Jennifer Garner Makes Rare Comments About Ben Affleck on Ina Garten's Podcast — and Fans Are Talking

Jennifer Garner and Ina Garten have known each other for more than a decade, and their friendship has given them plenty of stories to share. So when the actress joined the celebrity chef for a relaxed conversation over cocktails and hummus, there was no shortage of memories, laughter, and personal revelations.

The two reunited for the November 4 episode of Garten's Happy Hour podcast to discuss everything from how they first met to motherhood, cooking, philanthropy, and their experiences outside the entertainment industry.

Their friendship began after Garner unsuccessfully tried to secure a guest appearance on Garten's cooking show. They eventually met while filming Barefoot in LA at Garner's home, and the connection grew into a friendship that has lasted approximately 14 and a half years.

During the conversation, Garner also spoke about her different circles of friends, including longtime colleagues and mothers she met through her children's activities. She discussed her work with Save the Children and Once Upon a Farm, while the women exchanged stories about family traditions, Thanksgiving meals, and their shared love of cooking.

Their Conversation Eventually Turned to Travel

As they continued sharing personal stories, Garten brought up a trip to Paris she had once helped Garner plan. The chef remembered offering recommendations about local markets, food shops, and places to visit.

Garner revealed that she had followed some of those suggestions with her daughter and had even recreated parts of the experience during subsequent visits. Garten also recommended taking a boat down the Seine, an idea that Garner eventually tried and said she wanted to repeat whenever she returned to Paris.

But the conversation about the French capital also brought back memories of another European adventure from when Garner's children were much younger.

The Six-Week European Trip That Brought Ben Affleck Into the Conversation

Garner explained that she traveled to Europe when her children were little because Affleck was filming a "Batman-ish movie" in London.

Rather than leave the children behind, the actress took them out of school and spent six weeks traveling with them. When Garten asked what the experience had been like, Garner offered a particularly warm recollection of the vacation.

"It was the last time I really took kids out of school, but it was wonderful. It was so incredible. Yeah, it was incredible. It was so fun."

The actress explained that the family moved between different European destinations, including Venice and Paris. It was also the children's first real experience traveling around Europe.

Her youngest child was just four years old at the time, and Garner fondly remembered him being wrapped in a beautiful purple scarf. She also recalled sending photographs from the trip to Garten, who had encouraged her to take the family on a boat ride down the Seine.

Garner eventually followed the recommendation and explained that she now tries to repeat the experience whenever she visits Paris. She described the boat as a particularly memorable way to see the city, explaining that it sits low on the Seine and offers a beautiful view as the lights begin to come on.

The actress also remembered the smiles on her children's faces in the photographs from that evening, describing the experience as an adventure Garner gave her family.

It was a sweet recollection of a period when Garner and Affleck were still married and raising their children together.

The Memory Comes as Fans Continue to Follow Garner and Affleck's Relationship

Garner and Affleck married in 2005 and welcomed three children together: Violet, Fin, and Samuel. The former couple announced their separation in 2015, after 10 years of marriage, and finalized their divorce in 2018.

Despite the end of their relationship, the couple continues to maintain a connection through their children, often appearing together at family occasions and supporting important milestones in their lives.

Their continued interactions have drawn attention over the years, with some fans occasionally interpreting their closeness as a possible sign they could reunite. Garner's latest recollection has now brought those conversations back.

One commenter expressed sadness about the former couple's separation, writing, "So sad they couldn't work things out. They were a beautiful couple and family."

Another directly encouraged the actress to reconsider her relationship with Affleck, commenting, "Jennifer, give the father of your children another chance; let him back in your life, you know it's what you want to do❤️😢"

Not everyone interpreted the podcast comments as a sign that Garner wanted her former marriage back, however. One social media viewer offered a more critical reaction, writing, "@jennifer.garner. Garner can't move on from Ben.. Garner can't wait to be married to Ben again.. She's so obsessed that Ben is the only thing she talks about every single minute 😅🤡🪱"

Another discussion produced similar reactions, with some people imagining how happy the former couple's children would be if their parents reunited. One commenter wrote, "Their children will be really relly so happy to see you back each other! Its gonna be priceless for them [sic]."

Another person was less enthusiastic about the possibility, saying, "Too bad, he's not serious, and he doesn't respect marriages. He was unfaithful to her. What she's talking about."

The contrasting responses show that fans interpret Garner and Affleck's continued connection differently. However, the actress did not suggest during the podcast that the former spouses were considering getting back together. Her comments were about a family vacation she remembered fondly, not an announcement about her romantic life.

While fans continue to revisit her past marriage, Garner has also built a relationship with businessman John Miller.

Garner Has Been Dating John Miller Since 2018

The two were first romantically linked in 2018, not long after her divorce from Affleck was finalized. According to a PEOPLE report about the beginning of their relationship, a source said Garner had considered herself single for a long time before the divorce was finalized.

The insider explained that she was ready to move forward and explore a new chapter of her life. Garner and Miller reportedly experienced a brief separation around 2020, but they were seen together again in August 2021.

In February 2023, a source told PEOPLE that the couple had rekindled their romance approximately a year earlier. "They have a very special relationship," the insider said, adding that the pair had taken a long break from dating but were happy to be together again.

The source also acknowledged that maintaining the relationship had not always been easy because both had children and family responsibilities. Miller has two children from his previous marriage, while Garner shares three children with Affleck. Garner had previously addressed the possibility of getting married again during a March 2021 interview with PEOPLE.

"I don't know. I'm so far from it. And I don't know that marriage would need to be a part... I mean I definitely don't think that I'll be single forever," she said at the time. "But this is not the time. I don't need to complicate it. I'm good."

Who Is John Miller, the Man Garner Has Been Dating?

Miller is a businessman who serves as CEO of CaliBurger and its parent company, CaliGroup. He is also an attorney and previously worked as vice president of intellectual property at pharmaceutical company Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals from 2004 to 2010.

According to The U.S. Sun's report on Miller's background, he also co-authored a book titled The Handbook of Nanotechnology: Business, Policy, and Intellectual Property Law. Before his relationship with Garner, Miller was married to musician Caroline Campbell. Their marriage began in 2005, though reports differ on when it officially ended.

Miller generally maintains a private lifestyle, much like Garner, and the couple has rarely discussed their relationship publicly. In August 2024, Garner's relationship with Miller also attracted attention amid Affleck's separation from Jennifer Lopez. A source told PEOPLE, "She's happy with John."

The report also noted that Garner and Affleck had recently traveled together to help their eldest daughter, Violet, settle into college at Yale University. That trip was another example of the former spouses continuing to work together as parents, even as they maintained separate romantic relationships.

Miller Is Reportedly Comfortable With Garner's Connection to Affleck

One detail that has emerged from reports about Garner and Miller's relationship is his reported understanding of her continued connection with her ex-husband. In July 2025, PEOPLE published a report describing the couple as more connected than ever.

According to a source, Garner and Miller had reached a particularly comfortable point in their relationship, with those close to them describing it as the most solid and connected they had ever been. The insider also explained that Miller had embraced Garner's family life and understood the importance of her co-parenting relationship with Affleck.

"John has also embraced Jen's family life. He's been patient, supportive, and deeply respectful of her dynamic with Ben and the kids," the source said. The report also highlighted how Miller had been patient with Garner's family responsibilities and respected the arrangement she maintained with Affleck.

An Entertainment Tonight report shared on Instagram offered a similar account. A source told the publication that Garner and Miller felt their bond was unbreakable and that he had helped her through difficult experiences.

The insider also described Miller as supportive of Garner's relationship with Affleck. "John is also completely comfortable with Jen spending time with Ben, and there's never any jealousy. Jen has always been clear that she wouldn't be in a relationship where that wasn't the case."

The report further stated that Miller loves Garner's children while respecting their space.

Garner and Miller Were Recently Spotted Enjoying a Date Night

The couple's relationship has also continued to make occasional public appearances. On August 2, 2026, Garner and Miller were spotted strolling around Santa Monica, California, on their way to dinner. According to PEOPLE's report and photographs of their outing, the actress wore a gray crewneck, white cropped jeans, and sneakers.

Miller opted for a dark gray utility button-down shirt and light-wash blue jeans. The couple appeared relaxed as they walked together, offering another rare glimpse of their relationship away from the spotlight.

Their outing followed earlier reports that their relationship had grown stronger, despite the challenges of maintaining a romance while raising children from previous relationships.

The sighting also came after a period when the couple had kept their relationship particularly private, making the appearance another reminder that they were still together.

Garner's recent outing with Miller also reminds us that she has continued building her life beyond her marriage to Affleck. Although the actress can look back fondly on the family experiences they shared, she has also maintained a relationship with Miller while continuing to co-parent with her former husband.

Her comments on Garten's podcast did not suggest that she and Affleck were considering rekindling their marriage. Instead, they offered a glimpse into a happy chapter of her past, when the family traveled through Europe and made memories she still cherishes.

Still, fans who once admired Garner and Affleck as a couple found her description of those six weeks as "wonderful" and "so fun" enough to bring back old hopes. Others saw it as a mother fondly remembering an adventure with her children.

Whatever fans make of her comments, a conversation about a Paris vacation has once again brought Garner and Affleck's past relationship into the spotlight.

Garner's affectionate recollection of those six weeks offers a glimpse of a happier chapter in her relationship with Affleck. But while the actress can look back on their family memories with warmth, the end of their marriage was far more difficult than those moments might suggest.

In fact, Garner previously opened up about the emotional toll of their separation, revealing that it wasn't simply the end of a romantic relationship that hurt her most. In a candid interview with Marie Claire last year, the actress explained what she found hardest about losing the life they had built together.

As we previously reported, Garner spoke about her 2015 separation from actor Ben Affleck, which ended their ten-year marriage. She said staying private helped her navigate the emotional toll. "The actual breaking up of a family is what was hard. Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard," she said.

She explained that she avoids reading media coverage about herself or her children. "It doesn't serve me to take in gossip about myself or anyone else, much less my kids, so I don't do it," she explained, emphasizing her focus on protecting her family's well-being.

She also acknowledged that media scrutiny brought added challenges. While she noted these were minor compared to global issues, she said it complicated their efforts to maintain privacy.

She credited her close circle for helping her stay grounded. "I make a big, concerted effort to see my people as much as I can, because that's what matters…. That's where your resilience is: it's in your relationships and in the people who carry you through," she shared.

Garner and Affleck officially finalized their divorce in 2018, three years after their separation.

Just days after sharing her reflections on family and resilience, Garner made headlines again, this time for a high-profile public appearance.

Jennifer Garner Makes Elegant Comeback

On January 11, 2026, Jennifer Garner made a stunning entrance at the Golden Globes. It marked her first time attending the event in 13 years.

She wore a show-stopping custom Cong Tri gown, hand-embroidered over 1,300 hours with 330,000 crystal beads. The black column dress shimmered with tiered detail. She paired it with pointed-toe flats and diamond earrings for a polished, understated finish.

Garner also surprised fans with a striking beauty change. She traded her signature middle part for a sleek side part that framed her chestnut locks. Her glowing makeup featured bronzed cheeks, radiant skin, and a soft pink lip. Fans called the look timeless and flawless.

She attended the event as a presenter and joined a star-studded lineup that included Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Queen Latifah. Nominees that evening included Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Timothée Chalamet.

Garner's red carpet return wasn’t the only headline of the night. Another familiar face with ties to Affleck also made a striking appearance.

Ben Affleck's Ex Dazzles in Dramatic Look

Jennifer Lopez also turned heads at the Golden Globes with a bold red carpet look. She wore a sheer, nude-toned gown covered in brown embroidered leaves.

The high-neck, long-sleeved dress hugged her figure and featured carefully placed details that created both drama and elegance.

She finished the look with a sleek updo, drop earrings, and a sparkling bronze clutch. Her makeup featured a bronzed glow, bold eyes, and a nude lip. The overall look struck the perfect balance between glamour and edge.

Affleck Spends the Day With Both Exes

In December 2025, Affleck was reportedly seen attending a performance of "Stereophonic" at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre with Garner and their daughter Seraphina, who brought along a friend for the outing.

Garner kept her look relaxed in a black turtleneck sweater and wide-leg jeans, styled with a belt, wedge boots, and a sleek black handbag. Affleck wore a gray jacket over a pink button-down shirt and slacks, finished with lace-up boots and his signature scruff.

Seraphina wore a knit shark hoodie, black jeans, and Converse sneakers. The teen carried a bright orange water bottle and a brown satchel, and wore thick-framed glasses.

Later that same day, Affleck met up with Lopez for lunch. Their son Samuel, whom he shares with Garner, joined them for the outing. After their meal, the pair was spotted shopping at Sezane and Doen before going their separate ways.

From a joyful European family adventure to the painful end of their marriage, Jennifer Garner's reflections offer a reminder that relationships can leave behind both cherished memories and difficult experiences.

Although fans may still hope for a reunion, the actress's latest comments show that she can look back on parts of her past with warmth while continuing to build her life in the present.