GilandBrenda

The motivation for this topic comes from Gil and Brenda’s clients. Many of them feel stuck in life like they feel like they have no options or choices. The Stuarts break down the differences between options and choices, which leads to actions. And that can change your life! Listen for the action steps at the end and then apply them. Contact Gil and Brenda and let them know how the choices you have...

Have you ever wondered what your child is thinking? How can I "get in their head" (especially teenagers!)? Join Gil and Brenda as they introduce a concept that helped them through those years...called Floor Time. Having a safe place to talk for you AND your kids is so important now-a-days. The parents set the tone for Floor Time (which Gil and Brenda will give you pointers) so that the experience...

Wonderful interview with Laura Jenkins, founder of In The Blend. She is encouraging stepfamilies who live in Australia...and beyond! We never know where the conversation will go! We always know we'll have fun! Check out more podcasts from Laura at https://omny.fm/shows/in-the-blend Here are her show notes: Gil and Brenda, a husband and wife duo, share their journey into counseling and coaching for...

Being a man in a stepfamily is no easy task. Grab some ideas/concepts/tools that you can put to work right away!

Blended family life doesn't often start with every relationship in harmony. But it's not unusual to develop it along the way. Ron Deal speaks with Gil and Brenda Stuart about how disappointment and confusion eventually morphed into redemption and joy. Celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal was an amazing experience. Another way to celebrate our family! #tipstoolstingles #gilan...

Brenda, and two other Stepmoms were interviewed by Mike and Kim Anderson from MikeandKimCoaching.com. This interview brings 3 perspectives of being a stepmom, but yet there is one common thread. Being a woman in a stepfamily can be a hard road. Whether you join with kids or not, having realistic expectations are part of having a successful formula to help you thrive in your stepfamily. With Tiffan...

Encouragement for Dads in a Stepfamily! Gil was interviewed by Ron Deal, from Family Life Blended. This was a great conversation about how important the Dad is in the stepfamily…and how it can be challenging. Gil doesn’t pull any punches and is pretty raw and honest with Ron. This 8-part video series, filmed on location brings the realities of what it means to be a Stepdad. Topics include: “You’re...

There are 2 things that we share intimately with our spouse: Sex and Money. With financial intimacy, it’s not about the money. Gil and Brenda dive into the deep end on this issue. It’s about experiences, and what it means to you. It’s important that you talk about this with your spouse so you both have a realistic view of how money is “felt” in your family. Even if you’ve been married a while, it’...

Can you keep up with your inner voice? How often is it positive? How often is it negative? Is it toward yourself or whoever you are talking with? Gil and Brenda have a lively conversation… (maybe their inner voices are the ones that are speaking!) about this age-old challenge. How often are we so caught up in listening to our inner voice, we totally miss the person right in front of us? We are all...

S2 Episode 20 MARRIAGE Self Talk; What is Your Inner Voice Saying? Can you keep up with your inner voice? How often is it positive? How often is it negative? Is it toward yourself or whoever you are talking with? Gil and Brenda have a lively conversation… (maybe their inner voices are the ones that are speaking!) about this age-old challenge. How often are we so caught up in listening to our inner...

Unsung Heroes is encouragement for Dads in a Stepfamily. Although, ALL dads will benefit from this 8 episode video series. Gil shares why and how he created this resource for men

A sure-fire way to murder your marriage and bury your relationship...find out how to avoid this!

  Drift and Apathy can wreak havoc in a relationship. How you watch TV may directly impact this! Gil and Brenda share 12 ways (you can come up with more) how couples can have “touchpoints” in their relationship. It’s in the things that we do every day. We miss the opportunity to connect…which launches us right toward the killers in marriage. Believe it or not, even sharing a laugh can be a to...

Gil and Brenda share a concept they have been sharing in their presentations for years. “Rocks in the Bucket” helps give your kids a voice. When done correctly, you empower your children to tell you the truth of how they are feeling. The system is built on you honoring them as they try to honor you with something hard to say. It’s a win/win. We all carry around an invisible bucket; it represents o...

This is part 2 of an interview with Gil Stuart. There isn’t a lot of information for stepdads out there. The content of this interview has been on Gil’s heart for over 18 years. As Brenda interviews Gil, listen in as 6 top questions are asked…3 in part 1 and the remaining 3 in part 2. 1. What is a relational safety zone? 2. It’s ok to love your mom. 3. A rock and a hard spot; You between your wife...

There isn’t a lot of information for stepdads out there. The content of this interview has been on Gil’s heart for over 18 years. As Brenda interviews Gil, listen in as 6 top questions are asked…3 are in this Part 1. 1. How to contend with the infamous “you’re not my dad!” 2. What is reverse betrayal? 3. Stepdads who demand too much too soon. Although this conversation is directed to stepdads, the...

  A heart with a hard husk views the world with a negative sentiment. Gil and Brenda talk about breaking down the husk and how it affects our relationships: marriage, friends, coworkers, etc. Positive or Negative: What lens do we look at our spouse through? If it’s been negative, how do we change it? How does that soften our own heart when we do that? Be aware. Be intentional. What do you think? W...

This is the fourth podcast in a series of 4. Topics in the series: Identity, Connection, Trust and Vulnerability.  Each build on each other yet they stand alone too! May your relationship be challenged, and love and growth happen as you are encouraged! “Being vulnerable in a relationship means allowing your partner to know you fully: your thoughts, feelings, challenges, weaknesses. It can be scary...

  This is the third podcast in a series of 4. Topics in the series: Identity, Connection, Trust and Vulnerability. Each build on each other yet they stand alone too! May your relationship be challenged, and love and growth happen as you are encouraged! Because of your family of origin, past relationships, or just life, your level of trust can be deflated. Violation of trust can lead to pain and co...

This is the second podcast in a series of 4. Topics in the series: Identity, Connection, Trust and Vulnerability. Each build on each other yet they stand alone too! May your relationship be challenged, and love and growth happen as you are encouraged! Connection vs Disconnection. This happens all the time in our relationships. Sometimes we don’t even notice. We all want connection but how do we ge...

This is the first podcast in a series of 4. Topics in the series: Identity, Connection, Trust and Vulnerability.  Each build on each other yet they stand alone too! May your relationship be challenged, and love and growth happen as you are encouraged! Two questions everyone asks in a marriage/relationship: Do I belong? Am I loved? Wow, deep questions. Gil and Brenda tackle these with specific ways...

Are you looking for support for the unique dynamics and challenges that stepfamily life brings? Have you wondered where you can go to get help? Then this episode is for you! Ron Deal talks with Gil and Brenda on how to find a church that will support you as a stepcouple, how to know if you need counseling and where to go, and what to do if not everyone is willing to go. It might be as simple as at...

  S2 Episode 7 STEPFAMILY Interview Craig & Gina Morgan, Blended Together Another powerful conversation about how to strengthen and protect your marriage and stepfamily. Gil and Brenda interview Craig & Gina Morgan with Blended Together. Married 24 years, they are out of the Dallas, TX area, and share an excerpt from their latest resource, Building Blocks for Making the Family Whole Again....

Most people think that when they get married, they won’t be lonely again. Feeling lonely and isolated in a marriage is becoming more common than you may realize. Gil and Brenda have talked with several people that are feeling this way. Do you know someone who is lonely in their marriage? Is it you? Loneliness affects not only our mental health but our physical health too. It depresses our immune s...

  What can those couples who are in Law Enforcement and First Responders do to protect their marriage and family? What can we (those of us who are not in those fields) do to support them? Gil and Brenda interview a couple, who have been living this journey for over 20 years, 10 of those years on a SWAT team. Gabe and Stacey are very candid about the hardships and realities and the toll it can take...