Accessibility links Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Open Navigation Menu --> Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Close Navigation Menu Home News Expand/collapse submenu for News National World Politics Business Health Science Climate Race Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture Books Movies Television Pop Culture Food Art & Design Performing Arts Life Kit Gaming Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday All Things Considered Up First Here & Now NPR Politics Podcast Featured Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics COMIC: How to fight with your loved ones, according to a conflict resolution expert Arguing with a partner or a loved one can be anxiety-inducing. Conflict resolution facilitator Priya Parker explains how to start and end a fight — while easing dread for everyone. Life Kit Tools To Help You Get It Together Health Money Parenting Dear Life Kit Life Skills Podcast Newsletter Twitter How to fight with the people we care about, illustrated September 9, 20265:01 AM ET By
Navied Mahdavian
,
Marielle Segarra
Navied Mahdavian for NPR Life Kit Want more intimacy in your relationships? Conflict could help Want more intimacy in your relationships? Conflict could help Listen · 21:16 21:16 Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed "> <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5958495/nx-s1-mx-5958495-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript NPR Life Kit LISTEN & FOLLOW NPR App Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music iHeart Radio RSS link Sign up for the [TITLE] Newsletter Get perks with [Podcast Title]+ Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.
Should we argue with the people we love? For Priya Parker, author of a book published in September, The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict, the answer is yes.
While many people dread conflict, it's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it's necessary if we want to be in close, authentic relationships, says Parker. So when you have a moment of misalignment with someone, try thinking of it as a signal. There's something here to talk about.
"We assume if the heat is rising, this must be bad. But the reframe is that there's something relevant here. I should pay attention," she says.
Parker, who has been a conflict resolution facilitator for 20 years, shares advice about common questions you may have about getting into fights — whether that's with a partner, a family member or a friend.
Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian for NPR Navied Mahdavian is a New Yorker cartoonist and the author of the graphic memoir This Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America.
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This digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. The visual editor is CJ Riculan. We'd love to hear from you. Email us at LifeKit@npr.org. Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and sign up for our newsletter.
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