How to Communicate So You Actually Feel Closer
Fri Jan 23 2026
We’ve all been there: we want to communicate about something that’s bothering us, but we know that if we bring it up, it’ll lead to an argument and then we’ll have 2 problems instead of one: the original problem and now you also feel disconnected. Few of us had good modeling for how to communicate in a way that brings us closer.
That’s why I chose to interview Raffi Bilek. Raffi has developed a streamlined formula for how to communicate with your partner in a way that inspires connection rather than conflict and isolation - even when it comes to the really hard stuff. He has helped hundreds of couples improve their communication, boost their connection, recover from hurts and betrayals, and, in many cases, save their marriages.
He shares his formula in our interview and also in his book, “The Couples Communication Handbook,” which he talks about in our interview.
Here are some questions that Raffi answers in our interview:
Why is communication so important for connection?
What do people get wrong about communication?
How can conflict breed connections?
What can you do when you’re upset so that your communication lands well?
What are the formulas to share your feelings, desires, and resolve issues so you can feel closer rather than more distant?
You can get the first 2 chapters of Raffi’s book, “The Couples Communication Handbook“ for free at https://www.thecommunicationbook.com/ (PDF or audio files!)
More about Raffi Bilek:
Raffi Bilek has been working with couples across the globe for over a decade. He has helped hundreds of couples improve their communication, boost their connection, recover from hurts and betrayals, and, in many cases, save their marriages.
Before that, Raffi earned a degree in computer science from Brown University, but never much enjoyed it because the computers wouldn’t laugh at his humor. Besides being a couples counselor and a computer programmer, Raffi is a dad to four girls, a former swing dancer, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, and a nationally ranked Scrabble player.
Raffi speaks English, Hebrew, French, and Spanish, has seen the fjords (they really are that good), and enjoys playing word games and telling good (and bad) jokes. He deeply loves his wife, but frankly wishes she got more of his jokes.
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We’ve all been there: we want to communicate about something that’s bothering us, but we know that if we bring it up, it’ll lead to an argument and then we’ll have 2 problems instead of one: the original problem and now you also feel disconnected. Few of us had good modeling for how to communicate in a way that brings us closer. That’s why I chose to interview Raffi Bilek. Raffi has developed a streamlined formula for how to communicate with your partner in a way that inspires connection rather than conflict and isolation - even when it comes to the really hard stuff. He has helped hundreds of couples improve their communication, boost their connection, recover from hurts and betrayals, and, in many cases, save their marriages. He shares his formula in our interview and also in his book, “The Couples Communication Handbook,” which he talks about in our interview. Here are some questions that Raffi answers in our interview: Why is communication so important for connection? What do people get wrong about communication? How can conflict breed connections? What can you do when you’re upset so that your communication lands well? What are the formulas to share your feelings, desires, and resolve issues so you can feel closer rather than more distant? You can get the first 2 chapters of Raffi’s book, “The Couples Communication Handbook“ for free at https://www.thecommunicationbook.com/ (PDF or audio files!) More about Raffi Bilek: Raffi Bilek has been working with couples across the globe for over a decade. He has helped hundreds of couples improve their communication, boost their connection, recover from hurts and betrayals, and, in many cases, save their marriages. Before that, Raffi earned a degree in computer science from Brown University, but never much enjoyed it because the computers wouldn’t laugh at his humor. Besides being a couples counselor and a computer programmer, Raffi is a dad to four girls, a former swing dancer, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, and a nationally ranked Scrabble player. Raffi speaks English, Hebrew, French, and Spanish, has seen the fjords (they really are that good), and enjoys playing word games and telling good (and bad) jokes. He deeply loves his wife, but frankly wishes she got more of his jokes.