The podcast episodes discuss various strategies for preparing for negotiations, such as understanding alternatives, setting a reservation price, and identifying aspirations. For example, in episode 145. Best of: The Art of Negotiation, How to Get More of What You Want, the guest Maggie Neal shares insights on reframing negotiations as collaborative problem-solving and structuring negotiation messages using chunking.

The episodes also emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence and regulation during negotiations, as exemplified in Chris Voss: How to Succeed at Hard Conversations, where former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss discusses techniques like active listening, emotion labeling, and maintaining composure through preparation.