Rolling Through Negotiations

Matthew Karakoulakis
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Hosted by Matthew Karakoulakis, one of Australia’s top lawyers, this podcast blends the principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), First Nations Leadership, and business strategy to help you negotiate like a pro.

  1. Sep 24

    The Power of Words with Award-Winning Copywriter Clea Jones

    In this new episode of RTN, Matthew sits down with award-winning copywriter and content marketer Clea Jones to talk about the power of words and how the language we use can shape the way people think, feel and respond. Clea shares why some of the most effective communication is often the simplest and how jargon and complicated language can get in the way of connection. They also look at the psychology behind everyday language, from emails that immediately put us on the defensive to calls to action that encourage us to take the next step. Clea explains why authenticity matters and how small changes in the way we communicate can build trust and influence an outcome. At its heart, this conversation is a reminder to keep the person receiving our communication in mind, be authentic, make it personal, focus on creating familiarity and connection.  If you enjoy conversations about negotiation, communication, influence and the changing way we work, this episode is for you.   Connect with Clea Jones: https://au.linkedin.com/in/cleajones Connect with Matthew: https://amklaw.com.au/matthew-karakoulakis/ More RTN  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtnegotiations/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RTNegotiations  Thanks for listening and until the next one, take care.  OSS!  Send in a question or comment via text. Support the RTN Podcast: If you find the podcast valuable and would like to support the work we’re doing  you can shout us a coffee. Every contribution helps us continue sharing important conversations around negotiation, community, leadership and resilience. Support is never required, but it is always deeply appreciated Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice. If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 13YARN: 13 92 76  We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

    The Power of Words with Award-Winning Copywriter Clea Jones

  2. Aug 19

    Treaty, Truth & the Power of Cultural Negotiation | Uncle Charles Pakana

    In this episode of RTN, Matthew welcomes back Uncle Charles Pakana, journalist, broadcaster and host of the Van Talks podcast, as the first returning guest to Rolling Through Negotiations.  Together, they yarn about Treaty, truth-telling and the power of respectful negotiation in creating better outcomes for First Nations communities. Drawing on years of conversations with Aboriginal leaders across Victoria, Uncle Charles shares what he has learned from those at the forefront of Treaty negotiations, including the resilience, active listening and cultural leadership required to navigate complex conversations between community and government.  Uncle Charles also shares a powerful firsthand example of cultural negotiation, where a significant concern was resolved in just 58 minutes through respectful conversation, giving everyone the opportunity to speak without interruption and genuinely listen to one another. For Charles, it remains one of the clearest examples of how First Nations culture can influence better negotiation outcomes.  The conversation also explores truth-telling and the importance of turning truth into action.  If you enjoy conversations about negotiation, Treaty, truth-telling, reconciliation, culture and creating meaningful change, this episode is for you.  Connect with Uncle Charles:  • Van Talks podcast: https://vicaboriginalnews.com.au/projects/van-talks/   Connect with Matthew:  • LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/matthew-karakoulakis   More RTN  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtnegotiations/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RTNegotiations  Thanks for listening and until the next one, take care.  OSS!  Send in a question or comment via text. Support the RTN Podcast: If you find the podcast valuable and would like to support the work we’re doing  you can shout us a coffee. Every contribution helps us continue sharing important conversations around negotiation, community, leadership and resilience. Support is never required, but it is always deeply appreciated Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice. If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 13YARN: 13 92 76  We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

    Treaty, Truth & the Power of Cultural Negotiation | Uncle Charles Pakana

  3. Jul 22

    First Nations Leadership: The Power of Self-Determination | Gheran Yarraman Steel (Briggs)

    In this episode of RTN, Matthew yarns with Gheran Yarraman Steel (Briggs), a Boonwurrung Traditional Owner, Senior Leader at RMIT University and President of the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC).  Together, they explore the role of education, governance and negotiation in creating meaningful change for First Nations communities. Rather than seeing universities as the source of Indigenous leadership, Gheran explains why education should strengthen, not replace culture, identity and self-determination.  Gheran also shares his own remarkable journey, from leaving school after being told education wasn't for him to earning a Juris Doctor, completing an Executive MBA, and becoming one of Australia's leading voices in Indigenous higher education and governance.  If you enjoy conversations about leadership, negotiation, governance, culture and creating meaningful change, this episode is for you.  Connect with Gheran: • LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/gheransteel  Connect with Matthew: • LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/matthew-karakoulakis More RTN  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtnegotiations/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RTNegotiations Thanks for listening and until the next one, take care. OSS! Send in a question or comment via text. Support the RTN Podcast: If you find the podcast valuable and would like to support the work we’re doing  you can shout us a coffee. Every contribution helps us continue sharing important conversations around negotiation, community, leadership and resilience. Support is never required, but it is always deeply appreciated Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice. If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 13YARN: 13 92 76  We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

    First Nations Leadership: The Power of Self-Determination | Gheran Yarraman Steel (Briggs)

  4. Jul 8

    Why Great Negotiators Don't Rely on One Technique | Tomo Hachigo, Co-Founder of Sprintlaw

    Why Great Negotiators Don't Rely on One Technique | Tomo Hachigo, Co-Founder of Sprintlaw What if becoming a better leader had less to do with frameworks, gurus or negotiation techniques and more to do with being authentic, staying curious and genuinely connecting with people? In this episode of RTN, Matthew sits down with Tomo Hachigo, Co-Founder of Sprintlaw, to explore why empathy, authenticity and curiosity often outperform tactics when it comes to negotiation, leadership and building strong relationships. Having grown up in Australia and now based in Japan, Tomo reflects on why the move wasn't the dramatic cultural rediscovery many people might expect. Instead, it reinforced the principles that shaped Sprintlaw, an award-winning online law firm using technology to make legal services simpler and more accessible. Rather than offering quick negotiation hacks, this conversation explores the mindset behind meaningful conversations, better leadership and creating outcomes where everyone feels heard. If you enjoy conversations about business, leadership, negotiation and personal development, this episode is for you. Thanks for listening and until the next one, take care. OSS! Connect with Tomo: • Learn more about Sprintlaw: Sprintlaw • Follow Tomo Hachigo on LinkedIn: LinkedIn More RTN  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtnegotiations/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RTNegotiations Send in a question or comment via text. Support the RTN Podcast: If you find the podcast valuable and would like to support the work we’re doing  you can shout us a coffee. Every contribution helps us continue sharing important conversations around negotiation, community, leadership and resilience. Support is never required, but it is always deeply appreciated Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice. If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 13YARN: 13 92 76  We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

    Why Great Negotiators Don't Rely on One Technique | Tomo Hachigo, Co-Founder of Sprintlaw

  5. Jun 18

    The Hidden Skill Behind Every Great Negotiator with Barrister Dr Michelle Sharpe

    What if the secret to becoming a better negotiator isn't pushing harder, but learning when to step back? For decades, we've been told that success belongs to those who work longer, fight harder, and never take their foot off the accelerator. But award-winning barrister Dr Michelle Sharpe has seen the cost of that mindset firsthand. In this deeply insightful conversation, Michelle takes us behind the courtroom doors and into the human side of negotiation, advocacy, and high performance. From navigating high-stakes litigation to leading wellbeing initiatives at the Victorian Bar, she reveals why curiosity may be the most powerful skill any negotiator can develop. Together, Matthew and Michelle explore the hidden emotional forces driving conflict, why empathy can unlock outcomes that logic alone never will, and how the ability to recover after pressure may be the ultimate competitive advantage. They discuss the emotional realities of advocacy, the dangers of burnout, the importance of maintaining objectivity, and why understanding people often matters more than being right. This episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence, resilience, and the art of staying human in professions that often reward the opposite. Thanks for listening and until the next one, take care. OSS! Send in a question or comment via text. Support the RTN Podcast: If you find the podcast valuable and would like to support the work we’re doing  you can shout us a coffee. Every contribution helps us continue sharing important conversations around negotiation, community, leadership and resilience. Support is never required, but it is always deeply appreciated Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice. If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 13YARN: 13 92 76  We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

  6. May 13

    Listening Before Leading: First Nations Allyship with Woodrow Eke

    In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Woodrow Eke, an independent advisor working across place-based and self-determined community development, for a powerful conversation on allyship, leadership, negotiation, and what it truly means to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with respect and humility. Drawing on years of experience working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations, Woodrow speaks candidly about the importance of listening before leading, respecting cultural protocols, and ensuring that community remains at the centre of decision-making. He reflects on the responsibility of non-Aboriginal people engaging in Aboriginal affairs, sharing that true allyship comes not from authority, but from active listening, learning, and building trust through genuine relationships. Woodrow also shares his perspective on why Aboriginal communities continue to embody such deep compassion, care, and community minded leadership, and speaks to the importance of non Aboriginal Australians taking responsibility for educating themselves, engaging respectfully, and creating change through action rather than expectation. This is a deeply thoughtful and honest yarn about unity, leadership, cultural respect, and the power of walking together toward better community outcomes. Thanks for listening and until the next one, take care. OSS! Send in a question or comment via text. Support the RTN Podcast: If you find the podcast valuable and would like to support the work we’re doing  you can shout us a coffee. Every contribution helps us continue sharing important conversations around negotiation, community, leadership and resilience. Support is never required, but it is always deeply appreciated Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice. If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 13YARN: 13 92 76  We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

  7. Apr 22

    First Nations Leadership: Black Excellence, Self-Determination & Leading with Kindness with Claire Beattie

    In this new episode, we sit down with Claire Beattie, a proud Yorta Yorta woman and Executive for Business Engagement at NAB, for a powerful and deeply grounded conversation on leadership, negotiation, and what it truly means to show up with purpose. Claire shares her perspective on Black Excellence, challenging deficit narratives and reframing First Nations identity through strength, resilience, storytelling, and connection. She speaks to the power of culture as a foundation for leadership, and how values like humility, deep listening, and community first thinking shape not only strong leaders, but strong negotiators. Drawing on more than two decades in the NSW public sector and her current role in banking,  Claire speaks candidly about the responsibility of leadership, the importance of creating space for others, and shares a powerful teaching passed down from an Aunty to be the “night sky,” not the star, creating space for others to shine. Thanks for listening and until the next one, take care. OSS! Send in a question or comment via text. Support the RTN Podcast: If you find the podcast valuable and would like to support the work we’re doing  you can shout us a coffee. Every contribution helps us continue sharing important conversations around negotiation, community, leadership and resilience. Support is never required, but it is always deeply appreciated Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice. If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 13YARN: 13 92 76  We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

    First Nations Leadership: Black Excellence, Self-Determination & Leading with Kindness with Claire Beattie

  8. Apr 15

    First Nations Leadership: Owning Your Decisions with Joel Thompson

    In this new episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew yarns with Joel Thompson, a proud Ngiyampaa man, former professional rugby league player, and founder of YAKKA. Joel opens up about his journey through professional sport, reflecting honestly on the challenges he faced as a young player navigating contracts, money, ego, and life off the field. Joel shares powerful lessons on accountability, growth, and what it truly means to take ownership. The conversation highlights real life negotiation moments from Joel’s career, including managing multiple contract offers, balancing competing opportunities, and the impact of navigating those moments without the right support, mentorship, and structure. Joel speaks candidly about what he would do differently, and how those experiences shaped his values today. Now leading purpose driven work through YAKKA, Joel reflects on why he has chosen to focus on impact, community, and creating opportunities for others. He shares insights on negotiating with yourself first building a calm mind, surrounding yourself with the right people, and aligning your decisions with your values and purpose. This episode is for listeners interested in leadership, personal growth, negotiation under pressure, and making decisions that align with your values and purpose. Thanks for listening and until the next one, take care. OSS! Send in a question or comment via text. Support the RTN Podcast: If you find the podcast valuable and would like to support the work we’re doing  you can shout us a coffee. Every contribution helps us continue sharing important conversations around negotiation, community, leadership and resilience. Support is never required, but it is always deeply appreciated Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal views and lived experiences only, it’s not legal, financial, or medical advice. If you are triggered by any content discussed in this episode and need support, please reach out to the following resources: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 13YARN: 13 92 76  We acknowledge the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.

    First Nations Leadership: Owning Your Decisions with Joel Thompson
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About

Hosted by Matthew Karakoulakis, one of Australia’s top lawyers, this podcast blends the principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), First Nations Leadership, and business strategy to help you negotiate like a pro.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Karakoulakis
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rolling Through Negotiations
  • Show Website
    Rolling Through Negotiations

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