Rydel's Van Talk

Rydel Funk

Van Talk is where motherhood meets real talk. We're a mother daughter duo, Stormie and Rydel. Hopping in our og van to talk all things parenting, family life, and the beautifully chaotic moments in between. Expect laughs, giggles, a little tea being spilled, and honest conversations about raising kids, raising ourselves, and doing it with love. Wanna ride? Hop in! This is mom talk with the windows down and you're riding shotgun!

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31 episodes
Avg 50 min
English

Episodes 31

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Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S1 · E27
June 18 · 59 min
The Two Times We Almost Died, Stories We'll Never Forget, Fathers Day Special | EP 29
In this special Father’s Day episode of Van Talk, Dad joins us along with the brothers for a walk down memory lane. We share some of our favorite memories growing up, the funniest one-on-one trips we’ve taken with him, and the stories that have become family legends over the years. Including a couple of moments where things got a little too close for comfort and somehow became even funnier with time. We talk about what being a father means, the lessons he learned from his own life experiences, and the catchphrases we’ve all heard so many times that they’ve become part of our everyday vocabulary. The conversation also dives into one of his biggest beliefs: you get what you think about. We discuss mindset, optimism, taking ownership of your thoughts, and how controlling what enters your mind can ultimately shape the life you create.
S1 · E28
June 16 · 46 min
Parenting Isn't One-Size-Fits-All, Trust Your Parenting, Every Kid Is Different | EP 28
In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about flexibility in parenting and why it’s okay to change your mind as you learn and grow. We share why every child is different, how something that works beautifully for one kid might not work for another, and why being willing to try new things can make all the difference. We also talk potty training tips, including why a portable potty chair can be a lifesaver in those early stages, and ways to help quieter kids feel comfortable opening up, sharing, and finding their voice. The conversation touches on screen time, dance, outside opinions, and why we believe parents should feel confident making decisions that fit their own family. We also discuss the importance of always having your child’s back, especially when relatives or other adults make comments that don’t sit right. We share thoughts on hosting gatherings, handling feelings of being left out, and navigating the reality that both parents and kids will have off days. Sometimes growth isn’t linear, and sometimes you have to go back and reinforce the family standards you’ve been working on all along.
S1 · E23
June 11 · 46 min
Teaching Respect, No Tantrums In Public, Teen Sex Talk | EP 27
In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about respect, boundaries, and raising kids who can confidently navigate the world around them. We share one of our favorite family tools, the interrupt rule in a car setting, and how it helps conversations flow while teaching kids patience and respect. We also talk about sharing, sibling dynamics, and making sure older kids have space to create, build, and enjoy their interests without being constantly interrupted by younger siblings. The conversation also dives into parenting in public, helping toddlers learn appropriate behavior without constant power struggles, and why letting kids get away with everything isn’t actually doing them any favors long term. We discuss maintaining a positive mindset through difficult seasons, including navigating serious life challenges, and why perspective matters so much. We also touch on how we approach conversations with teenagers about growing up, relationships, personal boundaries, and family values.
S1 · E26
June 8 · 42 min
Helping Kids Do Hard Things, Swim Lessons, Passing Down Good Habits | EP 26
In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about the difference between coasting through life and being proactive about it.From swim lessons with babies and toddlers to everyday parenting moments, we share why we believe in helping kids move through things that feel uncomfortable instead of immediately pulling them out. Not forcing, not pushing, but gently encouraging them forward until confidence starts to grow. We also discuss how important it is for everyone around a child to be on the same team. When a child is learning a new skill or working through a fear, teasing and negativity can undo a lot of progress. Sometimes what kids need most is encouragement, positivity, and someone who believes in them.The conversation also touches on passing healthy habits down to our children and how so much of parenting comes back to leading by example.
S1 · E25
June 3 · 47 min
"Can I Try Again?", No Victim Mentality, Prioritizing Marriage | EP 25
In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about helping kids move through emotions without getting stuck in them. We share the idea of having a reset spot, whether that’s a high chair, the stairs, a crib, or another calm place where kids can regroup and come back ready to try again. One of our favorite phrases? “Mom, can I try again?” The conversation also explores emotional resilience, avoiding a victim mentality, and teaching kids that feelings are real, but they don’t have to define the rest of the day. We also dive into marriage and family culture. From improving relationships with your parents to prioritizing your spouse after kids arrive, we share why protecting your marriage matters and why weekly date nights are worth fighting for. We talk about preparing your husband for postpartum before the baby arrives, the importance of support during that season, and why postpartum should be centered around mom and baby. And of course, we end with a potty training update and a few stories that prove parenting is never boring.
S1 · E24
May 25 · 46 min
Gold Stars For MOMS, Instilling Healthy Habits, The Interrupt Rule | EP 24
In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about the little moments in parenting that eventually turn into something big. Every milestone as a family, we share why we believe every win matters, big or small, individual or shared. And honestly? Moms deserve a gold star for the amount of invisible work they do every single day. We talk about the payoff moments in parenting, those days when you suddenly realize your kids are finally doing the things you’ve been patiently practicing with them all along. Greeting people confidently, looking others in the eye, saying thank you to compliments, shaking hands, brushing teeth, washing hands, building healthy habits… one day it finally clicks.We also share why kids are true sponges and why the habits we build early matter so much. If we can teach routines like bedtime and hygiene, we can also instill things like reading before bed, taking walks, gratitude, and confidence. The conversation also touches on helping kids push through the difficult beginning stages of learning a new skill until they finally experience the pride and joy of seeing themselves improve.
S1 · E23
May 18 · 51 min
Love At First Sight, Skydiving The Pyramids, Never Raising His Voice | EP 23
In this episode of Van Talk, we’re joined by a very special guest: Rydel's dad/ Stormie's husband MarkLynch!!! From skydiving over the pyramids to getting a pilots license in college, he shares stories from a life built around adventure, discipline, optimism, and pushing past fear.We talk about the lessons he learned from his dad, how years of selling books door-to-door for 14 hours a day shaped his mindset, and why constant rejection taught him the importance of controlling what enters your mind and staying positive no matter the circumstances.We also get into family values, why we weren’t allowed to do things like TP houses or ding dong ditch, and the importance of character even in the small things.The conversation naturally turns deeper, into love at first sight, the “secret to life,” staying optimistic through challenges, and even thoughts on multiverses, mediums, psychics, and past lives.And somehow through all of it, one thing has remained true: we’ve never heard him raise his voice.
S1 · E22
May 13 · 57 min
Your Kids Absorb Everything, Respectful Teenagers, The Secret To Life | EP 22
Head to cozyearth.com and use code VANTALK for an exclusive 20% off! In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about confidence, mindset, and the powerful influence parents have on the emotional environment of the home. We discuss why it’s so important not to let insecurities trickle down onto your kids and how children often absorb far more from what we model than what we say. If we want our kids to speak kindly, work hard, and believe in themselves, we have to walk the talk first. We also talk about how fragile confidence can be, how one negative comment can sometimes outweigh constant encouragement, and why speaking positively about yourself matters more than most people realize. Your subconscious is always listening.The conversation also gets practical, from navigating constant snacking and mealtimes to helping kids through embarrassment, emotional moments, and learning how to fully accept them for who they are.We share why consistency in parenting truly pays off over time, even when it feels hard in the moment, and how intentional parenting can eventually create respectful, secure teenagers.We end with a conversation around manifestation, mindset, and what we believe is one of the biggest secrets to life.
S1 · E21
May 8 · 53 min
Favorite Memories With Mom, Lessons We'll Never Forget, Seeing Potential In Your Kids | EP 21
In this special Mother’s Day episode of Van Talk, my brothers join the conversation to reflect on the moments, lessons, and memories that shaped them growing up. We talk about favorite memories with mom, what a “perfect day” with her looks like, and the biggest things learned from her that still stick today. The conversation also turns to something deeper: the importance of seeing potential in your kids before they can fully see it in themselves, and how encouragement, belief, and intentional parenting can shape a child’s future. We also share favorite memories of watching Rydel become a mom and the moments that stand out most.
May 4 · 49 min
Potty Training Chaos, Building Trust With Your Kids, Household Standards | EP 20
Head to cozyearth.com and use code VANTALK for an exclusive 20% off! In this episode of Van Talk, we’re talking about the everyday work of building trust and confidence with your kids. From breaking habits to consistently parenting through conflict, we share why encouragement and cheerleading never really stop, no matter how old your kids are.We also talk about intentionally practicing life skills with kids, things like greeting people, shaking hands, making eye contact, and confidently saying “nice to meet you.” At the same time, we believe kids should have autonomy over their bodies and shouldn’t be forced to hug people if they don’t want to. The conversation also gets practical. We share some of the little systems that help us survive the day, from creating different “stations” around the house for changing scenery to food rewards, potty training outings, and the experiences we’ve had navigating potty training overall.
April 30 · 54 min
First Jobs, Mean Bosses, Slot Machine Luck | EP 19
In this episode of Van Talk, we’re diving into Stormie’s early hustle years. From first jobs and difficult bosses to working two jobs at once while going to school, we talk about what those years really looked like behind the scenes. There wasn’t much of a support system, just determination, resilience, and MarkLynch by her side.We also talk about getting taken advantage of, learning hard lessons in business, starting a company from the ground up, and eventually selling it.And somehow mixed into all of it? A streak of unbelievable luck. Free trips won left and right, jackpots at slot machines, and moments that still feel impossible to explain.

Showing 21–31 of 31 episodes