You’ve Been Talking All Wrong in Difficult Conversations

Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter. https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/newsletter In this episode, I’m breaking down the small language habits that secretly make hard conversations harder. Most of us think we’re being clear or kind — but the words we use often fuel defensiveness instead of understanding. I’ll show you how to stop using “you” statements that sound like blame, cut out weak disclaimers that undercut your point, and reframe your message so it lands with strength and respect. Thank you to our Sponsors: Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out. https://cozyearth.com/pages/jefferson Pique. Head to https://PiqueLife.com/jefferson for 20% off. 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/

Jefferson Fisherhost

Oct 21, 202511mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: October 21, 2025
Duration: 11m
Channel: The Jefferson Fisher Podcast
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter. https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/newsletter In this episode, I’m breaking down the small language habits that secretly make hard conversations harder. Most of us think we’re being clear or kind — but the words we use often fuel defensiveness instead of understanding. I’ll show you how to stop using “you” statements that sound like blame, cut out weak disclaimers that undercut your point, and reframe your message so it lands with strength and respect. Thank you to our Sponsors: Cozy Earth. Upgrade Your Every Day. Get 40% off at cozyearth.com/jefferson or use code JEFFERSON at check out. https://cozyearth.com/pages/jefferson Pique. Head to https://PiqueLife.com/jefferson for 20% off. 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/

SPEAKERS

Jefferson Fisher
host
Attorney and communication coach; host of The Jefferson Fisher Podcast focused on handling difficult conversations.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Jefferson Fisher Podcast, featuring Jefferson Fisher, You’ve Been Talking All Wrong in Difficult Conversations explores avoid three conversation landmines to defuse conflict fast, reliably Starting sentences with “you” (you always/never) triggers defensiveness, while “I feel…” statements express emotion without blaming.

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