Blended Family Podcast

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Blended families require a lot of balance. Many parents struggle because they don’t know which should come first, their relationship with their partner, or their children. There are different factors you can look at, but ultimately, the attention you spend both on your partner and your kids needs to be carefully managed. You will also find that this balance can shift around over the years at different stages of your children's lives. Teami Blends Tea Use promo code BLENDED for 25% off your purchase of $49.99! Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 10

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   How well do you resolve conflict in your life? We all have conflict in our relationships, but oftentimes, we don’t know how to resolve them in a healthy way. Conflict is a normal part of every relationship, and so we need to learn how to deal with it in a way that helps us grow together. In this show, my top ten tips to fighting fair, plus I’ll share what you might be doing wrong!   Maintain Control Take a break Pick and choose your battles Stick to the topic Listen Communicate well Shift your perspective Recognize that no one is perfect Learn to apologize Learn to forgive   Learn more about the Single Parent Summit Website Facebook Instagram   Teami Blends Tea Use BLENDED for 25%off your purchase of $49.99   Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at w

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Charla Miller is a successful author who used traumatic events in her life to propel her forward. She wrote a book called, Wonder and Beauty: My Journey From Heartbreak to Healing Through the Wonder of Horses. Her story is paving the way for others to see that their pain from loss isn't the ending but a launching point to even greater connection to those they love and so much more.   Charla returns to talk about the reunification with her son, which she did not know was coming when she was on this show back in December. To hear that first interview with the full story, click here.   In this interview we discuss   A recap of her personal story of parental alienation How the reunification came to be Her emotions during that time What it was like spending a week together with her son for the first time in years What her future looks like Her personal message to parents suffering from parental alienation Horse therapy and much more   Connect with C

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   The blame game is something we all play. It’s easy to point fingers at someone else, but is it really helpful to the situation? In this episode, learn why playing the game holds you back, as well as learn how to stop playing it. GoFundMe for Florida tragedy click here Support my sponsor Teami Blends Tea here Use the promo code BLENDED for 20% off your purchase of $34.99 Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955  

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Andrea Santiago Malcolm is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Sex Therapist.  In that time, she has found she really loves working with couples who are ready to own and revitalize their sexuality with a mix of real talk and a sense of humor. She believes that sex is natural, important, and nothing to be embarrassed about!  Andrea is also a Cancer survivor and enjoys helping others navigate that space as well. She’s a stepmother and knows what it’s like to have all the joys and challenges that come with her role as a step-parent. Andrea enjoys assisting others in dealing with similar life stressors because she has a lot to draw from and can offer real talk and genuine empathy, coupled with easily applied solutions to these challenges. She teaches multiple coping mechanisms, including therapeutic knitting, which is an evidence-based, portable, and fun way to cope with life. Andrea’s private practice, 363 Therapy, has two offices in Sou

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   There are many cases where a new partner wants their mate to sever ties with an ex. Whether you are a stepparent wanting this, a bio parent struggling with this, or an ex dealing with it, it can be tricky. You’ll hear two listener questions which show examples of this in the show, plus my advice to them. There are many reasons why this happens, and many reasons why it’s best to overcome it. Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955  

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Kristen Skiles is an Air Force wife and [step]mom to a beautiful 7-year-old. She runs on coffee, wine, and Amazon Prime, and she blogs at stepmomming.com where she provides comfort and guidance for overwhelmed stepmoms, encouraging and helping them to write their own happily ever afters. Kristen wholeheartedly believes that [step]momming is what you do, it’s not who you are.   In this episode, we talk about   Her personal story Her relationship with bio mom The challenges she faces in her own blended family Tips and advice on making it work Her blog, stepmomming.com And so much more! Connect with Kristen Website Facebook Instagram Pinterest Free 5 day stepmom course-Write your own happily ever after! Click HERE Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the web

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Whether your divorce happened recently or long ago, you might find that you have a child who remains angry. There are many reasons for this, which I talk about in this show. It’s important to learn the reasons so that you can help them move past it in a healthy way. I also tackle some listener questions on the topic. Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955  

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Feeling guilt is something we all struggle with. Parents tend to feel guilty over every mistake, decision, or circumstance of their lives. Yet, feeling that guilt doesn’t change situations or  make anyone feel better. What can you do? Use my 5 step process to help you ease out of guilt so that you start feeling better today!   Identify the issue causing the guilt Determine whether the guilt is healthy or unhealthy Forgive yourself Apologize if necessary Learn and grow from the experience Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178              

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Michelle Thompson is an attorney and Certified Financial Planner™ helping blended families reach their financial goals.  Prior to joining IRC Wealth, she had her own law practice where she focused on estate planning, primarily serving blended families.   In this interview, we discuss   Her personal story Why she decided to help blended families in her career What families need to set up The difference between a trust attorney and a financial advisor Some listener questions And much more! Connect with Michelle 678-733-4358 Website Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd   

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   This week, some updates on me, and a first listen to the anniversary gift that Songfinch created for my husband! I also tackle some tough listener questions. One mom is unsure of how a man can love her and her kids, a man who is tired of getting disrespected by his step daughter, and a woman whose boyfriends daughter is using manipulation to come between her and her boyfriend. Send in your questions to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com and I might use them on a future show! To make a custom song using Songfinch, click HERE Don't forget to use the promo code BLENDEDFAMILY to save $20!   Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to M

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Connection is such an important element of relationships. There are four main types of connection that are necessary for strengthening your relationship. They are emotional, physical, intellectual, and soul. In this episode, I explain what they all are, and how to improve them. Plus I give you my favorite bonding exercises. The better balance you can achieve, the more fulfilled you will be as a couple. Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     Unit 102 #178                     Viera FL 32955  

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Carla was trained in the Netherlands in Clinical Psychology, Holistic Therapies, and Family Constellations, and owns HeartBased Solutions, a holistic practice for individuals, parents, and families. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate in the USA.  For over 20 years, Carla has been an internationally recognized teacher, therapist and facilitator in the areas of relationships, heart-based parenting, women empowerment, inherited family trauma, and emotional healing. She is the creator of Happy Parents, Happy Home, Awaken to Your Happiest Life!, Success Acceleration and Women Empowerment Topics. Carla has helped many clients create quantum progress through her unique combination of psychological, spiritual, and metaphysical approaches. Her extensive study of proven healing modalities from Europe, America, and Eastern countries provide the foundation for her work. Carla is a master in healing acute and life-long patterns of emotional pain, struggling

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   I will answer your questions on this episode of the blended family podcast! First, a mom who needs help explaining to her son why his dad is absent. Then, a question on whether or not a relationship could work with a couple who doesn’t share the same faith. Next, a struggling stepdad who feels pushed to the side when bio dad came back around. And last, a mom who is frustrated with her ex who doesn’t take proper care of the kids when he has them.   Do you want me to read your question on a future show? Send them in to my email below, facebook message me, or send me a voicemail via speakpipe.   Hope to hear from you soon! Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or co

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   There are many reasons why a family may find themselves in the position of raising a child without the other biological parent. There could be a death, therefore leaving someone a widow or widower, left to raise their kids alone. Unfortunately, there are lots of absent parents out there because those parents have made a choice to abandon their kids, leaving the other parent to pick up the pieces. There are parents who are serving time in jail. Others who serve in the military. Then there are others who live out of state, so perhaps they are involved, but only minimally. Regardless of the cause, the children can suffer greatly. There are ways to help a child through this, as well as ways to cope as the sole parent. Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   With Valentine's Day this week, I thought it might be good to share some tips to appreciate and nurture your relationship. Couples in blended families are often so overwhelmed with stress and chaos, that they neglect to put in the work to help their relationship grow. In this show, I’ll give you an exercise to help you see your partner in a different light. I also give you my 5 top tips for appreciating your relationship which are   Date night Communicate Connect Be the anchor for your partner Love unconditionally Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                     5445 Murrell Rd                     

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Erik Newton is a former family law attorney who describes himself as someone who’s “been through a thousand divorces and still believes in love.” Ushering couples through divorce wasn’t easy for Erik, a romantic from birth, but it turned out to be the ideal medium through which to understand the entire life cycle of a relationship. As a result, Erik has a unique, real-world comprehension of what makes one marriage thrive and another fall apart.   During his time as an attorney, Erik racked up a few accolades: He founded a successful law journal, built the largest and fastest-growing family law firm in the Bay Area, and was named a Super Lawyer three years running. He also teamed up with a psychologist friend to lead premarital courses for couples, hoping to give them the skills they’d need to stay out of his office. Ultimately, his calling to help couples build healthy relationships superseded his legal career, and he decided to dedicate himself

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Childhood depression and anxiety is on the rise. We are living in a world that can be difficult for adults to navigate, and even more difficult for our younger generation. It’s important to know the signs of depression in adolescents, as it can look quite different from adult depression.  In this episode I talk about   My own children's struggles with depression and anxiety Why kids today suffer more with depression than we did Signs of depression in kids Treatment options Suicide Prevention Hotline 1 800-273-8255 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown                   

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   I’m answering some tough questions sent in by listeners. First, a woman who says her grown stepkids are jealous of her, and she’s having trouble with that around holidays. Next, a question about what to do with old albums and keepsakes, especially when moving to a new place with a new partner. Then, a listener concerned about the drama the ex wife brings to her relationship. Last, a meddling mother in law who chooses the ex wife over her own son.   If you want to send in a question or topic idea for a future show, please email me! All feedback and questions are welcome! Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Melissa Brown  

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Do you stand in your power? Unfortunately, many of us do not know how to do this. Standing in your power means that you honor yourself. It means that you know what you want and do not want, you know what you like and do not like. You stand strong for what you believe in and desire, and you don’t back down from your beliefs and desires just to please other people. You become the person responsible for your own happiness.   Use my 5 step process to help you finally become the person you want to be, the person who stands in their power. You will find freedom and happiness if you can master them!   Pause Think Feel Trust Act Join the Private Facebook Group Listen and Rate/Review on Itunes Connect with me on Facebook Connect with me on Twitter Send questions or feedback to melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com Send me a voicemail at Speakpipe Visit the website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or