In-law relationships can be some of the most emotionally complicated relationships we navigate - even when everyone has good intentions.

In this episode, Jen Funk, Life and Relationship Coach, explores why relationships with in-laws feel so hard and why marriage changes family dynamics in ways most people don’t expect.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation focused on understanding - not blame.

You’ll hear:

• Why marrying into a family can feel vulnerable and emotionally charged

• Common struggles daughters-in-law and sons-in-law experience

• Why parents and grandparents often struggle with changing roles

• How fear, grief, and loss of identity can show up as control or jealousy

• Why trust and feeling respected matter so much in extended family relationships

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt:

• uncomfortable around their in-laws

• unsure where they belong in their partner’s family

• caught between family expectations and their marriage

Part 2 will focus on the critical role of the adult child in this dynamic, as well as boundaries, responsibility, and what actually helps when in-law relationships don't feel good.

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to like and follow the show so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. For moresupport, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today,and sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with insights and inspiration sent right to your inbox. You can also discover how we can work together to help you build stronger relationships.

#in-laws, #relationshipadvice, #marriagetips, #familydynamics, #motherinlaw, #daughterinlaw

Travel isn’t just about getting away - it’s one of the most powerful relationship tools we have.

In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk, relationship coach Jen Funk sits down with travel advisor Jennifer Sullivan to explore why travel brings us closer - to our partners, our kids, our friends, ourselves, and even the world around us.

We talk about:

• why couples often reconnect faster when they travel together

• how family travel shapes kids’ perspective and values

• why friend trips support mental health and identity

• the rise of solo travel and why it’s so empowering

• how travel builds empathy, gratitude, and compassion

• and how to plan meaningful travel - even without unlimited time or money

If you’re craving more connection in your relationships, this conversation will help you see travel in a whole new way.

If you enjoy this episode, hit follow/subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. For more support, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 SimpleHabits to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with insights and inspiration sent right to your inbox. You can also discover how we can work together to help you build stronger relationships.

#relationships, #marriage, #couplestravel, #familytravel, #travelandrelationships, #relationshipadvice, #relationshipgoals

Relationship goals don’t have to mean fixing something broken.
In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk, certified life and relationship coach, Jen Funk, explores how to set meaningful relationship goals for the New Year - whether you’re married, dating, parenting, navigating friendships, or working on your relationship with yourself.

Most people set New Year’s goals for health, productivity, or career, but rarely for the relationships that shape daily happiness, emotional safety, and connection. This episode walks you through a simple, realistic framework to create more connection, ease, and closeness without pressure or perfection.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to set relationship goals that actually stick

• Why intention matters more than big resolutions

• What to do if your partner isn’t on board with change

• How one person can begin shifting a relationship dynamic

• Simple habits that create more connection, fun, and emotional closeness

This episode is for anyone who wants their relationships to feel better - not because things are falling apart, but because they want to be more intentional in the year ahead.

If you’re looking for relationship advice, marriage help, communication tools, or emotional connection strategies that feel grounded and realistic, this episode is for you.

If you enjoy this episode, hit follow/subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. For more support, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 SimpleHabits to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with insights and inspirationsent right to your inbox. You can also discover how we can work together to help you build stronger relationships.

The week after Christmas can feel surprisingly heavy, unsettling, or confusing - especially when it comes to your relationship.

In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk, relationship coach Jen Funk talks about why the days between Christmas and the New Year often distort how we feel about our lives and our relationships. Exhaustion, disappointment, reflection, and even grief can all show up during this “in-between” week - and when they do, our brains go looking for a reason.

For many people, that reason becomes their relationship.

Jen explains why the week after Christmas is emotionally noisy but not emotionally accurate, and why this is not the time to judge your relationship, make big decisions, or have the “we need to talk” conversation. She shares how end-of-year reflection, unmet expectations, and emotional letdown can create doubt that doesn’t actually belong to your partnership.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the week after Christmas can make you question your relationship

• How exhaustion and disappointment can feel like disconnection

• Why not every uncomfortable feeling is a relationship problem

• What to do instead of overanalyzing or pulling away

• How to move through this week without carrying the wrong story into the new year

If you’re feeling off, unsettled, or unsure right now, this episode will help you slow down, gain clarity, and protect your relationship during a vulnerable time of year.

If you enjoy this episode, hit like follow/subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. For more support, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 SimpleHabits to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with insights and inspirationsent right to your inbox. You can also discover how we can work together to help you build stronger relationships.

The holidays can feel overwhelming for parents - especially when you’re trying to make everything special for your kids.The holidays often come with pressure - pressure to make everything magical, memorable, and perfect for our kids. But what if what they need most from us has very little to do with the details?

In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk, relationship coach Jen Funk explores what children truly need from us during the holiday season - whether they’re young, teenagers, home from college, or grown adults.

You’ll learn:

• what kids actually remember about the holidays (and what they don’t),

• how to stay connected to your kids at every age and stage,

• why parental pressure and perfection quietly drain joy from the season,

• how to adjust expectations without guilt,

• and how to create meaningful connection without running yourself ragged.

This episode is for parents who want to feel calmer, more present, and more connected, without trying to create a “perfect” holiday.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or another holiday, this conversation will help you release pressure and focus on what matters most: presence, warmth, and emotional connection.

If you enjoy this episode, hit follow/subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. For more support, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with insights and inspiration sent right to your inbox. You can also discover how we can work together to help you build stronger relationships.

Navigating family during the holidays isn’t easy - especially when expectations, opinions, and emotional dynamics all collide. In this Ask Jen: Holiday Edition episode, Jen answers three real listener questions about splitting holiday time, handling unsolicited input, and supporting your partner when family gatherings feel overwhelming.

You’ll learn simple, practical boundary tools to help you stay steady, calm, and connected through the season. Whether you’re navigating in-laws, managing multiple families, or just feeling stretched thin, this episode gives you exactly what you need to make the holidays feel lighter and more manageable.

Listen for:
• How to split holiday time without guilt
• What to do with family criticism or opinions
• How to support a partner who feels overwhelmed
• Healthy boundaries that actually work

Perfect for anyone wanting a calmer, more intentional holiday season.

If you enjoy this episode, hit follow/subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. For more support, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with insights and inspiration sent right to your inbox. You can also discover how we can work together to help you build stronger relationships.

It's the first week of December hits…and suddenly it feels like it’s your job to remember everything for everyone - holiday parties, teacher gifts, family plans, travel, meals, and keeping the magic of the season alive and well for all you love.

But in the middle of all that remembering, most of us forget the one person who actually needs our attention the most:

Ourselves.

In this episode, I’m joined by one of my dearest friends and certified yoga instructor - Doran McBride, to talk about why December can leave us overwhelmed, irritable, exhausted, and disconnected - and what it looks like to slow down long enough to reconnect with YOU.

We're diving into:

• 
  
• the signs of emotional and physical overwhelm
• how your body tells the truth long before your mind catches up
• simple grounding practices that help you stay centered
• self-care that’s actually doable in December (even for busy moms)
• how to create small moments of peace in a season that often feels chaotic

If you’re feeling holiday stress, December burnout, or that constant mental load we carry, this conversation is the reset you need.

Take a deep breath, relax your jaw (Doran’s signature reminder!), and give yourself a moment to get back to YOU.

To reach out to Doran about yoga classes and special offerings, email yogawithdoranm@gmail.com.

If you enjoy this episode, hit follow/subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. For more support, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 SimpleHabits to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with insights and inspiration sent right to your inbox. You can also discover how we can work together to help you build stronger relationships.

#holidaystress, #selfcare, #Decemberoverwhelm, #reconnectwithyourself, #relationshipcoach, #marriagetips, #relationshipadvice

In this Thanksgiving episode, Jen offers a refreshing perspective on gratitude - not as something you check off a list, but as a spotlight. Wherever you shine your light, things become brighter. And whatever you don’t… quietly fades into the background, maybe going totally unnoticed.

This episode explores how gratitude can shift the way you experience your relationships, without ignoring the hard things. Gratitude isn't about pretending everything is fine - it’s about making sure the meaningful, steady, beautiful things still get some light too.

In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why gratitude changes what you see in your relationships• How the Reticular Activating System filters your emotional experience• Real gratitude vs. toxic positivity (and why the difference matters)• The power of moving from invisible to expressed appreciation• Common “gratitude blind spots” in long-term relationships• Why gratitude is a form of emotional leadership• How appreciation deposits into the Emotional Bank Account• A simple 5-minute morning practice to shift your entire day

Whether your Thanksgiving is peaceful, hectic, or emotional, this episode will help you shine your light with intention - so you don’t miss the good that’s already there.

Download your free guide:
5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today
www.jenfunkcoaching.com

If you enjoy this episode, hit follow/subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. Leave a review or a comment and let me know if you can relate to the conversation. For more support, head to jenfunkcoaching.com to grab my free guide, 5 SimpleSteps to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my free weekly newsletter filled with insights and inspiration sentright to your inbox. You can also discover how we can work together to help you build stronger, more connected relationships.

#gratitudeinrelationships #relationshipcoach #emotionalconnection #gratitudepractice #marriagetips #relatingwithjenfunk #thanksgivinggratitude