# 64 Talking Through Tension: How to Navigate Value Differences in Close Relationships

College is a critical period where students are exploring and solidifying their values and their identities. Polarizing social topics, like religion, politics, social justice, are often at the core of these developing identities. Now more than ever, polarization on these issues is worsening, and deeply impacts the lives of college students. Exploring these tensions on and off campus can feel daunting, and often leads students chronically swinging from avoidance to activism. We get it. There are so many tough conversations to be had with people we care about.  In this week’s episode we avoid avoiding, and discuss how you can develop a framework to find a balance between keeping relationships that are important to you, while also continuing to live in accordance to your values. 

What we will discuss in this episode:

• The importance of dialectics 

• Why you should always assume you are assuming 

• How to draw relationship boundaries 

• Redefining goals within relationships

• How to use the DBT FAST and GIVE skills to handle value differences

• How to gently pushback in conversations in a non-confrontational way

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast

Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast

Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner