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.
About the Host: Kwame Christian, Esq., M.A.
Kwame Christian the founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute. He's known for his viral TEDx Talk, “Finding Confidence in Conflict,” and is a bestselling author of two books:
• How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race (2022)
• Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life (2020)
Tune in to Transform Your Life:
Join millions of listeners who have already unlocked the power of negotiation. Subscribe now and start mastering the skills that will transform your professional and personal life. Watch our episodes on YouTube for more visual insights and tips.
Connect with Us:
• Website: American Negotiation Institute
• Email: simon@negotiateanything.com
• LinkedIn: Kwame Christian
• YouTube: Negotiate Anything
Produced by the American Negotiation Institute
For ad inquiries, please reach out to: Network+NA@yapmedia.com
Site
RSS
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
How to Give Feedback Without Triggering Defensiveness — Backed by Science
Saturday, June 7, 2025 • Duration 34:30
Most feedback fails not because it’s wrong — but because it triggers defensiveness.
Buy the book Let's Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower by Therese Huston
In this episode, cognitive scientist and author Therese Huston joins Kwame Christian to reveal the brain science behind effective, non-threatening feedback. You’ll learn why even well-meaning feedback can backfire, how to prevent emotional resistance before it starts, and what most managers get completely wrong when delivering hard truths.
Whether you're a leader avoiding uncomfortable conversations or someone who wants to build a culture of trust, this episode gives you practical, research-backed tools to speak up without sparking conflict. Discover the subtle shifts — from leading with listening to stating your intentions — that make feedback land with clarity and care.
🔍 You’ll learn:
Why your brain sees feedback as a threat — and how to override it
The “Jedi” feedback move that instantly lowers defenses
What to say before criticism to avoid sounding like an enemy
Why silence makes things worse — and how to break it safely
Connect with Dr. Therese Huston
theresehuston.com
Buy the Book - Sharp - 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science
Follow Therese on 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!
How to Persuade Without Pressure — The Magic Question That Changes Everything
Friday, June 6, 2025 • Duration 35:45
You don’t need pressure to persuade — you need the right question.
In this episode, Yale professor and bestselling author Zoe Chance joins Kwame Christian to share the most practical, science-backed influence strategies used by top leaders, negotiators, and communicators. You'll learn how to apply her signature "magic question" in real conversations, how unfair forgiveness can increase loyalty, and why most people misunderstand what real persuasion looks like.
Zoe also breaks down why kindness isn’t weakness, how to influence without manipulation, and what Hollywood gets completely wrong about negotiation. Whether you’re leading a team, managing conflict, or just trying to get through a difficult conversation, this episode will help you shift from force to connection — and become more influential in the process.
You’ll discover:
The 4-word question that changes everything
Why empathy builds more commitment than incentives
A reframe that helps you handle resistance with grace
The mistake most people make when trying to sound powerful
If you’ve ever struggled to be persuasive without losing yourself — this one’s for you.
Connect with Zoe
Follow Zoe Chance On LinkedIn
Buy the Book: Influence Is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen
Zoe Chance's Website
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!
Before You Say Something You Regret — Ask Yourself This
Thursday, May 29, 2025 • Duration 31:04
One bad reaction can destroy the trust you spent years building.
In this episode, forensic psychologist and leadership expert Nashater Deu Solheim joins Kwame Christian to unpack the hidden emotional triggers that sabotage high-stakes conversations. You’ll learn how to recognize defensiveness before it takes over, use silence as a power move, and ask the one question that keeps you in control — even when you’re about to explode.
Whether you're leading a team, navigating conflict, or trying to be heard without losing your cool, this episode gives you the practical tools to respond with clarity instead of emotion.
You’ll discover:
Why most feedback feels like an attack (and how to fix it)
The ABC model for building trust in every conversation
How to use body language to send the right message — without saying a word
Why asking “why” makes people shut down
A simple mindset shift that instantly lowers the emotional temperature
Master the moment — before it masters you.
Connect with Nashater Deu Solheim
Progressing Minds
The Leadership Pin Code
Follow Nashater on 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!
The Compassionate Curiosity Framework Explained - with Kwame Christian and Lindsay Andrews
Friday, February 28, 2025 • Duration 39:11
Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company
In this insightful episode of "Negotiate Anything," host Kwame Christian takes on the role of the interviewee as Lindsay Andrews sits down with him to delve into mastering the art of difficult conversations through his compassionate curiosity framework. Kwame shares his journey from being a people pleaser to becoming a negotiation expert, emphasizing the importance of self-trust, emotional management, and proactive engagement in challenging discussions. Lindsay and Kwame exchange valuable insights on how to navigate emotionally charged situations, build confidence, and transform fear into productive action. Tune in to learn how negotiation isn't just a skill but an empowering identity that can strengthen relationships and foster personal growth.
What will be covered:
The compassionate curiosity framework and its three steps: validating emotions, compassionate curiosity, and joint problem-solving.
The role of emotional management, introspection, and self-reflection in preparing for difficult conversations.
Strategies for building trust, confidence, and navigating fear and imposter syndrome in negotiation contexts.
Listen to the Unstuck on You Podcast by Lindsay Andrews
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!
Chess and Negotiation, Principles We Can Learn From Chess To Improve Our Negotiations With Ernest Levert Jr.
Thursday, July 21, 2022 • Duration 34:07
In this episode, Ernest Levert, Founding Director of The Royal Oak Initiative, discusses the various chess principles and philosophies to be successful in the negotiation world.
Request a Custom Workshop For Your Company
Get Free Access to Over 15 Negotiation Guides
The Royal Oak Initiative (ROI)
Follow Kwame on LinkedIn
Kwame Christian with Ernest Levert
How To Use Customer Experience Data To Understand People with Sarah Ahern.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 • Duration 27:32
In this episode, Sarah Ahern, Data Strategist in Supply Chain/Innovation helps us negotiate in the supply chain via a revenue model.
How it will affect us in the day-to-day process of decision-making during the pandemic and now a recession,
Also, the difficult conversations we need to have to address its impact over the next year.
https://www.pathgrowth.com/
Request a Custom Workshop For Your Company
Get Free Access to Over 15 Negotiation Guides
Follow Kwame on LinkedIn
Follow Sarah on LinkedIn
Kwame Christian With Sarah Ahern
How to Overcome Strong Opinions with Andy Luttrell
Tuesday, July 19, 2022 • Duration 36:15
In this episode, Andy Luttrell, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Ball State University and Podcast host of Opinion Science, discusses the science of persuasion, as it relates to deeply held beliefs and strongly held opinions.
Request a Custom Workshop For Your Company
Get Free Access to Over 15 Negotiation Guides
Opinion Science Podcast
Audio Course: The Science of Persuasion
Follow Andy on LinkedIn
Follow Kwame on LinkedIn
Kwame Christian with Andy Luttrell
Reverse Interview: Inside of the American Negotiation Institute With Marcus Banks.
Monday, July 18, 2022 • Duration 32:01
In this reverse interview, the young comedian, actor & host of the episode, Marcus Banks, interviews Kwame Christian about The American Negotiation Institute.
Marcus Banks Instagram
Request a Custom Workshop For Your Company
Get Free Access to Over 15 Negotiation Guides
Follow Kwame on LinkedIn
Kwame Christian With Marcus Banks.
Highlight Reel: Strategy, Emotional Intelligence and Communication [Clips from RTara Jaye Frank, Selena Rezwani, Scott Tillema, Paula Caligiuri, Naushter, Alicia Shaw, Andy Lutrell, and Anuj Jagannathan]
Sunday, July 17, 2022 • Duration 51:54
Highlight Reel: Strategy, Emotional Intelligence and Communication [Clips from RTara Jaye Frank, Selena Rezwani, Scott Tillema, Paula Caligiuri, Naushter, Alicia Shaw, Andy Lutrell, and Anuj Jagannathan]
Request a Custom Workshop For Your Company
Get Free Access to Over 15 Negotiation Guides
Follow Kwame on LinkedIn
Highlight Reel: How to Advocate For Others and For Ourselves. Clips From: Paul Ross, Silva keister, Jamie Lee, Michael Reddington, Jonathan Jones, Keita Williams, and Mark Gholston
Saturday, July 16, 2022 • Duration 46:00
Paul Ross
Jan Marie
Silva keister
Jamie Lee
Michael Reddington
Jonathan Jones
Keita Williams
Mark Gholston
In this negotiation marathon, our guest will speak about: Leverage sales, subconscious comm.PoliticsCommunity facilitation, Politics, self-advocacy, Anatomy of deceptionBranding by podcastingAccountabilitySuicide prevention, divorced couples.
Request a Custom Workshop For Your Company
Get Free Access to Over 15 Negotiation Guides
Follow Kwame on LinkedIn
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to Big Swings Only , based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.