FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Veteran stepcouples have a wealth of knowledge on best practices for stepfamilies. Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Sandi Patty and Don Peslis, married in 1995 with a blended family of 8 children, on wise solutions to challenges like: managing the visitation schedule after high school, forming good relationships with stepsiblings, pros and cons of an "ours" child, and other common issues stepfamilies face. Show Notes and Resources Check out our audio resources, videos, books, and virtual and live conferences Support FamilyLife Blended Episode 70: Having an Ours Baby Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Do you need help growing unity and building character in your stepfamily? Our convenient online course, Well-Blended, can help! Listen to Ron Deal and Dave and Ann Wilson talk about how it can help you build robust, resilient relationships in the unique mash up that is your family. Show Notes and Resources Get the Well-Blended online course. Thank you for supporting us! Please leave us a voicemail review (407-826-2606) or email it to us! Learn more about all of FamilyLife Blended's resources. Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Are you steering your kids toward Christ while the other home is steering them toward the world? Ron Deal talks with Kara Powell and Gayla Grace about how to manage bi-polar value differences between homes and how to understand and answer the three important questions every teenager is asking. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Fuller Youth Institute and Kara's new book, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager Learn more about Gayla Grace. Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. You can support the FamilyLife Blended podcast. Please call and leave us a message or send us an email with your questions! See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

When remarriage happens after the death of a spouse, the stepcouple faces unique and hard-to-navigate circumstances related to grief and leftover feelings from those experiences. Ron Deal talks with Bill and Evelyn Thompson, who both lost their spouses prior to remarriage, on how to blend a stepfamily after death and what they wish they'd done differently in their early years of dating and remarriage. Show Notes and Resources Bill and Evelyn will be speaking at this year's Summit on Stepfamily Ministry! Learn more. Listen to Bill and Evelyn on FamilyLife Today. Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. You can support the FamilyLife Blended podcast Please leave us a message at 407-826-2606! Or send us an email See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Critical relationship skills are needed in every important relationship, especially in stepfamily life. In this episode, Ron Deal talks with a dynamic mother-daughter duo, Joneen Mackenie and Laueren Reitsema, on gaining a larger toolbox of wisdom and skills for strengthening relationships. Show Notes and Resources Learn about My Relationship Center Get a copy of Relationship Essentials Find a blended family small group or event near you. Find a counselor near you Get your Certificate in Blended Family Ministry You can support the FamilyLife Blended podcast Summit on Stepfamily Ministry See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Stepdads take on a heroic challenge as they parent someone else's child, which often includes frustration and defeat. Stepdad Gil Stuart talks with Ron Deal about his video series, Unsung Heroes, which captures the value of vulnerability, courage, and humility in forming lasting relationships as a stepdad. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Gil Stuart and Restored and Remarried Find a counselor near you Unsung Heroes Series: Encouragement for Dads in a Stepfamily Please call and leave us a message! 407-826-2606 Or send us an email. Check out all FamilyLife Blended has to offer. Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Krista Smith-Larson is a blended family mom who produces games that help draw out matters of loss and stepfamily transition in order to bring about hope and healing. Listen to her dialogue with Ron Deal and learn about games that can benefit your stepfamily. Show Notes and Resources Krista's games with purpose. Get yours here. Check out Life in a Blender for your kids Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Call with a topic or a review, you might hear your message on a show! 407-826-2606 Learn more about Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Thank you for supporting this podcast See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

God loves the work of refining our character, particularly as we engage in family relationships. We become more and more like Christ as we learn how to love, forgive, show kindness, and be family to one another. In this episode, Ron Deal talks with Summer Butler and Gayla Grace about the value of God's refining fire for stepmoms. Show Notes and Resources Gayla Grace Summer Butler and her book Please call and leave us a message! 407-826-2606 The Smart Stepmom Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Searchable map See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Relationships between biological moms and stepmoms can be malicious, competitive, and wounding. But they don't have to be! Listen to Ron Deal's discussion with two women who found healing for their toxic relationship through God's grace, forgiveness, and acceptance that led to a long-term, loving friendship and benefited not only themselves, but also their son and stepson. Show Notes and Resources Stepfamily Network The Smart Stepmom Send us a topic you want us to cover, a question you want to ask, or a comment you want to share Women and Blended Families Livestream – May 3 Send support to the Blended podcast See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Would you like your kids to hear helpful advice from several experts about their blended family struggles? This podcast is for you! Listen for yourself first, then with your child—young or old—to encourage dialogue about their feelings that can help build a bridge for long-term relationship building. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Lauren Reitsema. Get Lauren's book, In Their Shoes. Learn more about Gayla Grace. Get Gayla's book, Step Parenting with Grace. Stepfamily Therapy Providers Leave us a voicemail review; you might hear it on a show! 407-826-2606 Get the Blended and Blessed Digital All-Access Pass See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy