Saying “I’m sorry” isn’t always enough. In fact, fake or shallow apologies can make your relationship worse instead of better. In this episode of Relating with Jen Funk, I break down the art of a real apology - what makes it genuine, how to say sorry the right way, and why it’s one of the most powerful tools for restoring connection in both relationships and marriage.

What you’ll learn:

• The difference between a real apology and a fake one

• Why “sorry” often falls flat and creates more disconnection

• A simple framework to apologize in a way that heals and rebuilds trust

• How a genuine apology can deepen intimacy and communication in your marriage or relationship

If you’ve ever thought “sorry just isn’t enough” or struggled to repair hurt after conflict, this episode will give you practical tools to apologize in a way that truly restores trust and strengthens your relationship.

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We all need support - and not just from our spouse. In this episode, I share how a three-day tennis tournament taught me powerful lessons about marriage, friendship, and the circle of support we all need.

In this episode, I’m joined by two of my teammates, Barbara Kasten and Jodi Tandett - best friends and doubles partners - whose friendship is a beautiful example of encouragement, loyalty, and laughter. Their story reminds us that friendships don’t take away from marriage - they make it stronger.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Why no one person can (or should) be your everything

• How friendships and community strengthen marriage

• Practical ways to invest in your own circle of support

• Simple ways to encourage your spouse’s friendships too

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to like and subscribe, so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday. You can also leave a comment or a review.

For more support, head to ⁠jenfunkcoaching.com⁠ to grab my free guide, 5 Simple Steps to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my weekly newsletter. You can also submit a question for a future "Ask Jen" episode and learn more about how to work with me in one of my groups or 1:1 coaching.

At a recent family wedding, I was reminded of the joy and optimism of young love - and the deeper truth that makes marriages last. The pastor said it well: “These two are high as a kite on feelings of love.” And while feelings are wonderful, they aren’t enough to carry a relationship forever. Marriage is a covenant - not a contract - and commitment is what sustains love when life gets messy and feelings may fade.

In this episode, I share six practical ways couples can grow from the hope that starts a marriage into the commitment that carries it through: dreaming together, building trust, choosing “we” over “me,” remembering your vows, making micro-connections, and choosing love daily.

Whether you’re newly married or decades in, this episode will encourage you to build a love that lasts.

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 Steps to Improve Your Relationship Today, and signup for my weekly newsletter. You can also submit a question for a future "Ask Jen" episode and learn more about how to work with me in one of my groups or 1:1 coaching.

The house is quieter, the hallways feel empty, and our hearts are caught somewhere between pride and heartache. In this episode of Relating, I’m sharing my own journey of sending two kids off to college while preparing for my youngest’s senior year of high school. I want to invite you to see this season of life as both bittersweet and full of possibility.

I’ll talk about why it’s important to let ourselves grieve, how to avoid putting the weight of our emotions on our kids, and ways to show compassion when we and our spouses process this time differently. I’ll also give you 5 practical steps to help you move forward with hope: Feel it all, Honor Boundaries with Your Kids, Plan Something to Look Forward to, Support Your Spouse with Compassion, and Reconnect with your Partner.

Whether you’ve launched your first, your last, or you’re staring down senior year with tissues in hand, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone, and that what’s left when the kids leave can be beautiful.

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 Steps to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my weekly newsletter. You can also submit a question for a future "Ask Jen" episode and learn more about how to work with me in one of my groups or 1:1 coaching.

In this very first episode of Relating with Jen Funk, I’m sharing who I am, why I started this podcast, and what you can expect from the podcast each week. I’m a Certified Life & Relationship Coach - and also just a regular middle-aged married person with three almost-grown kids and a dog. My relationships are the most important part of my life, and they’re the reason I do this work.

I share the backstory that shaped me... Growing up with divorced parents in an unstable and unpredictable home, and how it informed my choices around how I wanted my own future home to feel. Then meeting my husband, KC - falling in love, but learning love alone wasn’t enough. We had breakups, a called-off engagement, and a lot to learn about communicating, repairing after conflict, and shifting from “me vs. you” to “us vs. the problem.” Counseling, and later coaching, gave us the tools that changed everything. Twenty-four years in, we still use them (and still get help when we need it), because the work of a healthy relationship never stops.

If you’ve ever thought, “Fine isn’t good enough,” when it comes to your most important relationships... you’re my people! This show is for anyone who wants better relationships - in marriage, dating, parenting, friendships, even the tricky family stuff. Each Thursday you’ll get simple tools and action steps you can actually use, plus fresh perspectives to help you feel more connected and supported. I’ll also bring on occasional guests to talk about topics like grief, mental health, and caring for aging parents, and how those issues affect how we show up for ourselves and each other. And I’ll host “Ask Jen” episodes where I answer your relationship questions on the show. Episodes will also be posted on my YouTube channel.

My hope is that every week you’re entertained, encouraged, and you leave with something practical to try. Because when our relationships are off, everything feels off... and when home feels good, life feels better.

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 Steps to Improve Your Relationship Today, and sign up for my weekly newsletter. You can also submit a question for a future “Ask Jen” episode, and learn more about how to work with me in one of my groups or 1:1 coaching.

Remember - Great relationships aren’t found; they’re built. Let’s build them together.