Claim OwnershipFamilyLife Blended® Podcast
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FamilyLife Blended® provides timeless wisdom and practical help and hope for blended families and those who love them. Join Ron L. Deal, LMFT, LPC as he and his guests discuss a wide variety of marriage, family, and relationship topics related to blended families.
173 Episodes
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When a child loses a parent, grief doesn't end for them. And when they join a stepfamily, we need to come alongside them with love and support as parents and stepparents as we honor their pain and memories. Ron Deal talks with Diane Fromme about what helps and what hinders, especially as stepparents with grieving stepchildren. Fromme explains how a stepparent can never replace a biological parent and functions as an "and," not an "instead." Stepparents will likely face rejection, insecurity, and feelings of being an outsider; however, with humility and ongoing love and support, they can, over time, develop meaningful and significant relationships with stepchildren following loss. Show Notes and Resources Learn about Diane and get a copy of, Stepparenting the Grieving Child You can still register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Find a small group on the searchable map and browse Ron's speaking schedule Send a gift to help with FamilyLife Blended's work See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
A neurodivergent marriage is when at least one partner has a neurodevelopmental condition like autism or ADHD. In this episode, Ron Deal speaks with Dr. Stephanie Holmes and her husband, Dan, who struggled to face that their young child was on the autism spectrum. Many years later, Dan discovered his own autism diagnosis.Neurodiverse couples face unique challenges with communication, emotional expression, and sensory sensitivities that can include physical touch and intimacy, along with a lack of understanding between both partners. Stephanie & Dan offer support and guidance on how to recognize neurodiversity and strategies to cope with it. Show Notes and Resources Register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Learn more about Dr. Stephanie and Dan Holmes and their book Uniquely Us Read Ron and Dr. Stephanie Holmes article: Autism and the blended family Learn more about Embracing The Autism Spectrum Listen to podcast 46: Autism and the Blended Family Give a tax-deductible gift See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Ron Deal speaks with Gayla Grace about her new book, Beautifully Blended: 101 Devotions to Encourage Couples in Blended Families. This book offers support and advice with relatable anecdotes, along with a devotion, prayer, and Bible reading for each day. Every day dynamics in blended families are addressed with answers to common situations that often create struggle, such as stepparenting, co-parenting, marital conflict, and challenges in relationship-building. Grace offers practical tips that provide hope for blended families by encouraging them to trust God, seek His wisdom, persevere through challenges, offer grace freely and often, count their blessings, and recognize God’s redeeming power in relationships. Show Notes and Resources Learn about Gayla Get your copy of Beautifully Blended! Make plans to join us in Nashville at the Summit! Send a tax-deductible gift to FamilyLife Blended. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
In-law relationships can be delicate and challenging, especially when they involve a former spouse. Ron Deal speaks with Dave and Ashley Willis about how to prevent feelings of powerlessness and frustration as we build bridges, not battlegrounds, in difficult relationships. Establishing healthy boundaries can safeguard our mental health and encourage healing from past wounds. Honest conversations convey respect—even when relationships are full of tension. Grace-filled discussions that reflect our ability to see the best in others and extend forgiveness when we’ve been wronged allow God’s love to reach hardened hearts.God wants to redeem relationships, and as we do our part with difficult in-law relationships, God will honor our efforts. Show Notes and Resources Listen to the podcast Grandparenting and the Blended Family. Learn about Dave and Ashley and get their Married Into The Family book. Join us in Nashville for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Email blended@familylife.com for small group coaching or check out The Smart Stepfamily free series to get started. Our small group searchable map Ron's list of certified counselors Clinical Training See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Ron Deal and Gayla Grace answer questions from Blended & Blessed, such as: how do I manage tug of war feelings between my spouse and my children; how do I talk to my teenager who doesn't want me to remarry after his dad died; what are common ghosts of marriage past and how do we cope with them, how do we effectively place limits on screen time and hold the boundaries in our home when the other home has no limits; how do I calm my heart as a stepmom when my adult stepchild is rejecting me and what steps can I take to help, and many more. Show Notes and Resources Learn about Blended & Blessed Get the Complete Blended & Blessed Digital All-Access Pass Join us at the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Get a copy of The Mindful Marriage wherever you get books. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Blake Hudspeth grew up in multiple stepfamilies as a result of death & divorce and described his family to Ron Deal as pieced together. As a result, he struggled with complicated emotions and unresolved wounds well into adulthood. Now, Hudspeth wants to help others who’ve grown up in complex blended family dynamics learn how to reconcile a difficult upbringing with hope for the future. He understands how to grieve a family he wanted but didn't have and the importance of forgiving his parents for their part in the instability of his upbringing, which created distrust and uncertainty for him. He advises parents that one of the most important pieces in helping their kids who are growing up blended is simply acknowledging the pain they are carrying. Show Notes and Resources Make plans to join us at the Summit on Stepfamily ministry in October Send a donation to FamilyLife Blended Get a copy of The Smart Stepfamily Access for leaders to the tip sheet on ministering to students See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Guidance and hope for blending families can be found in stories from scripture. Ron Deal talks with Laura Petherbridge about her latest book, Stepfamilies of the Bible: Timeless Wisdom for Blended Families. Through true stories of God's heroes from stepfamilies of biblical times, Petherbridge offers practical tools to build unity, overcome complexity, foster love, and create lasting relationships for today's blended families. Through families such as David's, a man after God's own heart, and Joseph's, the favored son of Jacob, we learn how God can use sin done to us and sin done by us for His glory, and redeem relationships, regardless of how messy and broken they are. Show Notes and Resources Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Information Learn about Laura Petherbridge and Stepfamilies of The Bible Send a gift to help the FamilyLife Blended team Get a copy of The Smart Stepmom See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Divorce and the death of a spouse naturally bring grief. But we don't always recognize the grief our kids also carry after walking through hard circumstances. Ron Deal talks with Stanley & Mryna Brown on how they navigated grief when they married. Stanley had lost his first wife to cancer, later remarried briefly, then divorced. Myrna had also been through a divorce and was a single mom for ten years before marrying Stanley. They both had two children who struggled with their own grief and loss. Through counseling, Stanley and Myrna began to understand more about their children’s grief and how to help them work through the unique grief each of them carried, allowing relationship building within the family to more easily develop. Show Notes and Resources Watch Myrna's encouraging videos for your family! Watch the Griffies' story Learn about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Shop for books like In Their Shoes and The Smart Stepfamily Donate to FamilyLife Blended See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Every blended family navigates common stages on their way to finding familyness. It's not uncommon to experience the questioning stage, where you begin to doubt if you've made the right decision about your newly blended family, and you take a detour or two as you navigate your circumstances. Or perhaps you get stuck along the way as you walk through a crisis together. And what about the rewards stage? Wondering if you’ll ever get to that one? Gayla Grace shares the six stages of stepfamily development, how to navigate each stage well, and what it takes to build loving, connected relationships along the way. Show Notes and Resources Join us on the Love Like You Mean It Cruise! Watch Women and Blended Families Get details for The Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Learn more about Gayla See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Good co-parenting with a former spouse helps kids navigate life in two homes with greater ease. Ron Deal's conversation with Jay and Tammy Daughtry teaches us how to be parental partners, not angry associates, as we compartmentalize the pain from divorce and manage co-parenting through a businesslike relationship. They emphasized the importance of congenial handoffs during the parental exchange, biological time spent with biological parents/kids, recognizing unrealistic expectations of former spouse relationships, reframing sensitive days on the calendar to minimize emotional landmines, and understanding two dynamics often at play:Bio fog—when a deep connection between biological parents and kids creates fog with the parent, who then often tolerates misbehavior.Step vision—when an objective stepparent quickly identifies shortfalls in stepchildren and often communicates them harshly. Show Notes and Resources Learn about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Find a qualified counselor Check out Jay & Tammy's resources Send a tax deductible gift See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Dr. John Townsend defines four essential character traits that individuals need to navigate life's challenges and demands. He shares with Ron Deal that these components are required for stronger relationships. We can help our children and stepchildren develop them and be resilient kids. 1) Attachment: the ability to trust and be vulnerable with others 2) Separation: the ability to have your own voice, which includes healthy boundary-setting 3) Integration: navigating both the positive and negative realities of life 4) Adulthood: the capacity to take responsibility, make sound decisions, and live a purposeful life. Show Notes and Resources Access Dr. Townsend's TPRAT and other resources Search on and/or post to the blended ministry map Give a gift to support blended families Ron's trainings and events List of Recognized Providers See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
The stepmom-stepdaughter relationship often includes competing loyalties and confusing dynamics and can be the hardest relationship to navigate when blending a family. Ron Deal talks with stepmom Jessica Pickens and her bonus daughter, Jayla, about their ongoing struggles, cutting through tension, which began early and continued for years, and how they finally built a loving, trusting relationship with one another. Jayla explains how her position as a “Daddy’s girl” and her relationship with her own mother impacted her desire for a bonus mom. She didn’t respond well to Jessica’s nurturing, and tension escalated as she got older. In time, Jessica began to understand the complexity of their relationship, change her expectations, and parent Jayla differently. Slowly, their relationship moved toward understanding and love toward one another. Show Notes and Resources New To Our Community? Here's a gift for you! Watch Women & Blended Families on YouTube Learn about Jessica and Blended Family Matters and their podcast Jessica and Jayla's podcast with Ron. Give a tax-deductible gift. Check out Ron's events. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Tim and Olivia Smith brought six kids into their blended family in 1997. In their conversation with Ron Deal, they share the joys and challenges of melding together two families, how to encourage relationship building between siblings, and how stepparents can move from a place of isolation to a place of belonging in a stepfamily. Tim’s daughter, Christie, joins the conversation with her perspective as a teenager from the early years of their blended family. Although the stepmom—stepdaughter relationship is often the hardest to connect, Christie shares how Olivia’s small actions of moving toward her and allowing her to engage at her own pace created a loving, long-lasting relationship that she treasures today as an adult. Show Notes and Resources Get a copy of The Mindful Marriage. Get your copy of Blending-100 Day Guide for Step-Parents. Learn about Blended Not Broken Get our monthly newsletter See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Robert and Jennie Lord both grew up in blended families. They share their stories with Ron Deal about the residue left behind from the maze of parental divorce, multiple stepparents, challenges in relationship building, unwanted transitions, and ongoing instability. They’ve sought healing from those experiences and now want to share what they’ve learned with others. Married with a family of their own, they are committed to their marriage and want to provide an upbringing for their children that is vastly different than what they experienced. They teach and model a life built on faith and seek to provide stability and build strong bonds with their children. Show Notes and Resources Get the Blended & Blesses All-Access Digital Pass Blended resources for you! Learn more about Chosen and the work that Jenni does. Get a copy of The Mindful Marriage. Support FamilyLife Blended with a gift. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Jennifer Maggio shares her story with Ron Deal of her challenges as a single mom that propelled her to begin a national ministry, serving over 1,000,000 single moms. Now married in a blended family, she continues the mission that no single mom walk alone. Show Notes and Resources You can still register for Blended & Blessed! Learn more about Jennifer Maggio and her ministry. Get a copy of the book, Preparing to Blend. Support FamilyLife Blended with a gift. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
What do you do with feelings like anger, jealousy, hurt, or rejection in your blended family? Listen to Ron Deal’s conversation with Dr. Alison Cook, who offers a three-step process to work through hard feelings and find healing and hope for your journey. Show Notes and Resources Register for Blended & Blessed Look for blended ministries and events in your area. Learn about Dr. Alison, get her books, and listen to her podcast. Listen to the show on grief with Diane Fromme Support FamilyLife Blended with a gift. Blended resources See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
2Parenting a prodigal creates pain and helplessness as we seek to navigate difficult relationships. Listen to Ron Deal’s conversation with Judy Douglass, a prodigal parent, on how to tenderly manage these tenuous relationships while staying calm, present, and patient in rebuilding a relationship on their terms. Douglass and Deal discuss the Prodigal Son story in Luke and the parallels with our prodigals in opening our arms to them when appropriate but not chasing or threatening in any way with our behavior. We move toward the goal of gaining influence as we patiently work to bring back love and trust in our relationships. Show Notes and Resources Make plans to join us at Blended & Blessed! Judy's podcast with Ron Judy's podcast: When You Love a Prodigal Order your copy of When You Love a Prodigal See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Cheryl Shumake wants to reach brown & black blended families with brown & black voices. She & Clifton Howard talk with Ron Deal about her new ministry, Sawubona, which means “I see you” & its goal to break through the barriers with culture-informed spaces Show Notes and Resources Watch Blended & Blessed from anywhere in the world! Join us on the 2026 Love Like You Mean It Cruise Learn more about Cheryl Sawubona Ministries Send a tax deductible gift Ron's upcoming events Blended Small Group Ministry Map See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
What does the apostle Paul mean in Philippians 2:4 when he says, “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others?” How do we apply that to marriage, and to relationships in a blended family?In this podcast episode, Ron Deal talks with Brian Goins, author of Playing Hurt, A Guy’s Strategy for a Winning Marriage, about taking care of our own needs and always being mindful of the needs of our spouse. Goins explains that marriage is about finding the motivation and resolve to stay in the game despite the pain and calls husbands to be the heroes they long to be--men who play hurt in order to win at marriage. Show Notes and Resources Get Ron's new book: The Mindful Marriage Get Brian's book: Playing Hurt Check out Brain, Heart, World Order The Art of Marriage Send a tax deductible gift of support Register for Blended & Blessed See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
Do you think your marriage could improve if your spouse were different? Is it easier to look at their faults instead of considering your own? In this podcast episode, Ron Deal talks with co-authors of his new book, The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself. Terry and Sharon Hargraves and Nan Deal share how the book can help couples understand their part of marital distress, why they react the way they do, how to be more empowered constructively, and how to cultivate more loving and harmonious relationships as they understand themselves better and learn to relate to their partner as a companion. Show Notes and Resources Small Group Searchable Map Email us for your chance to win a signed copy of The Mindful Marriage. blended@familylife.com Get your copy of The Mindful Marriage The Mindful Marriage Conference Register for Blended & Blessed See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy
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thank you for this episode!
Great show! loving the Step Family book too Ron. Thank you for helping me be intentional with my blended family
So very helpful!! Thank you for sharing.
This was extremely helpful. I need tools for parenting my kids through divorce and blending.
Thank you so much for finally having a podcast for the blended family. I bacame a stepdad this past June and adopted one of stepsons and the other is on the way. I have no clue what I am doing.