You may know the much-loved TV personality Debbie Bright from The Only Way Is Essex, but over 200 children around the UK have known Debbie as their foster carer. Debbie is such a kind and caring soul who has impacted so many young lives and in today’s episode, Debbie talks frankly about the highs, lows, rewarding and challenging moments of fostering. How do you set up to receive a new foster child? How do you ensure that your biological and foster children are happy? How to even start with the goodbyes? Kate has so many questions, and Debbie shares so many answers! Debbie speaks about how privileged she feels to be an integral part of these children's development, the different roles you have to take on as a foster carer and the importance of providing a safe space for children in the care system. We also hear some incredible stories about how Debbie's father's upbringing influenced her instinct to care for others and how rewarding it can be to see a child you've cared for grow up to achieve great things. Debbie's story about spreading kindness is a testament to her character, and her message of love above anything is one to hold onto. To become part of the Blended family, follow @blended on instagram

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How do you deal with one of your parents starting a new family? Today's guest is the presenter and businesswoman Rochelle Humes who had to tackle this very question when she discovered later in life that she had siblings through her estranged Dad. Rochelle challenges the ‘half’ labels for her siblings and talks fondly of the roles ‘aunties’ have played both in her family and wider in black communities to prove you can choose who you see as your family. Kate and Rochelle also talk about what they’ve noticed from being part of mixed race blended families exploring questions such as why aren’t we educated on how to cut and nourish black hair? How do we make sure our children can fully explore and understand their cultures in a blended family? How early do you broach the important subject of racism with children? Kate and Rochelle’s conversation takes plenty of interesting detours through motherhood, race and iidentity and the need to challenge the conventions of how a family ‘should’ look. To become part of the Blended family follow @blended on Instagram

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Today on Blended we are talking about motherhood in all its beautifully messy glory with the wonderful television personality and former Loose Women panelist Saira Khan. Saira talks about how she came to be in a blended family including the moment she met her little girl who she adopted from Pakistan when she was just four days old. As you’ll hear in today’s episode, the adoption process isn’t simple but Saira's openness, optimism and warmth on the subject show that adoption can be such a joyous albeit complicated tale. Kate and Saira also discuss finding joy amongst the chaos of motherhood and how guilt is always at play in the early stages of becoming a new parent. Saira's resounding message of “focus on the fact that you are going to give this child an amazing future, give them love, family and security” is one that can resonate with any parent, adoptive or otherwise! To become a part of the Blended family, follow @blended on instagram To hear more from Saira follow her on instagram @iamsairakhan check out her website https://www.sairakhan.co.uk For advice on adoption, start by heading to the uk GOV website, or by chatting to a local charity near you: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adoption-statutory-guidance-2013

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Stepmothers seem to have an unfairly bad reputation, when the reality is that it takes a really strong person to be a stepparent. You have to be pretty resilient to fit into an already formed family unit! It isn't always easy, but it's often filled with a new love that you just can't explain. Here to share their story on today's episode of Blended are stepmother-daughter-duo Kim and Amelia. Having now been in a blended family for 19 years, Kim and Amelia talk so openly about the realities of becoming a blended family. Amelia opens up about the anger she felt in the earlier days and Kim talks about the struggles with grief on all sides of the family. But despite all of that, there's an overwhelming feeling of such love and trust between the pair of them. It’s a warm, and often funny episode, showing that there is light at the end of the tunnel and love is so powerful. To become part of the Blended family, follow @blended on instagram

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Losing a parent as a teenager is unthinkable, let alone when it's followed by the death of a beloved sister just over two years later. This has been the devastating reality for today’s guest: author and entrepreneur Lottie Tomlinson. After her mum and sister passed away, Lottie felt she had to put on a brave face and step up for her younger siblings, but this led to her losing control of her emotions. In today's episode, Lottie tells Kate how therapy has created an outlet for these emotions, and discusses her important work as an ambassador for Sue Ryder which helps people access therapy who may not usually be able to afford it. Lottie also talks about her pregnancy and the excitement the Tomlinson’s are feeling about new life in the family. This conversation is just as much about hope as it is struggle, but we do mention grief and loss of loved ones, so if you are sensitive to these subjects we suggest coming back to this episode when you are ready. To become part of the Blended family, follow @blended on instagram

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Joining Kate on Blended this week is Ashley John-Baptiste, who you might recognise from his amazing BBC Three documentary, ‘Split Up in Care: Life Without Siblings’. Ashley is amazing, funny and open and together he speaks candidly with Kate about how he’d already lived with five families by the age of 18. Ashley shares heartbreaking stories of exclusion and the need to put up fronts to reduce the pain of a volatile childhood. Ashley also talks about re-building relationships with his biological family on his own terms and starting a beautiful new family of his own - wrapped up in which is an incredible story of serendipity where he meets his biological brother for the first time. Ashley’s childhood couldn’t have been much tougher but his story is proof that family is never straightforward, never perfect and he highlights the important role that foster care can play in a blended family. To become part of the Blended family, follow @blended on instagram To find out more about foster care, foster initiatives and just fostering in general check please contact your local authority, or get in touch with some charities in the space: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/ https://www.barnardos.org.uk/ You can watch Ashley’s amazing documentary on BBC.

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Finding love and ‘moving on’ when you are in the thick of grief might feel impossible. But, sometimes (and often unexpectedly) you’re able to let new people into your lives and hearts. This was the case for our wonderful guests today - Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas, along with his wonderful wife Derrina. In this honest and heart warming discussion, Derrina and Simon talk about how they have supported Ethan (Simon’s son and Derrina’s ‘chum’) in navigating their new reality, making space for grief, and how they continue to ensure that Ethan’s mum’s presence and love is still felt in their home. It’s a warm and powerful listen though we do mention grief and loss of loved ones, so if you are sensitive to these subjects we suggest coming back to this episode when you are ready. To become part of the Blended family, follow @blended on instagram

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*Trigger warning* This episode covers the loss of loved ones. What is grief? Is there a right or wrong way to grieve? And what are the different approaches to dealing with it? Today’s guest is bestselling psychotherapist, Julia Samuel MBE, who brought such warmth and wisdom to these really tough subjects. Julia believes that every family has a story - so much so that she’s titled her most recent book just that. In this warm and informative episode, Julia and Kate explore some of the common issues that can arise when living in blended families: what we inherit and how we can help support each other. Julia has a talent at simplifying complicated topics and offers such useful advice into how families can face challenges together. Kate and Julia also talked about her twelve touchstones for family wellbeing - from fighting productively to making time for rituals. To become part of the Blended family, follow @blended on instagram To hear more from Julia and to follow her work, head to https://juliasamuel.co.uk/ or follow her on Instagram @juliasamuelmbe

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*Trigger warning* This episode covers loss of pregnancy, struggles with fertility and death of loved ones. Mother’s Day is meant to be a beautiful celebration of the women that shaped us. But for so many people out there, it can be a really tough day to navigate. In this moving first episode of Blended, Kate brings together voices of women, children and young adults from around the UK who share their honest experiences of Mother’s Day and how they've courageously dealt with fertility struggles, loss of pregnancy and grief. Kate also speaks with bestselling psychotherapist Julia Samuel who shares some expert advice on how to deal with common triggers on the day. In listening to other stories, Kate hopes that you find some solace in your own. And remember, you are not alone. If you are struggling, please seek professional advice and guidance. To become part of the Blended family, follow @blended on instagram Thank you to Child Bereavement UK for their contribution to this episode.

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Hosted by Kate Ferdinand, this podcast is a celebration of blended families - exploring the stories of relationships bound by love, no matter what their circumstances are. Covering subjects such as second marriages, divorce, grief and life after loss, adoption, fostering and (not-so-wicked!) stepmothers, Kate will champion different voices and experiences by speaking with experts, everyday people and celebrities in the public eye.

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