The Conflict Reflex: Why your default response to tension is working against you—and what to do instead.

Why do we still avoid difficult conversations, even when we know the cost? In this episode, Stacey Philpot and Cade Cowan explore the hidden reflexes driving conflict avoidance and escalation at work. Drawing on neuroscience and behavioral research, they explain how our brains interpret social conflict as physical pain, triggering automatic responses like silence or aggression. The discussion goes beyond awareness to offer practical ways to get “upstream” of these reactions by identifying what you’re protecting, whether it’s your relationships, self-image, or sense of control.TakeawaysAvoidance is often a reflex, not a choiceConflict activates a biological threat responseYour default conflict style gets reinforced over timeYour reflexes are protecting something within youHow to get ahead of your reactionChapters00:00 Understanding Your Conflict Reflex01:16 Why Knowing Isn’t Enough to Change Behavior03:01 The Science Behind Conflict Avoidance and Reaction06:37 Silence vs. Escalation: Two Common Conflict Patterns11:12 Identifying Your Triggers and Contextual Responses16:48 What Your Reflex Is Protecting22:04 A Practical Method to Interrupt Your ReflexTo learn more about us and the podcast, visit youmighttrythis.com and check us out on social media @youmighttrythis