Sex therapist Jessa Zimmerman shares a soapbox episode on three common apology mistakes that prevent real relationship repair. First, apologizing too quickly can skip the empathy your partner needs to feel understood, so she encourages “climbing into their movie” before taking accountability. Second, phrases like “I’m sorry you feel that way” or “I’m sorry that happened to you” misuse “I’m sorry,” which she reserves for responsibility and remorse, and can sound judgmental; she suggests using clearer empathic language instead. Third, adding “but” after an apology turns it into an explanation or excuse that undermines repair, so an apology should fully own the specific behavior and its impact.
00:00 Show Intro
00:46 Soapbox Setup
01:22 Mistake One Too Fast
02:51 Mistake Two Misusing Sorry
04:31 Mistake Three Sorry But
05:25 Wrap Up Take Ownership
05:51 Outro And Credits