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www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Maureen Blaha is the executive director of the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), an organization with the mission to keep America’s runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. She joins me to talk about about this very important topic. Some of what we cover is below.

• What exactly is the National Runaway Safeline
• What does NRS do to help children and their parents
• Blended families and runaway youth
• Warning signs to look out for
• Runaway prevention
• How children can help their friends
• Runaways and LGBTQ youth

Learn more about the National Runaway Safeline here

Hotline-1800-RUNAWAY

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Send mail to Melissa Brown

                    5445 Murrell Rd

                    Unit 102 #178

                    Viera FL 32955

[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Sometimes we forget to consider the feelings of other people. We make assumptions about what they think, and why they act the way they do. We tear people down because we think our way is better. We judge and criticize. These behaviors aren’t going to help you or your blended family.

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Send mail to Melissa Brown

                    5445 Murrell Rd

                    Unit 102 #178

                    Viera FL 32955

[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Straying from the regular format, this show is on a more personal note.

I open up about some of my own struggles this Thanksgiving. We also talk about some of our activity in the group. I answer a listener question about the holiday season, and then talk about how to make the holidays work. Not my usual but I hope that you can take something from it!

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Send mail to Melissa Brown

                    5445 Murrell Rd

                    Unit 102 #178

                    Viera FL 32955

[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Brad is an international expert in affair recovery.  He sees couples exclusively and has helped many couples through the blended family process.  Brad and Morgan own and operate Marriage Solutions a group marriage counseling practice with locations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, OK.

In this interview, we discuss

• Their personal story
• How does a divorced couple move past an affair
• Helping children heal
• Healing from a previous divorce so it doesn't affect your current relationship
• What steps to take to heal after an affair
• How to determine if you should work things out or not
• How to regain trust
• And much more

To connect with Brad and Morgan

Connect on the website

More about Brad

More about Morgan

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Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

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Schedule an interview or coaching session here

Send mail to Melissa Brown

                    5445 Murrell Rd

                    Unit 102 #178

                    Viera FL 32955

[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Living in the present moment is so hard to do. With the chaos of a blended family and the stress of the modern world, it can feel impossible at times. In this show, some ideas to help you become more present, so you can enjoy life a little more.

• Meditate
• Stop worrying
• Stop dwelling on the past
• Forgive past hurts
• Stop overthinking
• Focus on each day as it comes
• Be mindful

Yesterday is history

Tomorrow is a mystery

Today is a gift

That’s why we call it the present.

Also enjoy a family interview with listener Renee Dekker

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Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

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Schedule an interview or coaching session here

Send mail to Melissa Brown

                    5445 Murrell Rd

                    Unit 102 #178

                    Viera FL 32955

[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Many children suffer from low self esteem. As parents, it is our job to recognize these signs, and help our kids develop a better sense of self worth. My ten ways to help are

1. Give positive reinforcement
2. Compliment them often
3. Allow them choices
4. Put them in a sport or hobby
5. Give them responsibilities
6. Help them set goals
7. Work on your own self esteem issues
8. Help them with their self dialogue
9. Teach them about mistakes
10. Show unconditional love

And a few things NOT to do are

• Do NOT do everything for them
• Do NOT compare them to others
• Do NOT name call

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Send mail to Melissa Brown

                    5445 Murrell Rd

                    Unit 102 #178

                    Viera FL 32955

[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Very special celebration of my 100th episode! Just an overview of what I have to offer, plus a special announcement and contest!

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Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

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Schedule an interview or coaching session here

Send mail to Melissa Brown

                    5445 Murrell Rd

                    Unit 102 #178

                    Viera FL 32955

[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

Are you a people pleaser? I’m here to tell you that you can’t please everyone! I know all too well the struggle that you are going through, which is why this episode is dedicated to helping you! I’ll tell you what it means to be a people pleaser, why it is, and how it relates to your blended family. Also my ten tips to help you overcome it, which are below

1. Set your boundaries
2. Learn how to say no
3. Don’t apologize
4. Learn how to place value on yourself
5. Become peaceful with the idea that not everyone will like you
6. Let go of the guilt
7. Pull back from those who take advantage of you
8. Ask for what you want
9. Do something for yourself
10. Figure out the source of your people pleasing

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[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

A great conversation with Carrie Ellis-Berg, who has been an elementary school teacher for ten years. Together as a blended family, she and her husband have four children. After realizing the need for children’s books on blending, she felt called to share fun and exciting stories that would help parents and children learn, grow, and adapt in their new family structure. She hopes that her stories will foster and strengthen relationships within the home.

We talk about

• Her personal story
• What prompted her to do this work
• What the books are about
• Her own positive and negative experiences in her own blended family

And much more!

Connect with Carrie

Check out her website

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[email protected]

www.blendedfamilypodcast.com

In life, there are givers and takers. When we deal with takers, we often feel like they drain our energy. We feel frustrated with their lack of concern for our own needs and wants. Sometimes takers naturally gravitate towards us because we are givers. What should you do if you are dealing with a taker in your life, or in your blended family?

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