"As I stepped through the doorway of my friend’s lavish home, I was awe struck. We were in Lincoln Park, the wealthy side of Chicago, and a world away from the tiny apartment I shared with my parents and three older brothers. The foyer, framed by the kind of buttery staircase I had only seen in movies, was bigger than my entire home, and the sunlight streamed through the window, highlighting the shine of the polished wood. In that moment, surrounded by such splendor, something within me shifted. The realization that there was another way to live suddenly hit me, and inside, a new determination came to life. “What does your dad do?” I asked. “I don’t know,” my friend replied nonchalantly. “I think he’s a trader.”

In this episode of Beyond the Book, we take a closer look at a powerful chapter from "Influence and Impact with Chris Voss," featuring special guest Ron Mark, one of the book’s contributing authors. Ron shares key insights from his chapter entitled "Poker, Probabilities, and Profit, From Chinatown to Wall Street" and dives into the principles of negotiation, leadership, and persuasion that have shaped his career. Together, he and host Ryan Ruff explore how these concepts can be applied to everyday situations, helping you become a more influential leader and effective communicator.

Ron also reflects on his experience collaborating with Chris Voss and the practical lessons from the book that can elevate your personal and professional impact. Whether you're a seasoned negotiator or just looking to improve your influence, this episode offers actionable takeaways that will inspire you to apply the strategies shared in Influence and Impact. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on mastering the art of influence.