Blended Family Breakthrough

By Mike & Kim AndersonSociety & Culture Relationships Parenting Kids & Family

Blended Family Breakthrough episodes

January 17, 2023154. What practical and emotional shifts can you expect as you blend your family?
Everyone knows that change inevitably comes with blending families.
You might already get that, but "getting it" and embracing it are two different things.
Often, couples start off in their blended family journey understanding that change is inevitable, but not fully grasping what those changes ahead might look like — for them and their kids. Then they get blindsided.
Why?
Because moving everyone under the same roof feels like it's going to be a fresh start — an exciting new beginning!
But the reality is that the formation of a blended family also comes with loss. That loss brings pain which impacts everyone's experience as you blend.
We all know that change is hard. There are new things to adapt to. There are old, familiar things to let go of. There are practical logistics and routines that must be adjusted.
And for most of us, emotional struggles come along as we figure out how to do life together in new and different ways.
In this episode, we'll explore some healthy mindset shifts that will help you navigate the inevitable changes that come with blending.
You'll Discover:
Specific areas of change that should be anticipated when blending — and the value of being prepared for what's ahead
Why the process of transition is so challenging
How to manage change from a positive approach
Why learning to make decisions as a team is critical
Resources from this Episode:
Recommended Book by Ron Deal: Preparing to Blend, The Couples Guild to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily
To find out more about our Becoming Blended program for nearly and newly blended couples, click here to schedule your FREE call:
Episode 109: Preparing to Blend with Special Guest Ron Deal
Episode 89: Feeling Stuck in the Change Process? Changing isn't the issue…Transition Is
Episode 134: How to Make Good Decisions in Tough Situations - and Stay Connected as a Couple
Episode 132: How Does Loss and Grief Impact Blended Family Integration?
Episode 72: The Best Way to Create Healthy, Bonded Relationships (to understand the "Slow Cooker" strategy)
Episode 88: An Effective Strategy to Prepare Your Kids for the Challenges of Blending
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If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be 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 your favorite part of the podcast. Thank you, we appreciate your feedback!
41 min
January 10, 2023 Simple Step: The 4 A's of Communicating with Your Ex
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.mikeandkimcoaching.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://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
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!
7 min
January 03, 2023153. How to Empower Organization, Improve Communication and Create Peace Between Your Kids Two Homes [with Dr. James and Ginger Dellaripa]
For kids who are moving between two homes, the BEST outcomes happen when their parents are able to collaborate well and work together. Kids need reliable support, stability and peace.
You've probably heard that before…
…but actually living that out can be fraught with challenges — especially if you and your former spouse struggle to communicate or stay on track with everything the kids have going on.
It's common for Ex-Spouses to experience miscommunication, ambiguity, or misunderstandings when they're managing all the moving parts. Daily life for co-parents is often overwhelming and frustrating!
But you don't have to stay stuck there.
This week's special guests Dr. James and Ginger Dellaripa have developed a practical tool that will improve communication, empower organization AND create more peace for everyone.
Kick off 2023 with a fresh resolve to implement something new that will help you rise above the co-parenting challenges and provide the reliable support, stability and peace your kids really need!
You'll Discover:
A practical co-parenting tool to reduce conflict and miscommunication between Ex's.
How to empower organization, improve communication and create move peace between your kid's two homes.
How to provide your kids with the reliable support, stability and peace they need.
Resources from this Episode:
Click here to learn more and start your FREE trial with the Family Core Planning System
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
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!
1 hr 14 min
December 27, 2022 Simple Step: Shift Your Energy and Focus
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.mikeandkimcoaching.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://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
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!
6 min
December 20, 2022152. What has the potential to steal your joy - and how can you hold onto it? (Part 2)
How do you hold onto your joy — even in the midst of disappointment, negativity, and difficult emotions?
In our last episode, we discussed some common senerios that have the potential to steal your joy and add tension to your blended family.
We wanted to help you build more awareness about these joy-stealers and understand that you're not alone…
…we've been robbed of our joy many times too!
In this episode, we're sharing the strategies and mindset shifts that we've discovered throughout our own journey and how we've managed to experience more joy even when things don't go as planned.
Don't let those joy-stealers take over. Hop into this discussion and find out how you can hold onto your joy this Christmas and in everyday life!
You'll Discover:
Several strategies and mindset shifts to hold onto your joy - even when things don't go as planned and you're blindsided by painful emotions.
Resources from this Episode:
Episode 151: What Has the Potential to Steal Your Joy - And How Can You Hold Onto It (Part 1)?
Episode 139: The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences (Trapped Teammate / Stranded Stranger_
Episode 112: 3 Dangerous Dynamics That Can Destroy Co-Parenting - And Hurt the Kids
Episode 135: How to Set Appropriate Boundaries & Negotiate Well with Your Ex-Spouse
Episode 147: Do Sensitive Conversations End Up Creating Conflict in Your Relationship?
Episode 36: How to Change Your "Stories" and Grow Connection
Episode 5: How to Get Over the Hurts and Triggers From Your Past
Episode 35: Are You Controlling Conflict or Is Conflict Controlling You?
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
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!
50 min
December 13, 2022151. What has the potential to steal your joy - and how can you hold onto it? (Part 1)
You want to experience joy when you gather with your family — not just during the holidays, but in everyday life as well.
You might plan, dream, and anticipate how much fun and togetherness you'll experience as a family along the way. You probably look forward to joy-filled moments eating delicious meals, celebrating, and engaging in fun activities together.
But in blended family dynamics, it's easy for your joy to unexpectedly be robbed.
It doesn't take much for disappointment, confusion, or even conflict to come along and pull the joy right out from under us…
…leaving us feeling discouraged, disconnected, and stuck.
In this episode, we're uncovering the common pain points that can easily steal your joy.
Why?
So that you can build awareness and understanding around the sneaky dynamics that tend to emerge and often blindside us. This will set you up for next week's episode where we'll offer practical tips, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you hold onto more joy this holiday season and beyond.

You'll Discover:
3 common dynamics that often rob our joy and leave us feeling disappointed, confused, and even kick up conflict.
Resources from this Episode:
Episode 77: 3 Unique Differences that make a Blended Family Marriage Challenging
Episode 15: 7 Unexpected Realities That Can Leave You Feeling Blindsided
Episode 118: Meaningful Insight and Practical Strategies to Help Your Blended Family Navigate Holiday Challenges
Episode 139: The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences
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
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!
32 min
December 06, 2022 Simple Step: Insights for Navigating Holiday Chaos
Resource for this Episode

Episode 150: The Highs and Lows of Our Family's Holiday Experiences

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.mikeandkimcoaching.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://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
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!
6 min
November 29, 2022150. The Highs and Lows of Our Family's Holiday Experiences [Special Guests: Our Kids — Annika, Phoebe and Jacob!]
Isn't it fun to reminisce sometimes?
We love spending time remembering the journey with our family. It's 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.
In celebration of our 150th episode, we thought we'd let you listen in to our family reminisce 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 some of our stories through the voices of all our kids. 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 — and 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:
What are your favorite memories (including funny ones)?
What might have been a negative experience for you?
What things made you feel sad, annoyed, or frustrated?
What are you grateful for?
What do you wish we (as parents) might have done differently?
PLUS you'll catch some of their encouragements for YOU!
Resources from this Episode:
Episode 87: Mike & Annika Chat About Her Experience Growing Up in our Home
Episode 71: How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
Episode 84: How to Cope with Sadness, Anxiety & Longing when You're Missing Your Kids
Episode 14: 3 Helpful Steps to Overcome Your "Perfectionistic" Ideas & Disappointment
Episode 132: How Does Loss & Grief Impact Blended Family Integration?
Episode 75: How to Use Personality Insights to Improve Your Approach to Parenting
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 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!
1 hr 2 min
November 22, 2022 Simple Step: The Key to Building Holiday Traditions
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.mikeandkimcoaching.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://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
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!
7 min
November 15, 2022149. How to "Blend" Holiday Traditions and Create Meaningful Connection this Season
We all want to enjoy the holiday season with our family — without experiencing tension, disappointment or conflict.
Managing all the complexities of blended family life can be overwhelming around the holidays. You're merging two family cultures with different ideas about how the holiday season should look…
…kids might be looking forward to experiencing past family traditions that are still meaningful to them. On the other hand, adults are focused on creating a whole new experience around holiday festivities.
This can lead to unmet expectations, hurt feelings and disconnection — which is the opposite of what you really want for your family.
In this episode, you'll discover how to honor the history of your kids, while creating new traditions and a shared history that's practical and meaningful to everyone — without getting overwhelmed!
You'll Discover:
A healthy mindset to reduce anxiety and pressure
A practical framework to use while making decisions around holiday traditions and activities
Why it's important to honor the history and preferences of each family member
How to let go of unrealistic expectations
Creative ways to start some meaningful, new family traditions
Resources from this Episode:
Episode 70. 5 Simple Ingredients for Healthy Tech Habits with Your Kids
Episode 118. Meaningful Insights & Practical Strategies to Help Your Blended Family Navigate Holiday Challenges
Episode 10: 8 Practical Tips for a Successful Holiday Season
Episode 148. 5 Tips to Negotiate Holiday Plans and Avoid Scheduling Conflicts with the Ex
Episode 71. How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
Episode 84. How to Cope with Sadness, Anxiety and Longing While Your Kids are Gone
Blog Article: Blended Family Holiday Blues: 3 Tips for When You're Missing Your Kids
Episode 83. 4 Everyday Favoritism Traps that Dishearten Kids in a Blended Family
Episode 12: 4 Meaningful Mindsets for Budgeting Your Happy Holiday
Resource for Fun, Festive Activities, Ideas and Traditions: imom website
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
47 min

About Blended Family Breakthrough

From the publisher's feed

We're Mike and Kim Anderson, and we believe in a world where blended families experience a future full of hope, connection, and peace. That's why we focus on helping couples in stepfamilies…