FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

How do we help kids who are struggling with addictive behaviors? Ron Deal speaks with Dr Adrian Hickmon, who says we start by understanding the pain and void underneath their addiction, and then we must face the facts and determine the help they need. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry.  Learn about Capstone.  Watch the Brain, Heart, World documentary.  Get In Their Shoes with any gift amount!  Email us a review or a comment! blended@familylife.com See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Stepparenting myths have been around a long time, and they can negatively impact stepparents if not understood well. Although there might be some truth to them, the non-truth messages create tension and confusion for us. Ron Deal talks with Gayla Grace about how to sort through the reality and false messages of myths such as: All stepmothers are wicked and all stepfathers are abusive, stepparents can easily take on a high parental role, stepfamilies can behave as traditional families, we will love biological and stepchildren the same, and if you call them "my children," they will like being your children. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry.  Get a copy of In Their Shoes for a gift of any amount!  Check out books and resources for Blended Families!  Email us a review or a comment! blended@familylife.com See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

After losing her husband in a tragic accident, Sabrina McDonald looked forward to her young kids having a dad again. But she wasn’t prepared for the challenges that followed. Her kids felt threatened by her new spouse and competed for her attention. Her dream of being part of a family again didn’t happen quickly. And stepparenting felt awkward and unfamiliar in the beginning. In this episode, Sabrina shares her lessons of love and loss with Ron Deal and how God met her in the wilderness, showed her that brokenness didn’t mean ugliness, and encouraged her to keep going despite her fears and uncertainty about the future. Today, she rejoices to have found familyness again after remarriage. Show Notes and Resources Get your copy of A Home Built from Love & Loss. Learn about Sabrina.  Donate and receive the book: The Smart Stepdad!  Learn about The Summit on Stepfamily Ministry!  Leave us a voicemail with a review! 407-826-2606 See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Growing up blended often includes hard transitions and isolation for those involved. But Marshall West's story is different. He shares with Ron Deal the beauty of God's provision for two families coming together after loss, giving him a dad he never had and two brothers who were never considered “step.” Marshall was 12 when his mom married his stepdad, a pivotal point for him. Marshall had been praying to have brothers join his family, and his stepdad had been praying for a Mom for his two boys. Marshall credits the Lord and His goodness for bringing two broken things together and creating a family. Show Notes and Resources Get the donor premium gift!Events and resources for you.Join us for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry!Watch Women and Blended Families on You Tube See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Ex-NFL football player Devon Still and his wife Asha married shortly after Devon's young daughter, Leah, went into remission from stage four cancer. While rejoicing over Leah's healing, they were soon blindsided by blended family struggles. Devon and Asha talk with Ron Deal about how they had both been raised in divorced homes and didn't understand how to create a lasting marriage. They began to learn about blended family dynamics and take intentional steps toward harmony in their relationship. They quit avoiding hard conversations, listened to each other's feelings, and created new habits in their communication to connect well. They also leaned into their faith to work through misguided expectations and move toward love and trust, ultimately finding hope in a long-term relationship. Show Notes and Resources Get this month's premium offer with a donation!  Get free access to Smart Stepfamily sessions. Check out the blended small group map Listen to Devon and Asha's podcast Please send us your comments! blended@familylife.com See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

God understands broken people. He sent His son to die for us. Even when we feel beyond help, He meets us where we are, He loves us, and He redeems us. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our counselor and our guide. In our messiness, God wants to use our stories and our brokenness to minister to others. Show Notes and Resources Get The Smart Stepfamily as your free gift when you donate to FamilyLife Blended. Get the Blended and Blessed All-Acess Digital Pass Learn more about resources for blended families. More info for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry in October. Email us your podcast show suggestions! See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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 See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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! See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy