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PODCAST

Gentle Power

Gerta and Alex at YourNegotiations.com

Join Gerta Malaj & Alex Choi as they share negotiation playbooks, dissect real deals, and reveal life bootstrapping a husband-wife business in SF. As co-founders of YourNegotiations.com, they’ve added 5-6 figure raises to job offers and guided founders through investor, vendor, and customer negotiations - B2B contracts, fundraising, co-founder splits, and more. Gerta (MIT MEng, Wellesley Math) spent 10+ years at LinkedIn, Salary.com & VC firms. Alex, a USAF veteran, ran GTM for Meta’s #2

business careers

All Episodes

00:37:03

How AI can jeopardize your negotiations

Gentle Power ·

2025/09/13

In this episode, we tested AI against some of our most common negotiation questions to find out where it helps, and where it confidently steers you wrong. On paper it looked helpful, but the devil was in the details; the results were a mix of good reminders and dangerously misleading shortcuts. We covered topics like:Why “market data” (Glassdoor, Levels, Blind) rarely moves real offers, and what to use insteadHow to ask for a written offer the right way (and why a signable letter beats a summary

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00:17:03

23. How companies hide comp details in plain sight

Gentle Power ·

2025/09/04

In this episode, we cover:A real-life example of an offer letter from a major company that seemed to grant $50K/year in equity, but turned out to be far lessSimple ways to ask for clarity without sounding combativeWhy assuming best intent helps you keep leverage and relationships intactWe also share:A Burning Man story that raised the question: do we negotiate with friends?The classic “splitting an orange” example that shows how creative problem-solving beats compromiseTune in for practical

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00:27:03

22. Even the best negotiators need help

Gentle Power ·

2025/08/28

In this episode, we cover:Why even world-class professionals with top MBAs and deal-making experience can still mishandle their own salary negotiationsThe stigma around hiring a coach, and how it’s no different from hiring a trainer, therapist, or MBA consultant to help you level upThe gap between knowing good advice and executing it well when the stakes feel high and context mattersWhy AI is unable to replace a negotiations consultantWe also share:A candid story from a friend who was literally

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00:56:54

21. We interview an HR leader & employment attorney

Gentle Power ·

2025/08/21

This week, we spoke with Kevin Houng, an HR/people business partner, former employment attorney, and one of Alex’s longest friends, who’s helped launch dozens of venture-backed teams and guided executives through complex compensation decisions.In our conversation, we covered:How companies actually decide budgets for open roles, from scrappy startups to Fortune 500 giantsWhy larger organizations lean on rigid salary bands (and algorithms) while smaller teams often make exceptions for the right

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01:05:06

20. We met with a divorce mediator

Gentle Power ·

2025/08/14

For this week’s episode of Gentle Power, we welcome our very first guest: Joe Dillon, founder of Equitable Mediation. Joe has spent nearly two decades helping couples navigate the high-stakes, emotionally-charged negotiations of divorce without lawyers, achieving outcomes that protect both their finances and their future relationships.In our conversation, we explore the surprising overlap between divorce mediation and salary or job offer negotiations, including:Why “don’t decide before discovery”

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00:23:53

19. How to get your offer rescinded

Gentle Power ·

2025/08/07

In this episode, we cover:Five real reasons offers get rescinded (and how to avoid each)Cordial scripts and mindset shifts to push back safely without burning bridgesWe also share:Why one client held onto her “Company A” offer - and how it saved her from a late‑stage fallback at “Company B”The “equity‑info blackout” that led to Company B falling through, and the upfront questions she now asksOur favorite Gentle Power negotiation script to keep your offer intact and relationships strongTune in to

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00:53:10

18. Being selfless is hurting your salary

Gentle Power ·

2025/07/31

For this week’s episode, we are sharing Gerta’s recent interview with Brendan Aronson on the Milvet Podcast, where we discussed actionable negotiation tactics tailored for military veterans transitioning into the civilian job market; insights are just as relevant for people from other backgrounds.In this conversation, we cover:How military service shapes your mindset - and why “service before self” must shift to “advocate for yourself” in the civilian job marketThe single biggest leverage point:

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00:33:33

17. Avoiding awkward negotiation moments & how to...

Gentle Power ·

2025/07/25

In this episode, we cover:How to lock in clear price limits with hairstylists, plumbers and other contractors - so you never get surprised by unexpected add‑onsWhy spelling out the real problem you need to solve (“I keep getting unexpected invoices”) and your intent (“I run a business and need full visibility”) makes pushback feel naturalTactful scripts for deflecting vague scope creep, communicating your budget, and keeping relationships positiveThe power of a simple “here’s why it matters to me”

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00:27:33

16. Six tips to increase your next offer by 5-6 figures

Gentle Power ·

2025/07/17

For this week’s episode, we are sharing our recent interview with Lauren McGoodwin from Career Contessa, where we focused on practical tips to improve your next job offer by 5-6 figures. We covered topics and strategies including:Why oversharing destroys your leverage, and how to tactfully deflect “What’s your number?” questionsThe surprising power of genuine enthusiasm in negotiationsHow to ask multiple open-ended questions, embrace strategic silence, and keep the dance goingLetting employers know

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00:51:59

15. The negotiator’s state of mind & euro adventures

Gentle Power ·

2025/07/10

In this episode, we cover: Focusing on fairness can sabotage the negotiation Sometimes the best move is to just settle and spend your energy elsewhere Your job offer isn’t something you’re lucky to receive; it’s a mutual value exchange Do what’s best for you, not just what benefits the company Don’t take what an employer says at face value Negotiation is a game, and you’re allowed to play itWe also share: Gerta’s Sandbox retreat in rural Spain: tribal percussion, spider-ridden tent nights, and

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01:16:22

14. How to master high-stakes negotiations & create...

Gentle Power ·

2025/06/27

For this week’s episode, we’re sharing Gerta’s recent conversation on the “Glasp Talk” YouTube series with Glasp cofounders, Kazuki Nakayashiki and Kei Watanabe. Glasp is a social web-highlighting tool that helps readers capture, organize, and share knowledge, empowering users to amplify their human insights with AI-driven intelligence.This talk dives into Gerta’s journey from MIT-trained engineer to negotiation coach, why she and Alex focus on “gentle power,” and exactly how to grow the pie so that

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00:24:28

13. The One Word That Unlocks Bigger Offers

Gentle Power ·

2025/06/19

In this episode, we cover:Why you should insist on receiving a signable written offer before you start negotiating, and when to stop insisting if the company keeps stalling.How adding a simple “because” makes decision-makers say “yes” more often, and exactly how to use it in your comp ask. Don’t just take our word for it - read the study here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201310/the-power-of-the-word-because-to-get-people-to-do-stuffBuilding a “reason bank” before you

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00:18:41

12. How To Negotiate To The Best And Final Offer

Gentle Power ·

2025/06/12

In this episode, we cover:Why there’s no magic “round limit” in negotiations.How “this is our best and final offer” usually signals when to stop - and when to read between the lines.Why “first offer = best & final” is almost never true - and how one client added six figures to an allegedly unmovable package.Strategies for fixed pay‑band roles (government, academia, teaching): what you can still negotiate when base pay is capped.Dealing with recruiter personalities: why both overly aggressive and

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00:34:39

11. How To Negotiate A Raise And Chainsmokers Show Recap

Gentle Power ·

2025/06/05

We recorded this week’s show in the gorgeous GoSpread.ai podcast space in San Francisco - thank you, team! (Yes, we instantly wanted to crank out a dozen episodes in those vibes.)Here’s what we covered:Negotiation behind-the-scenes of a dream weekend: Alex recently performed an opening DJ set at The Chainsmokers show (nearly 10K attendees!) in San Francisco—LED screens, crowd-surfing friends, and even a robot DJ trying to steal the show. But getting there wasn’t straightforward: he was already

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00:55:53

10. How Alex DJed For The Chainsmokers & What it’s...

Gentle Power ·

2025/05/30

In this episode, we share about Alex’s most exciting performance to-date for his side hobby, DJing. We also share exactly how we work with you:DJing for The Chainsmokers: Alex is on deck as the opening DJ for The Chainsmokers’ SF block party, and the two of us are gearing up to join Titanic’s End for our first-ever Burning Man.What “negotiation coaching” really looks like:Free 15–30 min consult on Zoom to see if we’re a mutually good fit and share some negotiation tips.One‑page Google‑Doc contract

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00:44:12

Expanding The Pie: The Art and Science of Business...

Gentle Power ·

2025/05/22

For this week’s episode, we are sharing an interview that Gerta did with the Shift to Freedom Podcast. Led by transformational life coach Ben Easter, this podcast helps business owners reduce overwhelm, beat imposter syndrome, and lead with confidence and clarity. In this conversation, Gerta and Ben dispel common negotiation myths, provide actionable insights, and share practical tips and strategies to transform negotiation outcomes from “dividing the pie” to “expanding the pie” - from identifying

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00:29:28

Negotiation Capital And Our Messaging App Multiverse

Gentle Power ·

2025/05/16

In this episode, we cover:Our “Messaging App Multiverse” and why choosing the right channel matters for different communitiesWhether unstructured banter builds rapport or just eats into your negotiation capitalA deep‑dive case study: how a new‑mom’s breast‑milk delivery ask morphed into a $40K base‑salary winThree key tactics: strategic prioritization, timing your asks, and translating niche requests into straightforward dollarsWe also share behind‑the‑scenes moments, including:Gerta’s Viber family

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00:38:27

Don't Fall For "I Don't Want To Play Games"

Gentle Power ·

2025/05/08

In this episode, we cover:How “I don’t want to play games, just give me your number” is itself a negotiation moveExact scripts to deflect that request and get them to share their total compensation budget firstWhy the salary range on a job post rarely equals the company’s true internal budgetThe rare times it’s okay to name your number (competing offers, true peer‑to‑peer deals)We also share stories from our week apart, including:One of us at a wild Tulum bachelor party, the other in a surprisingly

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00:29:37

The One Trait That Makes You A Bad Negotiator

Gentle Power ·

2025/05/01

In this episode, we cover:Why over-communicating is a career asset but a negotiation liabilityExact scripts to deflect salary-history questions and ask for their budget firstA real client story: turning a lowball salary-history request into leverage for a higher offerCritical mistakes to avoid: from sharing your numbers too soon to skipping the written offerBehind-the-scenes SF community highlights that shape our negotiation philosophyWhether you’re navigating job offers, consulting contracts, or

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00:58:28

Our Social Lives In SF And Negotiating Side Gigs

Gentle Power ·

2025/04/24

In this episode, we explore how the same mindset that helps you conquer FOMO in your social life can supercharge your negotiation power. We reveal how cultivating an “abundance mentality” lets you pause, ask smarter questions, and never undersell yourself. We also talk about our community in San Francisco and give you a peek into our vibrant social lives here, including attending events with top tech leaders and robot DJs, friends who want to recreate the animated movie Up in real life, Korean

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44 results

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