Introduction with Ron Deal & Gayla Grace

Ron Introduces Cheryl Shumake

The Phrase “God Hates Divorce”

Malachi 2:16 and What Hate Means

Who Hates Divorce?

Malachi Context Explained

God’s Divorce with Israel

A Better Church Message

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/pdf/FLBP2026-07-13.pdf

https://fl-podcasts.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/FLBP/docs/FLBP20260713_S08_E194.docx

"God hates divorce": you’ve heard it, maybe felt crushed by it. Cheryl Shumake joins Ron Deal and Gayla Grace to pull apart what Malachi 2 really says—and what it doesn’t. If you’ve felt judged, stuck, or sidelined by church talk, this conversation meets you there and pushes toward truth, clarity, and hope without easy answers.

Show Notes and Resources
Blended family resources familylifeblended.com 
Give to Familylife Blended directly
Blended ministry certificate 
Start a stepfamily ministry 

"God hates divorce": you&rsquo;ve heard it, maybe felt crushed by it. Cheryl Shumake joins Ron Deal and Gayla Grace to pull apart what Malachi 2 really says&mdash;and what it doesn&rsquo;t. If you&rsquo;ve felt judged, stuck, or sidelined by church talk, this conversation meets you there and pushes toward truth, clarity, and hope without easy answers.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/">Blended family resources familylifeblended.com </a></li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?campaign-code=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Give to Familylife Blended directly</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/learn/certificate-in-blended-family-ministry/">Blended ministry certificate&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/start-a-stepfamily-ministry/">Start a stepfamily 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

“God hates divorce”—you’ve heard it, maybe felt crushed. Cheryl Shumake, Ron Deal, and Gayla Grace unpack Malachi 2—what it says and doesn’t—offering clarity, truth, and hope for those feeling judged or stuck.

194: What “God Hates Divorce” Gets Right—and Very Wrong

Welcome to the FLB Podcast

Ron Introduces Michelle Nietert

Calming Kids Big Emotions

Assume the Best

Sibling Rivalry Reset

Transitions Trigger Big Emotions

Powerlessness and Parenting Time

Help Hope and Next Steps

Helping kids with big emotions starts with understanding what's really driving them. Counselor Michelle Nietert joins Ron Deal to unpack why kids in blended families often struggle with grief, overwhelm, and divided loyalties—and how parents can respond without making things worse. On FamilyLife Blended, discover practical ways to become the calm, steady presence your child needs most.

Show Notes and Resources
Watch this episode on YouTube 
Learn about Michelle Nietert, LPC and get a copy of one of her book
List of Christian Stepfamily Therapists
Give a donation to help strengthen blended families

Helping kids with big emotions starts with understanding what's really driving them. Counselor Michelle Nietert joins Ron Deal to unpack why kids in blended families often struggle with grief, overwhelm, and divided loyalties&mdash;and how parents can respond without making things worse. On FamilyLife Blended, discover practical ways to become the calm, steady presence your child needs most.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/dmunMnQHt0o">Watch this episode on YouTube</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://michellenietert.com/">Learn about Michelle Nietert, LPC and get a copy of one of her book</a></li>
<li><a href="httpshttps://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/therapy-prohttps://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/therapy-providersviders://smartstepfamilies.com/smart-help/therapy-providers">List of Christian Stepfamily Therapists</a></li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?campaign-code=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Give a donation to help strengthen blended families</a></li>
</ul>

Helping kids with big emotions isn't about fixing every feeling. Therapist Michelle Nietert joins Ron Deal on FamilyLife Blended with practical help for overwhelmed parents.

199: Helping Kids With Big Emotions: Why They're Not Just "Acting Out"

Welcome to the FamilyLife Blended Podcast

The Reality of Blending Families

Her Story of Being Widowed Twice

Kids, Grief, and the Stepdad Role

Responding to Rejection

How Siblings Experience Grief Differently

Adoption and Hope 

Remarriage after the death of a spouse brings hope—but it can also uncover grief you didn't expect. Ministry leaders Rod and Rachel Faulkner Brown share the realities of building a blended family after widowhood, helping children navigate loss, and learning that love doesn't erase pain overnight. On FamilyLife Blended, Ron Deal explores what it really takes to become family again.

Show Notes and Resources
Watch this episode on YouTube 
Learn about Rachel's ministry
Browse free blended resources
Donate to FamilyLife Blended

Remarriage after the death of a spouse brings hope&mdash;but it can also uncover grief you didn't expect. Ministry leaders Rod and Rachel Faulkner Brown share the realities of building a blended family after widowhood, helping children navigate loss, and learning that love doesn't erase pain overnight. On FamilyLife Blended, Ron Deal explores what it really takes to become family again.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/YgWKKtnkYeM">Watch this episode on YouTube</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Learn about <a href="https://www.neveralonewidows.com/">Rachel's ministry</a></li>
<li>Browse <a href="https://familylifeblended.com">free blended resources</a></li>
<li>Donate to <a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?campaign-code=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">FamilyLife Blended</a></li>
</ul>

Remarriage after the death of a spouse is more than saying "I do." Rod and Rachel Faulkner Brown join Ron Deal on FamilyLife Blended to talk grief and blending a family.

198: Remarriage After the Death of a Spouse: Why It's Harder Than You Think

Ron Introduces Blake Hudspeth

Grief and Forgiveness

Building Safety and Stepparent Wins

Co-Parenting In Crisis

Creating Emotional Safety

Leaning In With Honesty

Church Support For Blended Families

Many kids grieving divorce never have words for what they're carrying. Blake Hudspeth grew up through four different stepfamilies and knows how family change can shape a child's view of love, trust, and belonging. On FamilyLife Blended, Ron Deal talks with Blake about the grief parents often overlook, the questions kids rarely ask out loud, and why feeling "fine" isn't always the whole story.

Show Notes and Resources
Watch this episode on YouTube 
Get a free download for how to build love with your stepchild
Read the article: Bridge Building: Strengthening Relationships with Stepchildren
Get your copy of The Mindful Marriage
Ministering to students tips sheet
Send the Blended team a donation

Many kids grieving divorce never have words for what they're carrying. Blake Hudspeth grew up through four different stepfamilies and knows how family change can shape a child's view of love, trust, and belonging. On FamilyLife Blended, Ron Deal talks with Blake about the grief parents often overlook, the questions kids rarely ask out loud, and why feeling "fine" isn't always the whole story.
Show Notes and Resources
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/Zpvls2wyeSs">Watch this episode on YouTube</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/content-offers/building-love-with-the-five-ps-of-stepparenting/">Get a free download for how to build love with your stepchild</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/blended-family/stepparents/developing-a-relationship-with-stepchildren/bridge-building-strengthening-relationships-with-stepchildren/">Read the article: Bridge Building: Strengthening Relationships with Stepchildren</a></li>
<li><a href="https://shop.familylife.com/product/the-mindful-marriage/">Get your copy of The Mindful Marriage</a></li>
<li><a href="https://additional-pdfs.s3.amazonaws.com/MinisteringToStudentsInStepfamilies_2020.pdf">Ministering to students tips sheet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://donate.familylife.com/blended/?campaign-code=D000BLENDG&amp;cru_medium=DesktopHeaderNav&amp;cru_campaign=Blended">Send the Blended team a donation</a></li>
</ul>

Many kids grieving divorce never have words for what they're carrying. Blake Hudspeth grew up through four different stepfamilies and knows how family change can shape a child's view of love, trust, and belonging. On FamilyLife Blended, Ron Deal talks with Blake about the grief parents often overlook, the questions kids rarely ask out loud, and why feeling "fine" isn't always the whole story.

194: What “God Hates Divorce” Gets Right—and Very Wrong

FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

In 1 playlist(s)

FamilyLife Blended® Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips