E104 | How to Stop Conflict Wrecking Your Relationships | Jacinta Gallant

How to stop conflict wrecking your relationships is one of the most searched questions in conflict resolution, marriage communication, and workplace disputes. In this episode, you’ll discover practical tools to handle conflict better, build stronger connections, and transform difficult conversations into opportunities for growth.Dr. Andrea & Jon Taylor-Cummings sit down with Canadian lawyer, mediator, and author Jacinta Gallant to explore how to stop conflict from destroying connection at work and at home. After walking away from a successful but draining career in divorce litigation, Jacinta discovered Insight Mediation and a new way of approaching disputes.She explains how moving from “knowing” to “noticing” creates space for curiosity, empathy, and real understanding — whether with a partner, a colleague, or a client. You’ll learn how to disrupt defensive patterns, use the “hope question” to calm tension, and bring curiosity into even the toughest conversations. If you’ve ever wanted to stop repeating the same arguments, improve workplace communication, or build resilience in long term relationships, this episode is packed with strategies you can use today.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS (TIMESTAMPS) 00:00 Welcome and Jacinta’s bio introduction02:00 Why she left the courtroom to pursue a better way05:45 Becoming a “learn-it-all” instead of a “know-it-all”07:15 The first step: noticing defensiveness in yourself12:30 Disrupting the certainty of “I know” in relationships16:30 How curiosity transforms long-term marriage patterns19:40 The neuroscience of curiosity: calming self and others27:00 From telling to wondering: practical language shifts33:00 Redefining conflict as defending behaviours, not problems43:30 Tools for couples: “We need to talk” and interpretation loops47:30 Going Steady: building connection through discoveryNEXT STEPS A) Make It Personal – Connect with Jacinta Gallant:Website: https://www.jacintagallant.comBook (Going Steady):https://www.jacintagallant.com/going-steadyProfessional Training:https://www.jacintagallant.com/trainingLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinta-gallant-6a09b214/ B) Stay Plugged In – Never Miss an Episode:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The4HabitsApple:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/building-healthy-relationships-the-4-habits-podcast/id1707025004Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0fWvVbnNNhh9jodRYGG1O1 C) Continue Your Journey – Learn, Grow, Share:Free Relationship Skills Quiz:http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.comOnline Self-Paced Course:https://learn.the4habits.com/courses/rq-blueprint-for-healthy-relationshipsGet the Book: https://the4habits.com/book/ #JacintaGallant #ConflictResolution #InsightMediation #HealthyRelationships #WorkLifeBalance #RelationshipAdvice #PersonalGrowth #The4HabitsPod