Introduction

Ron Introduces Wynand Jacobs

Understanding Brokenness

Community and Redemption

Final Thoughts

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2026-01-12.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20260112_S08_E181.docx

Overwhelmed by blended-family brokenness? Ron Deal and Wynand Jacobs dive into the messy, unpolished reality of blended families in New Zealand. Using Kintsugi as a gospel metaphor, they explore God's power to reform shame into beauty, grief into testimony, and mistakes into stories that shine. It's a masterclass in the divine alchemy of blended family life.

Show Notes and Resources
Learn about FamilyLife New Zealand 
Find an event on our blended map 
Send a donation to further the blended ministry 

Overwhelmed by blended-family brokenness? Ron Deal and Wynand Jacobs dive into the messy, unpolished reality of blended families in New Zealand. Using Kintsugi as a gospel metaphor, they explore God's power to reform shame into beauty, grief into testimony, and mistakes into stories that shine. It's a masterclass in the divine alchemy of blended family life.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.nz/">Learn about FamilyLife New Zealand</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/find-an-event/#blendedmap">Find an event on our blended map</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Send a donation to further the blended ministry</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

Overwhelmed by blended-family brokenness? Ron Deal and Wynand Jacobs dive into messy, unpolished realities, using kintsugi as a metaphor. They explore God's power to reform shame into beauty, grief into testimony, and mistakes into stories that shine. 

181: Beauty in the Broken: A Kintsugi Approach to Blended Family Life

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2026-04-06.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20260406_S08_E187.docx

Meet Matt and Kari Perkins, widowed parents who blended a family of seven after deep loss. They know you don’t “get over” loss—you grow with it. Find honest hope for grieving parents and blended families as you form a future without erasing the past.

Show Notes and Resources
Learn more about Matt and Kari, and the Grief to Growth Pathway 
You still have time to register for Blended & Blessed! 
List of Christian Stepfamily Therapists 

Meet Matt and Kari Perkins, widowed parents who blended a family of seven after deep loss. They know you don&rsquo;t &ldquo;get over&rdquo; loss&mdash;you grow with it. Find honest hope for grieving parents and blended families as you form a future without erasing the past.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.grieftogrowth.org/mattandkari-epk">Learn more about Matt and Kari, and the Grief to Growth Pathway</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.blendedandblessed.com/">You still have time to register for Blended &amp; Blessed!</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/therapy-providers">List of Christian Stepfamily Therapists</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Meet Matt and Kari Perkins, widowed parents who blended a family of seven after deep loss. They know you don’t “get over” loss—you grow with it. Find honest hope for grieving parents and blended families as you form a future without erasing the past.

187: Worship through Grief: Matt and Kari Perkins

B&B Timeout on Ghosts in Marriage Past

Spotting Ghosts and Common Triggers

 Insecurity After Divorce

Healing In Layers

Fear Factor And Triggers

Widow Ghost Comparisons

B&B Timeout on Self Control

Closing Remarks

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2026-03-23.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20260323_S08_E186.docx

You’re not crazy. Blended family life is complicated—and sometimes it feels like you’re fighting battles that started long before this marriage. Old fears. Ex-spouses. Money tension. Kid loyalty binds. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace name the “ghosts” haunting stepfamilies—and why you lean out when you meant to lean in. If you’re tired of walking on eggshells, this one will feel uncomfortably familiar—in the best way.

Show Notes and Resources
Watch Women & Blended Families 
Attend Blended & Blessed for free this year! 
Get the All- Access didgital pass from previous Blended & Blessed years 
Listen to the podcast with Dr. Juli Slattery 
Get your copy of The Mindful Marriage 

 

You&rsquo;re not crazy. Blended family life is complicated&mdash;and sometimes it feels like you&rsquo;re fighting battles that started long before this marriage. Old fears. Ex-spouses. Money tension. Kid loyalty binds. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace name the &ldquo;ghosts&rdquo; haunting stepfamilies&mdash;and why you lean out when you meant to lean in. If you&rsquo;re tired of walking on eggshells, this one will feel uncomfortably familiar&mdash;in the best way.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoZ3uqAYX8EE5-rlD9PMy1DFnEHBR8Wt7&amp;si=H82pPXF5_cJH-vMg">Watch Women &amp; Blended Families</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.blendedandblessed.com/">Attend Blended &amp; Blessed for free this year!</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product-category/marriage/blended-family/?filters=format[2800]">Get the All- Access didgital pass from previous Blended &amp; Blessed years</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/uDbzKlXcrTA?si=h_5Vi5nyOvLs33Dx">Listen to the podcast with Dr. Juli Slattery</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product/the-mindful-marriage/">Get your copy of The Mindful Marriage</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Blended family life is messy—old fears, exes, money stress, kid loyalties. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace name the “ghosts” haunting stepfamilies—and why you pull back when you want to lean in.

186: Is Fear Running Your Stepfamily? (Here’s How to Spot It)--Gayla Grace

Ron Introduces Vaneetha Risner

Grief Community and Triggers

Boundaries After Divorce

Forgiveness Without Reconciliation

 Co-Parenting and Healing Forward

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2026-03-09.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20260309_S08_E185.docx

Vaneetha Risner knows the raw grief of unwanted divorce and betrayal. She gets church shame, lost identity, lingering triggers. Yet God has turned lament into deeper trust. This was never the plan, but it has forged faith. And it offers hope for yours.

Show Notes and Resources
Register for the live Blended & Blessed event in Oklahoma City 
Listen to episode 130: Coping With Traumatic Events
Learn about Vaneetha and get a copy of her book, This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce 
Help us reach more families around the world with a gift of support 

Vaneetha Risner knows the raw grief of unwanted divorce and betrayal. She gets church shame, lost identity, lingering triggers. Yet God has turned lament into deeper trust. This was never the plan, but it has forged faith. And it offers hope for yours.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.blendedandblessed.com/">Register for the live Blended &amp; Blessed event in Oklahoma City&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/podcast/familylife-blended-podcast/130-coping-with-traumatic-events/">Listen to episode 130: Coping With Traumatic Events</a></li>
<li>Learn about Vaneetha and get a copy of her book, <a href="https://www.vaneetha.com/">This Was Never the Plan: Walking with God Through the Heartache of Divorce&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Help us reach more families around the world with a gift of support&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>

Vaneetha Risner knows the raw grief of unwanted divorce and betrayal. She gets church shame, lost identity, lingering triggers. Yet God has turned lament into deeper trust. This was never the plan, but it has forged faith. And it offers hope for yours.

181: Beauty in the Broken: A Kintsugi Approach to Blended Family Life

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