Relating with Jen Funk: Getting Honest About the Relationships that Matter Most

In this deeply personal episode, Jen shares the story of losing her mom to frontotemporal dementia and what she’s learned about love, loss, and healing in the four years since. Joined by grief coach Ellyn Villar , they talk about how grief shows up differently for everyone, how to support your partner, children, or friends through loss, and how to carry grief with more love than pain. This convers...

In this first Ask Jen episode, I’m answering three real relationship questions that so many couples wrestle with: “Separate bedrooms - is it the beginning of the end?” “How can we feel more connected when our schedules are crazy busy?” “Is it normal to want more alone time in marriage?” We’ll talk about how to balance sleep and intimacy, simple habits for staying connected when life feels overwhel...

Saying “I’m sorry” isn’t always enough. In fact, the wrong kind of apology can make things worse and leave both people feeling even more disconnected. In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk , I talk about what makes a real apology different from a fake one, and why learning this skill can transform your relationship. You’ll hear why so many couples stay stuck in cycles of hurt, what often goes...

We’ve all heard the phrase “my spouse is my best friend” - and while that’s beautiful, it can also be limiting. The truth is, your spouse can’t be your everything . In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk , I sit down with my friends Barbara Kasten and Jodi Tandett to talk about why friendships outside your marriage are not just important, but essential to a healthy relationship. Together, we sh...

Every relationship begins with hope - the excitement of possibility, the dream of what could be. But lasting love requires something deeper: commitment. In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk , I explore how marriages grow and change over time, why couples often get stuck in unhelpful patterns, and what it really takes to build a marriage that lasts. I also share six practical steps you can sta...

When kids leave home, it doesn’t just change your daily routine - it changes your marriage. The empty nest can bring unexpected distance, conflict, or even silence, but it can also be a season of rediscovery and renewal. In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk , I talk about the emotions that come with this transition and share how to keep your relationship strong when the kids no longer fill th...

Every strong relationship has a story behind it - and so does this podcast. In the very first episode of Relating with Jen Funk , I introduce myself and share my own journey: 24 years of marriage, the challenges my husband and I faced, and why getting the right kind of help made all the difference. You’ll hear how my personal struggles and growth inspired me to become a Relationship Coach and why...