Welcome to the FamilyLife Blended Podcast

Ron Introduces Dr. Jim Burns

Why Adult Kids Stray

Tough Love and Staying Connected

Rebuilding After Estrangement

Circle Of Support

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2026-06-15.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20260615_S08_E192.docx

You raised them right—so why does it feel like you’re losing them? Jim Burns steps into the ache parents don’t say out loud: regret, distance, and the fear you blew it. Drawing from When Your Adult Child Strays, he gets real about what to do when pushing harder only pushes them away—and what actually keeps the door open.

Show Notes and Resources
Email us blended@familylife.com
Learn about Jim, Homeword, and get his book, When Your Adult Child Strays 
Give a tax-deductible gift 
Ron's speaking schedule 

You raised them right&mdash;so why does it feel like you&rsquo;re losing them? Jim Burns steps into the ache parents don&rsquo;t say out loud: regret, distance, and the fear you blew it. Drawing from When Your Adult Child Strays, he gets real about what to do when pushing harder only pushes them away&mdash;and what actually keeps the door open.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li>Email us<a href="mailto:%20blended@familylife.com"> blended@familylife.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://homeword.com/">Learn about Jim, Homeword, and get his book, When Your Adult Child Strays&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Give a tax-deductible gift</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://smartstepfamilies.com/events/find-an-event">Ron's speaking schedule</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

You raised them with loving intentions—so why the distance? Jim Burns addresses parents’ regret and fear, sharing what to do when pushing backfires—and how to keep the door open with your adult child.

192: Jim Burns: When Adult Children Stray

Introduction

Ron Introduces Matthew & Joanna Raabsmith

Their Betrayal Story

 Healing Past Trauma

Awareness & Confession

Repair After Betrayal

Pornography And Forgiveness

Rebuilding Intimacy Together

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2026-06-29.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20260629_S08_E193.docx

You thought you were rebuilding after sexual betrayal—whether from this marriage or the previous—but something still feels off: Distance. Triggers. Questions you can’t shake. Authors Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith get brutally honest about how betrayal trauma, perhaps from sexual addiction, porn, affairs, or other sources, affects your brain, your body, your marriage...and why quick fixes don’t stick. From their book, Building True Intimacy, Matthew and Joanna map a slower, sturdier path forward when trust feels shattered.

Show Notes and Resources


Find a Mindful Marriage event and small group in your state 


Access blended resources familylifeblended.com 


Learn more about The Raabsmiths 


Look through the list of Smart Stepfamily Therapists 
Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com.
Follow us on all social platforms: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Find resources from our podcast at shop.familylife.com.
Download FamilyLife's app!
Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

You thought you were rebuilding after sexual betrayal&mdash;whether from this marriage or the previous&mdash;but something still feels off: Distance. Triggers. Questions you can&rsquo;t shake. Authors Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith get brutally honest about how betrayal trauma, perhaps from sexual addiction, porn, affairs, or other sources, affects your brain, your body, your marriage...and why quick fixes don&rsquo;t stick. From their book, Building True Intimacy, Matthew and Joanna map a slower, sturdier path forward when trust feels shattered.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/find-an-event/">Find a Mindful Marriage event and small group in your state</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Access blended resources <a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/">familylifeblended.com </a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://raabsmithteam.com/">Learn more about The Raabsmiths&nbsp;</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/therapy-providers">Look through the list of Smart Stepfamily Therapists&nbsp;</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<ul>
<li>Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at <a href="https://CSBible.com">CSBible.com</a>.</li>
<li>Follow us on all social platforms: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/familylifeministry">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/familylife.today/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSzse1nmlqbLhDx5FpGVDgLmxy1rmQBau">YouTube</a></li>
<li>Find resources from our podcast at <a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product-category/radio-resources/">shop.familylife.com</a>.</li>
<li>Download <a href="https://www.familylife.com/app/">FamilyLife's app</a>!</li>
<li>Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/familylife-today/id212174303">Apple Podcast</a> or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm?si=d6dfa8d2415f4750">Spotify</a>.</li>
<li>Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the <a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylife-podcast-network/">FamilyLife Podcast Network</a></li>
</ul>

Rebuilding after sexual betrayal but still feel off? Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith explain how betrayal trauma impacts brain, body, and marriage—and why quick fixes fail. A slower, sturdier path builds real intimacy and restored trust.

193: Restoring Trust After Sexual Betrayal

Ron Introduces Brian and Debbie Doyle

Widowhood Stories and Grief Support

 Rebuilding Family Roles and Support Teams

Remarriage With Adult Kids

 Grief Pace And Holidays

Mens Ministry And Mentoring

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2026-06-01.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20260601_S08_E191.docx

Father’s Day feels weird, or even stings, when the chair at the table is empty—or when your stepkids pull back because they’re still hurting. Ron Deal talks with the widowed and remarried Brian and Debbie Doyle--about grief, holidays, and blending families with adult children. If you’ve ever worried about stepping in or stepping too hard, this conversation gives you permission to move with patience, empathy, and faith.

Show Notes and Resources
Free blended resources 
Look for a live or virtual small group to join 
Iron Sharpens Iron 
Get the Smart Stepdad or The Smart Stepmom 
Give a donation to help strengthen blended families 
List of Smart Stepfamily Therapist Providers 

 

Father&rsquo;s Day feels weird, or even stings, when the chair at the table is empty&mdash;or when your stepkids pull back because they&rsquo;re still hurting. Ron Deal talks with the widowed and remarried Brian and Debbie Doyle--about grief, holidays, and blending families with adult children. If you&rsquo;ve ever worried about stepping in or stepping too hard, this conversation gives you permission to move with patience, empathy, and faith.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/">Free blended resources&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/find-an-event/">Look for a live or virtual small group to join&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ironsharpensiron.net/aboutironsharpnsiron.html">Iron Sharpens Iron&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product-category/blended/">Get the Smart Stepdad or The Smart Stepmom&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Give a donation to help strengthen blended families&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/therapy-providers">List of Smart Stepfamily Therapist Providers&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Father’s Day hits differently when chairs are empty and stepkids keep their distance. Ron Deal talks with Brian and Debbie Doyle about grief, blended families, and moving with patience, not pressure.

191: Father’s Day Feels Weird: Blended Family Grief and Hope

Ron Introduces Carol Kent

Carol’s Family Story

Breaking the Regret Loop

Carrying Sorrow & Calendar Triggers

Hope and Gratitude in a Life Sentence

Impossible Relationships & Purposeful Pain

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBp2026-05-18.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBp20260518_S08_E190.docx

Mother’s Day can sting when your story didn’t turn out like you planned. Maybe that looks like wayward kids. Courtrooms. Even prison sentences. And silence where relationship used to be. Ron Deal talks with author Carol Kent about loving a son serving life in prison—and finding faith when the worst actually happens. If you’re carrying shame, regret, or heartbreak as a mom or stepmom, this conversation sits with you in it—and refuses to let despair win.

Show Notes and Resources
Use blended resources for free! 
Watch Carol and Gayla talk about how to cultivate a thankful heart in dark seasons on Women & Blended Families 
Learn about Carol and her ministry 
Donate $5.00 or more to help Jason's ministry to other inmates 
Support the work at FamilyLife Blended 
Enroll in the certificate program in Blended Family Ministry 

Mother&rsquo;s Day can sting when your story didn&rsquo;t turn out like you planned. Maybe that looks like wayward kids. Courtrooms. Even prison sentences. And silence where relationship used to be. Ron Deal talks with author Carol Kent about loving a son serving life in prison&mdash;and finding faith when the worst actually happens. If you&rsquo;re carrying shame, regret, or heartbreak as a mom or stepmom, this conversation sits with you in it&mdash;and refuses to let despair win.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/">Use blended resources for free!</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmMXsEmCfhQ&amp;list=PLoZ3uqAYX8EE5-rlD9PMy1DFnEHBR8Wt7&amp;index=5">Watch Carol and Gayla talk about how to cultivate a thankful heart</a> in dark seasons on Women &amp; Blended Families&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://speakupforhope.org/">Learn about Carol and her ministry</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://speakupforhope.org/donate/">Donate $5.00 or more to help Jason's ministry to other inmates</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?cru_source=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Support the work at FamilyLife Blended</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/learn/certificate-in-blended-family-ministry/">Enroll in the certificate program in Blended Family Ministry</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Mother’s Day can sting when life goes sideways—wayward kids, courtrooms, even prison. Ron Deal talks with Carol Kent about loving a son behind bars and finding faith while living the impossible.

192: Jim Burns: When Adult Children Stray

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