Shame is a common theme with blended families, often stemming from divorce or failed relationship building in our stepfamilies. Learn how shame develops and what to do to release your shame as you listen to Ron Deal's interview with Dr. Curt Thompson.

We can't always see what God is doing. Ray McKelvy tells of his walk with God, meeting his wife, and his estranged dad being invited back into his life. He learns that his real story was much more than he thought.

Ray McKelvy tells his story about not knowing his real father and being the man of the house. Another father figure stepped into his life, only to then separate from his mom, and the devastation that left him searching for his identity.

Are you wondering what to do about a crossroads in your marriage? Carey and Toni Nieuwhof talk through the options, providing direction and hope.

We all carry "mud" into our marriages. Carey and Toni Nieuwhof discuss what the "mud" really is and how to deal with it.

Are you "done" with marriage as you have been doing it? Carey and Toni Nieuwhof explain how coming to the end of yourself is the best place to be.

What does the Bible teach about divorce and remarriage and how does it apply to God's people? Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Dr. Rubel Shelly on a subject that's hard to understand in Scripture and often disagreed upon in Christian circles.

After her parent's divorce, Melody Fabien was hearing one thing about relationships from her mom, and something very different from her dad who had recently come to Christ. She tells her story to Ron Deal from the FamilyLife Blended® Podcast.

As a second wife/husband, have you ever felt second best? How can you be first in your spouse's heart when you're not the ONLY? Ron Deal talks with Lori Ferguson Wilbert about how to combat insecurities as you look to God for the source of your identity.

Do you have questions on where to go for help with stepfamily challenges? Ron Deal talks with Gil and Brenda Stuart on how to find a church that will support you, when to know if you need counseling and where to go, and your role in making it happen.

Co-parenting and dealing with a difficult former spouse can be stressful. Jay and Tammy Daughtry talk with Ron Deal about how healthy co-parenting truly works. They share how they have navigated this area and how you can do the same.

For Darryl and Gwen Smith, their divorce came in the middle of their love story. Ron discusses with them their story of well-intended, but immature love that God ultimately led to restoration, forgiveness, and a continual process of healing.

Combining families can create chaos as each person brings baggage. Who decides what goes and what stays? Author and speaker, Kathi Lipp, helps people de-clutter their homes. She and Ron Deal discuss how we all need to delete baggage from our lives.

Pastor Caleb Kaltenbach recalls the first time his gay mother came to hear one of his sermons when he was a young pastoral intern, much to the angst of the elders.

Caleb Kaltenbach reflects on growing up with a mom and dad who divorced when he was 2 because they had each realized they were gay. Caleb offers insight on how the gay community perceives Christians.

Caleb Kaltenbach tells what it was like growing up with a gay mom and a gay dad, and how his attempt to prove that the Bible was false actually started him on a walk of faith.

Rodney and Lisa Webb share their difficult blended journey, as counselor and therapist Helen Wheeler and blended family expert Ron Deal speak wisdom.

Parenting is difficult, but when you add divorce, the challenge multiplies. Navigating even the most routine parental responsibilities can become difficult. Linda Ranson Jacobs talks to Ron Deal, offering help and hope to parents who may be struggling.

Another person's sin never justifies our own.

Michele Cushatt has experienced divorce, blended family life, adoption, and is a three time cancer survivor. In this episode Michele and Ron discuss the unexpected journey of her life and the hard work of parenting hurting kids.

Parenting is difficult, but when you add divorce, the challenge multiplies. Navigating even the most routine parental responsibilites can become difficult. This episode brings help and hope to parents who may be struggling.

For some couples, no matter how much they try, the venom and vitriol of a former spouse drowns out all reason and compromise. Rodney and Lisa Webb, and counselor and therapist Helen Wheeler share their difficult journey.

Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, right? WRONG. In this encouraging exploration of the real state of marriage, researcher and author Shaunti Feldhahn teams up with Ron Deal for a deep look at the facts behind the statistics.

Understanding the long-term effects of divorce and remarriage on kids is difficult. A good way to start is to ask an adult who experienced life in a blended family. Ron talks with “FamilyLife Today” host Dave Wilson about his childhood blended family experience. Show Notes and Resources To learn more about Dave and Ann Wilson, […]

Jim Burns explains why the early years of marriage are critical. Burns looks back on his own early years of marriage and the difficulties that arose from having a high-maintenance marriage.

Jonathan Edwards gives keen insight into the reality of what occurs in the life and heart of a child when a parent chooses to leave the family through divorce.

When Jonathan Edwards' father left, his absence left a giant hole in the hearts of his family members. As Edwards admits, "There is a different pain that comes from being left."

Author Shauna Shanks felt wave after wave of discouragement, but she refused to give up on her marriage. She shares what inspired her to give herself completely in obedience to God's word.

Author Shauna Shanks never imagined her husband would ask for a divorce after ten years of marriage. But she made a decision not to give up. Find out how her perseverance and patience paid off.

In 2003 Shauna Shanks' boyfriend, Micah, proposed. As the years passed, resentment and restlessness began to set in. Shanks tells of the shock she felt when Micah asked for a divorce 10 years into the marriage.