Explore every episode of the podcast Blended Family Breakthrough
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 248. How to Plan Positive Family Celebrations Without So Much Tension [with Zach Brittle] | 03 nov. 2026 | 00:48:58 | |
The holiday season is supposed to be filled with joy and meaningful family memories. But when you're blending a family, competing traditions, conflicting expectations, and complicated relationships can quickly turn this special season into a source of tension. We've experienced these challenges ourselves, and we know how difficult it can be to balance everyone's needs and stay united as a couple. In this episode, we're joined by marriage therapist Zach Brittle for an insightful conversation about navigating blended family challenges, especially during the holidays. Zach offers helpful perspectives on how couples can stop fighting over competing preferences and start building a new family culture together. We explore two surprisingly simple questions that can transform how you approach holiday decisions, along with the importance of managing your own emotions and negotiating as a team. You'll also discover why healthy conflict can actually strengthen your relationship and how to recover when your holiday plans don't go as expected. Our hope is that you'll move through this holiday season with less pressure, greater unity, and more meaningful connection. About Zach Brittle Zach has spent nearly 20 years teaching, coaching, mentoring, and counseling couples. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), a Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT), and a Relational Life Therapist. Zach is the host of Marriage Therapy Radio and the author of the bestselling relationship guides The Relationship Alphabet and The Marriage Therapy Journal. His work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Men’s Health, Real Simple, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Zach has been happily married to his wife, Rebecca, for 25 of their 28 years together. They live in Seattle with their two adult daughters. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Safeguarding Kids as they Move Between Homes | 27 oct. 2026 | 00:08:42 | |
Resources Click the link for helpful Co-Parenting Episodes: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/podcast/category/Co-Parenting/#filter Episode 213. Discover How to Better Understand and Connect with Children of Divorce [with Lauren Reitsema] Episode 229. The Heavy Burdens Kids Carry: Loyalty Binds, Parental Allegiances, and How to Help Episode 232. 5 Principles to Manage Contact Between Homes and Promote Your Child's Wellness Episode 161. How do Healthy Parent/Child Roles Help Avoid the Pitfalls of Parentification? [with Ron Deal & Lauren Reitsema] Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback. | |||
| 247. When Kids Struggle Between Two Homes: How to Make Transitions Easier | 20 oct. 2026 | 00:47:08 | |
Moving between two homes is simply part of life for many kids after a divorce. Have you ever stopped to consider how much physical and emotional energy each transition requires? Kids may be shifting between different routines, expectations, relationships, responsibilities, and environments, all while keeping track of clothes, schoolwork, sports gear, electronics, and everything else that needs to travel with them. Even when kids have healthy relationships with both parents, constantly adjusting can be exhausting. We know this personally. When Annika moved between our home and her dad's, we didn't always recognize the toll this took on her. Sometimes our excitement to reconnect actually created more pressure when what she really needed was time and space to settle in. In this episode, we’re inviting you to see regular transitions through your child’s eyes. What can look like irritability, withdrawal, forgetfulness, or resistance may actually be a child trying to manage the emotional and practical strain of moving between two different homes. When we understand what may be happening beneath the behavior, we can respond with more empathy, reduce unnecessary pressure, and create a smoother landing as kids move from one home to the other. The goal isn't to make everything "perfect". It's to pay attention to your individual child and ask what helps them experience greater stability, security, and freedom while living between two homes. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Click here to subscribe on YouTube Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Keep Filling the Emotional Tanks | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:08:01 | |
Resources Building Love Together in Blended Families by Ron Deal and Gary Chapman Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 246. Adding an "Ours Baby"? How to Navigate Big Emotions and Shifting Family Dynamics | 06 oct. 2026 | 00:34:06 | |
Adding an "ours baby" can be a beautiful new chapter, but it can also stir up emotions and family dynamics you didn’t expect. We experienced that firsthand when Annika (then seven), asked Kim (who was pregnant), “Will you be closer to the baby than you are to me?” Her question revealed what many children in blended families wonder when a shared baby arrives: Where do I fit now, and do I still matter just as much? In this episode, we explore how an "ours baby" can impact kids who move between two homes, older siblings who compare their childhood to the baby’s, stepparents becoming biological parents for the first time, and couples trying to balance competing needs, loyalties, and ideas about fairness. The goal isn’t to convince everyone to feel happy about the new baby. It’s to create enough emotional safety for each person to be honest about the whole experience. We’ll share practical ways to respond with curiosity, reassurance, emotion coaching, and teamwork. Most importantly, we’ll help you focus on one intentional strategy that can protect your family as it grows. When everyone continues to feel seen, valued, and secure, your growing family has a stronger foundation for connection and belonging. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 245. Considering an "Ours Baby"? 4 Questions to Help You Make a Wise Decision Together | 29 sept. 2026 | 00:32:18 | |
Deciding whether to have an “ours baby” is deeply personal, and in a blended family, the decision can carry some unique complexities. We know because we’ve lived it. When we were building our life together, Mike felt certain that he wanted the opportunity to have a biological child, while Kim had already reached a place of contentment raising her one child. As our relationship grew, so did our conversations about what we each wanted, what concerned us, and what adding a baby might mean for our marriage and for Annika. In this episode, we share four important questions that can help you navigate this decision with greater honesty and clarity. We also share some of our own journey of welcoming Phoebe and Jacob into our family. Their arrivals brought incredible joy, but they also reminded us that even careful preparation can’t predict exactly how the story will unfold. The goal isn’t to rush toward a yes or a no. It’s to create enough safety and honesty for both of you to fully engage in the conversation, understand what’s at stake, and ultimately move forward as a united couple with realistic expectations, caring for everyone in the family. You'll Discover:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: The Super Strength of Consideration | 22 sept. 2026 | 00:09:04 | |
Resources Simple Step: Managing Loyalties & Priorities in Your Home Episode 167. Achievable Strategies to Make Your Marriage the Foundation of Your Blended Family Episode 206. Avoid These 5 Common Pitfall to Ensure a Successful Partnership Episode 139. The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences (Trapped Teammate / Stranded Stranger dynamic) Episode 77. 3 Unique Differences That Make a Blended Family Marriage Challenging Episode 160. A 4-Part Framework for Achievable Expectations and How to Live Them Out Episode 130. How to Build Trust that Nurtures Bonds with Your Kids and Stepkids Episode 214. Does Permissive Parenting Help or Hurt? Discover How to Know and Grow Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 244. More Than the Struggle: 4 Super Strengths that Emerge in Blended Family Life | 15 sept. 2026 | 00:30:52 | |
It’s easy to look at the unfinished parts of your blended family and wonder if something is wrong. Maybe relationships haven’t developed as quickly as you hoped. Your stepchild still keeps their distance. A biological parent feels caught in the middle. Or shifting schedules, transitions, and circumstances outside your control continue to create tension. When reality doesn’t match the family you imagined, discouragement can creep in. But the truth is, blending a family is a process, and a family 'in process' isn’t necessarily an unhealthy family. Sometimes, it’s simply still growing. In honor of National Stepfamily Day, we’re shifting our focus from the challenges of blended family life to some of the unexpected strengths that can develop as you learn to navigate the challenges over the years. After more than 25 years in our own blended family, we’ve seen acceptance, resilience, and flexibility grow in ourselves and our kids. We’ve also discovered that a healthy remarriage can give children a new picture of what love, conflict resolution, forgiveness, trust, and commitment can look like, which will have an impact on their future relationships. None of these strengths develop automatically, and celebrating your family doesn’t mean pretending the hard parts don’t exist. It means recognizing meaningful progress while allowing everyone to experience the family honestly. Your family may still be “in the crock pot.” Some relationships may still feel awkward or unfinished. But slow progress is still progress. This National Stepfamily Day, we invite you to notice how far you’ve come, celebrate the wins, and hold onto hope for what’s still developing. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Why Stepparents Need a Strong Sense of Identity | 08 sept. 2026 | 00:08:50 | |
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 243. How Stepparents Can Thrive by Protecting Their Heart, While Still Showing Up [with Laura Petherbridge] | 01 sept. 2026 | 01:14:08 | |
Stepparenting can be deeply meaningful, but it can also leave you feeling rejected, exhausted, and unsure of your place in the family. We know how painful it is to care about a child, invest your heart, and still feel pushed away. In this episode, we sit down with Laura Petherbridge to talk honestly about the expectations that often set stepparents up for disappointment and the pressures that can eventually lead to burnout. Laura reminds us that thriving as a stepparent starts with understanding how blended families are different, recognizing what is and isn’t within your control, and learning when to step back without stepping out. Laura is an author, speaker, chaplain, and life coach who presents on relationships and marriage, stepfamilies, co-parenting, divorce prevention, and divorce recovery. She has written several books, appeared on countless TV, radio, and podcast segments, and spoken across the U.S., Australia, and South Africa. She also offers a practical and encouraging monthly newsletter. (You can sign up using the link below!) Some additional things we explore with Laura include why a stepparent’s influence matters more than forcing authority or closeness, how biological parents can unintentionally intensify burnout, and why protecting your identity outside the stepparent role is especially important for childless stepmoms. If stepparenting has worn you down, this conversation will help you release unrealistic expectations, protect your heart, find healthy support, and move forward with greater clarity and hope. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read to too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Get on the Same Page | 25 août 2026 | 00:10:33 | |
Resources Episode 167. Achievable Strategies to Make Your Marriage the Foundation of Your Blended Family Episode 206. Avoid These 5 Common Pitfalls to Ensure a Successful Partnership Episode 139. The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences (Trapped Teammate / Stranded Stranger dynamic) Episode 77. 3 Unique Differences That Make a Blended Family Marriage Challenging Episode 160. A 4-Part Framework for Achievable Expectations and How to Live Them Out Episode 130. How to Build Trust that Nurtures Bonds with Your Kids and Stepkids Episode 214. Does Permissive Parenting Help or Hurt? Discover How to Know and Grow Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!
From <https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/561523/episodes/19584937-simple-step-get-on-the-same-page>
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| 242. Stepparent Burnout? 4 Steps to Reduce Resentment and Rebalance Roles | 18 août 2026 | 00:35:52 | |
Stepparent burnout doesn't start in a dramatic moment. It develops quietly as a stepparent keeps giving, serving, adjusting, but ends up with this increasing feeling of being invisible, rejected, or alone. A stepparent may believe that loving their family means doing more. But when healthy investment turns into over-functioning, the result is often resentment or emotional withdrawal. Then burnout can set in. In this episode, we help stepparents recognize the warning signs of burnout and invite biological parents to listen with curiosity (not defensiveness). The goal is simply to understand the difficult dynamics that tend to create pressure on a stepparent and consider a more sustainable family structure. We’ll walk you through four practical steps that can help. And we'll explore the difference between healthy disengagement and emotional abandonment. Stepparent burnout doesn’t mean you’re failing. It may simply mean your current strategies aren't working. With honest communication, realistic expectations, healthy limits, and stronger teamwork, couples can reduce resentment and build a home where everyone has room to breathe. You’ll Discover
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Managing the Motivational Gap | 11 août 2026 | 00:09:16 | |
Resources: Episode 241: Before you Take it Personally: Why the Backlash to Accept a Stepparent? Building Love Together in Blended Families by Ron Deal and Gary Chapman Episode 85. How to Uniquely Build More Love and Connection in Your Blended Family [with Ron Deal] Episode 213. Discover How to Better Understand and Connect with Children of Divorce [with Lauren Reitsema] Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 241. Before You Take It Personally: 5 Reasons Kids Resist a Stepparent | 04 août 2026 | 00:42:07 | |
When we got married, we both wanted our new family to feel safe, connected, and secure. But good intentions didn’t prepare us for the painful tension that sometimes hit between Mike and Annika (Kim's daughter). If you’re a stepparent who feels ignored, criticized, rejected, or kept at a distance, it’s easy to take your stepchild’s behavior personally. And if you’re the biological parent caught between your spouse and your child, you may feel pressured to keep everyone happy while you're wondering how to support them both. But a child’s resistance may not mean what you think it means. In this episode, we explore five common reasons kids struggle to accept a stepparent and why pushback is a common reaction to blending. Understanding these dynamics doesn’t mean excusing disrespect or allowing kids to control the home. It means slowing down long enough to look beneath the behavior so you can respond with wisdom rather than reacting from hurt. We’ll also give you two simple questions that can help you step into your child’s emotional world and approach difficult moments with greater curiosity and empathy. You don’t have to force connection or find the perfect strategy. Instead, patience, maturity, and pressure-free love will help you to create the safety and trust that allow healthy step-relationships to grow over time. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Click here to subscribe on YouTube Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| A Short Summer Pause and What’s Coming August 4th | 30 juin 2026 | 00:10:59 | |
We’re popping in with a short summer update before taking a brief pause from releasing new episodes throughout July 2026. But don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere! We’re using July to prepare some fun and helpful new things we’ll begin sharing August 4th, including new podcast episodes in both audio and video. Before we talk about what’s coming, we’re also taking a few minutes to reflect on something every blended family experiences: change. Whether it’s a shift in schedule, a new family rhythm, a move, or a parenting adjustment, change can stir up more than we expect. That doesn’t mean change is wrong. It simply means healthy change needs clarity, patience, communication, collaboration, and room for everyone to adjust. During July, we’d love for you to stay connected by revisiting past episodes, taking or retaking the updated Blended Family Breakthrough Quiz, and checking out our free audio course, The Five-Minute Blended Family Reset, inside the Blended Family Breakthrough app. Then we’ll be back August 4th with new episodes, including important conversations about stepparent burnout and the complex question of having an “ours” baby. You’ll Discover
Resources Mentioned
Other Resources
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: How Patience and Persistence Create Space for Bonding | 23 juin 2026 | 00:07:25 | |
Resources
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 240. Energize Family Bonds One Meaningful Conversation at a Time [with Ashley Noelle] | 16 juin 2026 | 00:58:46 | |
In blended family life, it’s easy for kids, parents, and stepparents to feel unsure, unseen, or disconnected as everyone adjusts to new relationships, new rhythms, and new expectations. We know how hard it can be to want deeper connection, but not know what questions to ask or how to create the kind of safe space where honest conversations can happen. In this episode, we talk with Ashley Noelle, the founder of Blended Bond, a conversation-based tool designed to help blended families, co-parents, and single-parent households build stronger connection through meaningful dialogue. Rooted in her own lived experience within a blended family, Ashley created Blended Bond to support families navigating complex dynamics, transitions, and emotional barriers. With a background in co-parenting coaching and a deep understanding of modern family structures, Ashley now focuses on creating tangible resources that help families communicate, connect, and feel less alone in the process. Together, we explore how intentional questions can help kids feel seen and heard, why “safe zone” conversations matter, and how parents and stepparents can keep showing up with patient persistence, even when kids shut down or resist. Ashley also reminds us that every blended family is unique. You don’t have to force your family into someone else’s mold. You can build trust, strengthen bonds, and create meaningful connection one honest conversation at a time. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Healthy Boundaries that Protect Relationships | 09 juin 2026 | 00:07:49 | |
Resources
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 239. Feeling Responsible for Everyone? How Codependency Hinders Family Relationships and How to Heal [with Michelle Farris] | 02 juin 2026 | 00:53:16 | |
Codependency can be tricky to recognize because it often looks like love, generosity, or “just trying to help.” But when our giving turns into fixing, rescuing, controlling, or sacrificing ourselves to earn love and approval, it can quietly create tension in our marriage, parenting, co-parenting, and stepfamily relationships. In this episode, we’re joined by therapist Michelle Farris for a practical and hope-filled conversation about how codependency shows up in blended families and how to heal it. Michelle is a psychotherapist, codependency expert, and anger management specialist with a passion for helping people break free from toxic relationships. Her YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers, where she’s known for her practical tips and expertise. She’s written several ebooks and courses for creating relationships that work. Michelle helps us understand the difference between healthy care and over-functioning, why some parents struggle when their kids are hurting or moving between homes, and how our desire to protect or please can sometimes blur important relational boundaries. We also talk honestly about how codependency can impact the parenting partnership in a blended family. When a bio-parent feels caught between their child and spouse, the pressure can intensify. When a stepparent feels responsible for things they don't have authority over, resentment sets in. But there is a healthier way forward. Michelle shares how couples can take small steps toward clearer boundaries, stronger self-awareness, and more secure connection without becoming rigid, reactive, or disconnected. If you’ve ever felt responsible for keeping everyone okay, struggled to set limits with your kids or ex, or wondered why you feel resentful after “helping,” this conversation will give you language, clarity, and hope. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Assertive Communication | 26 mai 2026 | 00:10:56 | |
Resources Episode 50. How to Openly Communicate What You Really Want Episode 179. Conquer Fear and Embrace Your Blend with Confidence and Clarity Episode 98. Is fear of being vulnerable keeping you from loving your spouse wholeheartedly? Episode 180. Break Free from Guilt and Blend with Authenticity and Security Episode 187. Basics for Blending: How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress (Part 1 of 2) Episode 237. Communication Frustration? Gain Powerful Tools & Insight to Help Reduce Conflict & Stay Connected Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 238. Co-Parenting Conflict? 4 Tools for Effective Communication to Increase Cooperation and Create Boundaries | 19 mai 2026 | 00:44:56 | |
Co-parenting conversations can escalate fast, especially when an ex is reactive, manipulative, dismissive, or unreasonable. It’s tempting to defend yourself, fire back, or make a quick decision just to escape the pressure. But that kind of response rarely moves things forward, and it can leave kids carrying the emotional weight of adult conflict. In this episode, we share practical tools to help you communicate with an ex in a way that is calm, clear, and solution-focused. You’ll learn our 5 A’s Framework for navigating hard co-parenting conversations, along with strategies for handling pressure, staying grounded, and setting healthy boundaries with confidence. We also open up about a painful moment in our own blended family story, when Kim felt pressured by her ex into making a major decision before she had time to think clearly or consult with Mike. From that experience, we share what we wish we had known then, and how these tools can help you protect your marriage, create greater stability for your kids, and build more peace in your home. Be sure to grab the free downloadable worksheet for this episode to help you plan your next hard conversation and put these tools into practice. You’ll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession | |||
| 237. Communication Frustration? Gain Powerful Tools & Insight to Help Reduce Conflict & Stay Connected | 12 mai 2026 | 00:47:10 | |
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in our 25 years of marriage, parenting, and blended family life, it’s this: communication problems aren’t about bad intentions more often, they’re about lacking the right tools. In this episode, we share the painful, unproductive patterns we got stuck in and the communication shifts that changed everything for us, helping us strengthen our marriage and build a healthier parenting partnership. We unpack a simple communication styles model, then share two practical frameworks that help couples handle sensitive issues with more wisdom and less reactivity. We also share about the impact of emotional dysregulation (one of the biggest obstacles to healthy communication), and touch on four of the most common unhealthy patterns that keep couples stuck. This episode will offer practical tools to build trust and connection, reduce conflict, and communicate more like a united team. Even when you each have different perspectives. If we can do it, you can too! Listen in and learn these pivotal tools so you can break free from unhealthy communication patterns and make a real difference in your relationship! You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Navigating Mother's Day | 05 mai 2026 | 00:08:28 | |
Resources
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 236. Does it Ever Get Easier? How to Stay Hopeful by Playing the Long Game [with Gayla Grace] | 28 avr. 2026 | 01:08:50 | |
In this episode, we sit down with our friend Gayla Grace for a deeply encouraging conversation about what it really takes to build a strong blended family over time. Gayla candidly shares about the challenges she and her husband faced while blending "hers", "his", and "ours". From parenting conflict to grief and unexpected setbacks, Gayla shares how those hard seasons pushed them to seek help, grow in humility, and fight for unity in their marriage. Gayla is an author and international speaker with the FamilyLife Blended® team, where she encourages and equips blended families. She has a master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling, and she hosts the livestream Women & Blended Families. Throughout our conversation, we explore three powerful truths that every blended couple needs to hear: expect challenges, expect the process to take longer than you want, and commit to playing the long game. Gayla offers practical wisdom, hopeful mindset shifts, and a refreshing reminder that your efforts matter, even when you don't see immediate results. Listen in and be encouraged as our guest Gayla Grace shares from more than 30 years of personal experience, and reminds us that blended family life is rarely easy or quick, but it can absolutely be worth it. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support: We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts Give a review over on Apple Podcasts . Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” . Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step. The Value of 1 on 1 Bio-Time | 21 avr. 2026 | 00:08:35 | |
Resources from this episode Episode 235. Stepparenting Takes Two: How to Build Connection and Avoid Common Wrong Turns Episode 103. 4 Revealing Myths About 1 on 1 Time Between Parents and their Bio-Kids (Part 1 of 2) Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 235. Stepparenting Takes Two: How to Build Connection and Avoid Common Wrong Turns | 14 avr. 2026 | 00:39:25 | |
When we got married, we stepped into blended family life with a lot of hope, but also a lot of unrealistic expectations. We thought connection would come quickly, parenting would feel natural, and our new family would settle into place easily. Instead, we ran into disappointment, resistance, and the painful realization that blended family life does not work like a first family experience. In this episode, we share one of the most important truths that changed everything for us: stepparenting is a two-person job. That shift helped us stop putting pressure in the wrong places and start building with more wisdom, patience, and teamwork. Our hope is that this conversation helps you let go of unrealistic expectations and take wise next steps toward real trust, genuine connection, and healthier family dynamics. Resources from this Episode: Strategy #1: Encourage relational growth in wise, helpful ways and reduce pressure:
Strategy #2: Help a resistant child bring down walls in ways they can receive:
Strategy #3: Build your parenting partnership and reduce negative interactions:
Ready for some extra support? CLICK HERE to schedule your free coaching session CLICK HERE to join the Blending Together Community | |||
| Simple Step: Outlaw Words that Drive Negativity | 07 avr. 2026 | 00:06:44 | |
Resources Episode 234. Caught in the Negative? How to Reframe Painful Moments and Regain Hope Episode 106. How to Avoid "Outlaw Words" [with Mark Warren] Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 234. Caught in the Negative? How to Reframe Painful Moments and Regain Hope | 31 mars 2026 | 00:42:34 | |
The reality is, blended family life gives us plenty of painful moments to get caught up in: tension with an ex, a hard interaction with a stepchild, a family activity that goes sideways, or marital conflict. And it is easy for one negative moment to become the headline. In this episode, we unpack negativity bias, our tendency to notice the negative faster, feel it deeper, and replay it longer. When it goes unchecked, it can shape how we make decisions and relate to the people we love. And it can steal your joy and leave you feeling hopeless. This conversation is personal for us. As we reflected on our own journey, we were reminded how easy it would have been to let negativity define our marriage and our family years ago. But real (imperfect) progress became possible when we chose to refocus on the small wins along the way and hold onto hope. That made all the difference for us, and we want to equip you to do the same. You'll Discover:
CLICK HERE to join the Blending Together Community Resources on this topic:
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| Simple Step: 3 Financial Questions with Brian K. Peterson | 24 mars 2026 | 00:06:44 | |
Resources
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 233. Building a Life You Love: How to Reduce Stress and Create a Unified Financial Vision [with Brian K. Peterson] | 17 mars 2026 | 00:46:08 | |
Money is a hard topic for any couple, but in a blended family, it often carries even more weight. It’s rarely just about numbers. It’s about history, protection, prior commitments, loyalty, fear, values, and the future you’re trying to build together. In this episode, we sit down with Brian K. Peterson to unpack why money conversations feel so loaded in stepfamilies, and how couples can approach them with more wisdom and unity. Instead of treating money like a scoreboard, Brian invites couples to ask a better question: What are we trying to build together? That shift can move you from conflict and anxiety toward collaboration and peace. You’ll also hear why a unified financial vision matters, especially with child support, co-parenting stress, legal battles, and shifting seasons that can make stability feel fragile. Join us as we explore why unity isn’t sameness, it’s honoring each person’s story while intentionally building a shared future. Brian is a husband, dad, and stepdad, and the founder of Blended Family Financial. He created the Planning Built for Life® process to help stepfamily couples move from financial tension to shared clarity and direction. He and his wife, Cara, are passionate about building strong blended families, and he’s the upcoming author of Blended Family Finances: How to Talk About Money, Plan for the Future, and Build a Life You Love. If money has become a source of stress, silence, or disconnection in your relationship, this episode will help you slow down, get honest, and start moving toward a more intentional and united path. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: How to Manage Yourself When You're Missing Your Kids | 10 mars 2026 | 00:09:55 | |
Resources
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 232. 5 Principles to Manage Contact Between Homes and Promote Your Child's Wellbeing | 03 mars 2026 | 00:39:36 | |
If you’ve ever wrestled with the question, “How often should my child be in contact with their other parent during my time?”, you've probably realized this isn’t really about phone calls. It’s about the invisible pressure kids feel to stay emotionally connected to both homes simultaneously and the tension it creates for everyone. If you want your home to be a place of peace and predictability, but you keep getting derailed by “just one more check-in", this episode is for you. The problem isn’t a lack of love. The problem is that frequent, parent-driven contact can quietly create loyalty binds, disrupt routines, and place adult anxiety on a child’s shoulders. We'll share five principles for healthy cross-home communication, so your child can feel settled, your home can have stability, and you and your spouse can stay united instead of stuck in the same argument about how the other home seems to be intruding on ours. You’ll walk away with helpful insight that'll help you decide what's best for your kids: prioritize child-driven connection when possible, create respectful boundaries when needed, protect household rhythms, evaluate your unique co-parenting context, and choose quality over quantity. Because the win isn’t “constant access.” The win is a child who feels lighter and freer to love everyone without feeling responsible for meeting unrealistic expectations and managing two homes simultaneously. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession | |||
| Simple Step: Boundaries Between Homes | 24 févr. 2026 | 00:13:35 | |
Resources Episode 231. When Your Ex Starts Dating: How to Handle their New Partner and Protect Your Kids Episode 170. Co-Parenting Pitfalls for Bio and Step Parents: How to Avoid "Milestone Mishaps" Episode 135. How to Set Appropriate Boundaries and Negotiate Well with Your Ex-Spouse Episode 226. How Two Homes Raise Kids that Thrive: A Co-Parenting Blueprint for Caring Parents [with Jay & Tammy Daughtry] Episode 112. 3 Dangerous Dynamics that Can Destroy Co-Parenting - and Hurt the Kids Episode 212. 3 Negotiation Strategies to Increase Collaboration and Influence in Your Co-Parenting Relationship Episode 188. Basics for Blending: How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress (Part 2 of 2) Episode 20. 4 Big Myths About Parenting When an Ex Has Different Rules Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 231. When Your Ex Starts Dating: How to Handle Their New Partner and Protect Your Kids | 17 févr. 2026 | 00:44:33 | |
If you’ve ever felt that jolt of panic when your child shares that they've been spending time with "daddy's new girlfriend" or "mommy's new boyfriend"… …you’re not alone. That moment can trigger fear, jealousy, grief, and of course, a protective instinct that makes you want to react fast. And sometimes that turns into a moment we later regret. In this episode, we’ll help you slow down and respond with wisdom instead of emotion. You’ll learn how to make a helpful first impression (even if you don’t feel ready), how to reduce tension that fuels loyalty binds, and move toward a healthier co-parenting dynamic without just pretending everything is “fine.” You’ll Discover
Resources from this Episode:
For Stepparents:
Ready for some extra support? We're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Working Through Decision Dilemmas | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:08:06 | |
Resources Episode 230. Everyday Decisions, Big Tension: The Hurtful Patterns That Create Blended Family Division Episode 203. How to Make Better Decisions and Solve Problems as a United Team Episode 49. Should Your Highest Priority be Your Marriage…or Your Kids? Episode 103. 4 Revealing Myths About 1 on 1 Time Between Parent and Their Bio-Kids (Part 1 of 2) Episode 147. Do Sensitive Conversations End up Creating Conflict in Your Relationship? Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 230. Everyday Decisions, Big Tension: The Hurtful Patterns That Create Blended Family Division | 03 févr. 2026 | 00:38:12 | |
Ever tried to make a seemingly straightforward family decision (something that should be easy) only to feel the tension rise, opinions harden, and lines get drawn? You’re not imagining it. In blended families, decisions can feel like loyalty tests. In this episode, we walk through a realistic scenario with a blended couple facing a decision dilemma: Do we prioritize a new experience that one side of the family is excited about… or protect a familiar tradition the other side values deeply? And that’s where things get complicated. Because it’s often not really about the decision itself. It’s about what the decision represents: loyalty and priority. That’s when a hurtful pattern shows up that we call a Tenuous Triad:
And once that triad forms, couples can get stuck in predictable traps:
Our goal is to help you name what’s happening so you can stop reacting to surface-level conflict and start leading from a place of clarity and unity. You’ll Discover
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? Connect with us to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoachin | |||
| Simple Step: Managing Loyalties & Priorities in Your Home | 27 janv. 2026 | 00:12:01 | |
Resources Episode 167. Achievable Strategies to Make Your Marriage the Foundation of Your Blended Family Episode 206. Avoid These 5 Common Pitfalls to Ensure a Successful Partnership Episode 139. The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences (Trapped Teammate / Stranded Stranger dynamic) Episode 77. 3 Unique Differences That Make a Blended Family Marriage Challenging Episode 160. A 4-Part Framework for Achievable Expectations and How to Live Them Out Episode 130. How to Build Trust that Nurtures Bonds with Your Kids and Stepkids Episode 214. Does Permissive Parenting Help or Hurt? Discover How to Know and Grow Episode 37. Why do kids struggle to accept their stepparent? Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 229. The Heavy Burdens Kids Carry: Loyalty Binds, Parental Allegiance, and How To Help | 20 janv. 2026 | 00:51:32 | |
If you’ve ever watched your child’s mood shift the moment they step into a handoff… Or felt the sting of being kept at arm’s length for reasons you can’t explain… You’re not imagining it. In blended families, kids often carry emotional burdens they were never meant to hold. In this episode, we name two of the most common “under-the-surface” struggles: loyalty binds (when a child feels torn between a bio parent and a stepparent) and parental allegiance (when a child feels pressure to align with one parent over the other). We share real-life stories, including the quiet pain behind the rejection of a stepparent's sweet gesture, and the way a joyful moment can suddenly collapse into guilt after a call with the other parent. But we don’t stop at awareness. We give you a plan. We’ll help you slow down, step into your child’s shoes, and create emotional safety. We’ll help step-parents stay hopeful and keep expectations realistic. And we’ll challenge bio parents to protect their kids from adult tension by choosing the neutral zone (where curiosity lowers the temperature and kids are freed to love without feeling responsible for anyone’s emotions). The win isn’t perfect co-parenting or flawless moments. It’s this: kids get out of the middle, pressure starts to lift, and your home has room for trust, connection, and peace to grow. You’ll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession | |||
| Simple Step: Overcome Your Obstacles | 13 janv. 2026 | 00:10:02 | |
Resources Last week's episode : Moving Beyond Fear:
Coping with Impatience:
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs & Excuses:
Managing Emotional Pain:
Embracing the Lone Ranger position:
Ready for some extra support? Schedule your FREE coaching call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call | |||
| 228. Ready for Change? A Simple 4-Step Plan for Blended Family Wins in the New Year! | 06 janv. 2026 | 00:30:50 | |
Those of us facing the common challenges of blending often feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or discouraged. It’s easy to drift into survival mode and settle for “not that bad.” In this episode, we'll share a clear plan to move forward in a simple way that's not about the pressure of big, dramatic New Year's resolutions. Here's the truth: transformation doesn’t happen overnight, and there are no easy fixes to the complex dynamics stepfamilies face. But change can happen with small, faithful shifts practiced over time. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode: CLICK HERE to schedule your FREE coaching call with us CLICK HERE to learn more about the Blending Together Community Find your Focus & Choose your Path: Bonding:
Understanding Kids' Perspectives:
Safeguarding your Relationship / Marriage:
Parenting & Stepparenting:
Effective Co-Parenting:
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| Simple Step: Incremental Progress | 30 déc. 2025 | 00:09:32 | |
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed to or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 227. Our Kid's Most Memorable Holiday Moments: The Good, Bad, and Imperfect Truth [with Annika, Phoebe & Jacob] | 23 déc. 2025 | 01:07:54 | |
Do you ever spend time reminiscing? We seem to think back a lot from our current empty next vantage point. It can be great to recall some of those funny moments in our history. And it's meaningful when we recount the tough seasons we've endured together as well. As we head into the holidays, we thought it would be fun to pull an interview with our kids out of the archives. So, in this episode, you'll listen in on a conversation with our family reminiscing over some of the ups and downs of our Holiday experiences over the past 20+ years. We wonder if it might stir up a bit of hope for your own future as you hear the authenticity straight from all three of our adult children. We've experienced some high points and low points as a family over the years — and your family will too. But as you navigate it together, we believe you can experience closeness, gratitude, and joy as a family. We hope our discussion blesses you this season. In this episode, you'll discover how our kids answered these questions as they share their holiday experiences living in our blended family:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession | |||
| Simple Step: Pitfalls of Co-Parenting as 'Perfect Pals' | 16 déc. 2025 | 00:17:52 | |
Questions to Ask Yourself
What's your next step in moving toward 'Cooperative Colleagues'? Resources
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then s | |||
| 226. How Two Homes Raise Kids that Thrive: A Co-Parenting Blueprint for Caring Parents [with Jay & Tammy Daughtry] | 09 déc. 2025 | 01:17:53 | |
If you’re co-parenting between two homes, you already know: your kids are watching everything. How you talk about their other parent, handle handoffs, respond to schedule changes, and react when the ex sends that text. These everyday issues impact and shape your children’s well-being. In this episode, we sit down with co-parenting experts Jay & Tammy Daughtry, who are both adult children of divorce and co-parents themselves. They share their TEAMM mindset: The End Adult Matters Most. It's a powerful reminder that your co-parenting relationship today is shaping the adult your child will become tomorrow. As marriage and family therapists, Jay and Tammy deeply understand the long-term impact of post-divorce dynamics on kids. They offer compassionate guidance to help you move from feeling stuck, reactive, or alone and instead adopt a calm, intentional, “business partner” approach to co-parenting. You’ll walk away with hopeful, real-life tools to steady your own emotions, protect your kids from unnecessary emotional burdens, and take small, intentional steps toward a healthier co-parenting partnership so your kids experience stability, security, and are free to love both of their parents. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| Simple Step: Teaching Kids Gratitude | 02 déc. 2025 | 00:07:21 | |
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 225. Gratitude Superpower: How to Boost Hope and Connection Through Challenging Seasons | 25 nov. 2025 | 00:42:00 | |
You want this season to feel special for your blended family. But instead of joy, you’re feeling grumpy, anxious, or even a little hopeless. Schedule changes, empty chairs at the table, tension with an ex, and slow bonding in step-relationships can make gratitude feel out of reach. Deep down you might be wondering, “How am I supposed to be thankful when life really hurts?” In this episode, we'll sit with you in that question. And we'll introduce three simple “gratitude lenses” that will help you focus on what’s good without denying what’s hard. Through honest stories from our personal journey, including Kim’s long season of walking with Annika through addiction and into recovery, you’ll see how gratitude can keep you anchored so that you can show up well as you face tough realities. You’ll also learn how to hold grief and gratitude at the same time while guarding against three common negativity traps that quietly drain hope and resilience. By the end, you’ll have one small, clear next step to begin practicing gratitude in real life, right where you are, in this season and beyond. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession | |||
| Simple Step: Managing Holiday Expectations | 18 nov. 2025 | 00:12:12 | |
Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know! We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call Subscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you to do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts Click here to follow on Spotify Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 224. Holiday Negotiations That Work: 5 Tips to Reduce Tension and Disappointment | 11 nov. 2025 | 00:23:42 | |
The holidays can turn magical… …or messy! This is especially true when two households, multiple calendars, and big expectations collide. You want peace, memories, and connection; the problem is last-minute schedule changes, mixed emotions, and the pressure to please everyone. We’ve been there. In this conversation, we'll offer practical guidance with a simple plan: five respectful negotiation tips for working with the other home and a kid-centered framework to navigate disappointment when plans don’t line up. This year, choose to take a proactive approach so that you can lower tension, avoid drama, and model resilience. The stakes are high. Painful interactions, confusion, guilt, and your kid's sense of stability are all on the line. What does success look like? A calmer season where your family can experience peace and memorable moments, even when things aren't “perfect". You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback! | |||
| 223. The Emotion Coaching Playbook: Handling Pushback and Building Trust (Part 2) | 04 nov. 2025 | 00:46:32 | |
You’re the parent, or stepparent, who wants less conflict and more connection. But a child’s resistance, sarcasm, isolation, or hurtful words, such as: “you’re not my dad,” can derail plans and result in hurtful interactions. We’ve been there. In part 2 of this mini-series, you'll discover how to respond well in tough moments of pushback by using John Gottman’s 5 steps of Emotion Coaching. You’ll hear us role-play around real-life pushback when a child is competing for a parent's love, making accusations and threats, and behaving oppositionally toward a stepparent. We'll offer a better way to manage those moments with words that help kids feel seen, heard, and understood. We'll also show you the best approach for addressing poor behavior and setting boundaries. The plan is simple: notice the emotion, treat it as an opportunity, listen and validate, help label feelings, then set limits while exploring solutions. Practice this, and you’ll be surprised at how you can lower the tension, build relational safety, and strengthen your connection with a struggling child. When pushback hits, it is possible to move away from reacting in ways that don't help and instead, create an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect, and real connection in your home. You'll Discover:
Resources from this Episode:
Ready for some extra support? Schedule your free coaching call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession | |||
| 222. Step-by-Step Guide: Facing Painful Pushback Without Making Things Worse (Part 1) | 28 oct. 2025 | 00:24:45 | |
We know that pushback moments can sting. Eye rolls, refusals, accusations, or shutting down are all things kids in blended families can tend to do. It’s easy for parents and stepparents to appease, minimize, deflect, control, try to 'fix-it' or simply avoid pushback (we’ve done it too). In this two-part series, we act as your guides and name the real struggle beneath kids' hurtful behavior: loss, grief, and fear that come with blending. Then we introduce a clear plan: Emotion Coaching. You’ll hear real-life scenarios, why common reactions backfire, and what to do instead to help your child feel seen and supported. The win? A calmer home, stronger bonds, and practical steps forward. The risk of doing nothing? Escalating conflict, shutdown, resentment, and power struggles. If you’re ready to respond to your child's pushback with calm, clarity, and care, this conversation is for you. You'll Discover:
Continued Learning on this Topic:
Ready for some extra support We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!
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