FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

The enneagram gives us insight into our unique gifts and the contributions we can make with those around us. But it shouldn’t be the ultimate source of our identity. Ron Deal talks with Jeff and Beth McCord about interpreting core enneagram types alongside the truth of the Gospel as we relate to others. Show Notes and Resources Dive deeper into the 9 different Enneagram types Free downloads from J...

No one wants to walk through grief and suffering. But God uses hard times to grow our character, develop perseverance, and find hope in Him. Ron Deal talks with Davey and Kristi Blackburn about how to trust God's faithfulness during painful seasons and find healing and restoration through Him. Show Notes and Resources 10th Anniversary DVD Edition of The Smart Stepfamily Women and Blended Families...

Do you have wounds from a previous relationship that you carried into your new family? We call these ghosts of marriage past. Unresolved residue also happens with our kids and affects our ability to form trust and intimacy with others. Ron Deal speaks with Moe and Paige Becnel about how to wrestle with our ghosts and lessen their power. Show Notes and Resources The Smart Stepfamily online series M...

Blended family life doesn't often start with every relationship experiencing harmony. But it's not unusual to develop it along the way. Listen to Ron Deal speak with Gil and Brenda Stuart about how disappointment and confusion in their family relationships with 7 kids eventually morphed into redemption and joy. Show Notes and Resources Gil and Brenda Stuart Get a copy of Restored and Remarried , w...

Former NFL player Jeff Kemp has spent decades connecting with men. He understands the common struggles which include insecurity, comparison, and shame. He shares with Ron Deal how men can best cope by understanding their identity in our Father God, and why healthy male friendships are valuable in everyday life. Show Notes and Resources Get Jeff Kemp's Men Huddle Playbook Online Certificate course...

Men want harmony in their homes, but the dynamics of blended family life can threaten peaceful relationships. Mike Haney speaks with Ron Deal on how stepdads can create meaningful connections with their stepchildren through warm and inviting behavior, a perspective for long-term bonds, and mindfulness toward a role that less is more. Show Notes and Resources The Summit on Stepfamily ministry Info...

Do you struggle with 2nd wife syndrome? Are you confused with your role and often feel you can't measure up to the expectations? Ron Deal speaks with Bill and Jen Rogers on the valuable role stepmoms play and offers encouragement and pro tips for those stuck in the trenches. Show Notes and Resources Free download: Top 10 Pro tips Jen's Bold and Blended podcast Read: The Smart Stepmom Attend The Su...

Litigation creates stress and anxiety for stepfamilies, but there are ways to experience peace and bring kindness to others in the midst of it. Listen to Ron Deal with Scott and Vanessa Martindale on how to resist negative emotions and find resolution in custody cases that best meets the needs of your child. Show Notes and Resources Find more FamilyLife Blended resources. Get your copy of Scott an...

When complicated circumstances show up in blended families, relationship-building slows down. Ron Deal speaks with Dr. Darrell Bock about how the death of his mom when he was a teenager, a dad who traveled weekly with work, and a new stepmom with three kids created tension and uneasiness for everyone. Show Notes and Resources Blended and Blessed information and registration Get your copy of Lauren...

Stepfamilies are fundamentally different than biological families, which can create tension and ambiguity for everyone involved. In this episode, Ron Deal speaks with Dr. Patricia Papernow about key principles for healthy relationship building in blended families which navigating complex dynamics and competing priorities between the marriage and the children. Show Notes and Resources Step-Insiders...

How can you establish your marital relationship as the foundation for the home when children preceded your union? It starts by understanding that a strong marriage contributes more significantly to the stability of the home than any other factor—including the children. In this episode, Ron Deal and Gayla Grace offer practical tips on how to put your spouse in the front seat of your heart while sti...

Blending isn't the goal for stepfamilies; it suggests the family becomes one in a relational sense, which rarely occurs. Other cooking strategies that stepfamilies try, such as the instapot, food processor, or pressure cooker, don't work well either. Then what does? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace discuss how crockpot cooking is the key. Show Notes and Resources Get your copy of The Smart Stepf...

Do you have a roadmap to follow on your blended family journey? We'd like to encourage using God's Word to guide you, encourage you, and empower your steps. Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace, along with stepcouple guests, talk about the value of scripture for families who are in need of hope, guidance, comfort, and encouragement in their homes. Show Notes and Resources We would love to hear about...

What are key stepping stones every stepfamily needs that will lead to healthy relationship building? Ron Deal and Gayla Grace discuss how perseverance, flexibility, commitment, Christ-likeness and other core attributes work together to create familyness. Show Notes and Resources Share a positive moment in your family's journey with others. Write to us at BlendedQuestions@familylife.com or call 407...

Every parent undertands the power a smartphone carries with kids. What rules, principles, or contracts should you put in place to manage their use? David Eaton, author of Smartphone Sanity , talks with Ron Deal about 8 major concerns to consider that will keep smartphones from invading your home and hijacking your child. Show Notes and Resources Learn about Axis. Get your copy of David's book, Sma...

Parents who are alienated from their children due to the behavior of a former spouse face devastating loss. But there is hope for redemption! Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Dr. Richard Marks on how Marks re-connected with his mother as an adult and has enjoyed a healthy, thriving relationship with her for 30 years. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Dr. Richard Marks Listen to episo...

What does it mean to work smarter, not harder? How do we apply that to our relationships and why is it important? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace talk about unique blended family dynamics and the value of strategic and intentional behavior as we build relationships. Show Notes and Resources Empowered to Love Registration Blended Family Events and Resources Find blended family ministries and eve...

It's the most wonderful time of year! Wait ... is it really? We want Christmas to be a season that feels magical. But too often, we feel disappointment, stress, sadness, and loneliness. Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with author and former co-host of FamilyLife Today Bob Lepine on how to find lasting joy this holiday season. Show Notes and Resources Empowered to Love Registration Watch Women an...

How did Ron Deal get started in blended family ministry? When was FamilyLife Blended birthed and what role does Nicole Burns play? What about Gayla Grace's start in stepfamily ministry? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace tell their stories and how they intersect with FamilyLife. Show Notes and Resources Listen to episode 21- Stepfamilies and The Holidays Thank you for sending a year end donation!...

Growing up in an unstable blended home with 7 stepmoms and 11 marriages between his parents left Fred Von Canon determined to change his legacy. Listen to his conversation with Ron Deal as he and his wife Anita describe their passion and commitment toward creating a godly home in their own blended family. Show Notes and Resources FamilyLife Blended resources Women and Blended Families Thank you fo...

As a single parent, it's natural to yearn for a marriage partner who will love you AND your kids unconditionally. But is that realistic? Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Sabrina McDonald about dating, remarriage, and stepfamily life after widowhood, and the valuable lessons she's learned. Show Notes and Resources Sabrina McDonald Get a copy of Preparing to Blend Read Dating and the Single Pa...

Pornography is everywhere. It's quickly becoming the leading sex educator of our kids. Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Brian Goins and Gayla Grace about the new documentary series "Brain, Heart, World" to learn how to address this important topic with your family. Show Notes and Resources Access the "Brain, Heart, World" free video series. Get your copy of Brian's book: Playing Hurt: A Guy’...

Would you consider joining our mission to serve blended families as a volunteer or affiliate staff with FamilyLife Blended? Listen to Ron Deal and four couples share about why and how they minister to stepcouples and the blessings they receive in return. Show Notes and Resources Find a Stepfamily Event or Small Group. Learn more about FamilyLife. Support this podcast with a donation. Learn more ab...

As parents and stepparents, we want to raise our kids well, but we often feel inadequate. In this episode, Ron Deal talks with Ginger Hubbard about parenting the heart of our children, seeking a change in behavior that stems from a change in their heart, and motivating them to become God-pleasers, not people-pleasers. Show Notes and Resources Get a copy of one of Ginger's books and/or listen to Th...

Are you in the early years of blending a family and you wonder if life will ever get easier? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace talk about the honeymoon season that often follows the hard relationship-building years and the rewards that come as familyness begins. Show Notes and Resources Look for a blended small group happening in your area. Get a copy of The Smart Stepfamily. Your gift will be ma...