How to be direct about someone's hurtful behavior without being confrontational

How to be direct about someone's hurtful behavior without being confrontational

From The Overwhelmed Brain by Paul Colaianni: Relationship and Emotional Abuse Expert

May 17, 2026 · 36 min · Episode 665

About this episode

The episode discusses how to directly address someone's hurtful behavior without being confrontational.

You're allowed to tell someone they're hurting you — and if you feel stuck because you avoid conflict or keep punishing with silence, I've been there and will show you how to say it plainly so you know whether they change or reveal who they really are.

People in this episode

Host: Paul Colaianni

Topics covered

  • communication
  • conflict resolution
  • emotional health
  • relationships
  • assertiveness

Keywords

  • hurtful behavior
  • conflict
  • communication skills
  • emotional abuse
  • assertiveness

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