Blended Family Podcast

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   It’s good to be back from a small break! New Year updates, announcements, an interview, and a giveaway!   Dr. Jody Dean is a clinical psychologist with 28 years of experience specializing in children, adolescents, and athletes. Her medical affiliations include Senior Clinical Account Executive, United Healthcare and Aetna; Director, and Employee Assistance Program at Hughes Electronics and DirecTV. She earned her PHD in clinical psychology in 1987 and her masters in clinical psychology in 1985 from California School of Professional Psychology. Jody has authored numerous magazine and professional journal articles. She continues to consult from her home in Wildwood Missouri, where she lives with her three dogs, including Roxie.   She joins me to discuss her book, Roxie the Doxie, a wonderful book to help children through adoption and other family transitions, such as blended families. Connect with Jody Dean Website Facebook Twitter Buy the book

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   When the end of a year approaches, it’s always a great time to reflect, as well as dream up new possibilities for the year ahead. I invite you to write a new script of your dream life. Let’s make next year the best yet for you and your blended family!   Please note, there will not be a show on December 25 or January 1. I will be spending some time enjoying my family, and I hope you do the same!   Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year! Purchase the Mindful Stepmom Meditation Album 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 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   Being a stepparent comes with so many challenges, and those challenges can damage blended families. Bio parents aren’t always aware of the difficulties that their partners face. Here’s what to expect in this episode   Listener emails Common struggles of stepparents Solutions to some of those struggles Tips for the hurting stepparent My plea to the bio parent Purchase the Mindful Stepmom Meditation Album 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 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 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. She currently resides in Boise Idaho with her partner and is involved in the world of equine therapy. Charla also travels as a destination makeup and hair artist and brings her concept of beauty to all she meets.   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.   In this interview we discuss   Her personal story of parental alienation The pivotal moment in her life where she had to make an important decision How she got involved with horses How horse therapy helped her heal Reunification with her son Her book, Wonder and Beauty, and why she wrote it And much more Connect with Charla   Website Book Facebook Blo

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Many of us walk through life taking things very personally, which can affect our lives greatly. It causes much suffering. The relationships we have with others can also be affected when we take everything to heart. Ten tips to help you learn to not take things personally! Avoid toxic people Have realistic expectations Determine how important the situation is Work on your self confidence Don't give away your power Don't jump to conclusions Understand that it’s not always about you Learn how to delete your imaginary trash bin Stop caring what others think of you Surround yourself with people who love and understand you Purchase the Mindful Stepmom Meditation Album 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 website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Do you have an over involved ex? Or maybe you’re married to someone whose ex is over involved? There are reasons why exes feel the need to hover and criticize your parenting. They may make excessive phone calls, demonstrate helicopter parenting, or they might not think you are fit to parent your own child. Whatever they are doing, boundaries must be set. Learn all about this and how it affects your current relationship this week on the show! Purchase your own song from Songfinch HERE Listen to my personal songfinch creation HERE   Purchase the Mindful Stepmom Meditation Album 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 website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my monthly newsletter Schedule an interview or coaching session here   Send mail to Me

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Blended families are already difficult to navigate. When a couple has parenting styles that differ from one another, it can be quite a challenge. What do you do when you and your partner parent differently? How can you make it work? My husband Shawn joins me to talk about our own challenges in this area. We talk about   Our parenting styles when we first met Mistakes that we made in the beginning How to be fair but also treat each child as an individual Differences of parenting when custodial or noncustodial What we learned from one another and how you can too The importance of open communication And much more Purchase the Mindful Stepmom Meditation Album 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 website at www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Sign up for my mon

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Dr. Jennelle is a PhD Psychologist and Relationship Advisor working with individuals and couples who want to improve communication, collaboration, and harmony in their relationships. Dr. Jennelle focuses on non traditional relationships and family structures (i.e., female same-sex couples, divorced/remarrying couples, and blended families), helping to navigate the challenges in these complex dynamics by developing skills that lead to stronger partnerships, better parenting, and greater peace.   She joins me to talk about her personal experience with a same sex relationship and marriage. In this episode we discuss   Her personal relationship story Challenges she faced How her step children handled the transition How to come out to family and friends How to deal with negative reactions from others Family dynamics of a same sex blended family And much more!   Connect with Dr. Jennelle Website Facebook Twitter   Join the Private Facebook Group Lis

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Halloween is a perfect time to talk about disguises! People put on masks on a daily basis to cover up who they really are, or what they struggle with emotionally. Living authentically is the only way to overcome this. How can we help others who haven’t figured this out? Purchase the Mindful Stepmom Meditation Album HERE for a $5 discount 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   Spirituality is not a topic often discussed here at the blended family podcast, but it is becoming a popular practice. Learn how spirituality can help you and your blended family grow. Also learn how to determine if someone you love is an empath or a highly sensitive person, and what that means. We also talk about vibration, and how to elevate it. Purchase the Mindful Stepmom Meditation Album HERE for a $5 discount 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   We all have exes, and many of us are dealing with exes who are difficult and uncooperative. Since there is not much we can do to change who they are or what they act like, we can only focus on ourselves. There are things we can do to make these interactions more pleasant.   Work on better communication Treat your relationship with the ex as a business transaction Seek help from your ex's family members or friends Respond without reacting Don't fight back Don't seek revenge Don't use the kids as messengers Don't try to change your ex Find support for yourself Stay consistent Purchase the Mindful Stepmom Meditation Album HERE for a $5 discount 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 S

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com There are many emotions that a non custodial parent feels. Many people think it is an easy role, but they forget that it’s not always the wanted role. Many non custodial parents wish things were otherwise. In this show I share what these emotions are., I also I give 5 tips for both custodial parents and the partners of non custodials to help those in the non custodial position. And some special words of encouragement for my fellow non custodial parents.   5 tips for the custodial bio parent or stepparent   Have empathy Don't make it difficult for your child to communicate with their parent Keep the lines of communication open Notify them of special events or functions so they can attend Don’t make them uncomfortable at these events.   5 tips for the partner of the non custodial   Offer emotional support Don't make them feel guilty for spending time with the kids Give them space after dropoffs Allow your partner to build a relationship slowly w

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Anna Seewald is the founder of Authentic Parenting®. She is a speaker, author and a parent educator. She also has a popular Podcast on iTunes called Authentic Moments. She is a mom to a vibrant 9 year old who doesn’t approve of her fashion choices. As a child she survived through a severe earthquake. She lost her young mom. She has been through trauma, pain, and a lot suffering. With a strong passion helping children Anna dedicated her life working with abused, neglected, orphaned, institutionalized children and juvenile delinquents.   After nearly 20 years she realized that it is through helping parents she can help children.   Today she is supporting parents around the world by moving from traditional ways of parenting into more peaceful, conscious ways by making sense of their past life experiences, healing from trauma, building effective communication, practicing non- punitive discipline and setting limits with love and kindness.   In this in

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Becoming a more authentic person is something mostly everyone struggles with. In this show we cover what you need to know, including   What it means to be authentic Why do people struggle with authenticity Children and authenticity What it looks like to be authentic What it looks like to be someone who is not authentic Blended families and authenticity How to become more authentic And more 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   Hurricane Irma came through my state and left her mark. However, Florida will come out stronger after all this. The same can be said with the storms of life. We all go through hard times, but when we can find the gift or lesson in the storm, we can overcome anything. Also, an interview with Anna DeAcosta, the creator of the fabulous album The Mindful Stepmom, Guided Meditations for Peace and Flow in your Blended Family. Connect with Anna Purchase the Album 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   Because of hurricane Irma, there is not a topic this week. My family and I have been preparing for this storm, as it is threatening to hit my state of Florida.   In the meantime, listen to my special song by songfinch, that was created for my bonus children! See the lyrics below!     Sometimes reminiscing Feels like yesterday to me When you met 10 years ago With your dad at Mikkey D's And since then you've gotten close Happy she could watch you grow She could say she loves you both But then you already know   Already know, no love is lost From 2 young kids to young adults The whole time with you has been awesome Wouldn't trade it for a second It's a blessing When she step into the house and see you all Always know that you can call Anytime you need to talk   So she can say she proud of both of you She think your the bomb, bomb, bomb Glad to be your second mom, mom, mom Honestly she just gets glad again Heart so full of love She had somebody write

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Meeting your new partner's extended family can cause a lot of anxiety. You might not be sure of how you will be received. This week, I talk about how to cope with meeting new family members, such as in laws, siblings, cousins, etc. 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   Sibel Guelseren is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Board Certified Masters Addictions Professional, Board Certified Sex Therapist, and Life Coach with over 20 years of Experience.  Sibel earned a Master of Education Degree and a Specialist in Education Degree, both specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Florida. She is also a Graduate of CoachU's 3-year prestigious Coaching Program and works with clients on various life and work issues.     In this episode, she helps me with some common issues of teenagers and sexuality, as well as helps me answer some listener questions. We talk about   Differing parenting styles surrounding sexual education How to communicate with your kids about sex How to help our children go through puberty Sexual attraction between step siblings Setting boundaries and structure for pubescent children Teenagers clothing choices Boundaries around sleepovers And more!   Connect with Si

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com   Finding and achieving happiness is something many of us work on every day. Being part of a blended family can make you feel at times like happiness is impossible to find. In this episode I share my top ten happiness boosters. Be happy NOW, because now is all we have!   Meditate Forgive others Stop complaining Have gratitude Smile and laugh more Practice self care Do something that fulfills you Do for others Cut out negativity Be kinder to yourself.   I’m also joined by one of our own listeners for a family interview with Sharon Kelly.   Connect with Sharon Facebook page Email Instagram 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 t

melissa@blendedfamilypodcast.com www.blendedfamilypodcast.com Accepting a step parent into your child's life can be difficult for many reasons. In this episode I explain why, and I will give you some ground rules to follow.   No bad mouthing No competing Practice better communication with your ex and their partner Take your own feelings out of the equation Be there for your child without interfering 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