FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Help for your finances! Money matters can be a hot topic for blended families, creating strife and inequity if not handled well. Listen in as Ron Deal speaks with Gayla Grace and financial expert Greg Pettys about how couples can make wise decisions on financial issues that benefit all members of their blended family. Gain insight from listener questions such as: Should my spouse and I carry separate bank accounts? How do we spend our money equitably with “his and her” kids? Why do blended families need to do estate planning? What budgeting tools do you recommend? How do we share our resources? And more great topics applicable to every blended family. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about resources for blended families. You can watch the podcast on YouTube. You can still join the Blended and Blessed Livestream! Look for a small group in your area. Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning Make a donation to FamilyLife Blended.

Singer/songwriter Kim Walker-Smith grew up in a blended family with multiple stepparents, instability, abuse, and isolation. She shares her story with Ron Deal in this podcast episode, beginning with her mom’s first divorce when she was a young child. It didn’t take long for her mom to marry again, divorce, and marry again. Eventually, her mom married a stable, loving man who wanted to be a father to Smith when she was a young teenager. Hungry for his love but scared it wasn’t real, Smith rejected him over and over again. But this stepdad kept coming back, faithful and steadfast in every way and, eventually, a stabilizing force for Smith. Although Smith experienced hardship and adversity as a child, as an adult, she came to know a loving, redeeming God, who she now sings about all over the world, testifying of His love. Show Notes and Resources Register for Blended and Blessed! Learn more about Kim. Hear Kim's song, "On My Side". You can watch the podcast on the FamilyLife Blended YouTube channel. Leave us a voicemail! – 407-826-2606 Support the podcast.

Are there blessings in blended family life? Yes! But they might not show up in ways we expect or as quickly as we’d like. In this 2023 Blended and Blessed presentation, Cheryl Shumake talks about the many bonus blessings she has experienced and the strength God gave her during seasons of weariness to keep going when she wanted to quit. Cheryl says, “God meets us in the waiting to strengthen us for the walking.” God wants to guide our steps when we face challenges. He knows that our convictions of creating long-term relationships can waver when weariness sets in. But our biggest blessings are waiting for us in the later years if we persevere. Show Notes and Resources Get the Blended and Blessed All-Access Pass Learn more about Cheryl and her ministry. Host Blended and Blessed in your church or at home! Give a tax deductible donation You can watch podcast episodes on our YouTube channel. Call us and leave a message about the show! 407-826-2606

Remarriage after widowhood carries unique challenges and unwanted transitions. Expectations that aren’t realistic often show up, creating even more grief and heartache. But hard dynamics in the beginning can move toward bonded relationships and family unity with time and effort. In this podcast episode, Ron Deal talks with Rod and Rachel Faulkner Brown about their blended family challenges after Rachel was widowed twice, had two children with her second husband, and then married Rod with two young children in tow. Show Notes and Resources Blended and Blessed Info Learn about Rachel Rachel's widow ministry Learn more about Rod Ron's speaking schedule Thank you for sending a tax-deductible donation!

Our past affects our present. And when we experience complicated blended family dynamics as a child, we're forever changed. Listen to Scott Kedersha share with Ron Deal how his blended family upbringing has impacted his parenting and marriage as an adult. Show Notes and Resources Join us for Blended and Blessed to learn how to build unity in your family! Get a copy of Dating and The Single Parent Order your copy of Preparing To Blend Please call and leave us a voicemail review! 407-826-2606 Check out Ron's upcoming events Consider giving to FamilyLife Blended to support this podcast.

Do you wonder about God's purpose and intent for marital sexuality within marriage? What about the symbolism the Bible presents on this topic? Do you need help on how to nurture and protect this aspect of marriage? Listen to Ron Deal's message: God's Purpose and Intent for Sexuality. Show Notes and Resources Get more information on Blended and Blessed Get the Blended and Blessed All-Acess Digital Pass See where Ron will be speaking. Resouces for blended families Join us for Blended and Blessed 2024!

Trauma and suffering can impact families in unexpected ways. Joel and Vaneetha Risner share with Ron Deal the positive effects of loss and suffering and how it helped to ground their faith, trust God in deeper ways, and bond their blended family. Show Notes and Resources Check out the podcast on YouTube! Join us for Blended and Blessed 2024! Learn about Vaneetha. Say "thank you" with a gift of support. Blended and Blessed All-Access Pass

Conflicts are inevitable on family journeys. Rodney and Annetta Whitney share their journey, confusing dynamics, and their light bulb moments with Ron Deal. Stepparent, if you feel like an outsider, keep having hard discussions and don't give up. Show Notes and Resources Grab your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Check out where Ron will be speaking. The Smart Stepfamily series free on Right Now Media! Join us for the Blended and Blessed livestream! Call us and leave a message with your podcast suggestion! 407-826-2606

Do you have trouble organizing your life? Your family calendar? Well, help is on the way! Ron Deal speaks with James and Ginger Dellaripa about challenges of blended family management including schedules, co-parenting, custody, and more. Listen to gain valuable insights in getting your life organized. Show Notes and Resources Get organized for 30 days free! Use the code: FLB30 Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning Learn more about our Blended resources Ron's speaking schedule Please leave a message for us: 407-826-2606 Join us for the Blended and Blessed livestream!

Getting remarried in later life after the death of a spouse or divorce? How do you know if you’re ready? Should you consider the feelings of your adult children? Ron Deal talks with Jim and Shirley Mozena about the risks, as well as rewards, of a later-life remarriage and what to consider as you date. Show Notes and Resources Access The Smart Stepfamily for free! More about Jim and Shirley and their book, Second Chance At Love Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning More FamilyLife Blended resources Every gift to FamilyLife Blended for the month of December is matched! Email: blendedquestions@familylife.com or call: 407-826-2606

When relationships with our adult kids and stepkids become strained or estranged, our hearts hurt. How did we get here? How do we fix it? Ron Deal talks with Dr. Charlotte Melcher Smith about common themes that contribute to strained relationships and what parents can do to help. Show Notes and Resources Dr. Charlotte Melcher Smith's book, Life's Third Tri Blended resources and events Send a matching gift to say "thank you" to FamilyLife Blended. Send us a suggestion for a future podcast. Register now for Blended and Blessed Live Event and Livestream.

Have you ever wondered how to be thankful in a hard season in your blended family? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace talk about finding joy, regardless of our circumstances, as we focus on God’s faithfulness, His provision, and His promises. Show Notes and Resources Thank you for sending a gift to be matched dollar for dollar! Send us your review via email: blendedquestions@familylife.com or voicemail: 407-826-2606. Info on Blended and Blessed Register now for Blended and Blessed Live Event and Livestream.

Helping your kids with their emotions is a critical life skill, yet we often don’t equip kids with these valuable skills. Ron Deal speaks with Michelle Nietert, LPC, about common feelings kids in blended families experience and how parents can help. Show Notes and Resources Michelle Nietert, M.A., LPC-S Learn about our blended events and resources. Ron's personal speaking schedule. Find a counselor. Give a tax-deductible donation to FamilyLife Blended ministry. Register now for Blended and Blessed Live Event and Livestream.

High-conflict co-parenting is a common struggle in blended families. Ron Deal speaks with Diane Dierks and Rick Voyles on how to improve co-parenting conflict as you prioritize what you're fighting for, change your response, and consider your kids first. Show Notes and Resources List of counselors Register for Preparing to Blend Co-parenting Dilemmas podcast Get the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry All-Access Digital Pass. Ron's personal speaking schedule. Send a gift to FamilyLife Blended. Email a comment about this show or call to share your thoughts. blendedquestions@familylife.com or 407-826-2606

When we blend two families, what's the goal and how do we get there? Do we focus more on parenting or our marriage? Do I parent my stepchild or build a relationship first? How do we manage a difficult former spouse? Ron Deal answers these questions and more about the critical tasks of parenting in a blended family. Show Notes and Resources You still have time to join the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry! The Online Certificate in Blended Family Ministry Get monthly encouragement for your blended family FamilyLife Blended Resources Get the Summit All-Access Digital Pass Email us your questions at blendedquestions@familylife.com

Blended families come in all shapes and sizes. Each family is unique with its own complexities. Chris and Yodit Brooks share their stories growing up in a blended family as well as wisdom they've gained from raising both their adopted and biological children. Family stories matter. Show Notes and Resources The Smart Stepfamily on Right Now Media Get a copy of The Smart Stepfamily Summit on Stepfamily Ministry: Registration and Information Listen to Equipped with Chris Brooks. Ron's personal speaking schedule. Support the FamilyLife Blended podcast Call in a review 407-826-2606

The holidays can be a stressful time juggling visitations, planning family activities, and managing all the feelings in the Christmas season. Emotions in blended families are often magnified during Christmas. Gayla Grace and Ron Deal offer practical ways to be sensitive and promote positivity so your holiday can be a truly joyous time. Show Notes and Resources Gift a copy of The Smart Stepfamily More Blended Family Resources Ron's upcoming events Send a gift to FamilyLife Blended Leave us a review voicemail at 407-826-2606 or email us: blendedquestions@familylife.com

Children want to be heard and seen. Ron Deal had a conversation with Dr Mark Mayfield about how parents can help teens with loneliness. They offer wisdom and practical help for sensitive, serious topics such as suicide and address the role parents have as children navigate their overwhelming feelings and confusing thoughts. Show Notes and Resources Blended Family resources Smart Stepfamily on Right Now Media Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Dr. Mark Mayfield The Path out of Loneliness and The Path to Wholeness Donate to FamilyLife Blended Leave us a review voicemail at 407-826-2606 or email us: blendedquestions@familylife.com

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 Jeff and Beth Blended Family Resources Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Join us on the cruise! Thank you for your support! Leave us a review voicemail at 407-826-2606 or email us: blendedquestions@familylife.com

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 Davey and Kristi Blackburn and their Pain to Purpose resources Leave us a review voicemail at 407-826-2606 or email us: blendedquestions@familylife.com Support FamilyLife Blended The Summit on Stepfamily ministry