Negotiate Anything

Brian Ahearn: The Hard Talks We Avoid—And Why We Need Them

Feb 17, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Brian Ahearn, Chief Influence Officer at Influence People, shares his journey of reconciling with his late father, a Vietnam veteran. He explores how understanding trauma can build empathy and strengthen family ties. Brian emphasizes the importance of having tough conversations, offering techniques to navigate sensitive topics with care. His personal anecdotes reveal how deeper connections can emerge from vulnerability, especially when addressing generational challenges and miscommunication.

34:36

Episode guests

Brian Ahearn

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Understanding the complexities of trauma, particularly in veterans, fosters empathy essential for healing relationships and effective negotiation.

Effective communication and expressing love create a safer environment for discussing difficult pasts, crucial for mending familial ties.

Deep dives

Exploring Relationship Challenges and Emotional Complexity

The conversation highlights the emotional complexities involved in relationships, particularly between family members, where understanding can be clouded by past experiences. A significant example discussed is the host's relationship with his late father, a combat veteran who struggled with PTSD. This experience led to difficulty in expressing love and understanding each other, emphasizing that overcoming emotional barriers requires empathy and an open dialogue. The discussion suggests that to navigate these personal connections effectively, one must prioritize understanding the other person's struggles, rather than solely focusing on their own feelings.

Intro

2min

Navigating Trauma Through Understanding

14min

Navigating Difficult Conversations with Empathy

3min

Navigating Difficult Family Conversations

10min

Enhancing Negotiation Skills and Premium Membership Insights

3min

Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company

In this episode of Negotiate Anything, host Kwame Christian welcomes back Brian Ahearn, Chief Influence Officer at Influence People, to discuss the powerful lessons and insights from Brian's new book, "His Story, My Story, Our Story." The book chronicles the complexities of Brian's relationship with his late father, a Marine Corps veteran who faced significant challenges after serving in Vietnam. Brian shares how understanding his father's experiences helped him develop empathy and strengthen their relationship. This episode delves into how these personal revelations can apply to negotiations and influence in everyday life.

What will be covered:

The story of Brian Ahearn's relationship with his father and the personal journey of reconciling past issues.
Insights on establishing empathy and connection with loved ones who are military veterans.
Techniques from the science of influence and negotiation applied to personal relationships.

Connect with Brian

https://brianahearn.biz/

Follow Brian On LinkedIn

Order now the Book His Story, My Story, Our Story by Brian Ahearn

Contact ANI

Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company

Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn

The Ultimate Negotiation Guide

Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!

Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!