The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

When a conversation gets stuck, most people try to win. That only sinks both people deeper. In this episode, I break down how to recognize when a conversation has lost traction, name what happened without blaming the other person, and get back on track without shutting anyone down. We talk about the phrases that help you move from repeating the same argument to finding clarity, why bringing up the past is not always the problem, and how to refocus on what you are actually trying to solve together.

Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook

Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.
https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/newsletter

Thank you to our Sponsors:
Pendulum: Go to https://www.pendulumlife.com/jefferson and use code JEFFERSON for up to 20% off your first order.Zocdoc: Go to https://www.zocdoc.com/ to find and instantly book a doctor you love today.
BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy.

Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Order my new book, The Next Conversation, today!
https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/book

Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!
https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/topic

Join my School of Communication.
https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/membership

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher
Follow me on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@justaskjefferson?lang=en
Follow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersonfisher/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes someone actually ready for a healthy relationship? In this episode, I sit down with relationship expert Quinlan Walther to talk about the communication habits that create connection—and the ones that quietly destroy it. We get into vulnerability, emotional maturity, asking for what you need instead of expecting someone to read your mind, and why curiosity may be one of the most attractive qualities you can bring into a relationship. We also talk about what happens when you're the only person trying to fix the relationship, and how to recognize when you're sacrificing your self-respect just to keep someone around.

Join me on Supercast for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and AMAs: https://jefferson.supercast.com/

Leave me a voicemail to be featured on the show! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/ask-jefferson

Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook

Thank you to our sponsors:

Masa Chips. Get 25% off at https://www.masachips.com/pages/jefferson

Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 20% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out.

OneSkin. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JEFFERSON at https://www.oneskin.co/JEFFERSON

BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy.

Order my book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today.

Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!

Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.

Join My School of Communication

Watch my podcast on YouTube

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on TikTok

Follow me on LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Defensiveness can shut down a conversation before you ever get close to resolving anything. But sometimes it’s not just what you’re saying—it’s how you’re approaching the conversation. In this episode, I’m giving you three simple ways to lower someone’s defenses without avoiding the hard conversation. We’ll talk about why words like “always” and “never” immediately put people on guard, how to use “when you, I feel” instead, why finding something you can agree on changes the tone, and how turning commands into “we” questions can keep you on the same team.

Join me on Supercast for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and AMAs: https://jefferson.supercast.com/

Leave me a voicemail to be featured on the show! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/ask-jefferson

Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook

Thank you to our sponsors:

AG1. Visit https://drinkag1.com/jefferson and get a FREE AG1 Flavor Sampler and a FREE bottle of Vitamin D3 + K2 in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order.

Factor. Head to https://factormeals.com/jefferson50off and use code JEFFERSON50OFF to get 50% off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year.

BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy.

Order my book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today.

Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!

Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.

Join My School of Communication

Watch my podcast on YouTube

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on TikTok

Follow me on LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if being more direct actually made people trust you more? My friend Ben Bruno has spent years training some of the most recognizable people in the world, and one of the things I appreciate most about him is that you always know where he stands. In this episode, we talk about how to give an honest opinion without being a jerk, why people respect you more when you stop telling them what you think they want to hear, and how to adjust the way you communicate depending on who’s in front of you.

Get Ben Bruno's STRENGTH app here: https://benbruno.com/

Join me on Supercast for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and AMAs: https://jefferson.supercast.com/

Leave me a voicemail to be featured on the show! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/ask-jefferson

Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook

Thank you to our sponsors:

David. Subscribe and save 10% on every order’ at https://davidprotein.com/jefferson

Our Place. Visit https://fromourplace.com/JEFFERSON and use code JEFFERSON for 10% off sitewide.

Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 20% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out.

BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy.

Order my book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today.

Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!

Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.

Join My School of Communication

Watch my podcast on YouTube

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on TikTok

Follow me on LinkedIn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some conversations test your patience. Others test your character. In this call-in episode, I answer your questions about staying calm when emotions run high, setting boundaries with the people you love, handling conflict with confidence, and responding without losing yourself. We talk about how to handle a spouse who won't stop talking, how to tell your friends you hate texting and want them to call you instead, what to do when a parent refuses to use your chosen name, how to navigate political disagreements with family, and whether it's wrong to expect financial help from a wealthy sibling.

Leave me a voicemail to be featured on the show! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/ask-jefferson

Join me on Supercast for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and AMAs: https://jefferson.supercast.com/

Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook

Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.
https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/newsletter

Thank you to our sponsors:

Pendulum: Go to https://pendulumlife.com/jefferson and use code JEFFERSON for up to 20% off your first order.

Gusto: Go to https://gusto.com/jefferson and use code JEFFERSON to get three months free when you run your first payroll.

BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy.

Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Order my new book, The Next Conversation, today!
https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/book

Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!
https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/topic

**Chapters:**

0:00 How to Handle a Spouse Who Talks Too Much

6:40 How to Tell Friends You Hate Texting

12:15 When Your Parent Refuses to Use Your Name

21:13 Navigating Political Disagreements With Family

28:45 Expecting Financial Help From a Wealthy Sibling
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices