https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2025-12-01.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20251201_S07_E178.docx

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 

Their first Christmas nearly broke them. Five kids, two parenting styles, zero prep. But Scott and Deana Thayer didn&rsquo;t quit&mdash;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 &ldquo;95/5&rdquo; rule that saved their sanity. Blending isn&rsquo;t easy&mdash;but it&rsquo;s worth every messy, beautiful step.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product/beautifully-blended-101-devotions-to-encourage-couples-in-blended-families/">Gift a copy of Gayla's new devotional, Beautifully Blended</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/content-offers/the-smart-stepfamily/">Access the free Smart Stepfamily Series</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/find-an-event/#blendedmap">Look for a small group online&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.blendedandblessed.com/">Blended &amp; Blessed is April 18, 2026</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/therapy-providers">Find a qualified counselor for your marriage and family</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Support FamilyLife Blended</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

FamilyLife Blended® provides timeless wisdom and practical help and hope for blended families and those who love them. Join Ron L. Deal, LMFT, LPC as he and his guests discuss a wide variety of marriage, family, and relationship topics related to blended families.

Timeless wisdom and practical help and hope for blended families with Ron Deal, LMFT, LPC.

FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Five kids. Two parenting styles. One rocky first Christmas. Scott and Deana Thayer share how faith, grit, and their “95/5” rule turned chaos into connection—helping blended families find hope, healing, and love that lasts through every messy moment.

178: We Struggled to Blend. Now We Help Blended Families Thrive

https://d39ogy74mn1yxi.cloudfront.net/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2025-12-15.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20251215_S07_E179.docx

What happens when God’s good plan lobs an unplanned pregnancy into a blended family? Jay and Tammy Daughtry chat about shock, grace, and choosing love over shame. From unfiltered Day One reactions to faith-fueled healing, they offer a blueprint for both welcoming chaos and blessing it. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to turn unexpected blended-family moments into hope-filled family legacies.

Show Notes and Resources
Ron and Nan's schedule 
Learn about The Daughtrys coparentinginternational.com
Unplanned Grandparenting 
Give a year end gift and it will be doubled! 

What happens when God&rsquo;s good plan lobs an unplanned pregnancy into a blended family? Jay and Tammy Daughtry chat about shock, grace, and choosing love over shame. From unfiltered Day One reactions to faith-fueled healing, they offer a blueprint for both welcoming chaos and blessing it. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to turn unexpected blended-family moments into hope-filled family legacies.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://smartstepfamilies.com/events/find-an-event">Ron and Nan's schedule</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Learn about The Daughtrys <a href="https://www.coparentinginternational.com/">coparentinginternational.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.coparentinginternational.com/unplannedgrandparenting">Unplanned Grandparenting</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Give a year end gift and it will be doubled!</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

God’s plan threw an unplanned pregnancy into their blended family. Jay and Tammy Daughtry unpack their Day-One big feelings, a discovered grace to cover shame, and their faith-fueled healing. Discover a blueprint for turning chaos into hope.

179: From Shock to Strength: Unplanned Pregnancy in a Blended Family

https://d39ogy74mn1yxi.cloudfront.net/FLBP/pdf/flbp2025-11-17_S07_E177.pdf

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 

What if your marriage pivoted on three humble questions? Dr. Gary Chapman&mdash;yes, the Five Love Languages guy&mdash;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&rsquo;t destroy. Find real talk, deep grace, and hope you can hold onto.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product/building-love-together-in-blended-families/">Order a copy of Gary and Ron's book, Building Love Together</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/">Access blended resources and sign up for our free newsletter</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Meet Ron and Nan in person at a speaking event! <a href="https://rondeal.org/">RonDeal.org </a></li>
<li>Discover your love language, learn more about Dr. Chapman, or get a copy of his new book, A Simple Guide for A Better Marriage <a href="https://5lovelanguages.com/">5lovelanguages.com </a></li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended Find a qualified counselor https://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/therapy-providers" data-wplink-url-error="true">Make a tax deductible donation&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>

Could three simple questions transform your marriage? Dr. Gary Chapman shares raw stories, faith-fueled wisdom, and keys to a successful marriage in ways messy, real, and full of hope. Love deeper, fight fair, and grow stronger—one step at a time.

177: Gary Chapman: Keys to a Successful Marriage

https://d39ogy74mn1yxi.cloudfront.net/FLBP/pdf/flbp2025-11-03_S07_E176.pdf

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 

Divorce&hellip;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&mdash;and even joy.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li>Learn about Summer, and get her workbook, BLENDED, Navigating Life Between Two Homes <a href="https://www.blendedbookco.com/">www.blendedbookco.com </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/find-an-event/#blendedmap">Search for virtual groups&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylifeallaccess.com/">Get the 2025 Summit All-access digital pass</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product/the-mindful-marriage-create-your-best-relationship-through-understanding-and-managing-yourself/">Order a copy of The Mindful Marriage</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Make donation to FamilyLife Blended</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://rondeal.org/events/event/113">The next Smart Stepfamily Therapy training</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Divorce hurts. But for kids, it can feel like their world’s split in two. Summer Butler shares her story and a workbook that helps kids process emotions, set boundaries, and handle life between two homes—leveraging drawing, writing, and real talk.  

178: We Struggled to Blend. Now We Help Blended Families Thrive

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