Blake Hudspeth tells Ron Deal about growing up in multiple stepfamilies pieced together from death & divorce. As a result, he carried unresolved wounds into adulthood & gives advice to parents on helping their kids navigate growing up blended.

According to Dr. John Townsend there are four essential character traits essential for stronger relationships: attachment, separation, integration, and adulthood. He shares with Ron Deal what’s required in each that helps raise resilient kids.

We’ve heard them all: “wicked” stepparents, replacing bio-parents, and more. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace debunk popular step-parenting myths.

Tim & Olivia Smith brought six kids into their blended family. They share with Ron Deal the joys and challenges of relationship building. Tim’s daughter, Christie, joins in with her perspective as a teenager from the early years of their blended family.

Robert & Jennie Lord both grew up in blended families and share their story with Ron Deal of the impact from the maze of multiple stepparents, challenges in relationship building and their desire to now build healthy relational bonds in their own family.

What do you do with feelings like anger, jealousy, hurt, or rejection in your blended family? Listen to Ron Deal’s conversation with Dr. Alison Cook, who offers a three-step process to work through hard feelings and find healing and hope for your journey.

Preparing for marriage to begin a blended family comes with unique dynamics. Ron Deal, Director of FamilyLife Blended, talks about addressing not just the joining of two hearts, but those of the whole family.

Are you engaged or just beginning a blended family? Ron Deal, Director of FamilyLife Blended, discusses how couples can prepare their families to blend with intentionality and joy.

The holidays can be a challenge for blended families. Ron Deal moderates a panel discussing the complexity of holidays with stepfamilies.

Blending a family isn’t easy, but it’s definitely worth it. Ron Deal reminds couples that their marriage must be a priority if the marriage is going to thrive. Hear one young woman share what it’s like to be a stepdaughter.

Ron Deal explains that marriage, while typically a two-person dance, gets complicated as couples try to manage all the lives around them. He encourages couples to hold onto God’s hand and never give up.

Ron Deal talks with Dave and Ann Wilson about how couples often get blindsided when trying to blend two families. He gives some practical advice for interacting with stepchildren.

Gary Chapman joins Ron Deal to talk about loving your blended family members through the five love languages: touch, quality time, gifts, words of affirmation, and acts of service.

Gary Chapman and Ron Deal team up to talk about applying the love languages to a second marriage. Both spouses need to be intentional about protecting their marriage and reassuring their children.

What says love to you? A tender touch? A surprise gift? Time with your honey? Gary Chapman joins blended-family expert Ron Deal, to talk about the love languages and the blended family.

For a woman with no biological children, stepping into the role of stepmom can be a bewildering labyrinth of complexities. Ron Deal and Laura Petherbridge discuss how to navigate this winding path.

Stepmoms bear a unique burden, and they often neglect their own care. Melanie Anthony offers hope for balance in the midst of the burden.