FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Kids in stepfamilies often lose control over many aspects of their lives after their parents remarry. In this episode, Ron Deal talks with two stepsiblings about their own experiences, their hard adjustments to stepfamily life, and how parents can give children a voice and open lines of communication to aid relationship building in their home. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Blended and Blessed live event and livestream Say “Thank you” with a donation Learn more about Blendistry. Send us your questions for a future podcast. Call us at 407-826-2606 or send an email to blendedquestions@familylife.com Learn more about FamilyLife Blended. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Blended and Blessed is a marriage event specifically designed for couples in a blended family. This podcast episode features a dynamic speaker from Blended and Blessed 2021, author and stepmom Laurie Short, with nuggets of wisdom and real-life stories from her stepfamily journey. Show Notes and Resources Blended and Blessed All Access Pass Email us / Call us: 407-826-2606 Laurie Short FamilyLife Blended Donate to FamilyLife Blended See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Life has a way of moving us into roommates in marriage when we want to be soulmates. Ron Deal talks with Dr. Greg Smalley about how to stay deeply connected with one another, even during seasons of exhaustion or busyness, with intentional behavior that includes protecting sacred moments, guarding against distractions, working through conflict, and connecting in small ways every day. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Greg Smalley Get Greg's book, Reconnected Learn more about Blended and Blessed live event and livestream Give us a review of this show or ask us a question. We may answer it on an upcoming the podcast. Contact us at blendedquestsions@familylife.com or 407-826-2606 Learn more about FamilyLife Blended Support FamilyLife Blended See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

The subject of sexuality and sexual desire in marriage brings up lots of questions. In this episode, Ron Deal interviews Dr. Michael Sytsma, a pastor and sex therapist, who talks about how to pursue the heart of intimacy with one another. You'll hear teaching on how to manage differences in sexual desire in marriage, how we can reflect who Christ is in our sexual lives, and how to form deep intimate connections in the process. Show Notes and Resources The (Nearly) Complete Guide to Better Married Sex online course Listing of Certified Christian Sex Therapists Give us a review of this show or ask us a question. We may answer it on an upcoming podcast. Call (407) 826-2606 or email BlendedQuestions@familylife.com Learn more about Blended and Blessed Live Event and Livestream Listen to previous podcasts #30 and #66 for more insight into this topic. Learn more about The Smart Stepfamily Marriage book Building Intimate Marriages Sexual Desire in Marriage course See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Do you have stepfamily questions? We have answers! Listen to Ron Deal's discussion with Gayla Grace on important topics like finding your place as a stepparent, being a childless stepmom, reasonable parenting standards, adding a new baby to a stepfamily, coping with a narcissistic bio parent in the other home, and more. Show Notes and Resources Send us your questions for a future podcast: blendedquestions@familylife.com or 407-826-2606 Learn more about Blended and Blessed live event and livestream Listen to Sandi Patty and Ron, episode 27 Stepfamily Therapy Providers The Smart Stepfamily (from RightNow Media) Well-blended and the Certificate in Blended Family Ministry See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Are you good at waiting? What about waiting to be wanted by someone you care about in your blended family? That's a hard reality for many in the early years of stepfamily life. In this episode, listen to Ron Deal's conversation with stepmom Cheryl Shumake on how to persevere through the waiting during the wilderness years. Show Notes and Resources Cheryl Shumake and Stepmom Sanity Free Ministry Map Blended and Blessed Online courses Your generous support of FamilyLife helps create podcasts like the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast. See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

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