Why do some people shut down when they're hurt while others immediately criticize, blame, or demand a response?
In this episode, Dr. Tracy introduces two common ways people respond to emotional pain: internalizing and externalizing.
When something difficult happens in a relationship, some people turn inward, questioning themselves, minimizing their needs, or carrying the hurt alone. Others turn outward, focusing on what their partner did wrong and expressing their pain through criticism, frustration, or blame.
The challenge is that neither approach helps us communicate the deeper feelings underneath.
Dr. Tracy explores how these patterns show up in relationships, why they often create disconnection, and how understanding your default response can help you communicate more effectively with your partner.
This episode is a powerful follow-up to last week's conversation about defensiveness and offers another lens for understanding the negative cycles that keep couples stuck.

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