FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Shame is a common theme in blended families, perhaps stemming from a previous divorce, failed relationship building in your current stepfamily, or the negative stigma associated with a non-traditional family. Learn how shame develops and what you can do to release your shame as you listen to Ron Deal's interview with Dr. Curt Thompson. Show Notes and Resources Curt Thompson Get free downloads to Curt's books, and order his book. Give us a review of this show or ask us a question. We may answer it on the podcast in the new year! Leave a message at (407) 826-2606, or send an email to blendedquestions@familylife.com FamilyLife Blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

The benefit of "fun" is often overlooked when we consider how to build healthy stepfamily relationships. But Ron Deal's podcast guest, Dr. Jim Burns, says it's an important piece that can help connect relationships.. Listen to their conversation about why and how intentional play can benefit your family. Show Notes and Resources Jim Burns, his ministry and his new book, Have Serious Fun Stepfamily Resources Give us a review of this show or ask us a question. We may answer it on the podcast in the new year! Call (407) 826-2606, or email us at blendedquestions@familylife.com Ministry Leaders, access Ron Deal’s new Certificate course. Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Many stepcouples want to have a baby together. Is it a good idea? Are there negative implications? In this episode, Ron Deal talks with Heidi Farrell about how an "ours" baby impacts the family and other children, what research shows on this important topic, and what dynamics should be considered before making a decision. Show Notes and Resources Heidi Farrell How to Add an Ours Baby to Your Stepfamily…Without Resentment Getting in the Way The Smart Stepfamily Send us a topic idea for next year Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. Call us to submit a review or a question: (407) 826-2606 See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Children need healthy relationships with both parents after divorce, which requires good co-parenting. Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Dr. Mary Jeppsen on how co-parent anger dramatically impacts a child and how former spouses can keep conflict at a minimum and cooperation at a maximum in order to co-parent well. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Dr. Jeppsen. Stepfamily Resources Certificate in Blended Family Ministry course for ministry leaders Well Blended: Growing Unity and Character in your Stepfamily – a self-paced course Send us your questions: blendedquestions@familylife.com Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Preparing to blend a family can be a daunting endeavor. But you can—and should—get smart about stepfamily living ahead of time to create a strong family. Listen to Ron Deal talk with two stepcouples about what they did during their pre-married season that helped them prepare to blend their families. Show Notes and Resources JonathanPitts.net Preparing to Blend + FREE resources. Send us your questions for Ron. FamilyLife Blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. To submit a review or question, call us at: 407-826-2606 See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Remarriage after widowhood creates unique struggles. Listen to Ryan and Jess Ronne, parents and stepparents to 8, share with Ron Deal about how insecurities can create conflict in a new marriage after widowhood and how they found beauty from ashes as they worked through their struggles and insecurities. Show Notes and Resources JessPlusTheMess.com Blended with Grit and Grace. Sunlight Burning at Midnight. Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. Smart Stepfamily Therapy Providers. FamilyLife Blended resources. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

What does a healthy sex life really look like? How do you find healing if you've experienced sexual brokenness? Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Dr. Juli Slattery on what makes a good lover, the importance of bringing God into that equation, and how sexuality is a tangible way of helping us understand God at a deeper level. Show Notes and Resources Authentic Intimacy – Dr. Juli Slattery's website Preparing to Blend by Ron Deal. Episode 30: Re-Sex: The Challenges of Sex for Blended Family Couples. FamilyLife Blended. Get a certificate in Blended Family ministry. All access pass to The Summit. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Pro baseball player Darryl Strawberry has experienced fame, fortune, and notoriety. But he's also walked through addiction, divorce, and anguish. Today, he's far more interested in talking about Jesus than baseball as he and his wife Tracy, parents of 9 kids in their blended family, share with Ron Deal about the importance of keeping Jesus at the center to find healing and redemption. Show Notes and Resources Finding Your Way – Darryl and Tracy's website Preparing to Blend by Ron Deal YouTube interview with the Strawberrys Summit on Stepfamily Ministry FamilyLife Blended Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Special days give families an opportunity to honor each other, celebrate one another, and strengthen their identity as a stepfamily. Ron Deal and his guests present ideas on how to creatively take advantage of your family calendar in ways that will strengthen family relationships throughout the year. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. https://www.summitonstepfamilies.com/. Listen to episode 21: Stepfamilies and The Holidays https://www.familylife.com/podcast/familylife-blended-podcast/21-stepfamilies-and-the-holidays/. Get Ron's newest book: Preparing to Blend. https://shop.familylife.com/p-6133-preparing-to-blend.aspx. Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDGandcru_medium=DesktopHeaderNavandcru_campaign=Blended. Learn more about FamilyLife Blended. https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Sometimes in stepfamilies, we take things out on each other that really are about someone or something from the past. We have something to say to a parent from the past, but instead fight that battle with a child—or spouse—in our present. Listen to Ron Deal talk with Shelby Abbott on how to keep unresolved issues of the past from damaging relationships in the present. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Shelby Abbott. https://shelbyabbott.com/. Get Shelby's books. https://shop.familylife.com/product-creator/shelby-abbott/. Learn more about FamilyLife Blended. https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/. Listen to other Growing up in a Blender episodes: 51: Growing up in a Blender: Play the Long Game with Jim Ramos – https://www.familylife.com/podcast/familylife-blended-podcast/51-growing-up-in-a-blender-play-the-long-game/ 43: Growing Up in a Blender: Who's my Daddy? with Ray and Robin McKelvy – https://www.familylife.com/podcast/familylife-blended-podcast/43-growing-up-in-a-blender-whos-my-daddy/ 28: Growing up in a Blender with Ryan Guinee and David Bowden – https://www.familylife.com/podcast/familylife-blended-podcast/28-growing-up-in-a-blender/ Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDGandcru_medium=DesktopHeaderNavandcru_campaign=Blended. Learn more about FamilyLife Blended's annual Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. https://www.summitonstepfamilies.com/. Get blended family resources. https://shop.familylife.com/product-category/marriage/blended-family/. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy