FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Imagine you have a relationship with your father for many years, then find out there are family secrets that will dramatically change your relationship and life. Stepfamily instability can bring confusion and shame to both children and adults. But God works in and through imperfect people and families. Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Ray and Robin McKelvy and how God's love and grace brough...

Did you know the military has a high-rate of couples in stepfamilies? Did you know that military personnel marry, divorce, and remarry at a younger age and more frequently than civilians do? Todd Gangl, co-founder of Military Ready Stepfamily, talks with Ron Deal about the added stressors military stepfamilies experience and how these families can create a healthy stepfamily culture that gives eve...

We can't help but live in a social culture. For blended families, that culture often includes multiple homes, ambiguous roles of parents and stepparents, and lots of moving parts. Listen in while Ron Deal talks with pediatrician Dr. Meg Meeker on how parents and stepparents can protect their kids from the culture and make a lasting impact on those in their home. Show Notes and Resources Learn more...

Our world expects moms and stepmoms to be against each other. The social media club of "let's bash the mom or stepmom and commiserate together" is alive and well. But when a mom and stepmom don't play that game-when they find a way past resentment and appreciate what each offers the children, and cooperate on behalf of the child-people take notice and the world celebrates a small victory. In this...

For most of us, grandparents are fabulous! They are the adults who love us, but don't have to discipline us, and because they don't have to take us home, relish the chance to spoil us. Stepgrandparenting can be all that if everyone agrees that it can-and everyone wants it to happen. Listen in on this episode while Ron Deal talks with Gordon and Carrie Taylor about the unique aspects of grandparent...

Whatever we invest ourselves on a regular basis-our habits-not only become commonplace, but actually shape our decisions and our relationships. What are the habits-the daily practices-of your marriage? And how can they make your blended family marriage stronger? In this episode, Ron Deal talks with marriage and family therapist and stepfamily coach, Jayna Haney, and her husband Mike about intentio...

Parents, stepparents and school representatives (teachers, counselors, and administrators) all play a role in helping school-home relationships thrive. But not everyone knows how to play that role. Ron Deal is joined by school counselor Allison Weatter, principal Steven Helmick, and teacher Nan Deal, along with stepmom and author Gayla Grace, for a panel discussion on this important subject. As a...

Stepfamily life often includes a variety of crises, some big, many small. How do you effectively manage those crises and come out on the other side with connected relationships and renewed commitment? Crisis counselor Jennifer Ellers became a stepmom and had to survive her own crisis of expectation. She and her husband, Kevin, join Ron Deal in this episode and offer tips and tools they've learned...

As a second wife or husband, have you ever felt second best? Or treated as second class by others? How can you be first in your spouse's heart when you're not the ONLY? In this episode, Ron Deal talks with Lore Ferguson Wilbert about how to combat your insecurities that naturally arise in second marriages. Perhaps there's a lack of trust, shame, or feelings of competition with your partner's forme...

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 Stuart 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 simpl...

If you had your pick, what term would you use for the stepparent in your family? Some people are perfectly fine with “stepparent”, but others prefer “bonus parent” or “Smom” if you’re a stepmom. And, does the label really matter? Or is it how you conduct yourself as a stepparent that matters? Ron Deal will get into all that and more on today’s FamilyLife Blended podcast with guests, Steve and Mist...

If you've ever had frustrations dealing with between-parenting issues, today's conversation will provide you practical help. We're going to wrestle with the every day hiccups of co-parenting and the stressful, ultra frustrating challenge of dealing with a difficult former spouse. Healthy co-parenting truly works. Jay and Tammy Daughtry talk with Ron Deal about how they have thrived in this area an...

For stepparents, biological parents, and children, Mother's Day and Father's Day seem to have tons of swirling emotions. How do you manage this so the day doesn't work against you? Our panel of guests today react to the challenges that all members of a stepfamily can feel on these special days. Previous podcast guests have shared their experiences and tips for you. Additionally, Ron Deal talks wit...

Should you ask your spouse about their previous sex life? What if you find yourself thinking about sex with your former spouse-is that a problem? And, what if your spouse is thinking about sex with their former spouse-should you be concerned? What if there are clear differences in your sex life now and then-what do you do with that and how do you keep it from being a problem? Healthy marital sexua...

If a parent dies, it is devastating to a child and the other parent has to carry the load of parenting. But what if one parent is there, but absent. Many people think life would be easier if the other parent was "missing in action". It's not. That kind of ambiguity is confusing for everyone. And, how does that impact a blended family, kids, and a parent and stepparent who have to pick up all the p...

Many times the voice of the child in a blended family is drowned by the conflict and loss associated with how the couple entered the stepfamily journey. In this episode, Ron Deal invites children of divorce, Ryan Guinee and David Bowden, to share how they grew up in a stepfamily blender. They offer perspective on their experiences and progress as adult men with wives and children of their own. Sho...

We sometimes hear the term "broken" when people describe families that have gone through a divorce. However, Ron Deal suggests that we not refer to stepfamilies, as broken families because all of humanity is broken due to sin. Today's guests Sandi Patty and Don Peslis share how brokenness was a starting point for their relationship and how God has redeemed their story beyond broken. Show Notes and...

What if you were hearing conflicting messages about moral values-from two people you loved and respected-and very much wanted to please? That is what a child who lives in two different homes and is part of a blended family often feels. Melody Fabien joins Ron Deal for a conversation about her experience learning to navigate between the homes, hearts, and faith of her divorced parents. Her stance t...

Dr. Gary Chapman has spread the message of love languages to millions of people. In this episode, Dr. Chapman and Ron Deal discuss their new book, Building Love Together in Blended Families, and how couples can navigate love languages in stepfamilies. Through stories, research, and practical tips, they encourage families to help build love together in: marriage, stepparenting, sibling relationship...

As a first-marriage, blended family, Darryl and Gwen Smith had good intentions when they wed over thirty years ago. However, their immaturity and emotional baggage led to a divorce. Utlimately, after spending time in prison and losing his family, Darryl became a Christian. God restored him and began to soften Gwen's heart toward him. They discuss with Ron Deal their remarriage and how God is helpi...

Many stepcouples know that they will be merging families, but most don't realize that they are merging their belongings, as well. Maybe you combined two families and didn't have room for everything. Who decides what goes and what stays? Author and speaker, Kathi Lipp, helps people de-clutter their homes. She and Ron Deal will discuss how we all need to purge things from our relationships as well....

It's that time of year again when you not only need to plan for the holidays but need to prepare for the co-parenting issues that inevitably arise. Ron Deal and guests share their wisdom and blunders of navigating holidays through the years. We'll also hear holiday tips and ideas for stepfamilies from previous podcast guests. Show Notes and Resources The Smart Stepfamily by Ron Deal.  https://shop...

Whether you are dating, engaged or single hoping to marry one day, there are preparations to make if you or your significant other have children. How do you get ready to blend? Drs. Jeff and Judi Parziale discuss with Ron Deal how they coach couples in pre-stepfamily work and the wisdom they have learned in their 20 year marriage. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Blended and Blessed®. www...

The topic of money matters can be a pain point in any marriage and family. However, blended families can produce monetary minefields! Debt, child support payments, and inheritance conundrums influence couples' decisions in stepfamilies. Instead of blowing up, Ron Deal, Greg Pettys, and David Edwards offer a better way to handle your money as they discuss financial planning and how blended families...

For each of us, regardless of our age, the acceptance of our parents and significant others in our life is incredibly important. Many people spend a lifetime searching for something the Bible calls, The Blessing. John Trent and his daughter, Kari Trent-Stageberg, join Ron Deal for a conversation about how the principle of blessing has affected their lives and how it can be applied to parenting and...