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:   Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again    Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love  Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass    Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Welcome to Dear Dr. Tracy, the podcast that helps you navigate the everyday challenges of relationships, marriage, and parenting with expert advice and real, relatable conversations. Hosted by clinical psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, this podcast is your place for honest, no-nonsense guidance on love, intimacy, boundaries, and communication. With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Tracy brings a mix of clinical expertise, evidence-based research, and personal insights as a wife and mother to help you break unhealthy patterns and build stronger connections. Each week, Dr. Tracy answers the questions so many of us have but don’t always know how to ask—about resentment, desire, mental load, and how to truly feel like a team with your partner. She’s joined by fellow experts, real couples, and her husband Greg, who offers a down-to-earth perspective on the struggles so many relationships face. If you’re ready for actionable tools and heartfelt conversations that will help you create a relationship that feels fulfilling, this podcast is for you.