• Jeremy Andrus: The Turnaround Entrepreneur behind Traeger Grills
    Feb 10 2026

    In this revealing episode, Stan sits down with Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills, to delve into his gripping experiences in entrepreneurship and business transformation. Jeremy shares the tumultuous journey of rethinking and reinventing Traeger Grills amidst economic upheavals, tariffs, and a toxic corporate culture. The conversation covers the critical importance of negotiation, managing complex supplier relationships, leveraging partnerships with major retailers like Costco, and the power of transparency in leadership. Alongside anecdotes from his time at Skullcandy and a harrowing poisoning scare in China, Jeremy offers invaluable insights into building a resilient business that's not just about survival, but winning.

    00:27 Meet Jeremy Andres: CEO of Traeger Grills

    01:12 Navigating Challenges: COVID and Tariffs

    02:47 Reinvention and Survival Strategies

    05:38 Transparency and Team Communication

    10:43 Jeremy's Harvard Business School Journey

    13:16 Early Entrepreneurial Struggles

    17:17 Joining Skullcandy: The Early Days

    21:55 Negotiating Deals and Raising Capital

    29:05 Acquiring Traeger Grills: The Surprises

    30:04 Acquiring a 27-Year-Old Business

    30:35 Cultural Challenges and Realizations

    33:01 Negotiating a Buyout

    33:34 Revamping the Supply Chain

    34:37 Dealing with Toxic Culture

    36:59 Retail Negotiations and Battle Scars

    37:25 Costco's Tough Negotiation Tactics

    48:38 Supplier Negotiations in China

    55:54 Building Strong Supplier Relationships

    01:03:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.


    #AllThingsNegotiation #NegotiationStrategy #DealMaking #BusinessLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #MethodicalThinking #BATNA #Leverage #SalesLeadership #FounderLife #CLevelLeadership #StrategicThinking #BusinessPodcast #StanAndJeremy #Traeger

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    1 Std. und 4 Min.
  • David Neeleman: The JetBlue founder who built five successful airlines
    Jan 13 2026

    In this episode, Stan welcomes David Neeleman, a renowned figure in the airline industry, for an in-depth conversation on the intricacies of building successful airlines. David, who has founded five airlines including JetBlue and Breeze Airways, shares his insights on effective negotiation, leadership, and personal growth. The discussion covers his career journey, significant milestones, key strategies in negotiating with stakeholders, and maintaining a strong company culture. David also opens up about challenges, including his time at Southwest Airlines and the infamous Valentine's Day crisis at JetBlue, and the lessons learned from these experiences.


    01:04 David Neeleman's Early Career and Morris Air

    02:21 The Sale to Southwest Airlines

    04:43 Challenges at Southwest and Moving On

    06:33 Founding WestJet and Navitaire

    09:40 The Birth of JetBlue

    11:17 JetBlue's Success and Differentiation

    13:29 Negotiating with Boeing and Airbus

    16:03 Customer Engagement and Communication Strategies

    22:14 Total Transparency and Accountability

    22:39 The Valentine's Day Massacre Crisis

    25:43 Lessons from Getting Fired

    29:51 Founding Azul Airlines

    32:18 Navigating Cross-Cultural Challenges

    34:14 The Success of Breeze Airways

    42:25 Effective Negotiation Strategies

    43:34 Advice for Young Professionals

    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    44 Min.
  • Chip Conley: The entrepreneur who reinvented three industries
    Dec 9 2025

    In this episode, Stan talks with Chip Conley, an iconic entrepreneur and the founder of the Joie De Vivre hotel chain, a key player in Airbnb, and the creator of the Modern Elder Academy. They dive into the principles of karmic capitalism, lessons learned from building and scaling multiple successful businesses, and strategies for maintaining a good reputation.

    Chip shares his experiences at Airbnb, dealing with regulation challenges, and the importance of inter-generational collaboration.

    They also discuss the Modern Elder Academy, where Chip helps individuals navigate midlife transitions and find new purpose.

    This episode is rich with lessons in negotiation, leadership, and holistic thinking.

    Check out:

    Chip’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeChrysalisPodcast

    Modern Elder Academy: https://www.meawisdom.com/

    Chip’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeChrysalisPodcast


    00:00 Introduction to Karmic Capitalism

    00:20 Meet Chip Conley: Entrepreneurial Journey

    02:48 Founding Joie de Vivre Hotel Chain

    05:55 Negotiating with Bands and Tour Managers

    11:26 Risk and Decision Making in Business

    15:21 Hotel Vitale: A Case Study in Negotiation

    19:26 Managing Through Economic Downturns

    23:34 Transition to Airbnb and Burning Man Involvement

    29:20 The Ethos of Burning Man

    29:39 Negotiation Strategies and Personal Stories

    31:46 Joining Airbnb: A New Challenge

    33:08 Building Culture and Facing Challenges at Airbnb

    36:33 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics

    40:28 Regulation and Host Relations

    45:02 Founding the Modern Elder Academy

    48:09 Helping People Navigate Midlife Transitions

    52:25 The Value of Wisdom and Experience

    54:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    57 Min.
  • David Rubenstein: Carlyle Co-Founder on Negotiation Lessons from Wall Street to Washington
    Nov 20 2025

    In this insightful episode you will learn about the power of persuasion and negotiation from David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group. Dive into his extensive experience in relationship-building, fundraising, and leadership. Discover Rubenstein's methods for becoming an effective communicator and the significance of self-deprecating humor and active listening in negotiations. Gain an insider's perspective on political dynamics, U.S. presidencies, and nonprofit leadership as Rubenstein shares stories from his distinguished career. Whether in business, politics, or personal relationships, find out how persistence, integrity, and bipartisanship are key to success.


    00:00 Introduction: The Power of Persuasion

    01:00 Building Relationships: Insights from David Rubenstein

    01:38 Developing an Outgoing Personality

    03:34 Lessons from Ted Sorenson

    04:47 The Role of Persistence in Fundraising

    08:17 Recruiting and Integrity at Carlisle

    11:36 Leadership Transitions at Carlisle

    14:36 Current Political Climate and Bipartisanship

    21:07 International Relations and Allies

    23:06 Presidential Power and Persuasion

    25:45 Trump's Popularity in the Middle East

    26:52 Reflecting on Jimmy Carter's Legacy

    28:08 Challenges in Leading Nonprofit Organizations

    32:19 The Role of Presidents in Negotiation

    33:05 Evaluating Presidential Effectiveness

    38:48 Obama's Struggles with Bipartisanship

    40:39 Supreme Court Confirmations and Politics

    42:03 Perspectives on Reagan and Bush

    45:19 Biden's Negotiation Challenges

    46:27 US-China Relations

    47:52 The Importance of Negotiation Skills

    50:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    49 Min.
  • Jake Harriman: Building Trust Across Political Lines at More Perfect Union
    Nov 4 2025

    In this compelling episode, Jake Harriman, founder of More Perfect Union, discusses his mission to bridge America's partisan divide through community service, civics, and social gatherings. Harriman, a former Marine with extensive combat experience in Iraq, shares how his military background and a transformational encounter in Southern Iraq pushed him to address extreme poverty in Africa through the nonprofit Nuru International. He later transitioned to More Perfect Union, inspired by the growing political divide in America. The conversation covers Harriman's active efforts in various communities, from rural Texas to urban Washington D.C., to unite people across political lines through structured activities and curated conversations. Key negotiation lessons emphasize active listening, empathy, and finding common ground.


    00:00 Introduction to the Guest and His Mission

    01:10 Jake's Military Background and Lessons Learned

    02:10 Negotiation Stories from the Battlefield

    12:37 A Life-Changing Experience in Iraq

    17:33 Founding NRU International

    19:42 Challenges and Successes in Africa

    27:14 Negotiation Tactics in Challenging Environments

    27:58 Ensuring Safety in Remote Areas

    29:05 Building Trust with Local Leaders

    30:45 Personal Stories of Security and Negotiation

    32:03 Faith in the Military's Loyalty

    33:23 Transition to More Perfect Union

    35:24 Founding More Perfect Union

    37:02 Brickyards: Building Community Trust

    40:15 Success Stories from Brickyards

    48:25 Recruiting and Training Brickyard Leaders

    55:48 Final Thoughts and Getting Involved

    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    57 Min.
  • Hannah Riley Bowles: Lessons on gender, power and negotiation
    Oct 14 2025

    Join us in an insightful conversation with Hannah Riley Bowles, a professor at Harvard's Kennedy School and an expert in negotiation. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of gender differences in negotiation, strategies for closing the gender pay gap, and the socio-economic and family dynamics influencing women's career advancement. Learn about the essential S.U.R.E framework for effective negotiation and uncover the impact of family support systems on career growth. Whether you're negotiating a salary, balancing family and work, or seeking relationship harmony, this discussion provides actionable advice and profound insights.


    See more of Hannah's work here: https://hbr.org/2021/01/negotiating-your-next-job

    https://hbr.org/2014/06/why-women-dont-negotiate-their-job-offers


    00:00 Introduction: Gender and Negotiation

    00:29 Meet Hannah Riley Bowles

    01:09 Do Men and Women Negotiate Differently?

    03:35 The SURE Framework for Negotiation

    12:52 Women, Career Advancement, and Family

    33:14 The Role of Grandparents and Extended Family

    38:14 Conclusion: The Importance of Negotiation Training


    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    41 Min.
  • Dave Ferguson: From Waymo to Nuro and the Future of Self-Driving Cars
    Sep 30 2025

    Stan is joined by Dave Ferguson, Co-Founder and President of Nuro. In this episode, Dave discusses his transition from Waymo to Nuro, the pivotal shifts in their business model, and how they've managed to secure a monumental partnership with Uber and Lucid to create robo-taxis. Dave also opens up about the challenges faced during Nuro's evolution, from team restructuring to investor negotiations, and offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous vehicles. Don't miss this episode filled with valuable lessons on leadership, technology, and the path to a safer, autonomous future.


    00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

    01:26 Dave Ferguson's Background and Early Career

    03:24 Founding Nuro and Co-Founder Dynamics

    05:45 The Role of Coaching in Leadership

    07:06 Nuro's Initial Vision and Market Challenges

    09:30 The Strategic Pivot and Its Implications

    15:47 Navigating Partnerships and Investor Relations

    18:34 Post-Pivot Challenges and Negotiations

    24:40 Employee Motivation and Overcoming Friction

    25:07 Honesty and Vulnerability in Leadership

    26:18 Handling Employee Turnover

    28:06 Introduction to Nuro's New Business Model

    30:51 Partnerships with Uber and Lucid

    34:39 The Importance of Trust in Negotiations

    41:57 Future of Autonomous Vehicles

    47:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    48 Min.
  • Sami Inkinen: The Triathlon Champion Who Built 2 Multi-Billion Dollar Companies
    Sep 18 2025

    Join Stan as he dives deep into the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Sami Inkinen in this episode of All Things Negotiation. A two-time successful entrepreneur, Inkinen co-founded Trulia, an online real estate marketplace, and Virta Health, a revolutionary company aimed at reversing type 2 diabetes. Throughout the conversation, Inkinen shares insights on grit, risk-taking, and authenticity in the business world. Discover the highs and lows of startup life, the importance of burn-the-lifeboats mentality, and invaluable lessons on negotiation and long-term relationships from a leader whose ventures are valued at multiple billions of dollars. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a business veteran, Inkinen's stories of overcoming obstacles, staying focused, and balancing personal life are bound to inspire and inform.


    00:00 The Harsh Reality of Entrepreneurship

    00:25 Introducing Sami Inkinen: A Rare Breed of Entrepreneur

    01:08 Sami's Early Life and Entrepreneurial Journey

    02:07 Grit and Achievements: From Triathlons to Rowing Across the Pacific

    04:17 The Birth and Growth of Trulia

    09:38 Overcoming Challenges at Trulia

    12:34 Transition to Virta Health: A New Mission

    15:09 Virta Health's Approach to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

    19:34 Challenges in the Healthcare Industry

    24:00 The Power of Probabilistic Results

    24:43 Taking Risks and Innovating in Healthcare

    27:13 Burning the Lifeboats: A Philosophy for Entrepreneurs

    35:44 Balancing Multiple Identities

    38:52 The Importance of Authenticity and Vulnerability

    44:11 Advice for Young Founders on Negotiation


    Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

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    47 Min.