Understanding Communication Breakdowns Starts With Naming Your Needs

Understanding Communication Breakdowns Starts With Naming Your Needs

From Healing Relationships From the Inside Out by Dr. Dar Hawks

January 1, 2026 · 15 min · Season 13 · Episode 71

About this episode

Dr. Dar Hawks discusses the reasons behind communication breakdowns in relationships and the importance of identifying core needs.

You can communicate calmly, clearly, and thoughtfully — and still feel unheard, misunderstood, or stuck. In this episode, Dr. Dar Hawks explains why communication breaks down in relationships when core relationship needs feel threatened, and why talking more often makes things worse instead of better. You’ll learn: Why communication works for logistics but fails when something emotional is at stakeHow unmet needs — not poor communication skills — drive conflictThe five core (sovereign) relati...

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Dar Hawks

Topics covered

  • communication
  • relationship needs
  • conflict resolution
  • emotional communication
  • self-awareness

Keywords

  • communication breakdown
  • relationship needs
  • conflict
  • emotional stakes
  • self-improvement

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