How to Build a Healthy Relationship with Eri Kardos

In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, I’m joined by Eri Kardos, a relationship coach and founder of Relearn Love, for a practical and honest conversation about what it actually takes to build healthy, connected relationships.Eri challenges the idea that we should instinctively know how to do relationships well. Instead, she frames them as a skill set most of us were never taught. From communication and boundaries to intimacy and conflict, we explore what it means to learn love consciously rather than relying on patterns shaped early in life.A big part of the conversation focuses on communication. How do you say what you actually mean in a way someone can hear? And how do you listen without jumping to defend or fix? Eri shares simple but powerful tools, like inviting someone into a conversation, being clear about what you need, and creating space to truly be heard.We also unpack the idea that not everyone communicates or processes in the same way. Some people think out loud, others need time. Some are direct, others more indirect. Understanding these differences can remove a huge amount of friction and make relationships feel a lot easier.Conflict is another key theme. Rather than something to avoid, Eri reframes it as an opportunity for connection. Most arguments are not about what’s happening in the moment, but about old patterns being triggered. When you start to see it that way, you can approach conflict as a team rather than opponents.At its core, this episode is about taking responsibility for how we show up in relationships. Learning the skills, letting go of assumptions, and creating something that feels supportive, energising, and genuinely good to be in.Episode HighlightsWhy most people were never taught how to build healthy relationshipsThe core communication skills that help you feel heard and understoodHow to listen with presence instead of reacting or defendingWhy inviting someone into a conversation changes everythingUnderstanding internal vs external processors and direct vs indirect communicationHow unspoken expectations create tension in relationshipsWhy conflict is often about old wounds, not the present momentReframing conflict as a way to build connection and repairThe role of boundaries, intimacy, and keeping relationships feeling aliveLove labs, experimentation, and keeping relationships playful and juicyTimestamps00:00 Why relationships are a skill we’re never taught03:00 Eri’s background and journey into relationship coaching10:00 Communication and how to be clearly heard18:00 Listening, presence, and creating space for connection26:00 Personality styles and how people process differently34:00 The Relearn Love framework43:00 Relationship agreements and expectations50:00 Conflict and learning how to fight well56:00 Practical tools for navigating conflict in real timeGuest BioEri Kardos is a relationship coach, speaker, and founder of Relearn Love, a global platform helping people build healthier, more connected relationships. With a background in sexual psychology and leadership development at Amazon, she has worked with individuals, couples, and organisations around the world. Eri is also a TEDx speaker and author, known for her practical, science-backed approach to communication, conflict, and intimacy.About the Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring how to live a more joyful and meaningful life. Through thoughtful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, the show covers topics like mental health, relationships, resilience, and human behaviour, offering practical insights and real stories to help you live well.