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

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 your own story matters, this episode is for you.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on leadership, negotiation, and emotional intelligence.

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 negotiations.

Josh shares insights on different types of failure and the importance of political will in successful negotiations, emphasizing that negotiation is not just about making deals but also about building relationships.Josh shares insights on different types of failure and the importance of political will in successful negotiations, emphasizing that negotiation is not just about making deals but also about building relationships.

🔔 Subscribe for more stories from leaders redefining success through empathy and emotional mastery.#JoshWeiss #EmpathyInBusiness #FoundersJourney #LeadershipPodcast #BurnoutRecovery #EmotionalIntelligence #PurposeDrivenLeadership #EntrepreneurInsights #TonyAnagor👉 Subscribe for more episodes on leadership, empathy, and negotiation tactics!Connect with Josh Weiss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-weiss-b1882a/To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com

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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 made me rethink how I’ve handled certain business relationships—and honestly, how sometimes empathy is misunderstood or misused.

We unpacked:Why “win-win” can be unrealistic—and even harmfulHow large companies manipulate relationships under the guise of trustThe importance of clear boundaries—even when emotions are high.

The risks of being liked too much in negotiations, how to stay grounded in emotionally intelligent conflict, if you’ve ever felt used in a negotiation, struggled to stand your ground, or sacrificed too much in the name of “being nice”—this conversation will resonate with you.

Connect with Tony Shepherd on LinkedIn

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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 conversation is a masterclass in modern leadership. Whether you're a founder, executive, or changemaker, this episode will challenge your mindset and inspire a new vision of what it means to lead with empathy.

🔔 Subscribe for more insights on emotional leadership, scaling mindfully, and building purpose-driven businesses.

📌 Topics Covered:

• How founders evolve emotionally

• Scaling yourself before scaling your business

• Conscious capitalism in practice

• Cultivating a feedback culture

• Leading with humility and empathy

👥 Guest: Sebastian Ross – IESE Business School

🎙️ Host: Tony Anagor

🎧 Listen & grow with us in this milestone episode.

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 pandemic: Chuck suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and was clinically dead for four minutes.

In this powerful conversation, we talk about:

✅ The life lessons he learned after that near-death experience

✅Why leadership is about more than titles—it's about impact

✅ The emotional toll of decision-making at the top

✅ His negotiation mindset: patient, strategic, unafraid to walk away

✅ How empathy fuels long-term culture, retention, and resilience

Whether you're an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, Chuck’s journey will challenge you to rethink how you're showing up—for your team, and for yourself.

Connect with Charles Kissel on LinkedIn

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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 conflict—within ourselves and with others.

This episode dives deep into how inner peace leads to better leadership, healthier relationships, and more productive conversations. Whether you're a team leader, founder, or just someone looking to get better at handling tough conversations, this is for you.

If you’ve ever avoided a tough conversation, struggled with inner tension, or wanted to lead more mindfully, this episode will give you the tools, language, and mindset to handle conflict with clarity, courage, and compassion.

Connect with Jeremy Pollack on LinkedIn

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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.

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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-performing teams.

If you’re a leader, manager, or entrepreneur looking to create a more human-centered workplace, this conversation is for you.

You can connect with Dr. Bruno Cignacco on LinkedIn

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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 context to staying grounded in values, Abbas brought a level of honesty and clarity that I think every leader needs to hear.We covered everything from his early journey founding Wild Fusion, to navigating investor relationships, to the inner transformation required to lead with empathy, not ego.

This conversation is rich with insights on how to scale not just a business, but your mindset.

✅ Key Takeaways:

Why negotiation in Africa is relational first, transactional second

How Abbas balances commercial success with community impact

The emotional discipline needed to lead through complexityLessons from bridging global capital with local culture

Why self-awareness is the real competitive edge for founders

If you care about building in Africa, investing with empathy, or becoming a more grounded leader, this episode is for you. Abbas doesn't just share strategy—he shares soul.

You’ll leave with practical tools and deeper clarity about what it takes to thrive where stakes are high and relationships are everything.

You can connect with Abasiama Idaresit on LinkedIn

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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 conflict—within ourselves and with others. This episode dives deep into how inner peace leads to better leadership, healthier relationships, and more productive conversations.Whether you're a team leader, founder, or just someone looking to get better at handling tough conversations, this is for you.If you’ve ever avoided a tough conversation, struggled with inner tension, or wanted to lead more mindfully—this episode will give you the tools, language, and mindset to handle conflict with clarity, courage, and compassion.Connect with Jeremy Pollack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremypollack1?To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com/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 conflict—within ourselves and with others. This episode dives deep into how inner peace leads to better leadership, healthier relationships, and more productive conversations.Whether you're a team leader, founder, or just someone looking to get better at handling tough conversations, this is for you.If you’ve ever avoided a tough conversation, struggled with inner tension, or wanted to lead more mindfully—this episode will give you the tools, language, and mindset to handle conflict with clarity, courage, and compassion.Connect with Jeremy Pollack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremypollack1?To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com/