Real Talk How to Keep Your Relationship Thriving with Raffi Bilek

Kamen works as a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness as a speaker, author, and positive psychology expert. Through her globally syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Lisa has impacted millions of people around the world.

LISA CYPERS KAMEN

meet your host

leave a review

Real Talk: How to Keep Your Relationship Thriving with Raffi Bilek, LCSW-C

Healthy relationships are not accidental; they are built on the foundational belief that we carry a personal responsibility to be our best selves. To keep a relationship thriving, we must develop the emotional vocabulary to process our discomfort. Real talk in partnership communications can help us translate our internal world to our partners, thereby boosting their understanding of what we are trying to convey.

For communication tips for how to keep a relationship thriving, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Raffi Bilek, a licensed clinical social worker who helps couples hone their communication skills.

Raffi breaks down four essential communication skills for couples, offering a roadmap for fighting fair and using real talk in partnership communication to become better partners. By clearing the path to simple, straightforward conversation, he challenges conventional wisdom with a liberating truth: it’s actually okay to go to bed angry.

Tune in:

Meet Our Guest:

Raffi Bilek works with couples around the world, helping them to shore up their relationships and get their communication dialled in. He is the author of The Couples Communication Handbook: The Skills You Never Learned for the Marriage You Always Wanted and the father of four lovely girls who give him a run for his money.

Book: The Couples Communication Handbook: The Skills You Never Learned for the Marriage You Always Wanted

Raffi Bilek—Real Talk to Keep a Relationship Thriving:

The key to good partnership communication. {2:09}
Real talk can keep a relationship thriving. {7:10}
Breaking the cycle of entitlement and intimidation. {12:04}
Fair fighting protocol. {17:52}
The L.O.V.E. framework offers four essential communication tools. {24:03}

Like what you’re hearing?

WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING?

Check out the Harvesting Happiness podcast episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Follow Raffi Bilek LCSW-C:

Shareables:

“If we are not right within ourselves and don't possess the language to process our discomfort, we give permission to someone else to piss us off.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “The moment that you are fired up about something that's bothering you is the worst moment to try to talk about it.” @the.marriage.mentor on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “It’s okay to go to bed angry. Trying to resolve an issue at one o'clock in the morning isn't in anyone's best interest.” @the.marriage.mentor on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “A good relationship is not one in which there are no fights. A good relationship is one in which there is a lot of repair." @the.marriage.mentor on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now? Explore lifelong relationships as part of your journey to happiness.

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day. Our lifelong relationships have a big influence on this journey.