You're listening to Family Talk, the radio broadcasting division of the James Dobson Family Institute.

I am that James Dobson, and I'm so pleased that you've joined us today. Every marriage goes through periods where it seems like you just can't get on the same page and you and your spouse are constantly arguing.

It's absolutely necessary for couples to tackle these conflicts in a healthy way and to fight for their

many couples,

too much of the time,

they go through their married life

walking on eggshells.

And there is a sense that they're in a mine field together.

They don't know exactly when they're going to step on a mind next, but they know it's not too far

from now.

And what that leads to is an inability just to relax in your marriage.

I mean, it's very clear what people want most from their marriage is a best friend

and a safe haven and that's the hope that we start out with. When you begin to associate the

presence of your partner with conflict, That's just going 180 from what people want.

You have tuned to Family Talk, a division of the James Dobson Family Institute.

I'm Roger Marsh, alongside your host, psychologist and best-selling author Dr. James Dobson.

In just a moment, we'll conclude Dr. Dobson's timeless conversation with Dr.

Smalley and Scott Stanley.

Over the last two days they've been addressing healthy as well as destructive ways

conflict is handled in marriages.

Their conversations focused on Dr Stanley's research

which followed hundreds of couples for 12 full years.

...