It’s Valentine’s Day – what if you end the day in a fight? We all know that arguments and disagreements are a natural part of any relationship, but it is how we handle those crucial conversations that can truly make or break a marriage. In this day and age, where divorce rates are alarming, it has become more important than ever to find effective ways to resolve conflicts and nurture your marriage.
In this episode of the Leveraging Success Podcast, Rob Dayton and I discuss strategies for healthy conflict resolution in marriage. We emphasize the importance of fighting fair and engaging in crucial conversations to foster growth within the partnership. We warn against the “four horsemen” of criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling, advocating instead for mutual learning and understanding. We also share practical tips, such as creating a safe space for dialogue and using the ladder of inference to build shared meaning. Our conversation underscores the value of vulnerability and clear communication in strengthening marital relationships.
So, whether you are newlyweds seeking to lay a strong foundation, or seasoned spouses looking to strengthen your bond, this episode is for you. Together, let’s embark on a journey of growth and learn how to nurture your marriage through crucial conversations.
In This Episode
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[0:00:00] – Entering the danger
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[0:04:23] – The four horsemen
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[0:06:29] – The comparison game
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[0:08:46] – Mutual learning
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[0:13:58] – FBI and curiosity
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[0:19:51] – Building mutual meaning
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[0:23:13] – Managing emotional stories
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[0:25:22] – Revisiting past challenges for growth
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[0:29:34] – Embracing discomfort
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[0:30:41] – The importance of direct communication
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[0:31:40] – Cultural communication differences
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[0:32:42] – Continuous growth in marriage
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[0:33:45] – Understanding anger in marriage
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[0:35:55] – Strengthening marriage
Notable Quotes
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[00:09:48] “If we’re really committed to our marriage and growing it, that means I’m going to need to walk into some conversations vulnerably.” – Jeff
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[00:07:50] “It’s natural for the comparison to start to show up. We have to put a block to that because all of that comparison, thinking there’s a deficit, thinking about an ideal and a gap, leaves us in a place where we’re vulnerable to the four horsemen that are ready to pounce on my marriage.” – Jeff
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[00:23:24] “You really have to manage the story you’re telling yourself about your spouse all the time.” – Rob
Resources & Links
Jeff Gerhardt
Rob Dayton
Resources
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e-course – LifeMastery with Jeff Gerhardt: https://priorityliving.org/lifemastery/
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Webinar – Discover how to maximize your leadership potential: https://priorityliving.org/briefings/webinar/
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Leveraging Success Podcast: https://www.leveragingsuccesspodcast.com/
