Rolling Through Negotiations: First Nations Leadership, BJJ & Business Strategy
🎙 Welcome to Rolling Through Negotiations, the podcast where strategy and resilience meet negotiation mastery.
Hosted by Matthew Karakoulakis, one of Australia’s top lawyers, this podcast blends the principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), First Nations wisdom, and business strategy to help you negotiate like a pro.
Featuring insights from:
✅ First Nations leaders sharing traditional knowledge that strengthens negotiation techniques
✅ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes revealing how discipline, adaptability, and mindset shape decision-making
✅ Top business leaders and legal professionals breaking down high stakes negotiation strategies
We explore how mental resilience, business growth, leadership, and personal development are all connected. Whether you're in the boardroom, on the mats, or negotiating in everyday life, Rolling Through Negotiations brings you powerful strategies, transformative stories, and practical tools to sharpen your negotiation skills.
Episodes
79 episodes
Kim Cousins, Roll or Die Podcast Co-Host: Lessons from One of Australia's Early Female BJJ Black Belts
🥋 What does it take to become one of the first female black belts in a male dominated sport and how does that mindset translate to life off the mats?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew sits ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 79
•
1:01:39
James 'JT' Tomlinson, Bulletproof for BJJ Co-Host: Negotiation, Chaos & the BJJ Mindset
🥋 Can the mindset you build on the mat help you navigate chaos, set boundaries, and negotiate with clarity?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew sits down with James “JT” Tomlinson, co-host of Bulle...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 78
•
1:29:37
Thomas Rozdzynski, RŌL Academy Owner & RŌL Radio Podcast Host: Jiu Jitsu & Leadership
🥋 How do structure, discipline, and self-awareness create better leaders on and off the mats?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Thomas Rozdzynski, 3rd Degree Black Belt, Judo Black...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 77
•
1:06:20
Andrew Bacon on First Nations Leadership, Governance and Community Impact
🥋 How do you stay strong when negotiations start from a place of disadvantage?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Andrew Bacon, a proud Yamaji man, governance and cybersecurity professional, and adv...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 76
•
1:05:24
Negotiation Under Pressure: Military Lessons from Adam Evans
🥋 What do you do when negotiations escalate beyond words?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Adam Evans, a strategic thinker, military veteran, and co-founder of Anywise Consulting to explore what b...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 75
•
55:10
Rolling with Jason "Argonaut" Petropoulos MMA Fighter, BJJ Black Belt & FFC Champion
🥋 What happens when a fighter, visionary coach, and savvy business owner shares the mental framework that turns setbacks into stepping stones for success?In this new episode, we yarn with Jason Petropoulos, better known as "Argonaut...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 74
•
1:33:02
Gustavo Dantas, BJJ Mental Coach Podcast Host: Mindset, Competition and Authentic Leadership
🥋 What happens when a lifelong competitor, coach, and mindset expert reveals the mental framework behind peak performance?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Gustavo Dantas, a 6th degree BJJ black b...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 73
•
1:05:19
Balancing Innovation & Technology in Law with Alex Solo
🥋 How do you balance innovation, legal expertise, and the human touch in a fast changing world?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Alex Solo, co-founder of Sprintlaw, a law tech firm t...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 72
•
54:52
Mervyn Fernando on First Nations Leadership, Negotiation & Fair Business Deals
🥋 How do First Nations leadership, resilience, and truth shape success in business, negotiations, and life?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Mervyn Fernando, a proud Dunghutti and Kamilaroi...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 71
•
52:37
First Nations Leadership & Resilience: Uncle Lionel Dukakis on Overcoming Adversity
🥋 How do resilience, identity, and love shape the way we negotiate in life and business?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we’re joined by Uncle Lionel Dukakis, a Proud Gunditjmara Man, business leader, and survivor of the...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 70
•
40:07
Peter de Been on BJJ Lifestyle & Lessons from a 6th-Degree Black Belt
🥋 What happens when a pioneer of Australian Jiu Jitsu shares decades of wisdom on resilience, strategy, and the deeper meaning behind the art?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Peter DeBean,...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 69
•
1:25:05
Rolling with Chris Penrose: Jiu Jitsu Black Belt & Top BJJ Referee on Overcoming Setbacks
🥋 How do you stay calm, trust your instincts, and adapt under pressure, both on the mats and in life?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Chris Penrose, a proud Warumungu man, BJJ black belt, a...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 68
•
35:48
Mediation Principles: Crafting Strong Agreements
In this final episode of the Mediation Principles series on Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew breaks down what makes an agreement truly effective. Whether it’s a handshake deal or a formal contract, the strength of an agre...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 67
•
14:34
Mediation Principles: Exploring Issues in Negotiations
🥋 How Does Exploring Issues Shape Negotiations?In this solo episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew explains the importance of exploring issues in mediation and negotiation. From identifying key topics to buildin...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 66
•
13:51
Mediation Principles: The Power of a Clear Agenda
🥋 How Does a Clear Agenda Transform Negotiations?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew discuss the often overlooked yet game changing role of setting a clear agenda in mediations and negotiations. Whe...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 65
•
15:54
Mediation Principles: The Power of a Strong Opening
🥋 Why does a strong opening matter in negotiations?In this solo episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew walks us through the essential role of opening statements in mediation and beyond. Learn how building tru...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 64
•
21:27
Mediation Principles: Building the Framework for Better Negotiations
🥋 How can understanding mediation principles elevate your negotiation skills?In this solo episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, Matthew dives into the transformative power of mediation and how its principles can be ap...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 63
•
15:58
Dog Training Secrets: Hans Verbruggen on Behavior, Success & Global Lessons
🐾 What can dog training teach us about leadership, discipline, and personal growth?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we’re joined by Hans Verbruggen, a certified NePoPo® trainer and a master of modern dog t...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 62
•
1:03:13
Jiu Jitsu Mastery: 5th-Degree Black Belt Marcelino Freitas on World Champion and Inspiring Coach
🥋 What does life look like when balance becomes your foundation in Jiu Jitsu, business, and beyond?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we are joined by Marcelino Freitas, a 5th degree Brazilian Jiu Ji...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 61
•
1:00:57
Lawyer Nikolina Tully on Negotiation, Authenticity & Leadership
🎀 Ever wondered how a splash of pink can redefine the legal landscape?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we welcome Nikolina Tully, the visionary behind Australia's first all pink law firm, Tully Law, which even fe...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 60
•
49:59
Family Lawyer Daniel Dalli on Divorce & Custody with Empathy and Strategy
🥋 How does a family lawyer balance empathy and strategy in high-stakes negotiations?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Daniel Dalli, a dedicated family lawyer and partner at Aston Legal Group. With...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 59
•
47:52
Keeping Culture Strong with Renowned First Nations Artist John Smith Gumbula
🥋 How can cultural pride and knowledge shape your approach to negotiation?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we’re joined by Uncle John Smith Gumbula, a proud Wakka Wakka and Gurang Gurang Cultural Ambassador, arti...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 58
•
1:00:43
The Hidden Force: How Emotions Influence Negotiations
In this solo episode, Matthew steps into new territory, sharing insights on the emotional side of negotiation for the first time, exploring those often unspoken factors that play an influential, almost strategic role in negotiations.Emot...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 57
•
28:30
Investigative Journalism & Negotiation: Nancia Guivarra on Cultural Strategy
🥋 How does knowing your roots shape the way you negotiate?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we sit down with Nancia Guivarra, a Meriam (Magaram), Wuthathi, and Bindal Juru woman, investigative journalist, and stor...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 56
•
44:38
First Nations Leadership & Resilience: Jeffrey Morgan’s Journey of Mindset & Growth
🥋 How does unpacking your past help you grow stronger?In this episode of Rolling Through Negotiations, we’re joined by Jeffrey Morgan, a proud Indigenous man, husband, and father living on Gadigal land, Eora country, Sydn...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 55
•
1:13:03
