Assertiveness vs. Defensiveness – with Greg Stewart

In this episode, I sit down with my in-house defensiveness expert and husband, Greg, to unpack the often-misconceived topic of assertive vs defensive communication styles.   

We answer real questions from our community about what it looks like to champion self-respect and a deeper understanding of your partner by lending practical steps to change the defensive patterns in our relationships and implementing assertive and authentic responses.   

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Important examples of defensive and assertive responses  
• How modelled communication styles from our personal history effect our present communication styles   
• The effect that the words we use have on our inner narratives  
• The ways that adequacy, shame, and self-worth play a part in our responses  
• How self-respect is a key player in understanding defensiveness  
• The key differences between the female and male experience in our responses   
• How assertiveness creates space for your thoughts, feelings, needs, and your partner’s understanding   

EPISODE LINKS:  

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