Blended Kingdom Families Podcast

Scott and Vanessa reflect on 2023, a year of growth through trusting God during hardship. They recap ministry highlights like launching video curriculum, Uversion devotionals, conferences, groups across the country, BKF coaching, and podcasts. Looking ahead, 2024 plans include expanding coaching, more resources like books and studies, events, fundraising, and partnerships to help more blended fami...

Join us in this special episode of the Blended Kingdom Families podcast as we share heartwarming stories and tips on navigating the holiday season in blended families. From decorating Christmas trees to serving the community, discover how new traditions can bring joy, gratitude, love, and a sense of connection. We pray this episode blesses you today!  Want to join the Blended Kingdom Families Comm...

In this special holiday episode of the podcast, Vanessa and her son, Michael, to talk about the holiday season from a teenager's perspective. He shares tips for blended families on making holiday transitions smoother for kids. He talks about the importance of communication, flexibility, and involving kids in the planning. Vanessa and Michael also discuss setting boundaries, laying aside diffe...

Discover the secrets to a healthy blended family in this insightful Q&A episode of the Blended Kingdom Families podcast. Join Vanessa and Jessica Russo, Director of Donor Relations here at BKF, as they tackle real questions from audience members facing past relationship wounds, co-parenting conflicts, and frustrations with former spouses. Vanessa shares her personal journey as a divorced and r...

In this episode, liscensed professional counselor and blended family coach Scott Martindale takes the mic to answer listeners' questions. He shares practical advice on stepchild relationships, discipline roles, conflict resolution, and more. His unique perspective will give you actionable steps for improving your blended family relationships. Listen in to hear your questions answered!  We hop...

On this week’s podcast episode, hosts Scott and Vanessa Martindale are joined by a special guest, Cheryl Shumake, a stepmom with a powerful ministry dedicated to supporting and inspiring stepmoms. Cheryl shares her insights on navigating the challenges of blended families and discusses her latest book, "Waiting to Be Wanted: A Stepmom's Guide to Loving Before Being Loved." The conve...

The holidays can be a challenging time for blended families. In this uplifting episode, Scott and Vanessa share how cultivating gratitude and thankfulness can bring joy and strengthen family bonds. Learn how starting traditions, quiet reflection, and extending grace to co-parents can foster unity and create new positive memories. Whether you're gathering with grandparents, looking back on the...

Honoring God in dating can be challenging in todays world. In this episode, Scott and Vanessa discuss God's design for dating and marriage. They emphasize the importance of identifying values and traits that are non-negotiable in a spouse, while also being open to the Holy Spirit’s leadership. They also discuss the importance of open communication, premarital counseling, and being bold about...

One challenge that blended families face is setting healthy boundaries with extended family members. Boundaries are the limits and rules we set for how others will interact with us, and they are vital for the health of any family. In this final episode in our series on extended family dynamics in blended families, we unpack the importance of boundaries as a means to protect and preserve the nuclea...

When we go through a divorce, our relationships with our extended family members can be affected, which can then affect our (step)child’s relationships with them. In the second episode of this series, we discuss the value of allowing our children and stepchildren to keep strong bonds with their extended family members after divorce, and we offer small steps we can take to rebuild or maintain those...

Blended family life can be a challenge, but what is it like to be a step-grandparent? What are some best practices for being a great step-grandparent? In this episode, our hosts Scott and Vanessa Martindale talk with a step-grandparent, Mike Hill. Mike is the Marriage Pastor at Beltway Park Church in Abilene, Texas. Together they talk about the experience of being a step-grandparent, what it means...

Welcome to a special episode of the podcast, where we dive deep into the important subjects of image and body image. Join hosts Scott and Vanessa as they sit down with Rachael Gilbert, a licensed therapist, author, speaker, and podcast host. Together, they explore the impact of media, culture, and personal experiences on our self-perception and body image. They also discuss actionable steps to bri...

In this episode, we dive into the unique experiences of a teenager navigating life within two blended families. Michael Singleton, in a conversation with his stepfather, Scott Martindale, shares candidly the highs and lows of parental divorce and subsequent remarriage. The two of them talk about the early blending years, how their relationship has evolved over time, and how their relationship is c...

Discover the keys to nurturing a resilient stepparent-stepchild bond in the second episode of our series on "How To Build Strong Stepparent-stepchild Connections, Part 2." In this episode, Scott and Vanessa Martindale discuss crucial action steps for fostering trust and connection. Learn how both biological parents and stepparents can create a safe and comfortable environment, encouragin...

The relationship between a stepparent and their stepchildren can be complicated and complex because there are so many factors at play. Sometimes, those dynamics can delay or derail step-parent/stepchild bonding. In this episode, Scott and Vanessa talk about the role step parents play in creating a solid bond with their stepchild; they also offer suggestions for nurturing and growing those relation...

In this special podcast episode, Pastor Jon Chasteen and Brent Evans, join Scott Martindale in the studio to talk about life, marriage, and parenting from the male perspective. They clear up some common misconceptions wives have and peel back the curtain on how men think differently than women. They talk about the unique mega needs of men, men’s desire to please their wives, and why they want thei...

This week, Scott and Vanessa discuss how to establish healthy boundaries with a co-parent during the child’s transition from one home to the other. They talk about their experiences during both successful and challenging co-parenting seasons. They also shed light on essential factors to consider when creating boundaries with an ex-spouse and emphasize the importance of prioritizing children's...

Financial planning in blended families can be complex and overwhelming. This episode talks through practical steps to simplify and start planning. We cover vital facets of financial well-being, including transparent money management, strategic estate planning, beneficiary designations, and the importance of tax planning. You don't want to miss the conversation Vanessa and Scott Martindale hav...

Scott and Vanessa talk about the importance of discussing finances with your spouse when you are newly blended, especially if the two of you did not have those conversations before marriage. They also offer suggestions for ongoing financial conversations moving forward.  If you’re newly blended and you haven’t talked about money, it’s important to start having those financial conversations as soon...

In this special episode, BKF founders Scott and Vanessa Martindale talk about the unique situations blended families face as school ramps up for another year. They discuss how parents and co-parents can prepare for school and how to help their children and stepchildren thrive in an educational setting. They also offer practical suggestions for using back-to-school activities as an opportunity to b...

This episode is the first in a new series, “Blended Family Finances.” Scott Martidale shares his perspective as a therapist. He has worked with many couples who are in conflict because they don’t know how to handle finances as a blended family.  He suggests areas of financial conversations to discuss before marriage, as well as ongoing money conversations that are important for blended family fina...

This is the fourth and final episode in our series on sibling unity in blended families. Scott and Vanessa tackle the topic of creating unity among siblings and stepsiblings when you are beginning to blend. They provide a child’s perspective of blending  (it’s not easy!), and they explain why the kids can get along one minute but despise each other the next (it’s normal!).  If you and your new spo...

In this third episode in our series “Sibling Unity in Blended Families,” we talk about helping step siblings build strong bonds when there is a significant age gap. We share from our childhood experiences of having step siblings, and we offer suggestions for fostering step sibling relationships despite the differences in ages. If you are a parent, stepparent, or co-parent of step siblings, check o...

This is our second episode in our series, “Sibling Unity in Blended Families.” If your children and stepchildren are struggling to get along, this podcast is for you! We give you an honest look at siblings and stepsiblings, what to expect as your family blends (all kids argue from time to time!), and practical suggestions for fostering better relationships among them. We pray this podcast blesses...

This podcast kicks off a new series on sibling unity in blended families. Scott and Vanessa offer practical tips for working toward sibling unity and the challenges inherent when two families merge into one. We pray this podcast blessed you today! #blendedkingdomfamilies #restoredfamilymovement Want to join the Blended Kingdom Families Community? Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/blendedkingdomfa...