DISAGREE DIFFERENTLY

Written By Ben Kertman

#001: a co-op conversation card game for staying close through any disagreement
$40

Note: If cost is a barrier, please reach out.

 

Most of us aren't fighting.
We're avoiding.¹

We stay quiet to keep the peace: putting off talks about chores, intimacy, or that thing we've been holding back for too long.

We avoid because we care; we don't want to ruin the evening, let alone the relationship. But over time, silence erodes closeness and breeds resentment. ²

The only way through together is to talk. ³

Disagree Differently is a trail guide that helps two people stay close and feel heard through any disagreement.
Start silly. Get confident. Bring up what matters, without fear.

Buy on The Game Crafter

📖 Learn as You Play
👥 1–2 players (co-op)
⏳ 30–60 min
🌱 Ages 14+
♻️ Reusable forever

  • How It’s Different
    Most conversation card games just give you topics to discuss. Disagree Differently gives you the steps to navigate them: a research-backed structure that takes you through the entire disagreement, not just gets you talking about it.

    Who It's For
    Designed for couples, but works for any relationship — family, friends, colleagues, classmates.

    When to Use
    • Pull it out on game night for silly topics
    • Use it on date night for serious topics
    • Reach for it when you're ready for your topics

    Every topic is a trail to walk together. Each one makes the next easier. Start wherever you are. Over time, you'll be ready for any disagreement with anyone.

    What's Inside
    72 research-backed cards to help you stay close while you disagree:
    • 28 Step Cards that guide you through any disagreement
    • 3 Topic Cards to build your confidence
    • 12 Shared Goal Cards to stay on track
    • 16 Communication Style Cards to understand each other
    • 13 Boundary Cards to protect your limits
    • Plus: Free digital expansion pack with dozens more topics

  • No Setup. No Rules to Memorize.
    Open the box, stack the 28 Step Cards in order, and start. They will guide the game from start to finish. Each step is rooted in research on constructive disagreement. You'll get exactly what you need, right when you need it. Just trust the path.

    What Happens During a Game
    The 28 Step Cards lead you through two phases:

    • Phase 1 — Pack Essentials (Steps 5-15)
      Before setting out, you and your trailmate prepare together: choose a topic (silly, serious, or your own), set shared goals, agree on communication styles, and define clear boundaries.

    • Phase 2 — Hit the Trail (Steps 16-25)
      This is where the disagreement happens. Once packed, you start the climb—taking turns speaking and truly listening. Each turn follows four guiding questions. After listening, you summarize what you heard in your own words. Your trailmate decides if they feel heard. If they do, switch roles and keep climbing.

    How You Win
    You reach the summit when you both feel genuinely heard. The twist? Only your trailmate can say when they have. So listen deeply, understand fully, and climb together. Even if you don't reach the top, you've trained for the next trail.

    Still Unsure?
    Practice solo first. Follow the cards and imagine both roles to build confidence before the real conversation.

  • Designed with Purpose™
    This isn't someone's opinion about relationships. Every card, every step, every detail was shaped by research from a Harvard-trained behavior change specialist to help you stay close and feel heard, even when you disagree.

    Here’s How:

    The Result:
    Decades of research on constructive disagreement distilled into 28 simple steps anyone can follow. Use it for any topic, with anyone, in under an hour. As often as you need.

    Why a Card Game?
    Because constructive disagreement is an embodied skill (like playing an instrument or a sport). Research shows you can't learn it just by reading or watching, only by practicing. This game gives you a structured way to practice staying close while you disagree.

  • These experts graciously answered emails from me out of the blue and volunteered a significant amount of their time and wisdom. They bring diverse lived experiences and hard-won insights on how to inspire constructive disagreement, and their generosity made this work possible.

    `EXPERT_TABLE_PLACEHOLDER`

  • How it Works
    Your game is printed and shipped by The Game Crafter (TGC), a Wisconsin-based print-on-demand service. Orders are fulfilled first-come, first-served.

    Timeline

    • Production: ~1 month (specific estimates shown at checkout)

    • Shipping:
      🇺🇸 USA: 5-30 days ($5-13 depending on speed selected)
      🌎 International: 20-45 days (~$11+ depending on speed selected, plus any local taxes/customs fees)

    Important Notes

    • International customers: You're responsible for any VAT, customs fees, or taxes your country requires. TGC cannot calculate these in advance, and your local post office will hold packages until fees are paid.

    • Shipping restrictions: Currently unable to ship to Brazil, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Russia, or Belarus.

    Returns & Refunds

    • All sales are final.No refunds or returns are offered due to the print-on-demand nature of production.

    • Replacements only are provided for:
      - Items damaged during shipping (missing, torn, scratched, etc.)
      - Manufacturing defects (like printing drift over 1/8 inch)

    Need Help?
    Contact The Game Crafter for any shipping damage, defects, delays, or lost/undelivered orders: info@thegamecrafter.com

  • Isn't buying a "disagreement game" admitting something's wrong?
    No. Buying this is like going to the gym together or meal prepping: it's proactive, not reactive. You're investing in staying close, not fixing something broken.

    Most relationship tools are either for fun (like conversation prompts) or for crisis (like therapy). This is for practice building skills before you need them, the same way you'd exercise regularly to stay healthy.

    You're not broken. You're just being smart.

    Why $40?
    You're not buying cards. You're buying confidence. 589 research-backed techniques (distilled with 10 experts over 12 months, designed by a Harvard-trained behavior researcher) turned into a simple step-by-step framework you can use forever.

    It's a tool that's there whenever you need it, whether that's tonight or a year from now. One purchase, unlimited conversations.

    How's this different from other conversation card games?
    Most conversation card games give you topics to discuss, then leave you to figure out the rest. Disagree Differently adds structure: research-backed preparation, equal turns, and gentle guardrails that help you move through disagreement safely instead of avoiding it.

    It also draws from dozens of research fields (couples therapy, conflict mediation, behavioral science, communication research) rather than one theory, translating what works into a simple framework anyone can follow.

    Is this for couples only?
    No. It’s for any two people who care about staying close: friends, family, coworkers, even adult kids and parents. Many couples start there, but the skills apply to every kind of relationship.

    When should I use this?
    If you're feeling distance, resentment, or like you're walking on eggshells, that's a sign this can help. It's designed to prevent drift before it becomes disconnection.

    Not every frustration needs a full conversation, often it's healthy to let things go. But if something keeps weighing on you, start here. Begin with Silly Topics to learn the skills in a fun, low-stakes way, then bring up what matters when you're ready.

    Is this therapy in disguise?
    No, it's not therapy, and it doesn't replace it. Think of this as relationship fitness: preventative practice that keeps you strong. Just like going to the gym isn't a replacement for a doctor, but it helps you stay healthy.

    If you're in therapy, this can be a great tool to practice between sessions. If you're not, this helps you build skills so small tensions don't escalate into crises.

    What’s the difference between Disagree Differently and the Topic Expansion Packs?
    The core Disagree Differently game is your main trail guide. It includes three built-in topics that help you build the confidence to bring up your own topics with anyone.

    The Topic Expansion Packs are optional digital add-ons with extra prompts drawn from research on common tough topics people want to practice. They’re digital-only to keep prices low and avoid unnecessary printing and shipping.

    What if my order arrives damaged or doesn’t arrive at all?
    If your order is damaged during shipping or doesn’t arrive, contact The Game Crafter Support using the green “Get Support” button on their site, or email info@thegamecrafter.com. Include your order number and clear photos of the damage (including the box). They’re quick and friendly about replacements.

Illustrations: Isabel Sanchez Angulo
Photography: Ricardo Bravo Cornejo

Ben Kertman
Next

Trails for Couples