Overwhelmed by blended-family brokenness? Ron Deal and Wynand Jacobs dive into the messy, unpolished reality of blended families in New Zealand. Using Kintsugi as a gospel metaphor, they explore God's power to reform shame into beauty, grief into testimony, and mistakes into stories that shine. It's a masterclass in the divine alchemy of blended family life.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn about FamilyLife New Zealand
• Find an event on our blended map
• Send a donation to further the blended ministry

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Holidays got your blended family feeling like a tossed salad of joy, stress, and edgy emotions? Podcast hosts and blended marriage coaches Mike & Kim Anderson bring real talk, raw truth, and restoration therapy magic. Learn how to swap pain cycles for peace, chaos for connection—and maybe, just maybe, survive a blended family Christmas with your sanity and your stepkids.

Show Notes and Resources

• Order a hardcover copy of The Mindful Marrriage. You can pre-order a paperback version any place books are sold.
• Learn about Mike and Kim
• Send in a year-end gift to FamilyLife Blended

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

What happens when God’s good plan lobs an unplanned pregnancy into a blended family? Jay and Tammy Daughtry chat about shock, grace, and choosing love over shame. From unfiltered Day One reactions to faith-fueled healing, they offer a blueprint for both welcoming chaos and blessing it. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to turn unexpected blended-family moments into hope-filled family legacies.

Show Notes and Resources

• Ron and Nan's schedule
• Learn about The Daughtrys coparentinginternational.com
• Unplanned Grandparenting
• Give a year end gift and it will be doubled!

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Their first Christmas nearly broke them. Five kids, two parenting styles, zero prep. But Scott and Deana Thayer didn’t quit—they built a blended family from mismatched traditions, co-parenting chaos, and grace-fueled grit. As a couple now helping blended families thrive, the Thayers share hard-won wisdom, church-sized challenges, and the “95/5” rule that saved their sanity. Blending isn’t easy—but it’s worth every messy, beautiful step.

Show Notes and Resources

• Gift a copy of Gayla's new devotional, Beautifully Blended
• Access the free Smart Stepfamily Series
• Look for a small group online
• Blended & Blessed is April 18, 2026
• Find a qualified counselor for your marriage and family
• Support FamilyLife Blended

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

What if your marriage pivoted on three humble questions? Dr. Gary Chapman—yes, the Five Love Languages guy—gets real about early struggles, foot-washing humility, and how servant-hearted love transformed his 64-year marriage. Blended families, take heart: Far from fluff, these are faith-fueled, grit-tested keys to a successful marriage--as well as messy love, lasting connection, and conflict that doesn’t destroy. Find real talk, deep grace, and hope you can hold onto.

Show Notes and Resources

• Order a copy of Gary and Ron's book, Building Love Together
• Access blended resources and sign up for our free newsletter
• Meet Ron and Nan in person at a speaking event! RonDeal.org
• Discover your love language, learn more about Dr. Chapman, or get a copy of his new book, A Simple Guide for A Better Marriage 5lovelanguages.com
• Make a tax deductible donation

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Divorce…hurts. But for kids caught in the middle, it can feel like the world has split in two. How can you help kids cope with divorce and remarriage? Summer Butler, creator of Blended: Navigating Life Between Two Homes, cracks open a healing workbook for kids juggling two homes, big feelings, and confusing rules. Hear her raw story, then discover how drawing, writing, and boundary-setting can bring clarity, comfort—and even joy.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn about Summer, and get her workbook, BLENDED, Navigating Life Between Two Homes www.blendedbookco.com
• Search for virtual groups
• Get the 2025 Summit All-access digital pass
• Order a copy of The Mindful Marriage
• Make donation to FamilyLife Blended
• The next Smart Stepfamily Therapy training

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

What do red sweaters, a ski trip “familymoon,” and a Christmas sleepover have to do with healing after loss? A lot, actually. Join pastor and author Rob Bugh, pediatrician Rhonda Williams Bugh, and their adult kids Kyle and Nate as they revisit the rocky, grace-filled early years of blending two grieving families—and navigating those first blended holidays. It's raw, real, and rich with hope and hard-won wisdom.

Show Notes and Resources

• Summit on Stepfamily Ministry details
• Find a virtual group for blended family couples
• Order a copy of When the Bottom Drops Out
• The next Smart Stepfamily Therapy training
• International Therapy provider list
• FamilyLife Resources and Events

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

When a child loses a parent, grief doesn't end for them. And when they join a stepfamily, we need to come alongside them with love and support as parents and stepparents as we honor their pain and memories. Ron Deal talks with Diane Fromme about what helps and what hinders, especially as stepparents with grieving stepchildren.

Fromme explains how a stepparent can never replace a biological parent and functions as an "and," not an "instead." Stepparents will likely face rejection, insecurity, and feelings of being an outsider; however, with humility and ongoing love and support, they can, over time, develop meaningful and significant relationships with stepchildren following loss.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn about Diane and get a copy of, Stepparenting the Grieving Child
• You can still register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry
• Find a small group on the searchable map and browse Ron's speaking schedule
• Send a gift to help with FamilyLife Blended's work

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy