Need help with a negotiation? Text us and we'll feature your question on the show.

When goals stall, deals freeze, and ideas go nowhere, most people push harder and get more stuck. In this episode, John Lowery shares a simple framework for getting unstuck by shifting from positions to interests, from convincing to connecting, and from pressure to progress. This is a must listen for leaders who want momentum in 2026.

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Need help with a negotiation? Text us and we'll feature your question on the show.

In this episode, we sit down with a Producer of American Idol to unpack how one of the most successful shows in television history almost never happened and what that teaches us about high-stakes negotiation.

From getting rejected by networks, to reworking the pitch, to stacking the right pieces at the right moment, this conversation reveals that great deals aren’t won through persuasion alone they’re won through preparation, timing, and strategic positioning.

Drawing from decades of experience negotiating with talent, agents, networks, and global brands, a Producer of American Idol shares how to create leverage when you don’t have it, how to manage ego without burning relationships, and why timing matters more than brilliance. You’ll hear real stories from behind American Idol, Netflix, Disney, and beyond, along with practical lessons leaders can apply to any high-pressure deal.

If you’ve ever had a great idea that stalled, a deal that fell apart, or a negotiation that felt out of your control, this episode will change how you approach the process. Because the biggest lesson is simple: the best negotiators win before the meeting ever starts.

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Need help with a negotiation? Text us and we'll feature your question on the show.

What do you do when the odds are stacked against you and losing feels inevitable?

Most negotiators hit a point where deals dry up, leverage disappears, and confidence starts to slip. It’s in those moments that most people play defense… and slowly lose their edge.

In this episode, we break down an unlikely source of negotiation wisdom: the coach who took one of college football’s most overlooked programs and turned it into a national champion fast. His turnaround wasn’t luck. It was a system.

You’ll learn the five lessons elite negotiators use to win in difficult environments, including how to build confidence when you don’t feel it, how to stack the deck before talks begin, and why process matters more than power at the table. If you’ve been stuck in a tough market, a hard deal, or a losing streak, this episode is your reset button.

Get My Book: Negotiation Made Simple
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Schedule a Private Workshop
Get Private Coaching from Me
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