Big Swings Only

By Kwame Christian Esq., M.A.Business Education Self-Improvement

Favorites
503
Followers
Typical duration
63 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Big Swings Only episodes

December 25, 2025 Is Your BATNA a Prison? Why Traditional Negotiation Rules Are Trapping You in Mediocre Deals
⁠Order NOW The Book: EVOLVE or Be Slaughtered: Negotiation For The 21st Century (Beyond Negotiating) by Derrick (The Van Gogh of Negotiation) Chevalier⁠

What if the rule we’ve all been taught — “never negotiate without a BATNA” — is the very thing limiting your success?
In this mind-expanding conversation, Kwame Christian sits down with Derrick Chevalier, negotiation strategist and author of Evolve or Be Slaughtered, to expose the hidden danger of over-relying on your BATNA. Together, they explore why the best deals are rarely the ones you plan for, how to embrace creative discovery at the table, and what great negotiators actually do when things don’t go according to script.
Whether you're a seasoned dealmaker or just learning the ropes, this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about leverage, planning, and negotiation itself.

Connect with Derrick
⁠https://h-c.com/⁠
⁠Follow Derrick on LinkedIn⁠

Contact ANI
⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠
⁠Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn⁠
⁠The Ultimate Negotiation Guide⁠
⁠Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!⁠
⁠Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!
32 min
December 24, 2025How I Lost a Once-in-a-Lifetime Deal with Stevie Wonder
One mistake. One moment of faking expertise. And it cost him a deal with Stevie Wonder.

⁠Order NOW The Book: EVOLVE or Be Slaughtered: Negotiation For The 21st Century (Beyond Negotiating) by Derrick (The Van Gogh of Negotiation) Chevalier⁠

In this unforgettable episode, Kwame Christian sits down with Derrick Chevalier — bestselling author of Evolve or Be Slaughtered and executive VP at Harrison Chevalier — to unpack the painful but powerful story that changed his life. From a failed negotiation with Stevie Wonder to creating a framework that helps leaders master their craft, Derrick shares how true confidence is built through competence — not performance.

What you'll learn:
Why pretending to know something can ruin your credibility — permanently.

The ICSEAR framework: a step-by-step model for mastering any skill, including negotiation.

How to move beyond balance and embrace harmony in high-pressure conversations.

Why great negotiators must learn to flow like jazz — and how to get there

Connect with Derrick
⁠https://h-c.com/⁠
⁠Follow Derrick on LinkedIn⁠

If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting thinking, “I should’ve done better,” this episode will show you how to make sure that never happens again.

Contact ANI
⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠
⁠Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn⁠
⁠The Ultimate Negotiation Guide⁠
⁠Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!⁠
⁠Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!
27 min
December 23, 2025The Leadership Rule That Quietly Kills Change (And Why It’s Not Resistance)
If no one’s following you, it’s not your message — it’s your mindset.
In this raw and revealing episode, change strategist Pam Marmon exposes the hidden forces that sabotage even the smartest visions: fear, control, passive resistance, and the lie we keep telling ourselves — that change is just “hard.”
You’ll learn:
Why employees resist you, not just the change

The subtle ways leaders micromanage without realizing it

How your need to “get it done” is killing your influence

The three forms of resistance and how to defuse each one

What real listening looks like — especially when no one is talking

Why every failed transformation begins with the wrong belief
Whether you're rolling out a new initiative, rebranding your business, or simply trying to get your team to care — this conversation is your crash course in becoming the kind of leader people want to follow.
Because if your people feel like change is happening to them, not with them — you’ve already lost.

Contact Pam
⁠⁠Buy the book "No One's Listening and It's Your Fault"⁠
⁠⁠Marmon Consulting⁠⁠
⁠⁠Pam's LinkedIn⁠

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!
35 min
December 22, 2025The Psychological Tactics Bullies Use — And How to Outsmart Them
Buy the Book: ⁠For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation⁠

In this episode of "Negotiate Anything," host Kwame Christian sits down with Lucia Kanter St. Amour to discuss the complex dynamics of negotiating with bullies. Lucia, an expert in negotiation and mediation, shares her personal experiences and insights on handling bullying, drawing from her new book "For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation." Through engaging storytelling and practical advice, the episode explores Lucia's approach to negotiation, emphasizing the importance of building coalitions, understanding emotional dynamics, and strategizing effectively against high-conflict personalities. Using real-life examples, they delve into the societal roots of bullying, offering listeners valuable tools to manage these difficult conversations.
What will be covered:
Lucia's personal experiences with bullies and how they shaped her negotiation strategies.

The societal roots of bullying and its prevalence in adult interactions.

Practical negotiation techniques when facing bullies, including building rapport and understanding emotional dynamics.
What listeners will learn:
How to identify and respond to bullies using effective negotiation techniques.

The importance of coalition-building and having allies when negotiating with difficult personalities.

Strategies to maintain composure and protect oneself in high-pressure negotiation scenarios.
SEO Friendly Keywords: negotiation techniques, negotiating with bullies, handling difficult conversations, mediation strategies, emotional dynamics in negotiation.

Connect with Lucia
Lucia's Podcast: ⁠Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation⁠
Book Synopsis: ⁠FOR THE FORCES OF GOOD⁠
Buy the Book: ⁠For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation⁠
Web: ⁠Pactum Factum⁠

Contact ANI
⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠
⁠Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn⁠
⁠The Ultimate Negotiation Guide⁠
⁠Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!⁠
⁠Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!
1 hr 2 min
December 19, 2025 Stop Aiming for Peace. Aim for Good Conflict Instead
Most conflict conversations fail before they even begin.

Steve Beck shares his Good Conflict framework — a practical, human-centered approach that helps you prepare, structure, and recover from difficult conversations. Learn how to deal with competing desires, uncover hidden narratives, and build trust that lasts. Whether at home or at work, this episode will change how you approach conflict forever.

Steve Beck is a seasoned expert in organizational leadership and conflict resolution. With over two decades of experience, Steve has honed his skills in resolving conflicts and building strong relationships across diverse settings. His unique approach, named "good conflict," emphasizes curiosity, humility, and prioritizing interests for successful negotiations.
Explore more about Steve Beck's work and insights by visiting his website: ⁠https://cstevebeck.com/⁠.

Contact ANI
⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠
⁠Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn⁠
⁠The Ultimate Negotiation Guide⁠
⁠Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!⁠
⁠Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!
45 min
December 18, 2025William Ury: The Untold Story of Negotiating in Venezuela
What if the most powerful negotiation tactic… was silence?
In this masterclass episode, legendary negotiator William Ury, co-author of Getting to Yes and co-founder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, shares the unbelievable true story of how he helped prevent a civil war in Venezuela — not with force, but with silence, empathy, and preparation.
You’ll hear how Ury kept calm while being yelled at by President Hugo Chávez… and how going to the “mental balcony” gave him the clarity to de-escalate the moment and shift the direction of an entire nation.
🎙 Hosted by Kwame Christian, founder of the American Negotiation Institute, this interview is packed with insight for anyone navigating high-stakes conversations, conflict resolution, or personal transformation.
Why silence is the ultimate power move in conflict

How to “go to the balcony” in heated conversations

What most negotiators get wrong about preparation

How empathy turns enemies into collaborators

Why listening is more persuasive than talking

The “Trust Menu” technique that works when dialogue breaks down
⁠www.williamury.com⁠
⁠Buy the Book: POSSIBLE- How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict By William Ury
1 hr 13 min
December 17, 2025Authenticity Builds Real Influence (Not Performance)
Discover the overlooked skill that sets top negotiators apart—authenticity.

Most people think influence comes from being louder, more confident, or pretending to be someone they’re not. But real persuasion doesn’t come from performing — it comes from being grounded in who you are.
In this powerful masterclass, three industry-leading experts show you why authenticity isn’t a “soft skill” — it’s the engine of trust, leadership, and negotiation.
🎙️ Featuring:
How to Build Trust and Negotiate Authentically with Luke Fedlam – Sports attorney & NIL Academy educator

Introvert's Edge: Negotiating Authentically with Matthew Pollard – Bestselling author of The Introvert’s Edge

The Hidden Dangers of Avoiding Difficult Conversations Dr. Todd Dewett – Leadership expert and global speaker on authentic leadership
1 hr 51 min
December 16, 2025 Strategic Networking Isn’t What You Think — It’s How Careers Are Made
Most people misunderstand networking... and it’s costing them career growth.
Forget awkward mixers and cold LinkedIn DMs — in this powerful masterclass, you’ll discover the real strategy behind career-defining relationships. Whether you’re introverted, uncertain, or tired of the same old “network” advice, this video will change how you connect — for good.

Meet the Experts:
Jewel Love– Leadership Coach
Unpacks a proven 4-step framework to connect with purpose, build visibility, and master internal marketing — no extroversion required.

Frank Agin – Executive Strategist
Shows how mindset shapes outcomes, why your network is your infrastructure, and how generosity builds trust.

Stephanie Hanna – Career Expert
Cracks the code on confidence, authenticity, and overcoming the fear of “self-promotion.”

1 hr 42 min
December 15, 2025 Stop People-Pleasing — A Masterclass on Boundaries That Actually Hold
People-pleasing feels generous… until it destroys your energy, your time, your confidence, and your relationships.
In this masterclass, three experts break down why setting boundaries is so hard — and how to finally create limits that protect your peace instead of collapsing under pressure.

Featured Episodes
Kwame Christian opens with a solo lesson on political conversations at work — one of the hardest boundary-setting challenges we face. He explains why these discussions spiral, how to disengage without escalating, and how leaders can mediate conflict without losing trust.
Next, negotiation coach Minson Vo joins Kwame for a raw, behind-the-scenes training session on saying no with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Through live roleplay, they reveal the psychology behind hesitation, the power of emotional self-awareness, and how to use the “positive no” to protect your time without damaging relationships.
Finally, career strategist Eliana Goldstein shares the emotional side of boundaries — burnout, guilt, fear of disappointing others, and how people-pleasing quietly sabotages your life and career. She teaches the mindset and communication skills needed to say no with compassion, stay firm during pushback, and create boundaries that actually hold.
1 hr 30 min
December 12, 2025 The Truth About AI, Leadership & the Future of Work
AI is moving faster than anyone expected — and most leaders aren’t ready.
In this masterclass, three experts reveal what’s actually changing, what isn’t, and the human skills you’ll need to stay relevant in a world where AI touches every job, every industry, and every conversation.
Media executive Bonnie St. John explains how AI is reshaping storytelling, communication, and trust — and why leaders must learn to guide teams through fear, change, and uncertainty.
Veteran educator and former military leader Dr. Heiss Gibson breaks down the mindset shifts required to lead humans in an AI-driven world, emphasizing humility, curiosity, and emotional intelligence over technical perfection.
And innovation strategist Rich Farrell shows how to experiment, adapt, and help your team build AI confidence without losing sight of the mission.

2 hr 4 min

About Big Swings Only

From the publisher's feed

Playing it safe is easy. It’s comfortable. And it will never take you to the next level.If you’ve got what it takes to hit the ball out of the park, the only thing holding you back is whether you’re brave enough to take a big swing.Big Swings Only is for people who were meant for more — the ones done playing by rules that were never built for them.Hosted by Kwame Christian, each week brings you the real stories of people who fought their fear, went after the life they actually wanted, and became who they had to become to get it.The psychology behind the swing. The strategy behind the risk. The nerve it takes to go all in.You were built for more, and this show was built for you. Subscribe now.