3076: I Love You, But - How Couples Hear And Deal With Criticism by Dr. Margaret Rutherford on Healthy Communication

Get the 200+ Page Optimal Living Daily Workbook (PDF) — Free. Want to turn today’s episode into an actionable plan? Join the Optimal Living Weekly newsletter and I’ll send you our 200-page digital workbook immediately. It’s packed with the best takeaways from the show, formatted for easy reading and implementation at home. Get your free PDF workbook here: ⁠⁠https://oldpodcast.eo.page/join⁠ Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3076: Dr. Margaret Rutherford explores why criticism can feel especially painful in romantic relationships and how it often stems from deeper emotional needs rather than the issue itself. By understanding whether you or your partner primarily need positive affirmation or deep emotional connection, you can communicate with more empathy, reduce defensiveness, and build a stronger, more resilient relationship. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://drmargaretrutherford.com/i-love-you-but-how-couples-hear-and-deal-with-criticism/ Quotes to ponder: "I suddenly realized that when I asked him to do the dishes, I was using this 'tone' that insinuated he never did the dishes. And that’s not even true. I wouldn’t speak like that to anyone else. Why do I do that to him?" "Whether it’s my issues with control, impatience, mortality, or whatever…the problem here is me, not him." "When you’re half a of a couple, you need to know how to navigate criticism and other more negative emotions that arise in your relationship." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices