Deals don’t fall apart because of numbers. They fall apart because people feel unheard, cornered, or disrespected. In this episode we pull lessons from a Congo standoff and a mafia sit-down to show how hostage negotiation tactics translate into everyday business. We share practical tools—framing, mirroring, humor, and tone—to keep deals calm, human, and effective.

Some topics covered are:

• Surviving a real-life hostage scenario in the Congo
• Navigating a tense property deal with mafia connections
• Why negotiation is more emotional than logical
• How to read the room and de-escalate tension
• Lessons from Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
• Using humor, tone, and body language to shift conversations
• When to choose Zoom, phone, or in-person for hard talks
• Framing and anchoring techniques for better outcomes
• And more...