You don't just marry your partner's strengths—you marry their triggers too.
If you've found yourself walking on eggshells to avoid setting them off… or shutting down because you feel like you're too much… you're not alone.
But let's be clear: tip-toeing isn't emotional maturity—it's disconnection in disguise.
In this episode, we unpack how to create real emotional safety in your marriage—so you can stop spiraling and start feeling heard, seen, and safe again.
🎧 What You'll learn:
- How to bring things up without triggering defensiveness
- What to do if your're the one who reacts quickly
- The subtle shift that turns arguments into deeper understanding
- How your perception—not just the event—shapes your emotional response
- A real-life story from our marriage about navigating triggers in real-time
Whether you're the one walking on eggshells or the one who reacts fast, this episode will give you tools to stop avoiding hard conversations—and start transforming them into connection.
🛠️ Resources Mentioned in the Episode
1) If triggers are hijacking your conversations, these three guides will help you de-escalate, repair, and reconnect fast—especially in those "walking on eggshells" moments.
→ De-Escalating Conflicts Guide: https://thecouplesexperience.com/conflictguide
2) If you're working through a hard season in your marriage — the Rebuilding Us 30-Day Challenge was made for you.
For 30 days, you'll rebuild trust, improve communication, and reconnect emotionally through simple, guided steps each day. Start healing and moving forward together:
→ Rebuilding Us: www.MeetTheFreemans.com/Rebuilding
3) Meet Us In Person — October 5th Couples Workshop
Want to go beyond podcasts and guides? Come experience a full-day, in-person marriage workshop with us in Chandler, AZ. You'll do private, guided exercises, learn powerful tools, and walk out feeling closer than you've felt in a long time. Spots are limited and always sell out.
→ Reserve your seats now for the Couples Workshop: https://www.thecouplesworkshop.com
4) You can also view all of our other resources here: https://www.meetthefreemans.com/links
Episode Time Stamps:
00:00 – Are you tiptoeing around your partner's emotions?
01:10 – The problem with trying to "keep the peace" in marriage
02:24 – How we accidentally train each other to hide the truth
04:00 – When you're scared of your partner's reactions (or they're scared of yours)
05:13 – What emotional eggshells actually sound like in real conversations
06:28 – The silent damage of unspoken resentment
07:42 – Why you both need to feel emotionally safe to be honest
09:03 – It's not about walking on eggshells—it's about building emotional maturity
10:21 – A secure marriage isn't trigger-free—it's repair-friendly
11:45 – How to shift your tone, so feedback doesn't land as an attack
13:12 – Real example: giving feedback without provoking defensiveness
15:01 – "I want to be able to bring things up without it becoming a blow-up"
16:30 – The difference between emotional regulation and emotional suppression
18:18 – Why tiptoeing keeps your marriage stuck
19:20 – You both play a role in the dynamic—here's how to change it
21:04 – Your tone might be more triggering than your words
22:47 – Tools for building a secure marriage where honesty is welcome
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.