persuasion25:45 Trump's Popularity in the Middle East26:52 Reflecting on Jimmy Carter's Legacy28:08 Challenges in Leading Nonprofit Organizations32:19 The Role of Presidents in Negotiation33:05 Evaluating Presidential Effectiveness38:48 Obama's Struggles with Bipartisanship40:39 Supreme Court Confirmations and Politics42:03 Perspectives on Reagan and Bush45:19 Biden's Negotiation Challenges46:27 US-China Relations47:52 The Importance of Negotiation Skills50:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Nov 4, 2025 • 57min
Jake Harriman: Building Trust Across Political Lines at More Perfect Union
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 Mission01:10 Jake's Military Background and Lessons Learned02:10 Negotiation Stories from the Battlefield12:37 A Life-Changing Experience in Iraq17:33 Founding NRU International19:42 Challenges and Successes in Africa27:14 Negotiation Tactics in Challenging Environments27:58 Ensuring Safety in Remote Areas29:05 Building Trust with Local Leaders30:45 Personal Stories of Security and Negotiation32:03 Faith in the Military's Loyalty33:23 Transition to More Perfect Union35:24 Founding More Perfect Union37:02 Brickyards: Building Community Trust40:15 Success Stories from Brickyards48:25 Recruiting and Training Brickyard Leaders55:48 Final Thoughts and Getting InvolvedHost 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.

Oct 14, 2025 • 41min
Hannah Riley Bowles: Lessons on gender, power and negotiation
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-jobhttps://hbr.org/2014/06/why-women-dont-negotiate-their-job-offers00:00 Introduction: Gender and Negotiation00:29 Meet Hannah Riley Bowles01:09 Do Men and Women Negotiate Differently?03:35 The SURE Framework for Negotiation12:52 Women, Career Advancement, and Family33:14 The Role of Grandparents and Extended Family38:14 Conclusion: The Importance of Negotiation TrainingHost 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.

Sep 30, 2025 • 48min
Dave Ferguson: From Waymo to Nuro and the Future of Self-Driving Cars
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 Overview01:26 Dave Ferguson's Background and Early Career03:24 Founding Nuro and Co-Founder Dynamics05:45 The Role of Coaching in Leadership07:06 Nuro's Initial Vision and Market Challenges09:30 The Strategic Pivot and Its Implications15:47 Navigating Partnerships and Investor Relations18:34 Post-Pivot Challenges and Negotiations24:40 Employee Motivation and Overcoming Friction25:07 Honesty and Vulnerability in Leadership26:18 Handling Employee Turnover28:06 Introduction to Nuro's New Business Model30:51 Partnerships with Uber and Lucid34:39 The Importance of Trust in Negotiations41:57 Future of Autonomous Vehicles47:35 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHost 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.

Sep 18, 2025 • 47min
Sami Inkinen: The Triathlon Champion Who Built 2 Multi-Billion Dollar Companies
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 Entrepreneurship00:25 Introducing Sami Inkinen: A Rare Breed of Entrepreneur01:08 Sami's Early Life and Entrepreneurial Journey02:07 Grit and Achievements: From Triathlons to Rowing Across the Pacific04:17 The Birth and Growth of Trulia09:38 Overcoming Challenges at Trulia12:34 Transition to Virta Health: A New Mission15:09 Virta Health's Approach to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes19:34 Challenges in the Healthcare Industry24:00 The Power of Probabilistic Results24:43 Taking Risks and Innovating in Healthcare27:13 Burning the Lifeboats: A Philosophy for Entrepreneurs35:44 Balancing Multiple Identities38:52 The Importance of Authenticity and Vulnerability44:11 Advice for Young Founders on NegotiationHost 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.


