Season 1 Ep.17 - Phone Code Exchanges in Relationships - Mariel & Josh Dive In!

Mariel and Josh discussed the importance of trust in relationships, emphasizing the need for clear communication and self-reflection. They identified feelings of insecurity as a cause of mistrust and suggested the need for understanding personal needs and feelings to maintain healthy relationships. They also discussed the impact of personal experiences and memories on relationships, different approaches to conflict, and the importance of healthy communication.

Mariel and Josh discussed the impact of personal experiences and memories on relationships. They identified different approaches to conflict, such as avoidance, aggression, and collaboration. They also emphasized the importance of open communication and the inability to protect and connect simultaneously. 

Josh introduced the concept of Nonviolent Communication, a model that aims to facilitate healthier communication by helping individuals express their needs and feelings without causing conflict. Mariel shared her personal experiences in setting up safe spaces for discussions and emphasized the importance of practicing communication skills.

 Josh likened the process to learning a new language, emphasizing the importance of following the 'recipe' of non-violent communication to achieve desired results. They agreed on the need to practice this communication style and suggested starting with lighter topics. They also emphasized the importance of involving their partner in this process and having the conversation when not in a conflict situation.

Josh and Mariel discussed the importance of self-awareness and meeting personal needs. They also explored the concept of conflict, suggesting that it can be perceived as either a danger or an opportunity for growth, depending on one's perspective. Additionally, they touched upon the topic of relationships, suggesting that rushing into intimate relationships without proper knowledge of the other person could lead to potential problems. They proposed the idea of gradually building relationships, starting from friends to close friends, and then to an intimate partner, to possibly avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

Josh and Mariel discussed the importance of understanding a person's character, especially in relationships. They emphasized the need to observe a person's actions and behaviors, not just their words, to assess their integrity. The conversation also touched on the challenges of long-distance relationships, where it's harder to witness a person's daily life and routines. Mariel expressed concern over the fast-paced nature of today's society, which often leads to people rushing into relationships without fully understanding the other person. She suggested that relationships should not be hurried and that it takes time to truly get to know someone.

Mariel and Josh discussed the importance of open communication in relationships, particularly during the early stages when assumptions and idealizations can lead to misunderstandings. They emphasized the need for clarity on expectations and definitions of terms such as monogamy and partner. They also addressed the issue of trust and the potential for insecurities to lead to checking a partner's phone. They suggested that if doubts or suspicions arise, it may be beneficial to seek counseling and ask hard questions to sort out whether the problems are due to one's own assumptions or if they truly belong to the other person.

Blog posts:

https://www.marielnichole.com/post/perspective-on-conflict

https://www.marielnichole.com/post/safespace