TED Radio Hour
TED Radio Hour

Getting what you want: A guide to negotiating

March 6, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Speakers & Context

  • The Format: Host-led discussion featuring edited TED Talks and follow-up interviews.
  • The Key Players:
    • Alex Carter: Columbia Law School professor and professional mediator; credible via 20+ years shifting from litigator to mediator in high-stakes disputes (commercial, employment discrimination, UN diplomacy).
    • Magdalena Höhler: Linguist and Teaching Director at Kaplan; expert on intercultural communication dynamics from research with bilingual couples.
    • Host: Minoosh Zamarodi (NPR/TED Radio Hour); draws practical parallels to everyday/work life.
  • The Vibe: Reflective and toolkit-oriented—practical psychology for de-escalating conflict.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:00) **🎙️ Introduction: Alex Carter**
  • 2 (04:35) **Core Negotiation Mindset: Steering Relationships**
  • 3 (07:46) **Power of Open-Ended Questions**
  • 4 (11:11) **Mediation Example: Necklace Breakthrough**
  • 5 (16:05) **The Mirror: Negotiate with Yourself First**
  • 6 (18:41) **Ask What the Other Side Needs**
  • 7 (20:36) **Brass Tacks: Embrace Silence**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Negotiations are a part of life, but too often they end up in an ugly confrontation or stalemate. This hour, TED speakers share ideas on navigating conflicts with more clarity and less fear. Guests include mediator and law professor Alex Carter and linguist Magdalena Hoeller.

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