Sometimes in stepfamilies, we take things out on each other that really are about someone or something from the past. Listen to Ron Deal talk with Shelby Abbott on how to keep unresolved issues of the past from damaging relationships in the present.

The benefit of "fun" is often overlooked when we consider how to build healthy stepfamily relationships. But Ron Deal's podcast guest, Dr. Jim Burns, says it's an important piece that can help connect relationships. Listen to their conversation about why and how intentional play can benefit your family.

Compared to other siblings stepsiblings have less conflict. That may not be as good as it sounds.

Laughter is contagious, right? Well, so is a smile.

Have you ever met a rich person who was miserable?

Did your mom ever tell you to "Act your best"?

Is self-care the same as selfishness?

Ron, how does autism affect a stepfamily?

Hey Ron, it just occurred to me: I live in a stepfamily, too.

Kids in stepfamilies lose control over many aspects of their lives. Ron Deal talks with two stepsiblings about their adjustments to stepfamily life and how parents can give children a voice and open lines of communication to bring harmony to their home.

Believe it or not, sometimes it’s best not to love best.

Having a healthy self-esteem is a really good thing. But there’s something much better.

Research confirms; spending time together is a quality of strong families.

How do you form a loving relationship with someone who isn’t motivated to love you?

Want a great tip for deepening a friendship? It starts with you sharing you.

Blended & Blessed is a marriage event specifically designed for blended family couples. This podcast episode features a dynamic speaker from our 2021 event, author Laurie Short, with nuggets of wisdom and real-life stories from her stepmom journey.

Have you ever thought, "Maybe I’m being too negative"?

Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to forgive a family member than somebody else?

Have you ever noticed that in order to stay alive, you have to keep feeding yourself?

What do you see, when you look at yourself, through heaven’s eyes?

You know what I love? I love it when our family’s in the car and my wife makes a declaration, "Hey, it’s happy hour. It’s time for a Sonic run!

Have you ever gotten confused about which terms to use when referring to someone else’s family members?

Friends. Some of us have a lot of them and some of us have only a few. But do you love them all the same?

Want to win the favor of your family? Try love and faithfulness.

Have you ever thought about how dysfunctional the families of the Bible were?

I’m wondering, what helps you to be more like Christ?

Here’s a fun fact for you. In the early years of a blended family the level of stress is typically very high.

Here’s a not so secret quality of strong families. They have fun together.

Ron, I'm marrying a man with adult children. I suppose our family transition will be easier since we have an empty nest, right? Ah, well…

The book of Proverbs says, listen to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. But what about a stepfather or a stepmother’s instruction? Do you have to listen to that, too?