Their first Christmas nearly broke them. Five kids, two parenting styles, zero prep. But Scott and Deana Thayer didn’t quit—they built a blended family from mismatched traditions, co-parenting chaos, and grace-fueled grit. As a couple now helping blended families thrive, the Thayers share hard-won wisdom, church-sized challenges, and the “95/5” rule that saved their sanity. Blending isn’t easy—but it’s worth every messy, beautiful step.

Show Notes and Resources

• Gift a copy of Gayla's new devotional, Beautifully Blended
• Access the free Smart Stepfamily Series
• Look for a small group online
• Blended & Blessed is April 18, 2026
• Find a qualified counselor for your marriage and family
• Support FamilyLife Blended

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

What if your marriage pivoted on three humble questions? Dr. Gary Chapman—yes, the Five Love Languages guy—gets real about early struggles, foot-washing humility, and how servant-hearted love transformed his 64-year marriage. Blended families, take heart: Far from fluff, these are faith-fueled, grit-tested keys to a successful marriage--as well as messy love, lasting connection, and conflict that doesn’t destroy. Find real talk, deep grace, and hope you can hold onto.

Show Notes and Resources

• Order a copy of Gary and Ron's book, Building Love Together
• Access blended resources and sign up for our free newsletter
• Meet Ron and Nan in person at a speaking event! RonDeal.org
• Discover your love language, learn more about Dr. Chapman, or get a copy of his new book, A Simple Guide for A Better Marriage 5lovelanguages.com
• Make a tax deductible donation

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Divorce…hurts. But for kids caught in the middle, it can feel like the world has split in two. How can you help kids cope with divorce and remarriage? Summer Butler, creator of Blended: Navigating Life Between Two Homes, cracks open a healing workbook for kids juggling two homes, big feelings, and confusing rules. Hear her raw story, then discover how drawing, writing, and boundary-setting can bring clarity, comfort—and even joy.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn about Summer, and get her workbook, BLENDED, Navigating Life Between Two Homes www.blendedbookco.com
• Search for virtual groups
• Get the 2025 Summit All-access digital pass
• Order a copy of The Mindful Marriage
• Make donation to FamilyLife Blended
• The next Smart Stepfamily Therapy training

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

What do red sweaters, a ski trip “familymoon,” and a Christmas sleepover have to do with healing after loss? A lot, actually. Join pastor and author Rob Bugh, pediatrician Rhonda Williams Bugh, and their adult kids Kyle and Nate as they revisit the rocky, grace-filled early years of blending two grieving families—and navigating those first blended holidays. It's raw, real, and rich with hope and hard-won wisdom.

Show Notes and Resources

• Summit on Stepfamily Ministry details
• Find a virtual group for blended family couples
• Order a copy of When the Bottom Drops Out
• The next Smart Stepfamily Therapy training
• International Therapy provider list
• FamilyLife Resources and Events

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

When a child loses a parent, grief doesn't end for them. And when they join a stepfamily, we need to come alongside them with love and support as parents and stepparents as we honor their pain and memories. Ron Deal talks with Diane Fromme about what helps and what hinders, especially as stepparents with grieving stepchildren.

Fromme explains how a stepparent can never replace a biological parent and functions as an "and," not an "instead." Stepparents will likely face rejection, insecurity, and feelings of being an outsider; however, with humility and ongoing love and support, they can, over time, develop meaningful and significant relationships with stepchildren following loss.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn about Diane and get a copy of, Stepparenting the Grieving Child
• You can still register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry
• Find a small group on the searchable map and browse Ron's speaking schedule
• Send a gift to help with FamilyLife Blended's work

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

A neurodivergent marriage is when at least one partner has a neurodevelopmental condition like autism or ADHD. In this episode, Ron Deal speaks with Dr. Stephanie Holmes and her husband, Dan, who struggled to face that their young child was on the autism spectrum. Many years later, Dan discovered his own autism diagnosis.

Neurodiverse couples face unique challenges with communication, emotional expression, and sensory sensitivities that can include physical touch and intimacy, along with a lack of understanding between both partners. Stephanie & Dan offer support and guidance on how to recognize neurodiversity and strategies to cope with it.

Show Notes and Resources

• Register for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry
• Learn more about Dr. Stephanie and Dan Holmes and their book Uniquely Us
• Read Ron and Dr. Stephanie Holmes article: Autism and the blended family
• Learn more about Embracing The Autism Spectrum
• Listen to podcast 46: Autism and the Blended Family
• Give a tax-deductible gift

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Ron Deal speaks with Gayla Grace about her new book, Beautifully Blended: 101 Devotions to Encourage Couples in Blended Families. This book offers support and advice with relatable anecdotes, along with a devotion, prayer, and Bible reading for each day.

Every day dynamics in blended families are addressed with answers to common situations that often create struggle, such as stepparenting, co-parenting, marital conflict, and challenges in relationship-building. Grace offers practical tips that provide hope for blended families by encouraging them to trust God, seek His wisdom, persevere through challenges, offer grace freely and often, count their blessings, and recognize God’s redeeming power in relationships.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn about Gayla
• Get your copy of Beautifully Blended!
• Make plans to join us in Nashville at the Summit!
• Send a tax-deductible gift to FamilyLife Blended.

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

In-law relationships can be delicate and challenging, especially when they involve a former spouse. Ron Deal speaks with Dave and Ashley Willis about how to prevent feelings of powerlessness and frustration as we build bridges, not battlegrounds, in difficult relationships. Establishing healthy boundaries can safeguard our mental health and encourage healing from past wounds. Honest conversations convey respect—even when relationships are full of tension. Grace-filled discussions that reflect our ability to see the best in others and extend forgiveness when we’ve been wronged allow God’s love to reach hardened hearts.

God wants to redeem relationships, and as we do our part with difficult in-law relationships, God will honor our efforts.

Show Notes and Resources

• Listen to the podcast Grandparenting and the Blended Family.
• Learn about Dave and Ashley and get their Married Into The Family book.
• Join us in Nashville for the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry
• Email blended@familylife.com for small group coaching or check out The Smart Stepfamily free series to get started.
• Our small group searchable map
• Ron's list of certified counselors
• Clinical Training

See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy