In the blend

Laila Sultan, lawyer, life coach and mum, joins the podcast to share how her experience of growing up in a blended family shaped her approach to co-parenting, motherhood and money. In this conversation, Laila opens up about the challenges of modern motherhood — from the pressure to balance career and family, to the often-overlooked economic risks mothers take on when raising children. She hi...

Kris Byrnes, personal development coach, Master NLP practitioner and mum of four (including two stepdaughters), joins the podcast to unpack one of the biggest questions many stepmums quietly ask themselves: Will I ever be enough? Drawing on her lived experience of growing up in a blended family and stepping into the role of instant mother in her early twenties, Kris shares openly about breaking th...

Mitch Tambo, singer, speaker and proud Gamilaraay man, joins the podcast alongside his partner Voice of LeLe for an inspiring conversation about love, culture, and blended family life. Together, Mitch and LeLe share their journey as a couple navigating the ups and downs of co-parenting, step-parenting, and creating strong connections with their children. From the importance of cultural identity to...

In this conversation, Nathan discusses the critical stages of child brain development, particularly the first thousand days, and how these stages influence emotional and social development in children, especially in blended families. He emphasises the importance of language, predictability, and communication in fostering healthy relationships and emotional regulation. Nathan also provides practica...

In this conversation, Nathan discusses the critical stages of child brain development, particularly the first thousand days, and how these stages influence emotional and social development in children, especially in blended families. He emphasises the importance of language, predictability, and communication in fostering healthy relationships and emotional regulation. Nathan also provides practica...

In this episode, I sit down with a very special guest—my mum. As a grandmother in a blended family and a doctor, she brings unique personal and professional insights to the complexities of family dynamics. We explore her approach to being a grandparent in a blended family, from making each grandchild feel special during holidays to staying connected through technology when distance is a fact...

In this episode, I sit down with a very special guest—my mum. As a grandmother in a blended family and a doctor, she brings unique personal and professional insights to the complexities of family dynamics. We explore her approach to being a grandparent in a blended family, from making each grandchild feel special during holidays to staying connected through technology when distance is a fact...

Kat John, authenticity coach, speaker, and author of Authentic: Coming Home to Your True Self, shares her journey as a stepmum and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Kat opens up about navigating relationships with her stepdaughters, supporting her partner, and staying true to herself in the complex dynamics of a blended family. @kat.john With a focus on self-awareness, emotional intel...

In this favourite tips episode of In The Blend, we revisit a powerful conversation with Mikki Gardner, with strategies for handling those heated moments when emotions run high. Mikki shares her three-step framework for managing triggers, emphasising the importance of hitting the pause button, taking deep breaths, and giving yourself permission to step back before responding. For the full episode v...

Lindsay Cameron, a co-parenting coach, shares her journey and strategies for effective co-parenting during this chat. She emphasises the importance of setting aside ego and emotions to prioritise the well-being of the children. Lindsay also advises parents to pause and respond rather than react in heated moments, and to avoid negative communication in front of the children. She recommends establis...

Lindsay Cameron, a co-parenting coach, shares her journey and strategies for effective co-parenting during this chat. She emphasises the importance of setting aside ego and emotions to prioritise the well-being of the children. Lindsay also advises parents to pause and respond rather than react in heated moments, and to avoid negative communication in front of the children. She recommends establis...

In this episode, we hear from Mia McLeod, the founder of Digital Collective, about her experience as an entrepreneur and a member of a blended family. Mia shares how she started her business and the challenges she faced while navigating the demands of work and family life. She emphasises the importance of communication, flexibility, and self-care in finding balance. Mia also discusses her blended...

In this episode, we hear from Mia McLeod, the founder of Digital Collective, about her experience as an entrepreneur and a member of a blended family. Mia shares how she started her business and the challenges she faced while navigating the demands of work and family life. She emphasises the importance of communication, flexibility, and self-care in finding balance. Mia also discusses her blended...

Gill and Brenda, a husband and wife duo, share their journey into counselling and coaching for blended families, discussing their personal experiences and the challenges they've faced. They emphasise the importance of the couple relationship and provide insights into the differences in parenting styles and communication within blended families. They also discuss the upcoming Better Marriages Austr...

Gill and Brenda, a husband and wife duo, share their journey into counselling and coaching for blended families, discussing their personal experiences and the challenges they've faced. They emphasise the importance of the couple relationship and provide insights into the differences in parenting styles and communication within blended families. They also discuss the upcoming Better Marriages Austr...

In this episode, Mikki Gardner, a certified life and conscious parenting coach, shares her personal journey of co-parenting and the insights from her latest book, 'The People Pleasers Guide to Co-Parenting Well.' She discusses emotional regulation, self-care, and the framework for identifying and overcoming people-pleasing tendencies. Mickey emphasises the importance of self-awareness, agency, and...

In this episode, Mikki Gardner, a certified life and conscious parenting coach, shares her personal journey of co-parenting and the insights from her latest book, 'The People Pleasers Guide to Co-Parenting Well.' She discusses emotional regulation, self-care, and the framework for identifying and overcoming people-pleasing tendencies. Mickey emphasises the importance of self-awareness, agency, and...

Belinda Mercorella, a stepmum, shares her journey of becoming a stepmum at 40. She initially had reservations about dating someone with kids but was attracted to Nigel's dedication to parenting. Belinda faced challenges in letting go of control and adjusting to living with children. She also felt isolated and faced the decision of whether to add a baby of their own into the mix. Belinda shares val...

Belinda Mercorella, a stepmum, shares her journey of becoming a stepmum at 40. She initially had reservations about dating someone with kids but was attracted to Nigel's dedication to parenting. Belinda faced challenges in letting go of control and adjusting to living with children. She also felt isolated and faced the decision of whether to add a baby of their own into the mix. Belinda shares val...

In this episode, we hear from repeat guest Ron Deal, a leading expert in blended family dynamics and co-author of Building Love Together in Blended Families with Dr. Gary Chapman. We explore how the Five Love Languages apply specifically to blended families, and the importance of these languages in building strong bonds. Ron shares effective strategies for step-parents to bond with their stepchild...

In this episode, we hear from repeat guest Ron Deal, a leading expert in blended family dynamics and co-author of Building Love Together in Blended Families with Dr. Gary Chapman. We explore how the Five Love Languages apply specifically to blended families, and the importance of these languages in building strong bonds. Ron shares effective strategies for step-parents to bond with their stepchild...

In this favourite tips episode we rewind to a valuable conversation I had with stepmum specialist (aka The Stepmom Whisperer) Susan Haworth on setting boundaries with an ex-partner. Susan shared a strategy that emphasises the importance of evicting the third person from your marriage or partnership. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or simply unsure about handling ex-related dynamics, S...

In this episode, we revisit a conversation I had with authors Daniella Rigon and Tracey Duff, creators of "Child-centred Co-Parenting." Tracy shared many valuable co-parenting tips during our chat, including how parenting plans made it easier for her to maintain a harmonious relationship with her ex. If you're co-parenting, especially after a recent separation, Tracy’s insights will be incredibly...

In this Favourite Tips episode we revisit a conversation I had with psychologist and author Rachel Brace, who has penned two children’s books relating to blended families: Harriet’s Expanding Heart and Max’s Divorce Earthquake. As part of our conversation she offered up some great ideas around how to use story to broach what can be ordinarily difficult conversations with your kids. See omnystudio....

During this chat, Caroline Neale shares her experiences and insights as a stepmother in a blended family. She emphasises some of her key learnings from over the years such as the importance of focusing on your partner and maintaining a strong connection, the challenges of balancing multiple roles and the need for clear communication and boundaries. Additionally, we cover the importance of supporti...