The Conversation That Might Sting (And Why You Should Have It Anyway)

In episode nine, Matt and Karl return after an Easter break and continue their multi-week series on relationships, building on themes from a recent men’s gathering about self-care, boundaries, and negotiating personal time away from family. They discuss how partners can manage encroachment on agreed “me time,” including setting expectations and using an emergency phrase for genuine escalations. They then explore a feedback framework from Terry Real’s book "Fierce Intimacy," emphasising asking permission to give feedback, reaffirming love and commitment, separating behaviour from identity, and presenting a partner’s “core negative image” with supporting examples and emotional impact. Matt describes doing the exercise with his wife during a car journey, including processing traits like messiness and rudeness, avoiding retaliation, and closing with a “core positive image” to restore balance, noting the need for time, safety, and sometimes professional support. .....   The Clearing — a space for men navigating questions without easy answers. We would love to hear from you, with your practices, and/or any questions you might have around self care.   Email us at [email protected] Follows us here: Instagram Website