Blended Family Breakthrough
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!
Episodes
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]
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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 o...
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
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—...
Resource
Episode 213. Discover How to Better Understand and Connect with Children of Divorce [with Lauren Reitsema]
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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&apos...
What a privilege to have Lauren Reitsema back on the show to dive deeper into how we can authentically bond and connect with kids who are navigating divorce and blended family dynamics.
Lauren’s passion for relationship skills began in middle school after her parents' divorce, leading her to pursue Communication Studies at TCU. She’s the author of In Their Shoes, helping parents connect with children of divorce, and Relationsh...
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 cl...
In this episode, we’re tackling one of the most emotionally charged challenges for blended families: navigating co-parenting dynamics and negotiating with an ex-spouse.
Whether things are civil or you’re experiencing high levels of tension, we share the three strategies that have changed everything for us and for the couples we coach — Clarity, Communication, and Consistency.
We'll share what’s worked (and what hasn’t), includi...
Resources
Episode 210. Is Your Child Pulling Away? Here's How to Respond with Wisdom and Love
Episode 211. 8 Warning Signs Your Ex is Manipulating Your Child's Heart and Mind
Episode 6. Are Your Kids Stuck in a 'Parental Allegiance' and What Can You Do About It?
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 know how heartbreaking it can be when your child starts pulling away from you. It can leave you wondering if your ex is negatively influencing them behind the scenes. We’ve lived it.
In this deeply personal episode, we open up about the painful season we went through with Kim’s daughter, Annika. We talk through how to recognize the signs of manipulation, avoid common parenting missteps, and respond in ways that protect your chi...
Resources
Episode 210. Is Your Child Pulling Away? Here's How to Respond with Wisdom and Love
Episode 207. 4 Big Myths About Parenting When an Ex Has Different Rules and How to Build Consistency
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 so...
This one hits close to home for us.
In this episode, we’re opening up about a painful season in our parenting journey when Kim’s daughter began pulling away from our home and requesting to spend more time at her dad’s. We know how confusing, heartbreaking, and disorienting this can be, especially for blended families with limited time together.
That’s why we’re sharing 3 essential tips that can help you manage yourself in a tough p...
Resources
Episode 129. What does it take to build and maintain trust in your relationship?
Episode 119. 6 Tips to Grow Empathy and Create More Connection in Your Marriage
Episode 203. How to Make Better Decisions and Solve Problems as a United Team
Episode 108. 3 Unity Breakers that are Detrimental to Your Connection and How You Can Avoid Them
Episode 206. Avoid These 5 Common Pitfalls to Ensure a Successful Partnership
Episode 192. A Si...
If you've ever wrestled with second-guessing yourself, feeling stuck in past mistakes, or wondering if you can truly trust yourself again, you're not alone.
In this episode, we open up about the very real struggles with self-doubt that we’ve faced personally and that we often see in the blended couples we coach.
Together, we're exploring five powerful habits that can help you break free from the cycle of self-doubt an...
Additional Resources
Episode 178. Suriving the Turbulent Teen Years: Expert Insight and Strategies for Today's Parent [with Dr. Michael Bradley]
Episode 124. How to Effectively Parent Through Each Stage of Development - and Reduce Painful Interactions (Part 1)
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!
In this episode, we share a practical and powerful strategy to help step-parents confidently navigate solo time with their stepchildren.
Whether you're a biological parent or a step-parent, this episode is for you! You'll discover how preparation, communication, and teamwork can transform tension into opportunities for connection.
The key? A simple but often overlooked strategy called the Transfer of Power. You don'...
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 cl...
Parenting in a blended family can be tough — especially when your ex has completely different rules and expectations.
Today, we're tackling a common source of frustration: navigating household differences. We'll uncover the four biggest myths that keep blended couples stuck and reveal the counteractive truths that bring clarity, confidence, and collaboration.
Plus, we’ll share our Four A’s strategy for communicating with...
Resources
Episode 135. How to Set Appropriate Boundaries and Negotiate Well with your Ex-Spouse
Episode 188. Basics for Blending: How to Tolerate and Manage Discomfort and Distress
Episode 153. How to Empower Organization, Improve Communication and Create Peace Between Your Kids Two Homes
Episode 112. 3 Dangerous Dynamics That Can Destroy Co-Parenting - And Hurt the Kids
Episode 113. How to Respond When Being Disregarded, Devalued, or ...
Does it ever feel like you are miles apart as a couple when it comes to leading your blended family?
In this episode, we dive into the most common partnership pitfalls that couples face. From feeling unheard and untrusted to navigating misaligned parenting expectations, we unpack the challenges that often create disconnection, stress and conflict. We also share practical tools to shift from frustration to deeper connection, trust, a...
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