Conversations from the Heart
A weekly, soul-nourishing podcast offering psychologically grounded, heart-centered reflections on human relationships, inner healing, and compassion-based communication.
Focused on live mini-coaching moments to help callers shift from reactive, domination-based communication to collaborative, heart-centered connection. Listen for new scripts for stuck situations, new ways of responding to old relationship dynamics and guidance on how to approach these situations with empathy, self-awareness, and effective communication strategies. Here, we emphasize understanding both one's own needs and the needs of others, creating safe spaces for vulnerable conversations, and finding ways to express ourselves authentically while respecting others' boundaries.
Conversations from the Heart
#45 - How Can I Listen to My Spouse When I'm Feeling So Defensive?
Do you find yourself plotting out how you're going to respond to someone even while they're still talking to you?
We all do this.
And it never works well. Not for any of us.
Upleveling our listening skills is one of the most important upgrades we can make for our relationships. Today's episode is rich with ideas of where to focus during a conversation in order to create an experience that fosters intimacy and connection for both parties.
We discuss:
- 1:20 I'm defensive and I jump to conclusions in conversations with my partner. How do I stop?
- 3:22 How to focus on our 2 internal listening resources
- 4:28 Tips for listening deeply
- 9:02 Surfacing universal human needs
- 14:12 How "right" and "wrong" block our ability to listen from our heart
- 15:58 Unlearning domination programming
- 22:11 The price of disowning anger
If you're looking for a high caliber small group where you can deepen your practice and really live into the principles of compassion, non-violence and relational presence, apply for The Mentorship Circle, which will begin November 2nd. It will be three hours every month of advanced teaching, deep discussion, and practical integration. Learn more here.
For ongoing practice and deeper learning, join my monthly membership program. You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.
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