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

Who Gets Their Way in a Relationship - 5 Questions to Ask Before You Compromise

Have you ever noticed that relationship fights are almost never really about the thing itself? It’s not actually about where to go to dinner. Or the need for another Amazon package. Or the temperature of the house. Or whose family you’re seeing for the holidays. It’s about something deeper: Who gets their way? Who gives in? Whose needs matter more? And how do healthy couples decide without building resentment? In this honest and very relatable episode, Jen talks about the small everyday disagreements couples constantly face - and why those little decisions can become surprisingly emotional. From childhood lessons about people pleasing and conflict… to marriage disagreements about money, home projects, vacations, parenting, and puppies… this episode explores the complicated balance between standing up for yourself and learning when to let something go. Jen shares 5 important questions every couple should ask when they disagree, including: * Am I fighting for something that truly matters? * Am I always the one getting my way? * Am I giving in just to avoid conflict? * Is there a way for both people to matter here? * What kind of relationship are we trying to build? Topics include: * relationship compromise * power struggles in relationships * people pleasing * conflict avoidance * resentment in marriage * communication in relationships * relationship decision making * healthy disagreement * marriage communication * standing up for yourself * emotional needs in relationships * feeling unheard in relationships * relationship dynamics * healthy compromise vs giving in * couples communication * everyday relationship conflict If you’ve ever felt unheard, resentful, controlling, conflict avoidant, or stuck in power struggles in your relationship, this episode will help you approach disagreements in a healthier, more connected way. Because healthy relationships aren’t about never wanting different things. They’re about learning how to navigate those differences without turning each other into enemies. Connect with Jen:🌐 ⁠https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com⁠ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com]💌 Weekly newsletter + relationship tips:⁠https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter⁠ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter] Download Jen’s free guide:5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today⁠https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits]

Ep. 38 Why So Many Women Feel Lost in Midlife | Marriage, Motherhood & Identity

Feeling lost in midlife? Struggling with people pleasing, resentment in marriage, emotional burnout, empty nest emotions, or wondering who you are outside of motherhood and caregiving? In this honest and empowering episode of Relating with Jen Funk, relationship coach Jen Funk sits down with Kristin Quackenbush, founder of Me First Club, for a real conversation about midlife, marriage, self-worth, emotional exhaustion, identity loss, and reinventing yourself after 50. Together, they explore: • Why so many women lose themselves in caregiving roles • How resentment builds in marriage and relationships • Why women struggle to ask for help • The emotional weight women carry in midlife • Empty nest transitions and letting adult kids struggle • Why courage comes before confidence • How to stop waiting and start creating a life that feels like yours again If you've been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, stuck, emotionally exhausted, or unsure what comes next in this season of life, this episode will remind you that there is still time. Topics include: midlife crisis, women over 50, emotional burnout, people pleasing, marriage resentment, relationship advice, self-care, motherhood identity loss, confidence in midlife, empty nest syndrome, personal growth, fear of starting over, and reinventing yourself after 50. Connect with Jen: 🌐 https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com] 💌 Weekly newsletter + relationship tips: https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter] Download Jen’s free guide: 5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits] Connect with Kristin: https://www.mefirst-club.com/ [https://www.mefirst-club.com/]

Ep. 37 What to Do When Everything Your Partner Does Annoys You | 5 Steps to Turn Irritation into Connection

Have you ever looked at your partner and thought… “Why does literally everything they do annoy me lately?” The chewing. The snoring. The stories. The socks on the floor. Suddenly every little thing feels irritating - and after awhile, it can start making you wonder: “Is this normal?” “Have we fallen out of love?” “Why do we feel so disconnected?” In this episode, I’m talking about what’s REALLY happening underneath all that frustration and irritation - because usually, the irritation isn’t actually the problem. It’s the symptom. We’re talking about: * resentment in relationships * emotional disconnection * why couples drift apart * how overwhelm and stress affect marriage * why small things suddenly feel huge emotionally * and how to reconnect before resentment takes over your relationship And I’m giving you 5 practical things you can start doing immediately to begin feeling closer and more connected again. If you’ve been feeling lonely, irritated, emotionally disconnected, or stuck in the roommate phase of your relationship… this episode is for you. 💌 Get my weekly relationship tips:⁠https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter⁠ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter] 🌐 Work with me or grab free resources:⁠https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/⁠ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/] 💌 Download the 5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today:⁠https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits⁠ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits] You can also check out my YouTube Channel: ⁠Relating with Jen Funk⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@jenfunkcoaching] And please like, follow or leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Ep. 36 Should Your Marriage Come Before Your Kids?

Should your marriage come before your kids? Or should the kids come first? In this honest and nuanced episode of Relating with Jen Funk, relationship coach Jen Funk dives into one of the most emotionally charged conversations in marriage and parenting. We’re talking about: • why so many experts say the marriage should come first • how couples slowly become disconnected after kids • why this conversation gets much more complicated after divorce and in blended families • how children are emotionally affected by remarriage and family transitions • what healthy prioritization actually looks like in real life • and practical ways to protect both your marriage and your children emotionally This episode explores the very real tension many couples and parents feel: How do you build a strong marriage without making your kids feel emotionally unimportant? Whether you’re navigating parenting stress, emotional disconnection, remarriage, blended family dynamics, or simply trying to create healthier relationships at home, this conversation will help you approach it with more clarity, compassion, and intention. 💌 Get my weekly relationship tips: https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter] 🌐 Work with me or grab free resources: https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/] 💌 Download the 5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today: https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits] You can also check out my YouTube Channel: Relating with Jen Funk [https://www.youtube.com/@jenfunkcoaching] And please like, follow or leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Ep. 35 When You Feel Off: How to Stay Connected in Your Relationships While Grieving

We had to say goodbye to our dog this week… and if you’ve ever been through that, you already know how much it hurts. Everything just feels off. The house is quieter. Your energy is lower. Your patience is thinner. And at the same time… life doesn’t stop. Your people still need you. Your relationships are still there. So the question becomes: How do you show up for the people you love… when you don’t feel like yourself? In this episode, I’m sharing what this week has looked like for me - the grief, the overwhelm, the moments with my kids - and also giving you a few really simple, doable ways to stay connected in your relationships when your emotional bandwidth is low. Because grief doesn’t just sit in one corner of your life. It shows up in your tone. Your patience. Your connection. And if we don’t understand that, it can quietly create distance in the relationships that matter most. In this episode, we talk about: * Why grief often shows up as irritability, distance, or feeling “off” * What it looks like to grieve alongside your kids (without needing to be perfect) * The pressure we put on ourselves to “hold it together” - and why that doesn’t work * 3 simple ways to stay connected when you don’t have much to give: If you’re in a heavy season right now - whether it’s losing a pet, navigating a transition, or just feeling overwhelmed - this episode is for you. You don’t have to do this perfectly. You just have to stay a little bit open. If this resonates with you, I’d love to support you further. 💌 Download my free guide: ⁠ 5 Simple Habits to Improve Your Relationship Today:⁠ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/5simplehabits] Sign up for my ⁠weekly newsletter⁠ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com/newsletter] with lots of tips and encouragement 🌐 Head to: ⁠https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com⁠ [https://www.jenfunkcoaching.com] Or reach out to book a consultation call - sometimes one conversation can shift everything. And make sure you’re following the show so you don’t miss new episodes.