In popular culture which now includes so much psychological lore, conflict and fighting in relationships are often stigmatized as something to be avoided. In this heartfelt episode, Ryan & Nicole consider the ways in which fighting is itself a kind of intimacy, and a necessary one, in that when it is done productively it can produce a fuller and exponentially more pleasing and productive second intimacy which becomes a lifeblood to healthy, growing relationships. To highlight this, Ryan & Nicole received permission from the Brittish Indie Folk Rock Group, Bear's Den, as well as their European Label, Tribe, to play a portion of the Bear's Den song, Bad Blood. The song is used as a springboard to express the difficulty and pain and heartache, and again, the necessity of fighting in their own relationship in carving at forward progress and love.

Discussed: Bear's Den/Tribe/Bad Blood, fighting in relational contexts, perspectives on arguing within family and marriage, learning to fight productively, date nights, connection between scheduled intimacy and the propensity to fight, human hunger for intimacy, psychological distress experienced in the body, healing through holding, unresolvable issues, and more.

Music Credit:

This episode features music by Bear's Den, used with their permission and that of their music label, Tribe, as well as Communion Publishing Ltd/BMI, and Kobalt Music Publishing. All rights to the music are owned by Bear's Den and are included here with the explicit and expressed, written consent of Bear's Den, Tribe, Communion Publishing Ltd/BMI, and Kobalt Music Publishing. Please support the artists by visiting https://www.bearsdenmusic.co.uk/.