FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

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

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

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

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

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