Blended Family Breakthrough cover art

Blended Family Breakthrough

Blended Family Breakthrough

Written by: Mike & Kim Anderson
Listen for free

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!

© 2026 Blended Family Breakthrough Parenting Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 240. Energize Family Bonds One Meaningful Conversation at a Time [with Ashley Noelle]

    240. Energize Family Bonds One Meaningful Conversation at a Time [with Ashley Noelle]
    Jun 16 2026

    In blended family life, it’s easy for kids, parents, and stepparents to feel unsure, unseen, or disconnected as everyone adjusts to new relationships, new rhythms, and new expectations.

    We know how hard it can be to want deeper connection, but not know what questions to ask or how to create the kind of safe space where honest conversations can happen.

    In this episode, we talk with Ashley Noelle, the founder of Blended Bond, a conversation-based tool designed to help blended families, co-parents, and single-parent households build stronger connection through meaningful dialogue. Rooted in her own lived experience within a blended family, Ashley created Blended Bond to support families navigating complex dynamics, transitions, and emotional barriers.

    With a background in co-parenting coaching and a deep understanding of modern family structures, Ashley now focuses on creating tangible resources that help families communicate, connect, and feel less alone in the process.

    Together, we explore how intentional questions can help kids feel seen and heard, why “safe zone” conversations matter, and how parents and stepparents can keep showing up with patient persistence, even when kids shut down or resist.

    Ashley also reminds us that every blended family is unique. You don’t have to force your family into someone else’s mold. You can build trust, strengthen bonds, and create meaningful connection one honest conversation at a time.

    You'll Discover:

    • Why open-ended questions can help kids feel seen, heard, and understood
    • How to keep showing up with patience when kids shut down, roll their eyes, or say “I don’t know”
    • Why “safe zone” conversations can build trust, honesty, and emotional security
    • How shared activities and fun prompts can create teamwork and help kids feel included
    • Why every blended family gets to build its own unique identity, instead of trying to fit a cookie-cutter model

    Resources from this Episode:

    • Order your Blended Bond Deck here: blendedbond.com
    • And be sure to use Promo code: BREAKTHROUGH20 to receive 20% off your purchase
    • Connect with Ashley at instagram.com/theblendedbond

    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 clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession

    You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

    Subscribe or Follow the Show

    Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

    Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

    Click here to follow on Spotify

    Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

    If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Simple Step: Healthy Boundaries that Protect Relationships

    Simple Step: Healthy Boundaries that Protect Relationships
    Jun 9 2026

    Resources

    • Click here to schedule your FREE COACHING CALL
    • 239. Feeling Responsible for Everyone? How Codependency Hinders Family Relationships and How to Heal [with Michelle Farris]
    • To connect with Michelle Farris, CLICK HERE
    • Episode 138. How Relational Dysfunction Plagued our Marriage and How We Finally Broke Free

    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 clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://www.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/free-call

    You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether

    Subscribe or Follow the Show

    Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode.

    Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts

    Click here to follow on Spotify

    Leave a Review in Apple Podcasts

    If you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!
    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
  • 239. Feeling Responsible for Everyone? How Codependency Hinders Family Relationships and How to Heal [with Michelle Farris]

    239. Feeling Responsible for Everyone? How Codependency Hinders Family Relationships and How to Heal [with Michelle Farris]
    Jun 2 2026
    Codependency can be tricky to recognize because it often looks like love, generosity, or “just trying to help.” But when our giving turns into fixing, rescuing, controlling, or sacrificing ourselves to earn love and approval, it can quietly create tension in our marriage, parenting, co-parenting, and stepfamily relationships.In this episode, we’re joined by therapist Michelle Farris for a practical and hope-filled conversation about how codependency shows up in blended families and how to heal it. Michelle is a psychotherapist, codependency expert, and anger management specialist with a passion for helping people break free from toxic relationships. Her YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers, where she’s known for her practical tips and expertise. She’s written several ebooks and courses for creating relationships that work. Michelle helps us understand the difference between healthy care and over-functioning, why some parents struggle when their kids are hurting or moving between homes, and how our desire to protect or please can sometimes blur important relational boundaries.We also talk honestly about how codependency can impact the parenting partnership in a blended family. When a bio-parent feels caught between their child and spouse, the pressure can intensify. When a stepparent feels responsible for things they don't have authority over, resentment sets in. But there is a healthier way forward. Michelle shares how couples can take small steps toward clearer boundaries, stronger self-awareness, and more secure connection without becoming rigid, reactive, or disconnected.If you’ve ever felt responsible for keeping everyone okay, struggled to set limits with your kids or ex, or wondered why you feel resentful after “helping,” this conversation will give you language, clarity, and hope.You'll Discover:The difference between being kind and being codependent How codependency can show up with your children, with an ex, or inside your marriage How over-functioning, fixing, rescuing, controlling, and people-pleasing can create ongoing resentment and disable others How to identify your non-negotiable boundaries without becoming rigid or reactive Three key areas of codependency and how you can move toward relational health and wellnessResources from this Episode:To connect with Michelle Farris, CLICK HERE Michelle's free guide: 7 Steps to Healing One Sided RelationshipsRelationships That Work with Michelle Farris (YouTube)Episode 138. How Relational Dysfunction Plagued our Marriage and How We Finally Broke FreeReady 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 clarity, confidence and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesessionYou don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogetherSubscribe or Follow the Show Are you subscribed or following the podcast yet? If not, we want to encourage you do that today so you don't miss a single episode. Click here to subscribe in Apple PodcastsClick here to follow on SpotifyLeave a Review in Apple PodcastsIf you’re feeling extra helpful, we would be so grateful if you left us a review over on Apple Podcasts too. Your review will help others find our podcast — plus they’re fun for us to read too! :-) Just click here to Review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and then select “Write a Review” — let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you, we really appreciate your feedback!
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet