Blended Family Breakthrough

By Mike & Kim Anderson

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Category: Parenting

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Subscribers: 7
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Episodes: 249

Description

We're Mike and Kim Anderson and we believe in a world where blended families experience a future full of hope, connection, and peace.  That's why we focus on helping couples in stepfamilies move from a place of confusion and conflict to a life of confidence and connection.  Thanks for joining us to discover how you can live the blended family life you really want!

If you've been following us for a while — yes, we recently changed the podcast name from "The Blended Family Coaching Show" to "Blended Family Breakthrough".  Thanks for noticing!


Episode Date
183. What's the difference between "coupleness" and "familyness" and why does it matter?
Apr 23, 2024
Simple Step: Collaborative Family Leadership
Apr 16, 2024
182. How to Lead Your Blended Family with Intentionality and Courage [with Mike Haney]
Apr 09, 2024
Simple Step: What to do when you're alone with your step-kids
Apr 02, 2024
181. Discover Insider Tips, Strategies, and Attitudes from One Dedicated Stepdad [with Special Guest Mike Haney]
Mar 26, 2024
Simple Step: The ONE Thing You Can do to Blend with Success
Mar 19, 2024
180. Break free from Guilt and Blend with Authenticity and Security
Mar 12, 2024
179. Conquer Fear and Embrace Your Blend with Confidence and Clarity
Mar 05, 2024
Simple Step: Technology Tips for Teens
Feb 27, 2024
178. Surviving the Turbulent Teen Years: Expert Insight and Strategies for Today's Parent [With Dr. Michael Bradley]
Feb 20, 2024
Simple Step: Meeting Our Partner's Deepest Need
Feb 13, 2024
177. Unleash the Power of Friendship This Valentines Day and Beyond
Feb 06, 2024
176. Uncover Your Relationship Style and Gain Hopeful Insights From Our Journey
Jan 30, 2024
Simple Step: Keeping Kids Out of the Middle
Jan 23, 2024
175. 8 Tips to Protect Kids From Stress and Tension When Moving Between Homes
Jan 16, 2024
Simple Step: Effective Dialog with Tweens & Teens
Jan 09, 2024
174. How to Raise Confident Kids by Building a Solid Foundation for Success in Life [with Special Guest Nellie Harden]
Jan 02, 2024
Simple Step: Turning Setbacks into Real Growth
Dec 26, 2023
173. Expert Guidance for Holiday Success
Dec 19, 2023
Simple Step: The Unpredictable Parenting Style
Dec 12, 2023
172. 2 Key Elements to Resolve Your Parenting Style Differences — And Get United
Dec 05, 2023
Simple Step: Break Free From "Perfectionistic" Holiday Ideals
Nov 28, 2023
171. How to Experience More Fun, Connection, and Joy this Holiday Season [with Rich and Stacy]
Nov 21, 2023
Simple Step: How to Improve Co-Parenting
Nov 14, 2023
170. Co-Parenting Pitfalls for Bio and Step Parents: How to Avoid "Milestone Mishaps"
Nov 07, 2023
Simple Step: Parent's Remarriage with Adult Children
Oct 31, 2023
169. Real Insight and Advice for Remarried Parents AND Their Concerned Adult Children
Oct 24, 2023
Simple Step: When Emotion Coaching Might Not Be Appropriate
Oct 17, 2023
168 (Part 4) Actionable Steps For Helping Kids Navigate Through Difficult Emotions and Problem Solve
Oct 13, 2023
168 (Part 3) Actionable Steps For Helping Kids Navigate Through Difficult Emotions and Problem Solve
Oct 12, 2023
168 (Part 2) Actionable Steps For Helping Kids Navigate Through Difficult Emotions and Problem Solve
Oct 11, 2023
168 (Part 1) Actionable Steps For Helping Kids Navigate Through Difficult Emotions and Problem Solve
Oct 10, 2023
Simple Step: Barriers to Building Your Foundation
Oct 03, 2023
167. 3 Achievable Strategies to Make Your Marriage the Foundation of Your Blended Family
Sep 26, 2023
Simple Step: Excelling Together
Sep 19, 2023
166. Empowering Benefits of a Blended Family Community — and How to Get Plugged In
Sep 12, 2023
165. How important is your mindset when it comes to blended family life?
Sep 05, 2023
What we've learned this summer...
Aug 29, 2023
164. A Practical Tool to Help You Stay Focused on Your Biggest Blended Family Challenge
May 30, 2023
Simple Step: Intentional Steps Toward Success
May 23, 2023
163. How Intentionality Helped One Couple to Accomplish a Successful Blend (with Special Guests Sean & Staci)
May 16, 2023
Simple Step: Mother's Day Tips for Husbands
May 09, 2023
162. How do Healthy Step-Parent/Step-Child Dynamics Help Avoid the Pitfalls of Step-Parentification? [with Ron Deal and Lauren Reitsema]
May 02, 2023
161. How do Healthy Parent/Child Roles Help Avoid the Pitfalls of Parentification? [with Ron Deal and Lauren Reitsema]
Apr 25, 2023
Simple Step: Setting Reasonable Behavioral Expectations
Apr 18, 2023
160. A 4-Part Framework for Achievable Expectations and How to Live Them Out
Apr 11, 2023
Simple Step: Build Meaningful Bonds with Your Stepchildren
Apr 04, 2023
159. How to Stay Hopeful as a Stepparent When You're Continually Rejected and Hurt
Mar 28, 2023
Simple Step: Building Trust with a Stepchild
Mar 21, 2023
158. An Effective Stepparenting Approach Focused on What Works — and What Doesn't
Mar 14, 2023
Simple Step: What Kind of Stepparent are You Becoming?
Mar 07, 2023
157. 3 Seasoned Stepmoms Share How They've Survived and Thrived in Their Blended Family Journey
Feb 28, 2023
Simple Step: The Super Strength that Leaves a Legacy
Feb 21, 2023
156. The 3 Super Strengths of a Blended Family Marriage
Feb 14, 2023
Simple Step: Connecting Together Intentionally
Feb 07, 2023
155. How to Easily Enjoy Meaningful Conversations and More Connection with Your Spouse [with Jennifer Zumbiel]
Jan 31, 2023
Simple Step: How to Focus on Imperfect Progress
Jan 24, 2023
154. What practical and emotional shifts can you expect as you blend your family?
Jan 17, 2023
Simple Step: The 4 A's of Communicating with Your Ex
Jan 10, 2023
153. How to Empower Organization, Improve Communication and Create Peace Between Your Kids Two Homes [with Dr. James and Ginger Dellaripa]
Jan 03, 2023
Simple Step: Shift Your Energy and Focus
Dec 27, 2022
152. What Has The Potential to Steal Your Joy - And How Can You Hold Onto it (Part 2)
Dec 20, 2022
151. What Has The Potential to Steal Your Joy - And How Can You Hold Onto it (Part 1)
Dec 13, 2022
Simple Step: Insights for Navigating Holiday Chaos
Dec 06, 2022
150. The Highs and Lows of Our Family's Holiday Experiences [Special Guests: Our Kids — Annika, Phoebe and Jacob!]
Nov 29, 2022
Simple Step: The Key to Building Holiday Traditions
Nov 22, 2022
149. How to "Blend" Holiday Traditions and Create Meaningful Connection this Season
Nov 15, 2022
Simple Step: Protect Your Kids From a Parental Allegiance
Nov 08, 2022
148. 5 Tips to Negotiate Holiday Plans and Avoid Scheduling Conflicts with the Ex
Nov 01, 2022
Simple Step: Safeguarding Your Marriage [Part 2]
Oct 25, 2022
147. Do sensitive conversations end up creating conflict in your relationship?
Oct 18, 2022
Simple Step: Safeguarding Your Marriage [Part 1]
Oct 11, 2022
146. Friendship and Connection or Friction and Distance - What's the state of your relationship?
Oct 04, 2022
Simple Step: Don't Get Stuck in Negativity
Sep 27, 2022
145. Do you feel alone and isolated navigating the challenges of stepfamily life?
Sep 20, 2022
144. Empowering Parents and Kids Through the Science of Connection [with Jeffrey & Amy Olrick]
Sep 13, 2022
143. Why Kids Don't Need You to be Perfect - Just Present (Part 2)
Sep 06, 2022
142. Why Kids Don't Need You To Be Perfect — Just Present (Part 1)
Aug 30, 2022
Simple Step: Step-Parents Curb the Conflict
Aug 23, 2022
141. Can my kids be emotionally harmed by blended family dynamics?
Aug 16, 2022
Simple Step: Adult Kids Struggling with a Parent's Remarriage
Aug 09, 2022
140. Blending with Adult Children — One Couple's Story of Heartache and Triumph
Aug 02, 2022
Simple Step: Staying Connected
Jul 26, 2022
139. The Most Common, Challenging Pain Point Every Blended Couple Experiences
Jul 19, 2022
Simple Step: The Art of Letting Go
Jul 12, 2022
138. How Relational Dysfunction Plagued Our Marriage and How We Finally Broke Free
Jul 05, 2022
Simple Step: Connecting with Your Step-Child
Jun 28, 2022
137. Practical Tools to Boost Family Engagement and Grow Meaningful Connection [with Jennifer Zumbiel]
Jun 21, 2022
Simple Step: When a Stepparent is Left Alone with Step-kids
Jun 14, 2022
136. How to Intentionally Create Positive Family Time and Reduce Relational Tension
Jun 07, 2022
Simple Step: Supporting Your Spouse When the Ex is Challenging
May 31, 2022
135. How to Set Appropriate Boundaries and Negotiate Well with Your Ex-Spouse
May 24, 2022
Simple Step: Partnership and Decision-Making
May 17, 2022
134. How to Make Good Decisions in Tough Situations and Stay Connected as a Couple
May 10, 2022
Simple Step: Husbands - Let's Prepare for Mother's Day
May 03, 2022
133. 3 Tips to Help You Experience Joy on Special Occasions — Including Mother's Day
Apr 26, 2022
Simple Step: Helping Kids Process Grief
Apr 19, 2022
132. How do loss and grief impact blended family integration?
Apr 12, 2022
Simple Step: Avoiding Milestone Mishaps
Apr 05, 2022
131. Why is trust important in your co-parenting relationship?
Mar 29, 2022
Simple Step: Building Trust with Step-Kids
Mar 22, 2022
130. How to Build Trust that Nurtures Bonds with Your Kids and Stepkids
Mar 15, 2022
Simple Step: Planting Seeds of Trust
Mar 08, 2022
129. What does it take to build and maintain trust in your relationship?
Mar 01, 2022
Simple Step: Passionate Trust
Feb 25, 2022
128. Practical Ways to Overcome Challenges and Enjoy More Sexual Passion
Feb 22, 2022
Simple Step: Everyday Intimacy
Feb 18, 2022
127. Increase Sexual Passion and Connection by Identifying the Challenges You're Facing
Feb 15, 2022
Simple Step: Dating Adventure
Feb 11, 2022
126. Is Sex THAT Important for a Healthy Marriage?
Feb 08, 2022
Simple Step: Parenting Emotions
Feb 04, 2022
125. How to Effectively Parent through Each Stage of Development — and Reduce Painful Interactions [Part 2]
Feb 01, 2022
Simple Step: Understanding Counter-Will
Jan 28, 2022
124. How to Effectively Parent through Each Stage of Development — and Reduce Painful Interactions [Part 1]
Jan 25, 2022
Simple Step: Parenting Focus — "For not From"
Jan 21, 2022
123. How to Connect More and Rekindle Romance in Your Relationship — Even If You're Super Busy
Jan 18, 2022
Simple Step: Being Present
Jan 14, 2022
122. One Simple Strategy to Conquer "Family Business", Contain Chaos and Stay United
Jan 11, 2022
Simple Step: Celebrate your Progress
Jan 07, 2022
121. Start the New Year with New Resolve to Create Something New in Your Blended Family
Jan 04, 2022
Simple Step: Choose Something New
Dec 31, 2021
120. 3 Valuable Lessons That Saved Our Marriage and Blended Family
Dec 28, 2021
Simple Step: Keep it Simple
Dec 24, 2021
119. 6 Tips to Grow Empathy and Create More Connection in Your Marriage
Dec 21, 2021
Simple Step: Be the Best Partner
Dec 17, 2021
118. Meaningful Insight and Practical Strategies to Help Your Blended Family Navigate Holiday Challenges
Dec 14, 2021
Simple Step: Concern—Not Criticism
Dec 10, 2021
117. Harness the Power of Positive Affirmation with Your Kids and Step-Kids
Dec 07, 2021
Simple Step: Planning Ahead
Dec 03, 2021
116. 10 Practical Strategies to Prep for the Holidays — And Avoid Blended Family Disappointments
Nov 30, 2021
Simple Step: Intentional Bio Time
Nov 26, 2021
115. Will you choose to be Grateful or Grumpy this Holiday Season?
Nov 23, 2021
Simple Step: Positive Impacts on Your Kid's Future
Nov 19, 2021
114. Beware of Common Comparison Traps that Create Disconnection and Negativity
Nov 16, 2021
Simple Step: Conversations About Parenting
Nov 12, 2021
113. How to Respond When Being Disregarded, Devalued or Dismissed by Your Former Spouse
Nov 09, 2021
Simple Step: Self-Care
Nov 05, 2021
112. 3 Dangerous Dynamics That Can Destroy Co-Parenting - And Hurt the Kids
Nov 02, 2021
111. It's Time For a Strategic Pause…
Sep 28, 2021
110. What Might You Learn About Your Kids Through Mike's Unique Childhood Stepfamily?
Sep 21, 2021
109. Preparing to Blend: The Couples Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily [with Ron Deal]
Sep 14, 2021
108. 3 Unity Breakers that are Detrimental to Your Connection and How You Can Avoid Them
Sep 07, 2021
107. 3 Disheartening Realities That No Couple Wants To Go Through — But We All Have To
Aug 31, 2021
106. How to Avoid "Outlaw Words" [with Mark Warren]
Aug 24, 2021
105. What powerful traits do you need to successfully blend and stay united?
Aug 17, 2021
104. 4 Revealing Myths About 1 on 1 Time Between Parents and their Bio-Kids (Part 2)
Aug 10, 2021
103. 4 Revealing Myths About 1 on 1 Time Between Parents and their Bio-Kids (Part 1)
Aug 03, 2021
102. Are you overwhelmed because your marriage feels like too much work? (Part 2)
Jul 27, 2021
101. Are you overwhelmed because your marriage feels like too much work? (Part 1)
Jul 20, 2021
100. Heart-To-Heart Questions Between Mike and Kim — and Some Surprising Answers
Jul 13, 2021
99. 3 Tips to Help You Move Beyond Painful Guilt and Regret
Jul 06, 2021
98. Is fear of being vulnerable keeping you from loving your spouse wholeheartedly?
Jun 29, 2021
97. The Warning Signs Every Parent Needs to Know About Adolescent Addiction [with Richard Capriola]
Jun 22, 2021
96. Celebrate Father's Day by Honoring the Dad and/or Stepdad in Your Home
Jun 15, 2021
95. Do You Dread Negotiating Schedule Changes with your Ex - Try These 5 Practical Tips
Jun 08, 2021
94. 70 Summer Activities to Create Family Time and Encourage Bonding
Jun 01, 2021
93. How to Overcome Power Struggles when Kids Oppose Your Decision to Remarry
May 25, 2021
92. At a loss and feeling defeated because the kids stubbornly refuse to blend?
May 18, 2021
91. Is your husband's hostile ex-wife invading your life, stealing your joy and confidence?
May 11, 2021
90. How to Experience a Happy Mother's Day by Minimizing Tension and Disappointment
May 04, 2021
89. Feeling Stuck in the Change Process? Change isn't the Issue — Transition Is
Apr 27, 2021
88. An Effective Strategy to Prepare Your Kids for the Challenges of Blending
Apr 20, 2021
87. Mike and Annika Chat About Her Experience Growing Up in Our Home
Apr 13, 2021
86. 2 Effective Strategies to Strengthen Family Bonds and Reduce Painful Tension
Apr 06, 2021
85. How to Uniquely Build More Love and Connection in Your Blended Family [with Ron Deal]
Mar 30, 2021
84. How to Cope With Sadness, Anxiety, and Longing While Your Kids Are Gone
Mar 23, 2021
83. 4 Everyday Favoritism Traps That Dishearten Kids in a Blended Family
Mar 16, 2021
82. How a Missing Bio-Parent Impacts Kids in the Delicate Blending Process (Part 2)
Mar 09, 2021
81. How a Missing Bio-Parent Impacts Kids in the Delicate Blending Process (Part 1)
Mar 02, 2021
80. From "Mostly Miserable" to "More In Love" — One Couple's Inspiring Transformation [with Wes & Jennie]
Feb 23, 2021
79. 4 Conflict Communication Patterns that are Hurtful and Toxic to Your Relationship
Feb 16, 2021
78. Cultivating More Passion, Intimacy and Commitment in Your Marriage
Feb 09, 2021
77. 3 Unique Differences That Make a Blended Family Marriage Challenging
Feb 02, 2021
76. How to Restore Your Relationship with a Child After You've Messed Up
Jan 26, 2021
75. How to Use Personality Insights to Improve Your Approach to Parenting
Jan 19, 2021
74. How to Develop Appropriate and Effective Consequences that Empower Responsibility
Jan 12, 2021
73. 4 Simple Principles for Setting Healthy Boundaries with Kids
Jan 05, 2021
72. The Best Way to Create Healthy, Bonded Relationships
Dec 29, 2020
71. How to Help Kids Cope with Painful Holiday Disappointment
Dec 22, 2020
70. 5 Simple Ingredients for Healthy Tech Habits with Your Kids [with Rob Hayes-St. Clair]
Dec 15, 2020
69. How to "Blend" Your Holiday Traditions in a Practical Way
Dec 08, 2020
68. How to Thrive while Coping with the Impact of COVID-19
Dec 01, 2020
67. The Best Co-Parenting Strategy That You Already Know
Nov 24, 2020
66. Discover the Best Way to Motivate Your Spouse [with Matt and Maria Granados]
Nov 17, 2020
65. 6 Simple Steps for Inviting Your Spouse to Get Help With You
Nov 10, 2020
64. How to Set Yourself Free by Choosing to Forgive
Nov 03, 2020
63. 5 Strategies to Help You Get United — Even When You Disagree
Oct 27, 2020
62. How to Partner Well as a Stepparent — Even if You Feel Stuck on the Outside (Part 2)
Oct 20, 2020
61. How to Partner Well as a Stepparent — Even if You Feel Stuck on the Outside (Part 1)
Oct 13, 2020
60. Why are you stuck in a Parent-Child Allegiance? (Part 2)
Oct 06, 2020
59. Why are you stuck in a Parent-Child Allegiance? (Part 1)
Sep 29, 2020
58. Day 5 of Your 'Next Step' Challenge — Work Your Plan
Sep 26, 2020
57. Day 4 of Your 'Next Step' Challenge — Overcome Your Obstacles
Sep 25, 2020
56. Day 3 of Your 'Next Step' Challenge — Chart Your Course
Sep 24, 2020
55. Day 2 of Your 'Next Step' Challenge — Choose Your Path
Sep 23, 2020
54. Day 1 of Your 'Next Step' Challenge — Find Your Focus
Sep 22, 2020
53. Overcoming Discouragement (Part 3)
Sep 15, 2020
52. Overcoming Discouragement (Part 2)
Sep 08, 2020
51. Overcoming Discouragement (Part 1)
Sep 01, 2020
50. How to Openly Communicate What You Really Want
Aug 25, 2020
49. Should your highest priority be your marriage — or your kids?
Aug 18, 2020
48. Introspective Questions that Help You Put Your Kids First [with Liza Gold]
Aug 11, 2020
47. How to Like Your Stepchild Even When You're Feeling Frustrated and Annoyed
Aug 04, 2020
46. How to Focus When Your Stepkids Are Ruining Your Marriage
Jul 28, 2020
45. How to Cooperate More with Your Spouse's Uncooperative Ex
Jul 21, 2020
44. Why does my husband's Ex think I'm the enemy?
Jul 14, 2020
43. How to Build More Consistency For Your Kids
Jul 07, 2020
42. Our Challenging Story of Parental Alienation — and 6 Tips For You
Jun 30, 2020
41. Are you unintentionally putting your kids in the middle?
Jun 23, 2020
40. Uncover the unspoken feelings of kids in blended families [Special Resource: In Their Shoes]
Jun 16, 2020
39. How to Create Strong Bonds with Resistant Stepkids
Jun 09, 2020
38. Dealing with Loss & Grief
Jun 02, 2020
37. Why do kids struggle to accept their stepparent?
May 26, 2020
36. How to Change Your "Stories" and Grow Connection [with Mark Warren]
May 19, 2020
35. Are you controlling conflict or is it controlling you?
May 12, 2020
34. How to Avoid Mother's Day Disappointment
May 05, 2020
33. How to Cope with a Difficult Ex and Protect Your Kids
Apr 28, 2020
32. How To Safeguard Your Kids From Negative Influences
Apr 21, 2020
31. 3 Unexpected Ways to Improve How You Cope with Your Ex
Apr 14, 2020
30. Should stepparents WANT authority with their step-kids?
Apr 07, 2020
29. What is a Loyalty Bind and what can you do about it?
Mar 31, 2020
28. What if What You Think is Defiance is Actually Something Else? [with Amanda Rueter]
Mar 24, 2020
27. How to Set Clear Boundaries and Safeguard Relationships
Mar 17, 2020
26. Are You Stuck in a "Competition" with Your Step-Kids?
Mar 10, 2020
25. How to Survive Time Alone with Your Step-Kids — Your Guide to Spring Break
Mar 03, 2020
24. What if You Could Relieve the Trapped Teammate Pressure? (Part 4 - BONUS!)
Feb 25, 2020
23. How to Move From Feeling Stranded to Being Connected (Part 3 of 3)
Feb 18, 2020
22. 1 Simple — and Romantic — Way to Combat Being Stranded or Trapped (Part 2 of 3)
Feb 09, 2020
21. What is the Stranded Stranger & Trapped Teammate Experience? (Part 1 of 3)
Feb 04, 2020
20. 4 Big Myths About Parenting When an Ex has Different Rules
Jan 28, 2020
19. How to Help Step-Siblings to Get Along Better
Jan 21, 2020
18. How to Help Kids Navigate Transition and Change
Jan 14, 2020
17. 6 Simple Steps That Will Help You Respond to Disrespect
Jan 07, 2020
16. 5 Proven Fundamentals to Something New in Your Blended Family
Dec 31, 2019
15. 7 Unexpected Realities That Can Leave You Feeling Blindsided
Dec 23, 2019
14. 3 Helpful Steps to Overcome Your "Perfectionistic" Ideals and Disappointments
Dec 17, 2019
13. How to Parent as a Team in Your Blended Family
Dec 10, 2019
12. 4 Meaningful Mindsets for Budgeting Your Happy Holiday
Dec 03, 2019
11. 3 Hidden Strengths for Imperfect Blended Families
Nov 26, 2019
10. 8 Practical Tips for a Successful Holiday Season
Nov 19, 2019
9. A Surprisingly Simple Strategy for Bonding with Step-Kids
Nov 12, 2019
8. Toxic Exes and Defiant Kids - A Simple Strategy Against Lies and Slander (Part 2)
Nov 05, 2019
7. Toxic Exes and Hurting Kids - 5 Steps That Help (Part 1)
Oct 29, 2019
6. Are Your Kids Stuck in a 'Parental Allegiance' and What Can You Do About It?
Oct 22, 2019
5. How to Get Over the Hurts and Triggers from Your Past
Oct 15, 2019
4. Can you overcome your parenting-style differences?
Oct 08, 2019
1. Welcome | Our Story | Your Challenge
Sep 27, 2019
2. The 5-Focus Framework that Simplifies Blended Family Life
Sep 27, 2019
3. How to Juggle Personal, Couple and Family Time
Sep 27, 2019