When blended family variables create tough dynamics to parent through, we might consider giving up on those relationships. But Jim Ramos, raised in a blended family, speaks with Ron Deal about he was impacted by his parents and stepparents and the value of playing the long game in our stepfamilies.
Show Notes and Resources
 	Learn more about Jim Ramos and Men in the Arena. https://meninthearena.org/
 	Read Ron's Article: What Do We Do Now? When Step-siblings Have Sex. https://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/learn/parenting-stepparenting/what-do-we-do-now-when-stepsiblings-have-sex
 	Get your copy of Building Love Together. https://shop.familylife.com/product/building-love-together-in-blended-families/
 	Learn more about our Blended and Blessed Livestream Event. https://www.blendedandblessed.com/
 	Get The Smart StepMom. https://shop.familylife.com/product/the-smart-stepmom-updated/
 	Get Daily Encouragement for the Smart Stepfamily. https://shop.familylife.com/product/daily-encouragement-for-the-smart-stepfamily/

51: Growing Up in a Blender: Play the Long Game

FamilyLife Blended® Podcast with host Ron Deal, provides timeless wisdom and practical help and hope for blended families and those who love them.

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Ex-NFL football player Devon Still and his wife Asha married shortly after Devon's young daughter, Leah, went into remission from stage four cancer. While rejoicing over Leah's healing, they were soon blindsided by blended family struggles.
Devon and Asha talk with Ron Deal about how they had both been raised in divorced homes and didn't understand how to create a lasting marriage. They began to learn about blended family dynamics and take intentional steps toward harmony in their relationship. They quit avoiding hard conversations, listened to each other's feelings, and created new habits in their communication to connect well. They also leaned into their faith to work through misguided expectations and move toward love and trust, ultimately finding hope in a long-term relationship.
﻿Show Notes and Resources
	Get this month's premium offer with a donation!
	Get free access to Smart Stepfamily sessions.
	Check out the blended small group map
	Listen to Devon and Asha's podcast
	Please send us your comments! blended@familylife.com

138 Cancer, NFL, and Family

God understands broken people. He sent His son to die for us. Even when we feel beyond help, He meets us where we are, He loves us, and He redeems us. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our counselor and our guide. In our messiness, God wants to use our stories and our brokenness to minister to others.
Show Notes and Resources
 	Get The Smart Stepfamily as your free gift when you donate to FamilyLife Blended.
 	Get the Blended and Blessed All-Acess Digital Pass
 	Learn more about resources for blended families.
 	More info for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry in October.
 	Email us your podcast show suggestions!

137: Broken: Help for Family Problems

Help for your finances! Money matters can be a hot topic for blended families, creating strife and inequity if not handled well. Listen in as Ron Deal speaks with Gayla Grace and financial expert Greg Pettys about how couples can make wise decisions on financial issues that benefit all members of their blended family.
Gain insight from listener questions such as: Should my spouse and I carry separate bank accounts? How do we spend our money equitably with “his and her” kids? Why do blended families need to do estate planning? What budgeting tools do you recommend? How do we share our resources? And more great topics applicable to every blended family.
Show Notes and Resources
 	Learn more about resources for blended families.
 	You can watch the podcast on YouTube.
 	You can still join the Blended and Blessed Livestream!
 	Look for a small group in your area.
 	Get your copy of The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning
 	Make a donation to FamilyLife Blended.

136: Help Me with My Finances

Singer/songwriter Kim Walker-Smith grew up in a blended family with multiple stepparents, instability, abuse, and isolation. She shares her story with Ron Deal in this podcast episode, beginning with her mom’s first divorce when she was a young child. It didn’t take long for her mom to marry again, divorce, and marry again.
Eventually, her mom married a stable, loving man who wanted to be a father to Smith when she was a young teenager. Hungry for his love but scared it wasn’t real, Smith rejected him over and over again. But this stepdad kept coming back, faithful and steadfast in every way and, eventually, a stabilizing force for Smith.
Although Smith experienced hardship and adversity as a child, as an adult, she came to know a loving, redeeming God, who she now sings about all over the world, testifying of His love.
Show Notes and Resources
 	Register for Blended and Blessed!
 	Learn more about Kim.
 	Hear Kim's song, "On My Side".
 	You can watch the podcast on the FamilyLife Blended YouTube channel.
 	Leave us a voicemail! – 407-826-2606
 	Support the podcast.

135: Growing Up Blended: Kim Walker Smith’s Story

Are there blessings in blended family life? Yes! But they might not show up in ways we expect or as quickly as we’d like. In this 2023 Blended and Blessed presentation, Cheryl Shumake talks about the many bonus blessings she has experienced and the strength God gave her during seasons of weariness to keep going when she wanted to quit.
Cheryl says, “God meets us in the waiting to strengthen us for the walking.” God wants to guide our steps when we face challenges. He knows that our convictions of creating long-term relationships can waver when weariness sets in. But our biggest blessings are waiting for us in the later years if we persevere.
Show Notes and Resources
 	Get the Blended and Blessed All-Access Pass
 	Learn more about Cheryl and her ministry.
 	Host Blended and Blessed in your church or at home!
 	Give a tax deductible donation
 	You can watch podcast episodes on our YouTube channel.
 	Call us and leave a message about the show! 407-826-2606

51: Growing Up in a Blender: Play the Long Game

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