Shows
Gentle Power18. Being selfless is hurting your salaryFor 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: waiting for, and negotiating on, a written offer, not a verbal handshakeWhy lying about...2025-07-3153 min
Gentle Power17. Avoiding awkward negotiation moments & how to easily reconnect with old friendsIn 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” explanation to transform awkward interactions into win–winsWe...2025-07-2633 min
Gentle Power16. Six tips to increase your next offer by 5-6 figuresFor 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 you’re interviewing elsewhere without giving away your leverageClarifying your true priorities (cash, equity, flexibility) and using non-negotiables to guide every ask2025-07-1727 min
Gentle Power15. The negotiator’s state of mind & euro adventuresIn 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 lakeside sunrise raves Alex’s...2025-07-1051 min
Gentle Power14. How to master high-stakes negotiations & create win-win opportunitiesFor 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 both sides leave the table happier.Topics including:Stop over-sharing: how revealing your “other offer” (or persona...2025-06-271h 16
Gentle Power13. The one word that unlocks bigger offersIn 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.Building a “reason bank” before you negotiate: strong role-fit points, safe personal angles, and what reasons to avoid using.Our referral program: a flat $500 per referral who becomes a client (full details here).We also share...2025-06-1924 min
Gentle Power12. How to negotiate to the best and final offerIn 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 super-friendly counterparts can trip you up – and the one mindset that keeps you in control.We also...2025-06-1218 min
Gentle Power11. How to negotiate a raise and Chainsmokers show recapWe 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 offered to open for another major artist the same weekend, and chasin...2025-06-0534 min
Gentle Power10. How Alex DJed for the Chainsmokers & what it’s like working with usIn 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 to minimize friction—sign and we’re off.Onboar...2025-05-3155 min
Gentle Power9. Expanding the pie: The art and science of business negotiation with Ben EasterFor 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 your priorities to learning the power of silence.We covered topics including:Creative Value-Adds...2025-05-2344 min
Gentle Power8. Negotiation capital and our messaging app multiverseIn 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 group chaos vs. Alex’s Slack-only business chatsOur ongoing debate: chit-chat first or cut straight to the chase?Alex’s early-career lesson: negotiating time off for...2025-05-1629 min
Gentle Power7. Tulum, coliving houses, and don't fall for "I don't want to play games"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 serene co-living house in SFLesso...2025-05-0838 min
Gentle Power6. The one trait that makes you a bad negotiatorIn 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 side-gig fees, this episode equips you with the mindset and language to negotiate like a pro.We also pu...2025-05-0129 min
Gentle Power5. Our social lives in SF and negotiating side gigsIn 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 traditions, and real snakes at a Lunar New Year party.2025-04-2558 min
Career ContessaThis One Trait Makes You a Good Employee— But a Bad Salary NegotiatorThe very trait that makes you a great employee might be holding you back when it comes to negotiating. In this episode, we’re joined by negotiation experts Gerta Malaj and Alex Choi from YourNegotiations.com to discuss why over-communication can hurt your negotiation power—and what to do instead.You’ll learn:Why over-communication weakens your position in a negotiationPractical strategies to use intentional silence to your advantageHow to confidently shift the conversation when faced with tricky salary questionsShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW...2025-04-2230 min
Gentle Power4. How to ace your verbal offer negotiationIn this episode, we dive into one of the trickiest parts of the job offer process: the verbal offer. Many candidates mistakenly believe this stage means they’ve sealed the deal, but it’s actually where the stakes are highest. Learn why negotiating too early can backfire, and how to protect your leverage until a written offer is in hand.We also unpack how small comments can unintentionally weaken your position, and explore why sharing your competing offers (even proudly!) can hurt more than help. Plus, a candid behind-the-scenes look at our approach to pers...2025-04-1618 min
Gentle Power3. Don’t name your price too soonThis episode has it all—quirky tales about discovering a newfound love for dogs, overcoming allergies, and the realization that sometimes we just need to “see it in writing” before saying yes. Tune in to hear how we moved from skeptical pet observers to full-on dog aficionados, peppered with fun stories about apartment living, unexpected pet-sitting experiences, and family pets that captured our hearts.On the professional side, we unpack the single biggest rule of salary negotiations: never name your price too early. We break down tactic...2025-04-0924 min
Gentle Power2. Don't share a number or rangeEver feel like the first offer you get is never the best you can do?In this stitched-together episode of Gentle Power, we share some behind-the-scenes bloopers (hello, muted microphone!) and dive into the essentials of salary negotiations.You’ll hear how our scrappy startup life has taught us to “just ship it”—even if it’s not flawless—and why the universe seems to step in with helping hands (like a pro designer who unexpectedly revamped our entire website).We explore:Why the first of...2025-04-0116 min
Gentle Power1. SF communities & crushing salary questionsReady to stop waiting for “perfect” and just start? That’s our vibe—and it begins right now.We dive into personal passions, community living, and key job-offer tips.Watch us tackle one big job-hunt headache: salary expectations.Never reveal your desired number too soon—here’s how to respond instead.You’ll also learn about GFF (“Gift Your F***s”) and the power of caring less.Stick around for an intro to Fami the llama! and to...2025-03-2532 min