302. The 5 Ways We Show Up in Conflict (and What They Mean for Our Relationships)

Author: Abby and Amy
Published: Mon 08 Sep 2025
Episode Link: None

Conflict is a natural part of every relationship—whether it’s in marriage, friendship, family, or work. In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the 5 different conflict styles (the accommodator, the avoider, the compromiser, the competitor, and the collaborator) and exploring how they show up in our lives.

We share personal stories and examples of how conflict plays out differently in our marriages versus our friendships. Abby opens up about realizing her conflict style might not be what she originally thought after reflecting with her husband, Colin, who leans more toward the “need to be right” style. Amy talks about how she used to lean heavily on avoidance but, through therapy, has been growing into a more collaborative approach.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

What the 5 conflict styles are and how they show up in relationships.
Why saying “we never fight” might actually mean you’re not speaking up for yourself.
Why our conflict styles can look different in marriage vs. friendships.
How to decide which relationships are worth working through conflict for.

Remember: the goal isn’t to avoid conflict altogether, but to understand how you (and those around you) approach it so you can move toward healthier resolutions.