Episode Summary

Bernie sits down with Chris Marr, the straight-talking expert on navigating gut-churning client interactions, for an unfiltered deep dive into exactly how to stay in control when tough conversations catch you off guard.

This isn't theoretical—Chris and Bernie candidly share their own "floor-opening beneath me" moments, exploring the anxiety, panic, and practical steps that transform chaos into clarity.

Whether you're a freelancer battling isolation or a community manager steering coworking spaces, you'll learn Chris’s "pushback pivot"—a simple, game-changing technique that turns awkward confrontations into empowering exchanges.

Discover why embracing early tension and asking precise, fearless questions positions you as an equal partner, not just another service provider.

This is your definitive guide to turning stressful client interactions into relationship-defining opportunities.

Timeline Highlights:

[00:04] Bernie vividly captures why freelancers and community managers need Chris’s insights—urgently.

[02:09] Chris reveals the single most powerful skill for turning client chaos into confidence.

[05:36] How Bernie eliminated anxiety from client calls using Chris’s transformative questioning technique.

[08:19] The one massive mistake freelancers consistently make—and how to avoid ever making it again.

[11:53] "It felt like an ambush": Chris shares his real-life, high-stakes client call disaster—when a surprise critique from top executives threatened his professional credibility—and his exact step-by-step recovery.

[13:31] From confrontation to collaboration: The exact pivot that flips a tense client moment into mutual understanding.

[16:32] The mindset shift that elevates freelancers from subordinate to peer, enabling clearer communication, mutual respect, and significantly improved client collaboration.

[18:13] Why owning your authority (with wisdom from David C. Baker) is your best protection against client drama.

[20:46] The 3-second "pushback pivot": Chris demonstrates how effortlessly asking one simple question instantly shifts negative client energy into a productive, collaborative conversation.

[24:52] How one well-placed question can instantly calm tension, restoring your control and confidence.

[27:20] The real-time magic trick: maintain your authority and composure under any pressure, without breaking a sweat.

[30:36] Bernie nails the fundamental shift: Why leading—not following—client conversations empowers freelancers to proactively resolve conflicts, secure stronger relationships, and consistently attract better client outcomes.

[31:55] Chris details powerful, practical resources: The Client Success Playbook and Authority Under Pressure workshops.

Detailed Breakdown:

Turn Anxiety into AuthorityBernie shares visceral, relatable moments of panic, and Chris precisely outlines how to turn anxiety-driven assumptions into empowering, decisive questions that instantly clarify your client relationships.

Stop Guessing, Start AskingChris's clear techniques eliminate guesswork, showing exactly how Bernie transformed awkward client interactions into confident, clear exchanges.

Lean into Discomfort, Early and OftenWhy upfront honesty and fearless questioning lead to infinitely smoother client relationships, reducing later-stage firefighting to zero.

Links & Resources:

* Chris Marr’s Website

* Chris Marr on Instagram

* Unreasonable Connection

* European Coworking Day

* David C. Baker's Expert Guidance

* Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn

* Join the Community Builder Cohort Waitlist

* Visit the Workspace Design Show

* Join the 8k+ LinkedIn Coworking Group

* Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn

* Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

One More Thing:

Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.

Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores the core values driving coworking: Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability.

These values aren’t just ideas — they shape the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.

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