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 your priorities to learning the power of silence.

We covered topics including:

• Creative Value‑Adds: Identifying the multiple “chips” you can trade beyond price - start dates, deliverables, perks, reviews, PTO and more
• Intelligent Discovery: Research hacks - from reading between the lines to tapping mutual connections - to uncover what truly matters to the other side
• Achieving “Best & Final”: Exact scripts and cues for when they say their offer is non‑negotiable (and why it almost never is)
• Setting Your Boundaries: Clarifying your priorities and non‑negotiables in advance so you know exactly when to press and when to walk away
• Avoiding the People‑Pleaser Pitfall: Why extreme politeness can cost you - and when to bring in outside support or professional coaching

Connect with us here:

Website: https://www.yournegotiations.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yournegotiations/

Connect with Ben here:

Website: https://lucidshiftcoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucid_shift_coaching/

Check out our free startup negotiation worksheet here:

https://www.yournegotiations.com/#worksheet

In this episode, we cover:

• Our “Messaging App Multiverse” and why choosing the right channel matters for different communities

• Whether unstructured banter builds rapport or just eats into your negotiation capital

• A deep‑dive case study: how a new‑mom’s breast‑milk delivery ask morphed into a $40K base‑salary win

• Three key tactics: strategic prioritization, timing your asks, and translating niche requests into straightforward dollars

We also share behind‑the‑scenes moments, including:

• Gerta’s Viber family group chaos vs. Alex’s Slack‑only business chats

• Our ongoing debate: chit‑chat first or cut straight to the chase?

• Alex’s early‑career lesson: negotiating time off for a wedding that didn’t need approval

Whether you’re navigating benefits, salary, or bespoke requests, you’ll walk away knowing exactly when to lean in on personal connection and when to zero in on the highest-impact ask.

In this episode, we cover:

• How “I don’t want to play games, just give me your number” is itself a negotiation move

• Exact scripts to deflect that request and get them to share their total compensation budget first

• Why the salary range on a job post rarely equals the company’s true internal budget

• The 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 SF

• Lessons from “Designing Your Life” on how to find your dream job

• “Weird Wednesdays” screening of Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind: surprise gong, mystery side‑quests, and memory‑themed letters mailed anywhere in the world

• A Valentine’s Day spent solo—why absence turned out to be the best reminder of what matters
  

Whether you’re negotiating a new role, consulting rates, or freelance gigs, you’ll walk away with the mindset and language to hold your cards close—and still build strong relationships.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why over-communicating is a career asset but a negotiation liability

• Exact scripts to deflect salary-history questions and ask for their budget first

• A real client story: turning a lowball salary-history request into leverage for a higher offer

• Critical mistakes to avoid: from sharing your numbers too soon to skipping the written offer

• Behind-the-scenes SF community highlights that shape our negotiation philosophy
  

Whether 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 pull back the curtain on our personal lives, including:

• Our 13-year anniversary sneak-out through Richmond’s best Asian dessert spots.

• Our Wellesley College origin story - that fateful first encounter on a tiny campus pathway in 2009.

• “Turtle vs. Ninja Turtle” therapy hacks for squashing small issues before they blow up.

• Adopting Fami, our non-binary mascot, to practice they/them pronouns and stand up for inclusion.

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 traditions, and real snakes at a Lunar New Year party.

This episode covers:

• Why FOMO sabotages your negotiations and how to flip it into confidence

• The exact script to ask for their budget before you name your number

• A real negotiation that turned a ~$300 market-rate gig into $2,000

• Key pitfalls to avoid: from oversharing too soon to skipping the written offer

• Behind-the-scenes SF community highlights that inspire our approach

Whether you’re negotiating job offers, freelance rates, or simply want more confidence in asking for what you deserve, this episode arms you with the mindset and language to negotiate like a pro.