The Calm Advantage: Chris Voss on Negotiation, Empathy, and the Psychology of Influence

The Calm Advantage: Chris Voss on Negotiation, Empathy, and the Psychology of Influence

Author: Brett Kaufman February 23, 2026 Duration: 58:21

Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator, bestselling author of Never Split the Difference, and one of the world’s leading experts on high-stakes communication. In this conversation, Brett and Chris explore what negotiation really is and why most of us misunderstand it entirely.

Before he was teaching executives and founders how to navigate boardrooms, Chris was negotiating with terrorists, kidnappers, and people on the brink of taking their own lives. What he learned in those moments wasn’t about dominance or control. It was about understanding.

They discuss the neuroscience of calm, why your nervous system is always negotiating before your words are, and how empathy, not agreement, not sympathy, becomes the most powerful tool in moments of conflict. Chris breaks down the internal “chatter” that sabotages us in difficult conversations and explains why curiosity is a competitive advantage in leadership, relationships, and business.

This episode moves beyond tactics and into something deeper: how we regulate ourselves under pressure, how we create psychological safety, and why feeling understood can release potent forces for change.

Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes negotiation, leading through tension, or simply trying to communicate more effectively in your personal life, this conversation reframes what influence truly means.


There's a quiet hum beneath the noise of daily life, a place where genuine understanding begins. Innerspace: Deep, Meaningful Conversations with Brett Kaufman tunes into that frequency. Hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Brett Kaufman, this podcast creates a grounded environment for exploring the subtle forces that guide us. The discussions move beyond surface-level advice, delving into personal transitions, moments of unexpected clarity, and the inner signals we often learn to ignore. Brett approaches each conversation with a thoughtful curiosity, whether examining setbacks or breakthroughs, to uncover how these lived experiences fundamentally shape our paths. It’s a series for anyone interested in the interconnected realms of mental fitness and spiritual self-improvement, framed not as lectures but as calm, reflective dialogues. Listening feels like gaining a deeper awareness of the quiet mechanics behind our actions and choices in health, relationships, and purpose. This podcast offers a consistent space to pause and consider what truly moves us from within.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Innerspace: Deep, Meaningful Conversations with Brett Kaufman
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