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 n...

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 imp...

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, ...

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...

n this new episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew yarns with Rachelle Towart, founder of Pipeline Talent and DreamJobs, and a leading voice in Aboriginal executive recruitment, leadership, and culturally safe workforce development. Rachelle shares powerful insights into what can go wrong in recruitment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, why merit is too often defined through narrow systems not built for mob, and how cultural authority, community leadership, and lived...

In this solo end of year episode, Matthew reflects on the year that was and unpacks how goals, emotions, mindset, and preparation all shape the outcomes we negotiate in life. Drawing from law, mediation, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, spirituality, and everyday human experience, Matthew explores: Why goal setting and negotiation are inseparableHow confidence, visualisation, and inner-game practices (like meditation, prayer, self-care, and BJJ) elevate negotiation performanceSMART Goals & OKRs expla...

In this new episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew yarns with Leon Filewood, a Torres Strait Islander comedian, legal practitioner turned community development expert, and senior consultant working at the intersection of major infrastructure, First Nations engagement, and cultural empowerment. Leon shares deep insights into why First Nations peoples must be recognised as rights holders, not stakeholders, and explains the spiritual, cultural, economic, and historical realities that s...

In this insightful episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew yarns with Noa Sheer, Principal Consultant at Sheer Negotiations, Cambridge University Press author, MBA educator, and one of the leading voices in modern negotiation, influence, and persuasion. Noa advises major organisations including Uber, Westpac, PwC, Genesis Energy, and the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces, and is trusted by C-suites, government departments, and boardrooms across Australia and New Zealand...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode may contain the names and voices of people who have passed. In this powerful episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew sits down with Professor the Honourable Kevin Bell AM QC former Supreme Court Justice of Victoria, leading human rights advocate, winemaker, legal educator, and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Kevin reflects on the human side of judicial life, the balance requi...

In this inspiring episode, host Matthew yarns with Thiago Stefanutti, a 4th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, former Head Coach of Absolute MMA, and now the driving force behind Onya Martial Arts and referee for ADCC Brazil. Thiago shares his remarkable journey from Brazil to Australia, building world-class athletes, leading one of the nation’s most respected BJJ teams, and returning home to create his own legacy through Onya. Together, Matthew and Thiago explore how the art of Jiu-Jitsu...