379. You're Not Overreacting. Here's What's Actually Happening.

379. You're Not Overreacting. Here's What's Actually Happening.

From Relationships Made Easy by Dr. Abby Medcalf

April 20, 2026 · 34 min · Season 8 · Episode 379

About this episode

Dr. Abby Medcalf discusses the reasons behind emotional reactions in relationships and how to identify underlying needs.

You snapped at your partner over something small, and you already know it wasn't really about that. You've gotten defensive with your mom, shut down with your boss, pulled away from a friend, and each time there's that same moment afterward where you think: why did I react like that? The shame of it is exhausting. And the confusing part is that you can't always explain it, even to yourself. Today I'm giving you a new lens, not a replacement for everything you already know about yourself, but something more precise. Because there's a difference between knowing you got triggered and knowing exactly which need just got threatened. And that precision? It changes what you do next. ____________________________ Full blog and show notes: https://abbymedcalf.com/why-you-overreact-in-relationships Download the Need Threat Identifier: https://abbymedcalf.com/need-threat-identifier . It walks you through all three needs, what a threat to each one looks and feels like across different relationships, and the one question to ask yourself when you feel activated. Join my online community, One Love Collective, on Substack: https://abbymedcalf.com/substack . You'll get... ✨ Early drops + ad-free…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Abby Medcalf

Topics covered

  • emotional triggers
  • relationship dynamics
  • self-awareness
  • communication
  • personal growth

Keywords

  • overreacting
  • relationships
  • emotional triggers
  • communication
  • self-improvement

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