Blended Family Breakthrough

Those of us facing the common challenges of blending often feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or discouraged. It’s easy to drift into survival mode and settle for “not that bad.” In this episode, we'll share a clear plan to move forward in a simple way that's not about the pressure of big, dramatic New Year's resolutions.   Here's the truth: transformation doesn’t happen overnight,...

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see h...

Do you ever spend time reminiscing? We seem to think back a lot from our current empty next vantage point.  It can be great to recall some of those funny moments in our history.  And it's meaningful when we recount the tough seasons we've endured together as well. As we head into the holidays, we thought it would be fun to pull an interview with our kids out of the archives. So, in this...

Questions to Ask Yourself Am I continuing to engage in “first-family” activities with my ex (even though we’re divorced), mainly because I’m trying to guard my children from experiencing any disappointment or discomfort? Have I noticed any confusion or resentment from my children when they observe our Perfect Pal relationship and compare it to what’s actually happened in their lives? Do I feel com...

If you’re co-parenting between two homes, you already know: your kids are watching everything .  How you talk about their other parent, handle handoffs, respond to schedule changes, and react when the ex sends that text.  These everyday issues impact and shape your children’s well-being. In this episode, we sit down with co-parenting experts Jay & Tammy Daughtry, who are both adult children of...

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see h...

You want this season to feel special for your blended family. But instead of joy, you’re feeling grumpy, anxious, or even a little hopeless. Schedule changes, empty chairs at the table, tension with an ex, and slow bonding in step-relationships can make gratitude feel out of reach. Deep down you might be wondering, “How am I supposed to be thankful when life really hurts?” In this episode, we&apos...

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see h...

The holidays can turn magical…  …or messy!  This is especially true when two households, multiple calendars, and big expectations collide.  You want peace, memories, and connection; the problem is last-minute schedule changes, mixed emotions, and the pressure to please everyone.  We’ve been there. In this conversation, we'll offer practical guidance with a simple plan: five respectful negotia...

You’re the parent, or stepparent, who wants less conflict and more connection. But a child’s resistance, sarcasm, isolation, or hurtful words, such as: “you’re not my dad,” can derail plans and result in hurtful interactions.  We’ve been there. In part 2 of this mini-series, you'll discover how to respond well in tough moments of pushback by using John Gottman’s 5 steps of Emotion Coaching. Y...

We know that pushback moments can sting. Eye rolls, refusals, accusations, or shutting down are all things kids in blended families can tend to do. It’s easy for parents and stepparents to appease, minimize, deflect, control, try to 'fix-it' or simply avoid pushback (we’ve done it too).  In this two-part series, we act as your guides and name the real struggle beneath kids' hurtful...

Resources Episode 221. Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free...

Blended family couples often carry unprocessed pain and can slip into patterns of “autopilot", which fuels disconnection and discouragement. Chad and Jdele Brignac know this firsthand. After merging their families, they hoped for “Brady Bunch” magic. Instead, they spent 17 years in deep grief and survival mode as unexamined patterns collided. In this episode, we draw out their hard-won wisdom...

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see h...

Have you ever experienced an awkward "stepfamily moment" in public?  Like when someone notices that you and your child have different last names or makes assumptions about your family dynamics?  We've experienced plenty of those moments in our blended family journey, and it doesn't feel very good.  In today’s conversation, we address the experience of feeling “marginalized” or...

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Blending Together Community Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to h...

Over our 24 years of blending, we’ve discovered that every couple needs a clear strategy to get unstuck and move toward the family future they really want. In this conversation, we share a proven approach to aligning around your family's goals, creating a values-based parenting approach, and avoiding the common pitfalls that lead to chaos, resentment, and division.  We know how confusing and...

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help.  You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see h...

If you’ve ever felt like the values you’re trying to instill in your kids get undone the moment they step into the other home, you’re not alone. We’ve been there—and we know how discouraging it can feel. In this episode, we share a powerful tool we first learned from Ron Deal called the Inoculation Strategy . It’s a simple, practical way to prepare your kids to recognize and resist negative influe...

Resources Surviving & Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships by Patricia Papernow Episode 217. Feeling Overwhelmed and Powerless?  How to Regain Hope with Tools that Heal [with EJ and Tarah Kerwin] Episode 139. T he Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences Episode 206. Avoid These 5 Common Pitfalls to Ensure a Successful Partnership Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question  ...

If you’ve ever wondered why blending a family feels so hard—even when you're "doing everything right"—this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, we connect with EJ and Tarah Kerwin—professional therapists and co-founders of the Relationship Renovation Counseling Center—who open up about the very real and very raw struggles they faced when they merged their lives into one blen...

Resources Episode 36. How to Change Your "Stories" and Grow Connection [with Mark Warren]  Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We've made it easy.  Just click here:  https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the b...

If you're feeling stuck in a blended family marriage that’s filled with constant conflict, emotional disconnection, or overwhelming stress, you're not alone—and you're not without hope.  Wes and Jennie were right where you are. Ten kids, a new marriage, and the chaos of the pandemic had pushed them into survival mode. Their arguments were frequent and intense. Their connection was f...

Resources Episode 215. Does Your Relationship Feel Hopeless? Why Giving Up Might Not Be the Answer   The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman Episode 155. How to Easily Enjoy Meaningful Conversations and More Connection with Your Spouse [with Jennifer Zumbiel] Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question   Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show?  Let us know! We'...

In this important episode, we’re talking to the spouse who feels stuck, discouraged, or even ready to throw in the towel. We get it.  We’ve been there too. We’re diving into a powerful resource: Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, Loving Your Spouse When You Feel Like Walking Away . We’ll unpack four painful myths that keep couples stuck and explore six powerful “realities” that can spark real change, starti...