A stepdad can be a powerful influence in the life of a child. But not if he isn't trusted.

Okay, I'm talking to the kids today. Have you ever noticed that sometimes when we're sad on the inside, we act grumpy on the outside?

How can you establish your marital relationship as the foundation for the home when children preceded your union? Ron Deal & Gayla Grace offer practical tips on how to put your spouse in the front seat of your heart while still prioritizing your children.

Because we parents love our kids, we are vigilant to protect them from harm. What's sobering though, is all the things we can't control.

Blending isn't the goal for stepfamilies; it suggests the family becomes one relationally, which rarely occurs. Other common cooking strategies don't work either. Then what does? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace discuss how crockpot cooking is the key.

Do you have a roadmap to follow on your blended family journey? We'd like to encourage using God's Word. Listen to Ron Deal & Gayla Grace, with stepcouple guests, talk about the value of scripture for families who are in need of hope and encouragement.

Here's a tale of two co-parents: the fool and the wise.

Sibling jealousy…can happen at any age.

“Ron, you should see your face.”

It's time for a little stepfamily math.

I suggest you check your confirmation bias at the door.

What are key stepping stones every stepfamily needs that will lead to healthy relationship building? Ron Deal and Gayla Grace discuss how perseverance, flexibility, commitment, Christ-likeness and other core attributes work together to create familyness.

Biological moms and stepmoms can be malicious, competitive, even wounding. But Ron Deal tells of two women who found healing in their toxic relationship.

What rules, principles, or contracts should you make with smartphones and your child? David Eaton, author of Smartphone Sanity, talks with Ron Deal about 8 major concerns to consider to keep smartphones from invading your home and hijacking your child.

Parents face devastating loss when alienated from their children due to a former spouse. But there is hope for redemption! Dr. Richard Marks shares his story with Ron Deal of re-connecting with his mom as an adult and enjoying a thriving relationship with her.

What does it mean to work smarter, not harder? How do we apply that to our relationships and why is it important? Listen to Ron Deal and Gayla Grace talk about unique blended family dynamics and the value of intentional behavior as we build relationships.

It's the most wonderful time of year! Wait ... is it really? We want Christmas to feel magical. But too often, we feel disappointment, stress, sadness, & loneliness. Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Bob Lepine on how to find lasting joy this season.

How did Ron Deal get started in blended family ministry? When was FamilyLife Blended birthed and what is Nicole Burns' role? What about Gayla Grace's start in ministry? Listen to Ron and Gayla tell their stories and how they intersect with FamilyLife.

Growing up in an unstable blended home with 7 stepmoms left Fred Von Canon determined to change his legacy. Listen to his conversation with Ron Deal as he & his wife Anita describe their commitment toward creating a godly home in their own blended family.

As a single parent, it's natural to yearn for a marriage partner who will love you AND your kids unconditionally. But is that realistic? Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Sabrina McDonald about dating, remarriage, and stepfamily life after widowhood.

Need tips on parenting with a former spouse? Dr. Mary Jeppsen literally wrote the book on constructive, cooperative coparenting. She'll help navigate.

Pornography is everywhere. It's quickly becoming the leading sex educator of our kids. Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with Brian Goins about the new documentary series "Brain Heart World" and learn how to address this important subject with your family.

Would you consider joining our mission to serve blended families as a volunteer or affiliate staff with FamilyLife Blended? Listen to Ron Deal and four couples share about why and how they minister to stepcouples and the blessings they receive in return.

As parents and stepparents, we want to raise our kids well, but we often feel inadequate. In this episode, Ron Deal talks with Ginger Hubbard about parenting the heart of our children and motivating them to become God-pleasers, not people-pleasers.

Are you in the early years of blending a family and you wonder if life will ever get easier? Listen to Ron Deal & Gayla Grace talk about the honeymoon season that follows hard relationship-building years and the rewards that come as familyness begins.

Is God calling you to minister to blended families, but you feel inadequate? Ron Deal explains how to earn an online ministry certificate as you glean from blended family experts with 7 hours of engaging video content, handouts, and bonus resources.

Non-traditional families are now considered traditional. As churches, how do we meet changing needs & serve them well? Listen to Ron Deal's conversation with three senior pastors on why and how to love all families, despite the narrative of their past.

Our bonus episode offers another question and answer format with Ron Deal and Gayla Grace to address those hard-to-navigate circumstances in your blended family with solutions that offer nuggets of wisdom and practical suggestions.