I got the sense that what SO wanted was for you to be more open with him about your thoughts and feelings. Is that correct? If so, then talking about the radio show and worrying about word choice is not going to help much.
What he seems to want is more genuine emotional intimacy. Can you share more of yourself with honesty and openness? You can do these things without being enmeshed with him or having expectations or being manipulative. You do it with us here all the time.
Are you afraid to let him "see" you?
*Maybe* one of the big problems here is a fear of emotional intimacy (as demonstrated by this concern of his) and commitment (as demonstrated by his frustration with you not marrying him...
