FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

How do you identify narcissism? How do you deal with a narcissist in marriage or co-parenting? Ron Deal talks with counselor Laurel Slade-Waggoner about her personal journey with narcissism and now the professional help she offers to those in a relationship when someone seeks to control, manipulate, shift blame, gaslight, create fear, or act out in other narcissistic ways. Counselor Slade-Waggoner offers an understanding of how narcissism develops, what it looks like in a relationship, and biblical strategies to manage the behavior, particularly in a blended family setting. Waggoner says you don't have to stay stuck in an unhealthy cycle—there is help! Show Notes and Resources Check out Laurel's website and available books. Laurel's Podcast Join us for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry! Ron's comprehensive list of Recognized Smart Stepfamily Therapy Providers Check out everything FamilyLife Blended has to offer. Send in a tax deductible gift to the FamilyLife Blended Team.

Does your family have a designated Sabbath? How do you spend that day? Author Kathi Lipp shares with Ron Deal her suggestions for reimagining Christian Sabbath that is a meaningful day with the Lord and one another as you prioritize rest and share a meal together. On Sabbath, we want to focus on who God is and His provision for us as we rest and connect with one another. Lipp suggests that food provides the platform to linger in relationships, and feeding your family shows you care for them. She shares recipes from her new book, Sabbath Soup, and offers ideas on preparing for Sabbath and creating a special day each week. Show Notes and Resources  Watch Women and Blended Families! Join us for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry! Learn more about Kathi and get her new book: Sabbath Soup Thank you for supporting FamilyLife Blended with a donation!

God's working around people. So how can you convey, You gotta see this!? On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson host author Tim Muehlhoff, who helps you talk about an unmissable God.

The intersection of marriage and parenting often creates tension for stepcouples that leads to disagreements and, as a result, slows down relationship building. Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace give valuable input on how to become a parenting team and strengthen your marriage in the process as you cope with common stepfamily dynamics such as: different parenting styles, co-parenting struggles, rejection from stepchildren, stepparent ambiguity, fear of failure, a paralyzed biological parent, a stepparent who oversteps their place, guilt from the past and fear to parent well because of what the children have already walked through, and other challenging dynamics. Show Notes and Resources Register for this year's Summit on Stepfamily Ministry! Watch Women and Blended Families Watch: No Threat video Check out Stepparenting with Grace and Building Love Together. The Smart Stepfamily on RightNow Media 

As a blended family couple, it's not uncommon to experience sexual pitfalls that bring additional stress to your relationship. How do you prevent physical intimacy issues and work through those that have shown up? In this episode, Ron Deal and Gayla Grace talk about how to build trust and emotional safety to overcome common pitfalls such as: the comparison trap, fear and insecurity from "ghosts" of marriage past, unlearning old rhythms of sexual practice and learning new ones, and lingering messages from prior sexual experiences that can inhibit healthy physical intimacy in marriage. In addition, you'll understand more about the biblical view of healthy sexuality and why God established boundaries around it. Show Notes and Resources Make plans to join us at the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry! Check out where Ron will be speaking. Listen to or watch episode 30, 66, or 131. Send a donation and get a copy of The Smart Stepfamily Marriage

Author Don Everts knows what it's like to feel disconnected in your own neighborhood. But he also knows why community is critically important.

The dynamics of blended family life can bring hopelessness, and we lose the ability to see a future where God can make our situation better. But there's always hope for a brighter tomorrow. In this episode, Ron Deal speaks with Dr. Lee Warren, a neurosurgeon who has experienced personal trauma and loss, and explains the difference between our mind and our brain and how to use our mind to face hard things in a constructive manner. As we transform our thoughts and consider our feelings against the Truth of what God's Word says, we find hope again for healing, for purpose, for change. Show Notes and Resources  Send a gift and receive The Smart Stepfamily Marriage  Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Get Dr. Lee's book, HOPE IS THE FIRST DOSE  Dr. Lee Warren's website and podcast Email us for a chance to win a hard copy of Hope Is The First Dose! blended@familylife.com Ron's list of Smart Stepfamily therapists. 

Ghosts of marriage past—triggers from past hurt that we carry into a new relationship—are common for blended family couples. But emotional ghosts don't just appear from relationship baggage. We can be triggered by childhood wounds, grief, or other hurts that leave a residue on our heart and create hypersensitivity to getting hurt again. As a result, we guard our heart and resist vulnerability in our relationships. In this episode, Ron Deal speaks with Gayla Grace about how to recognize our ghosts and take responsibility to move past our fears. Ron and Gayla both share ghosts they've wrestled with and how to have conversations with your partner that build trust in your relationship. Show Notes and Resources Register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry! Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Marriage Make a tax dedecutible donation and get a free gift! Watch Women and Blended Families on YouTube Call and leave a message with your podcast suggestions: 407-826-2606

How do we help kids who are struggling with addictive behaviors such as pornography, drinking, drugging, video game addiction, or others? In this episode, Ron Deal speaks with Dr Adrian Hickmon, founder of Capstone Treatment Center, about the best approach, particularly for blended families. Hickmon says it starts by understanding the pain and void in the child's life and using your influence as a parent and stepparent to impact their behavior. He explains the value of creating deeper attachments and practicing healthy boundaries in a way that provides the connection and motivation a child needs to make changes in their life. 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

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

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 and 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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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

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

Do you have trouble organizing your life? Your family calendar? Well, help is on the way! Ron Deal speaks with James and Ginger Dellaripa about challenges of blended family management including schedules, co-parenting, custody, and more. Listen to gain valuable insights in getting your life organized. Show Notes and Resources Get organized for 30 days free! Use the code: FLB30 Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning Learn more about our Blended resources Ron's speaking schedule Please leave a message for us: 407-826-2606 Join us for the Blended and Blessed livestream!

Getting remarried in later life after the death of a spouse or divorce? How do you know if you're ready? Should you consider the feelings of your adult children? Ron Deal talks with Jim and Shirley Mozena about the risks, as well as rewards, of a later-life remarriage and what to consider as you date. Show Notes and Resources Access The Smart Stepfamily for free! More about Jim and Shirley and their book, Second Chance At Love Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning More FamilyLife Blended resources Every gift to FamilyLife Blended for the month of December is matched! Email: blendedquestions@familylife.com or call: 407-826-2606

When relationships with our adult kids and stepkids become strained or estranged, our hearts hurt. How did we get here? How do we fix it? Ron Deal talks with Dr. Charlotte Melcher Smith about common themes that contribute to strained relationships and what parents can do to help. Show Notes and Resources Dr. Charlotte Melcher Smith's book, Life's Third Tri Blended resources and events Send a matching gift to say "thank you" to FamilyLife Blended. Send us a suggestion for a future podcast. Register now for Blended and Blessed Live Event and Livestream.

Have you ever wondered how to be thankful in a hard season in your blended family? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace talk about finding joy, regardless of our circumstances, as we focus on God's faithfulness, His provision, and His promises. Show Notes and Resources Thank you for sending a gift to be matched dollar for dollar! Send us your review via email: blendedquestions@familylife.com or voicemail: 407-826-2606. Info on Blended and Blessed Register now for Blended and Blessed Live Event and Livestream.

Helping your kids with their emotions is a critical life skill, yet we often don't equip kids with these valuable skills. Ron Deal speaks with Michelle Nietert, LPC, about common feelings kids in blended families experience and how parents can help. Show Notes and Resources Michelle Nietert, M.A., LPC-S Learn about our blended events and resources. Ron's personal speaking schedule. Find a counselor. Give a tax-deductible donation to FamilyLife Blended ministry. Register now for Blended and Blessed Live Event and Livestream.

High-conflict co-parenting is a common struggle in blended families. Ron Deal speaks with Diane Dierks and Rick Voyles on how to improve co-parenting conflict as you prioritize what you're fighting for, change your response, and consider your kids first. Show Notes and Resources List of counselors Register for Preparing to Blend Co-parenting Dilemmas podcast Get the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry All-Access Digital Pass. Ron's personal speaking schedule. Send a gift to FamilyLife Blended. Email a comment about this show or call to share your thoughts. blendedquestions@familylife.com or 407-826-2606

When we blend two families, what's the goal and how do we get there? Do we focus more on parenting or our marriage? Do I parent my stepchild or build a relationship first? How do we manage a difficult former spouse? Ron Deal answers these questions and more about the critical tasks of parenting in a blended family. Show Notes and Resources You still have time to join the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry! The Online Certificate in Blended Family Ministry Get monthly encouragement for your blended family FamilyLife Blended Resources Get the Summit All-Access Digital Pass Email us your questions at blendedquestions@familylife.com

Blended families come in all shapes and sizes. Each family is unique with its own complexities. Chris and Yodit Brooks share their stories growing up in a blended family as well as wisdom they've gained from raising both their adopted and biological children. Family stories matter. Show Notes and Resources The Smart Stepfamily on Right Now Media Get a copy of The Smart Stepfamily Summit on Stepfamily Ministry: Registration and Information Listen to Equipped with Chris Brooks. Ron's personal speaking schedule. Support the FamilyLife Blended podcast Call in a review 407-826-2606

The holidays can be a stressful time juggling visitations, planning family activities, and managing all the feelings in the Christmas season. Emotions in blended families are often magnified during Christmas. Gayla Grace and Ron Deal offer practical ways to be sensitive and promote positivity so your holiday can be a truly joyous time. Show Notes and Resources Gift a copy of The Smart Stepfamily More Blended Family Resources Ron's upcoming events Send a gift to FamilyLife Blended Leave us a review voicemail at 407-826-2606 or email us: blendedquestions@familylife.com

Children want to be heard and seen. Ron Deal had a conversation with Dr Mark Mayfield about how parents can help teens with loneliness. They offer wisdom and practical help for sensitive, serious topics such as suicide and address the role parents have as children navigate their overwhelming feelings and confusing thoughts. Show Notes and Resources Blended Family resources Smart Stepfamily on Right Now Media Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Dr. Mark Mayfield The Path out of Loneliness and The Path to Wholeness Donate to FamilyLife Blended Leave us a review voicemail at 407-826-2606 or email us: blendedquestions@familylife.com

The enneagram gives us insight into our unique gifts and the contributions we can make with those around us. But it shouldn't be the ultimate source of our identity. Ron Deal talks with Jeff and Beth McCord about interpreting core enneagram types alongside the truth of the Gospel as we relate to others. Show Notes and Resources Dive deeper into the 9 different Enneagram types Free downloads from Jeff and Beth Blended Family Resources Learn more about the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry Join us on the cruise! Thank you for your support! Leave us a review voicemail at 407-826-2606 or email us: blendedquestions@familylife.com

No one wants to walk through grief and suffering. But God uses hard times to grow our character, develop perseverance, and find hope in Him. Ron Deal talks with Davey and Kristi Blackburn about how to trust God's faithfulness during painful seasons and find healing and restoration through Him. Show Notes and Resources 10th Anniversary DVD Edition of The Smart Stepfamily Women and Blended Families Davey and Kristi Blackburn and their Pain to Purpose resources Leave us a review voicemail at 407-826-2606 or email us: blendedquestions@familylife.com Support FamilyLife Blended The Summit on Stepfamily ministry

Do you have wounds from a previous relationship that you carried into your new family? We call these ghosts of marriage past. Unresolved residue also happens with our kids and affects our ability to form trust and intimacy with others. Ron Deal speaks with Moe and Paige Becnel about how to wrestle with our ghosts and lessen their power. Show Notes and Resources The Smart Stepfamily online series More about the Becnels and their book Join this year's VIRTUAL Summit on Stepfamily Ministry. Add your blended small group on the searchable map. Make a tax deductible gift. Ask a question and submit a review at blendedquestions@familylife.com or call 407-826-2606.

Blended family life doesn't often start with every relationship experiencing harmony. But it's not unusual to develop it along the way. Listen to Ron Deal speak with Gil and Brenda Stuart about how disappointment and confusion in their family relationships with 7 kids eventually morphed into redemption and joy. Show Notes and Resources Gil and Brenda Stuart Get a copy of Restored and Remarried, workbook or small group bundle. Blended ministry map Make plans for The Summit on Stepfamily ministry. Send a gift of support to help us expand our reach. Call or email us with your ideas! 407-826-2606, blendedquestions@familylife.com

Former NFL player Jeff Kemp has spent decades connecting with men. He understands the common struggles which include insecurity, comparison, and shame. He shares with Ron Deal how men can best cope by understanding their identity in our Father God, and why healthy male friendships are valuable in everyday life. Show Notes and Resources Get Jeff Kemp's Men Huddle Playbook Online Certificate course in Blended Family Ministry Tips to a deeper friendship Easy steps to friendship and huddling The Smart Stepdad: Steps to Help You Succeed Make a tax deductible donation. Call with your question: 407-826-2606, email a podcast topic suggestion: blendedquestions@familylife.com The Summit on Stepfamily Ministry

Men want harmony in their homes, but the dynamics of blended family life can threaten peaceful relationships. Mike Haney speaks with Ron Deal on how stepdads can create meaningful connections with their stepchildren through warm and inviting behavior, a perspective for long-term bonds, and mindfulness toward a role that less is more. Show Notes and Resources The Summit on Stepfamily ministry Info and booking for the Love Like You Mean It Marriage Cruise Mike Haney's Courageous Stepdad Coaching Program Podcast #38- Daily Practices for Happy Stepcouples Get your copy of The Smart Stepdad Support the Blended podcast with a gift Call or email us! 407-826-2606, blendedquestions@familylife.com

Do you struggle with 2nd wife syndrome? Are you confused with your role and often feel you can't measure up to the expectations? Ron Deal speaks with Bill and Jen Rogers on the valuable role stepmoms play and offers encouragement and pro tips for those stuck in the trenches. Show Notes and Resources Free download: Top 10 Pro tips Jen's Bold and Blended podcast Read: The Smart Stepmom Attend The Summit on Stepfamily Ministry virtually! Find a small group or add your group to the Blended ministry map. Set sail with on the Love Like You Mean It cruise! Thank you for making a gift to FamilyLife Blended.

Litigation creates stress and anxiety for stepfamilies, but there are ways to experience peace and bring kindness to others in the midst of it. Listen to Ron Deal with Scott & Vanessa Martindale on how to resist negative emotions and find resolution in custody cases that best meets the needs of your child. Show Notes and Resources Find more FamilyLife Blended resources. Get your copy of Scott and Vanessa's book, Blended & Redeemed Learn more about Scott and Vanessa Join the Virtual Summit on Stepfamily ministry this year! Thank you for supporting FamilyLife Blended. We would love to hear from you. Email blendedquestions@familylife.com | Call 407-826-2606

When complicated circumstances show up in blended families, relationship-building slows down. Ron Deal speaks with Dr. Darrell Bock about how the death of his mom when he was a teenager, a dad who traveled weekly with work, and a new stepmom with three kids created tension and uneasiness for everyone. Show Notes and Resources Blended & Blessed information and registration Get your copy of Lauren Reitsema's book, In Their Shoes. Get your copy of Building Love Together in Blended Families Buy a copy of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning Send a tax deductible gift for FamilyLife Blended. Please email blendedquestions@familylife.com or call with a question for a future podcast at 407-826-2606.

Stepfamilies are fundamentally different than biological families, which can create tension and ambiguity for everyone involved. In this episode, Ron Deal speaks with Dr. Patricia Papernow about key principles for healthy relationship building in blended families which navigating complex dynamics and competing priorities between the marriage and the children. Show Notes and Resources Step-Insiders and Step-Outsiders Validating Children in Stepfamilies Dr. Papernow's website Join sites around the globe for this year's Blended & Blessed! Send a tax deductible gift for FamilyLife Blended. Please email blendedquestions@familylife.com or call with a question for a future podcast at 407-826-2606.

How can you establish your marital relationship as the foundation for the home when children preceded your union? It starts by understanding that a strong marriage contributes more significantly to the stability of the home than any other factor—including the children. In this episode, Ron Deal & Gayla Grace offer practical tips on how to put your spouse in the front seat of your heart while still prioritizing your children. Show Notes and Resources Your review of the podcast might be played on a future show! Call 407-826-2606 FamilyLife Blended resources Make a tax deductible donation. Join us for this year's Blended & Blessed. Watch from home!

Blending isn't the goal for stepfamilies; it suggests the family becomes one in a relational sense, which rarely occurs. Other cooking strategies that stepfamilies try, such as the instapot, food processor, or pressure cooker, don't work well either. Then what does? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace discuss how crockpot cooking is the key. Show Notes and Resources Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Blended Family Events and Resources Join us for this year's Blended and Blessed. Watch from home! Make a tax deductible contribution to support the blended podcast. Write to us at blendedquestions@familylife.com or call 407-826-2606 to share a review of the podcast.