Be My Guest
Join me as a guest on the Negotiation Masterclass podcast
about NEGOTIATION MASTERCLASS PODCAST
Negotiation Masterclass: One Discipline, Many Arenas
Defining Stories. Uncommon Insights. From the Frontlines of High-Stakes Negotiation.
In every field where outcomes matter, from M&A to hostage rescue, sports agency to courtroom litigation, negotiation is the hidden force shaping deals, decisions, and destinies.
Hosted by Alistair McBride, this podcast goes beyond theory to uncover the defining stories and hard-won lessons of professionals who negotiate under pressure. Each episode delivers uncommon insights drawn from real moments; the victories, missteps, turning points, and counterintuitive moves that changed everything.
Whether you’re a founder, dealmaker, lawyer, or leader, you’ll walk away sharper, smarter, and better equipped to perform when it counts.
about OUR AUDIENCE
Our listeners are high-performing professionals who negotiate as part of their leadership, legal, investment, advisory, or client-facing roles. They include founders, dealmakers, executives, lawyers, agents, and consultants — all seeking to sharpen their edge in high-stakes conversations.
They’re drawn to real stories, not just theory — and they listen to learn how top professionals think under pressure, navigate complexity, and make the uncommon move that changes everything.
Topics that resonate most include:
- Strategic negotiation and deal-making
- Power dynamics and persuasion
- Decision-making under pressure
- Creative problem-solving and leverage
- Behind-the-scenes stories that reveal what really works (and what doesn’t)
Guests are invited not just to share wins, but to reflect on defining moments, including the lessons that came from risk, failure, or going against the grain.
what's in it for YOU?
As a guest on Negotiation Masterclass, you’ll gain a professionally produced, in-depth interview that showcases your expertise, your thinking under pressure, and the defining stories that shaped your approach to negotiation.
You’ll receive:
A full interview episode published across major platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, etc.)
Edited video/audio clips for easy sharing on LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social platforms
A written blog post and podcast transcript published on our site and Medium, creating evergreen SEO content and backlinks to your preferred landing page
Most importantly, your story becomes part of a larger project.
Each guest’s interview is transcribed and tagged for insights that feed into a long-term research initiative and upcoming book, capturing the patterns, principles, and counterintuitive lessons from elite negotiators (such as yourself) across industries. You’ll be featured not just in an episode, but in an evolving body of work designed to shift how people think about negotiation in the real world.
about THE FORMAT
The Negotiation Masterclass format is part structured interview, part relaxed conversation. We focus on the defining stories, uncommon insights, and pivotal moments that shaped how you negotiate — particularly those experiences where pressure, stakes, or strategy made all the difference.
It’s not a rapid-fire Q&A. It’s a deeper dive into what you’ve lived, what you’ve learned, and what others can take away from it.
Here’s a sample selection of the kinds of questions we might explore together:
What’s the most fundamental lesson you’ve learned about negotiation?
What do you believe in negotiation that most others don’t — and how did you come to that view?
Can you tell me about a high-stakes negotiation that defined you — for better or worse?
Was there a time when you went completely against the conventional advice… and it worked?
What’s unique about negotiating in your field that outsiders often misunderstand?
What role does emotion or intuition play in your negotiation style?
What failure or near-miss taught you the most about how deals really work?
If you were mentoring your younger self entering this world, what would you drill in first?
What’s a negotiation myth you’d love to debunk once and for all?
What’s one moment — win or loss — that you’re still trying to make sense of?
We may also explore a few lighter or reflective questions, depending on flow:
What are the first few hours of your day like?
What makes life worthwhile outside the work and deals?
Are there books, mentors, or personal experiences that most shaped your approach?
Each conversation is shaped around your stories and experience. We may go deep into one moment, or explore a few across your career — whatever brings the richest insight.
🔒 Note: You Always Have Final Cut
After recording, if there’s anything you’d like removed or rephrased, you’re absolutely welcome to request edits. We want this to be a relaxed, reflective space where you feel safe to speak candidly and most of all be proud to share the final episode.
about ALISTAIR MCBRIDE
Alistair is a coach, facilitator and trainer for over 10 years who has started numerous small businesses since he was 21. He’s a regular guest lecturer and facilitator at multiple universities in Ireland on topics such as Cognitive Behavioural Coaching, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. He coaches executives and business owners across an array of industries, including software, law, aviation, telecoms, and corporate finance to name a few. Over the past few years he’s been giving his clients the Psychological Edge in Negotiation and helping them perform under pressure. He’s the creator of the Goliath Negotiation Method.