Most difficult conversations aren’t fuelled by anger.

They’re fuelled by fear.

Fear of losing access to your children.
Fear of being misunderstood.
Fear of saying the wrong thing and making it worse.
Fear of conflict escalating.
Fear of rejection.

In this episode, Eve explores the quiet but powerful role fear plays in separation, co-parenting, and high-stakes conversations at home.

When fear is driving, communication becomes reactive. We defend. We withdraw. We over-explain. We go round in circles. And nothing actually gets resolved.

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That’s not what I meant to say,” this episode will give you practical tools to approach family discussions with more confidence, clarity and emotional control.

Because when fear is understood, it stops running the show.

NOTES:

Visit Eve Stanway’s website

If you need help now or you like to chat you can book a call here.

What begins as a small disagreement can quickly become something much heavier.

In this episode, Eve explores the concept of kitchen sinking, that moment in a difficult conversation when old grievances, historic resentments, and unrelated frustrations are suddenly thrown into the mix.

You may recognise it.

A simple comment turns into:

• “And another thing…”
• “You always…”
• “What about last year when…?”

Before you know it, the original issue is buried under layers of accumulated hurt.

Eve gently unpacks why kitchen sinking happens, particularly in relationships under strain and how it often signals unresolved emotion rather than malice. When we feel unheard, unsafe, or overwhelmed, the nervous system reaches for everything it’s been holding.

But there is another way.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognise kitchen sinking in real time
• Why it escalates conflict and creates emotional shutdown
• What it’s really telling you about your unmet needs
• Practical, grounded steps to keep conversations focused and constructive

If you are navigating separation, co-parenting, or simply trying to communicate more safely with someone who matters, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and respond differently.

Because difficult conversations don’t have to destroy connection.

They can protect it, when handled with awareness.

Take a breath. Listen in. And ask yourself gently:

Where might I be bringing the whole kitchen sink?

NOTES:

Visit Eve Stanway’s website

If you need help now or you like to chat you can book a call here.

Dare to Speak – Difficult Conversations for Men.

Starting 4 March, 7.30–9.00pm GMT. Six live sessions on Zoom, workbook, community access and a free 30-minute private coaching session worth £125.

Investment: £350

If someone in your life needs help navigating the conversations that really matter, this is where to begin.
https://evestanway.co.uk/courses-dare-to-speak-for-men/

Let’s look at the moments when nothing is said… yet everything is felt.

Silence in relationships can be confusing, painful, or even protective. Is it avoidance? Is it fear? Is it an attempt to keep the peace? We unpack how silence often becomes a form of communication in itself, one that can create distance, misunderstanding, or emotional disconnection if left unspoken.

We also look at the powerful role of body language. The crossed arms, the lack of eye contact, the subtle shifts in tone or posture - all the signals we send without realising. When words and body don’t match, trust can quietly erode. Learning to notice these cues (in ourselves and others) can transform how we navigate difficult conversations.

Another key theme is the inner dialogue we carry into every interaction. That critical voice, the one that tells us we’re ‘getting it wrong,’ ‘being too much,’ or ‘not enough’ often shapes how we show up more than the other person does. Understanding that internal narrative is the first step toward changing it.

This conversation is an invitation to pause and reflect:

• How do you use silence - as protection, punishment, or self-preservation?
• What is your body communicating before you even speak?
• And how might offering yourself, and others, more constructive, compassionate feedback create space for growth rather than defensiveness?

Because better conversations don’t start with perfect words.
They start with awareness.

If you’ve ever walked away from an interaction wishing you’d handled it differently, this episode will help you understand why and what to do next.

NOTES:

Visit Eve Stanway’s website

If you need help now or you like to chat you can book a call here.

Dare to Speak – Difficult Conversations for Men.

Starting 4 March, 7.30–9.00pm GMT. Six live sessions on Zoom, workbook, community access and a free 30-minute private coaching session worth £125.

Investment: £350

If someone in your life needs help navigating the conversations that really matter, this is where to begin.
https://evestanway.co.uk/courses-dare-to-speak-for-men/