Resources

Episode 208. The Transfer of Power: A Smart Strategy for Stepparents Left in Charge

Episode 204. 4 Facets of Stepparenting: Defining Appropriate Roles and Responsibilities

Episode 108. 3 Unity Breakers that are Detrimental to Your Connection and How You Can Avoid Them

Episode 230. Everyday Decisions, Big Tension: The Hurtful Patterns That Create Blended Family Division

Episode 167. Achievable Strategies to Make Your Marriage the Foundation of Your Blended Family

Episode 183. What's the Difference between "coupleness" and "familyness" and why does it matter?

Episode 77. 3 Unique Differences That Make a Blended Family Marriage Challenging

Episode 141. Can my kids be emotionally harmed by blended family dynamics?

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

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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!

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:

• Why competing traditions and unspoken expectations create so much holiday tension in blended families.
• Two powerful questions to help you clarify your priorities, make better decisions, and create meaningful holiday memories.
• How to negotiate differences with your spouse, recognize parenting blind spots, and build a stronger parenting partnership.
• Why creating a new family culture requires flexibility, collaboration, and consideration for everyone's perspectives.
• How emotional maturity and healthy conflict repair can strengthen your marriage, even when things don't go as planned.

Resources from this Episode:

• Zach Brittle's Website
• Marriage Therapy Radio Podcast
• Stuff I Write — Zach's Substack
• Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes — Zach's upcoming book, releasing April 6, 2027.

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!

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.