Sexologist Alexa Andre (@sexwithalexa) gets in bed with sexologist, intimacy coach for men, and former sex worker Coral Osborne for a conversation about conflict, repair, emotional safety, and how to fight in ways that actually strengthen relationships instead of destroying them.

This episode breaks down why conflict is inevitable, why resolution is not the same as repair, and how most people unintentionally make things worse by avoiding discomfort, suppressing feelings, issuing ultimatums, or apologizing without real empathy. Coral shares tools drawn from attachment theory, coaching, lived experience, and relationship psychology to help couples navigate fights with curiosity, accountability, and emotional intelligence.

Topics covered include:

The difference between conflict resolution and emotional repair
Why 69% of conflict in relationships is recurring
Secure vs anxious vs avoidant attachment styles
Why conflict is necessary for real intimacy
Sulking, silent treatment, and “read my mind” behavior
Fight, flight, freeze responses in relationships
How avoidance fuels resentment and rupture
The importance of reassurance during conflict
Why “do you want to be right or happy?” matters
Active listening and emotional attunement
How to bring issues up without score-keeping
Why feelings don’t have to “make sense” to be valid
Rejection and abandonment as core emotional wounds
What a real apology actually includes
Why ultimatums damage trust and safety
Repair rituals and post-conflict reconnection
Why makeup sex doesn’t work for everyone
Gamifying conflict and repair to reduce defensiveness
When recurring fights are about values vs preferences
Emotional safety as the foundation for erotic surrender
Curiosity as the key to intimacy, sex, and connection

Thank you to the best waterproof sex blanket in the market, Splash Blanket for keeping me and my guests dry and cozy ◡̈