Resources

Surviving & Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships by Patricia Papernow

Episode 217. Feeling Overwhelmed and Powerless? How to Regain Hope with Tools that Heal [with EJ and Tarah Kerwin]

Episode 139. The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences

Episode 206. Avoid These 5 Common Pitfalls to Ensure a Successful Partnership

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We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

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If you’ve ever wondered why blending a family feels so hard—even when you're "doing everything right"—this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, we connect with EJ and Tarah Kerwin—professional therapists and co-founders of the Relationship Renovation Counseling Center—who open up about the very real and very raw struggles they faced when they merged their lives into one blended family.

Despite all their training, nothing could have prepared them for the emotional rollercoaster of stepparenting, co-parenting, and navigating deep-seated personal triggers.

But they didn’t give up. They got curious. They did the work. And they developed tools that not only brought healing to their own marriage, but are now helping countless couples thrive through their counseling center, podcast, and programs.

This isn’t a story about perfection—it’s a story about partnership, growth, and hope. If you’ve ever felt powerless, stuck, or just plain exhausted, lean in. There’s light at the end of this tunnel.

You'll Discover:

• You aren't alone - even two trained therapists struggled to understand and work through the challenges of blending
• How to reduce tension in your relationship and move toward healthy communication and partnership
• Helpful mindsets for moving beyond resentment and dread when your step-kids come for visitation
• A path to freedom by learning to recognize your own painful emotions - and nurture yourself through them
• The value of doing repair work with kids when we mess up by using the right approach

Resources from this Episode:

• Relationship Renovation Counseling Center
• The Relationship Renovation Podcast with EJ & Tara Kerwin

Ready for some extra support?

We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Resources

Episode 36. How to Change Your "Stories" and Grow Connection [with Mark Warren]

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Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know!

We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share

Ready for some extra support?

We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

If you're feeling stuck in a blended family marriage that’s filled with constant conflict, emotional disconnection, or overwhelming stress, you're not alone—and you're not without hope.

Wes and Jennie were right where you are. Ten kids, a new marriage, and the chaos of the pandemic had pushed them into survival mode. Their arguments were frequent and intense. Their connection was fading fast. And they had no idea how to move forward.

But instead of giving up, they chose to reach out for help.

That’s when they found us—and together, we walked through a proven coaching process that provided them with tools to reconnect, resolve conflicts, and build a strong foundation in their marriage. In this episode, you’ll hear the breakthroughs they experienced and how they transformed not only their relationship but their entire family dynamic.

You'll also hear the amazing update four years later—including BIG wins in building genuine connections with their kids, becoming grandparents, and a special first-time experience as a family.

Listen in and be encouraged! You can experience transformation too - all it takes is one brave step forward.

You'll Discover:

• How Wes and Jennie moved from explosive arguments to calm, clear communication
• Why investing in your marriage is essential for blended family success
• The surprising power of understanding your personal past in order to show up better in the present
• The long-term results of imperfect progress, even in the toughest seasons

Resources from this Episode:

• CLICK HERE to continue learning, growing, and investing in the health of your relationship

Ready for some extra support?

We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

Resources

Episode 215. Does Your Relationship Feel Hopeless? Why Giving Up Might Not Be the Answer

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Episode 155. How to Easily Enjoy Meaningful Conversations and More Connection with Your Spouse [with Jennifer Zumbiel]

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question

Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know!

We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share

Ready for some extra support?

We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

In this important episode, we’re talking to the spouse who feels stuck, discouraged, or even ready to throw in the towel. We get it. We’ve been there too.

We’re diving into a powerful resource: Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, Loving Your Spouse When You Feel Like Walking Away. We’ll unpack four painful myths that keep couples stuck and explore six powerful “realities” that can spark real change, starting with you. And yes, we’re sharing our own story of how we nearly gave up, what we did instead, and why we’re so thankful we didn’t walk away.

Whether you’re barely hanging on or just in a tough season, this episode is filled with vulnerability, truth, encouragement, and hope. We hope you know you’re not alone, and there is a path forward.

You'll Discover:

• Four common myths that keep couples stuck, feeling hopeless in their relationship
• Six powerful realities that can shift your mindset and help you move forward
• Why shifting your own attitudes and actions is the key to influencing your relationship
• How “reality living” helped us break destructive patterns in our marriage
• The difference between giving up and letting go with peace and clarity

Resources from this Episode:

• Loving Your Spouse When You Feel Like Walking Away by Gary Chapman
• Episode 138. How Relational Dysfunction Plagued Our Marriage and How We Finally Broke Free
• Episode 202. How to Break Free From Painful Cycles and Enjoy Deeper Levels of Intimacy [with Ron and Nan Deal]
• Episode 200. A Heart-to-Heart Conversation Exploring the Secrets to Lasting Love
• Episode 190. Where can you turn for help? Understand the Difference Between Counseling and Coaching
• Episode 65. 6 Simple Steps for Inviting Your Spouse to Get Help with You
• Episode 147. Do Sensitive Conversations End Up Creating Conflict in Your Relationship?
• Episode 139. The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences (The Stranded Stranger & Trapped Teammate Dynamic)
• Episode 120. 3 Valuable Lessons That Saved Our Marriage and Blended Family
• Episode 101. Are you overwhelmed because your marriage feels like too much work? (Part 1 of 2)
• Episode 51. Overcoming Discouragement (Part 1 of 3)

Ready for some extra support?

We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Resources

Episode 214. Does Permissive Parenting Help or Hurt? Discover How to Know and Grow

Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman

Love and Logic Parenting Method - Love and Logic is a research-driven, whole-child philosophy founded in 1977. This authoritative approach is used by parents and leading educators worldwide.

Episode 184. The Heart of Motherhood: Navigating Messy Moments with Empathy and Love

Episode 187. Basics for Blending: How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress (Part 1 of 2)

Episode 205. 4 Facets of Parenting: What Bio Parents Need to Know to Achieve Best Outcomes (Part 2 of 2)

Episode 168. Actionable Steps for Helping Kids Navigate Through Difficult Emotions and Problem Solve

Episode 172. 2 Key Elements to Resolve Your Parenting Style Differences - And Get United

Episode 124. How to Effectively Parent Through Each Stage of Development - And Reduce Painful Interactions (Part 1 of 2)

Suggest a Topic or Ask a Question

Would you like us to discuss something specific or answer your question on the show? Let us know!

We've made it easy. Just click here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/share

Ready for some extra support?

We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify

Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!

In this episode, we're getting real about something that so many blended family parents struggle with: permissive parenting driven by guilt, fear, or insecurity.

Kim opens up about her personal journey as a single mom, how her guilt and fear led her to parent from a place of pity, and how that impacted her daughter, Annika.

We’re also diving into the difference between pity and empathy and how embracing authoritative parenting—rooted in love and limits—can shift everything for your family.

Whether you're a parent stuck in emotional reactivity or a stepparent struggling to support your spouse, this episode is packed with encouragement, practical insight, and next steps to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

You'll Discover:

• The surprising ways guilt, fear, and insecurity can lead to permissive parenting and the negative impact on kids
• How pity and empathy differ and why it matters for your child’s development
• What authoritative parenting looks like and why it's the most healthy and effective style
• Real-life examples of how blended family dynamics impact parenting decisions and often create stress
• How to begin shifting your mindset and reclaiming your parental authority so that you can be the kind of leader your kids really need

Resources from this Episode:

• CLICK HERE to continue learning and growing in your parenting journey
• Parenting Style Quiz: What's Your Parenting Style?
• Episode 99. 3 Tips to Help You Move Beyond Painful Guilt and Regret
• Episode 179. Conquer Fear and Embrace Your Blend with Confidence and Clarity
• Episode 180. Break Free from Guilt and Blend with Authenticity and Security
• Episode 209. Breaking Free from Self-Doubt: 5 Habits to Build Confidence and Trust in Yourself
• Episode 189. Bring Hope to the Realities of Grief: A Path to Understanding and Healing [with Krista St-Germain]
• Building Love Together in Blended Families by Ron Deal & Gary Chapman

Ready for some extra support?

We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

Subscribe or Follow the Show

Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

Click here to follow on Spotify