GilandBrenda

Gil and Brenda present Part 2 of this podcast on communication and conflict. Pass it along to your friends, family, and co-workers. They share great insights into the distorted thinking that hinders our communication with others. And they are BIG on communicating well so that connection happens. False beliefs about ourselves can get in our way of loving and speaking to others in a healthy producti...

ANYONE can relate to this podcast today! The most important conversation is the one you have with yourself. Assumptions and negative self-talk (among other conversations with yourself) will directly impact your conversations with others. Gil and Brenda will share 4 of the 8 common distortions in our thinking. Which ones do you resonate with? Get rid of your stinkin' thinkin' today! Just being awar...

(please excuse the “rough sound” on this interview) Through all cultures, what is the common thread of Fatherhood? Rick Johnson, from Better Dad’s shares, that deep down, men want to be good Fathers. Gil and Brenda interview this best selling author of 12 books (in 14 different languages,) international speaker on men, women, marriages. Dads and stepdads alike share the incredible responsibility o...

The more we work with remarried couples the #1 challenge is the ex. Whether it is your ex or your spouse's ex, they can impact our families, both positively but mostly negatively. Gil and Brenda talk about how to disengage those hot buttons that the ex knows how to set off in us. By Cutting and Cauterizing the emotions, your current marriage and family will be in a healthier place. You can not con...

We can all relate to having stress in our life, right? Some seasons carry more than others. Gil and Brenda share 3 ways stress (cortisol) is released into your body and how you can help get rid of it! The first thing is knowing what stresses you have! Identifying it/them is the first step. Listen in as Gil and Brenda share 4 more ways to de-stress! You’ll feel better physically, emotionally and sp...

S1 Episode 24 STEPMOM'S Interview with Emily Jordan

Everyone will get something out of this interview!! Stepfamily life is hard enough. Then add in the military component and that is a stress multiplier for sure. Gil and Brenda interview Todd and Tammy Gangle who have 6 kids in their stepfamily. Todd was an Air Force Chaplain  He shares about the 3 D’s in a military stepfamily. We only had time to scratch the service here. We’re hoping to do more i...

Conflict. Boy, this is a biggie when it comes to relationships. Don’t you wish you could have a plan in place, so when conflict comes (because it always will), you know what to do? Gil and Brenda will share 10 steps to help resolve any conflict you have. Tone and body language play into this too. Couples get that “ah ha” moment when they work these steps! Be one of those couples   #tipstoolsandtin...

At times, marriage can be a struggle. Like wrestling, embracing the struggle and working through it can make us stronger. Our dear friend, Dan Russell has first-hand experience in the wrestling world. (see his accolades below) Gil and Brenda have a lively conversation with Dan about the similarities between marriage and wrestling. The kiss of death, a united vision, our opponent and our coach are...

Do you ever wish you could communicate with your spouse, exactly what your heart wants? How can you be heard without WW3 starting? This episode is all about doing that! Listen in as Gil and Brenda share with you how to speak in loving and clear ways with your spouse. You will have peace, clarity and less miscommunication (ie: conflict) to your marriage.   #gilandbrenda #tipstoolsandtingles #Restor...

Gil and Brenda interview Willie and Rachel Scott with Better Than Blended.  How do you handle a messy custody battle? How do support your spouse? How can it affect your marriage? What’s the biggest challenge for the kids? Do you really need to be able to bite your tongue? The Scotts share valuable tools to help you (or someone you know) through this “icky” part of the stepfamily adventure. If you...

Do you think your kids are grieving? You may be surprised to hear the answer. Because we(the adults) are happy to have found love again, doesn't mean that our kids feel the same way! The stepfamily journey can be very difficult. Part of that journey that no one likes to talk about is the subject of grief…especially with our kids. Gil and Brenda interviewed Diane Fromme, author of Stepparenting the...

Boy, is this a Stepfamily hot button! Gil and Brenda ask each other, “How do you feel when I criticize your kids?” The mama/papa bear can easily come out in these conversations! Defenses come up, words are said that are not meant, and the wall that you have built to come behind and protect you and your marriage is now between you. On the flip side, “How do you feel when I compliment your kids?” Ah...

Gil and Brenda had attended a weekend retreat for Counselors. The subject, EFT, Emotional Focused Therapy and Inter-Subjectivity. They had the opportunity to interview two Counselors, Fay DeMeyer and Jeremiah Winston. It was a lively discussion on the counseling profession! Sometimes we need a little check-up for a check-in. How are we doing as individuals? This will directly impact how we interac...

Who would not want to increase intimacy in their marriage? We’re not talking about physical intimacy here. Although, what Gil and Brenda are sharing today will directly affect what goes on in the bedroom.  As they have said before, it’s not only about communicating, it’s about connecting. You probably have heard some of these 8 skills before. Yet it’s so easy to forget about them when “life” happe...

What are Gil and Brenda up to in this New Year? This is a quick check in from them. They would love to be able to meet you at one of their events. Please connect with them via email, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. What’s your story? How can they encourage you, your marriage and your family? Thanks so much for following and listening in! #RestoredandRemarried #remarried #remarriage #stepfamily #st...

Soo, how did it go? Did you survive or thrive? Gil and Brenda take a minute to reflect on this Holiday season. What are the "5 Top Questions You Can Ask Yourself " as you reflect on this season. What worked? What didn’t? This is a great conversation to have with your spouse, your kids, and your stepkids.  Please contact us if you would like a copy of the 5 Questions to Ask Yourself at hello@giland...

This episode will encourage you on your stepfamily adventure!   Wouldn’t it be great if all your kids were excited as you are about your family? Well, sometimes kids in a stepfamily need a little help, Triple F Night: Forced Family Fun! Hear from Gil and Brenda how they created this term and how it played out in their family! It was a little rough at first, but the kids finally bought into it! Ple...

This episode will encourage ALL marriages! Hmmm, is this podcast for the men or the woman out there? Gil came home from a few counseling sessions and said: “After the day I’ve had, we gotta do a podcast!” Uh oh, what are you in for? Talking about cantaloupes verses honeydew, does nagging really help and what is the emotion behind it. All relationships will benefit from this one! Hang on!   #giland...

This episode will encourage your stepfamily! Join Gil and Brenda as they interview guests Tammy and Jay Daughtry, founders of CoParenting International. What is your relationship like with your child’s other bio parent? Could it be better? This relationship can be very difficult to navigate. Bottom line though, what is in the best interest of your child. Do you have a 3 am friend? Listen in and se...

This episode will encourage you in your stepfamily adventure! Thanksgiving, Christmas,  Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day. Whew, there can be a lot going on during the holidays. What’s really going on under the surface? What are YOUR expectations? How are they impacting those around you? Where do the grandparents and ex-inlaws fit into your holiday plans? Or do they? As far as the holida...

This episode will encourage you in your stepfamily adventure! Thanksgiving time! Frozen turkey football, yams or mashed potatoes, whole berry cranberry sauce or jellied? Wow, this holiday can be really loaded…as any holiday can be! What is YOUR attitude during this holiday season? You may be experiencing the unfairness of your divorce/loss of spouse/loss of a dream. How is YOUR attitude affecting...

This podcast is for ALL Marriage! You've heard it before...dating and connecting is so important for your relationship! Life is crazy sometimes, we get it. Even more reason to make sure you are in a good place with your partner. What is the science behind dating? Why is it so important? What impact does it have on our relationships? Gil and Brenda will share statistics, tips tools, and tingles. Ha...

This episode will encourage ALL marriages! Have you ever experienced having a wall between your partner? Miscommunication, assumptions, conflicts and unmet expectations cause division, which is like a wall. Gil and Brenda will help you reframe the wall, so it will not divide but bring unity into your relationship. Strengthen your marriage and add depth and connection to your marriage today! And ye...

Stepkids: No matter their age, they can bring lots of joy…or challenges. Which “camp” are you in? Gil and Brenda will tackle some common situations that stepfamilies experience. “You’re not my Dad/Mom.”  “I can do whatever I want at my Mom’s house.” “Your rules are bad here, you are so mean.” Sound familiar? In today’s episode, you will learn that you are not alone. Your kiddos may be still in the...