Blended Pathways

04/02/2026

20/01/2026

As January wraps up, I want to share what’s coming next.

February will focus on how we talk when it matters — real conversations, real stress, real relationship dynamics. We’ll explore why conversations go sideways, how pace affects safety, why repair matters more than being right, and why practicing communication early changes everything.

If communication sometimes feels harder than it should, February is about slowing down and learning a different rhythm — together.

10/01/2026

✨ Happy New Year! ✨
New Year’s Eve is one of the most popular times to get engaged, so if you know any newly engaged couples, I’d love for you to pass this along.

On February 1, I’m hosting a free webinar with practical communication tools couples can use right away—especially helpful for those preparing for marriage.

There’s no obligation, just resources.
While my work focuses on blended families, these tools support all couples.

https://event.webinarjam.com/xwl38q/register/93gwzpu1

Live premarital communication workshop for engaged couples. Learn practical tools to handle conflict and start marriage strong.

14/03/2025

ICYMI: Episode 2 of the Blended by Design podcast is live!

💛Feeling Like an Outsider as a Stepparent: Honest Stories & Real Strategies

If you've ever felt like a stranger is your own home, surrounded by your blended family, this episode is for you. Travis & I share real-life experiences and practical steps to help you find your place and build deeper connections in your family.

🎧 Listen now: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/aa1e096b-c901-44ae-821e-18e4185a3026/

10/03/2025

Have you ever felt like an outsider in your own family?

I still remember sitting on the edge of the couch, listening to stories and looking at photos from a life I wasn’t part of. Insecurity whispered, “You don’t belong here.”

In this week’s podcast episode, I’m opening up about that experience—the raw feelings, the awkward moments, and the surprising lesson I learned from We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

🎧 Listen Now: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/aa1e096b-c901-44ae-821e-18e4185a3026/

💬 I’d love to hear your story—what helped you find your place in your blended family?

07/03/2025

ICYMI: Real Talk on Blending Families

💛 “There were days when I felt like a stranger in my own home. I thought love would be enough—but blending a family takes so much more.”

When Travis and I began our journey as a blended family, I never expected how hard it would be to find my place. There were moments when I felt like an outsider, wondering if the pieces would ever really fit together.

In this week’s episode of the Blended by Design Podcast, we shared some of our hardest lessons and the things we wish we’d known earlier:

✨ Why building a blended family is about connection, not just love
✨ How to handle the heartbreak of feeling left out as a stepparent
✨ Practical ways to create harmony, even when things are messy

💬 If you’ve ever felt lost or alone on this journey, you’re not. We've been there and still are. What’s one thing you wish you had known earlier about blending a family? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.

🎧 Listen Now: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/bbc95603-7c42-4ada-a190-2354fc468a52/

06/03/2025

💛 “Stepparents, I need your advice!"

When I first became a stepmom, I thought I needed to have it all together. I believed love would be enough to smooth over the tough moments. But the truth? There were days when I felt like a stranger in my own home.

One of the hardest moments for me was when my stepchild pushed boundaries, and I didn’t know how to react. Should I step in? Should I stay silent? I felt so torn between wanting to help and not wanting to overstep.

Imagine this: Your stepchild is testing limits, and your spouse is handling it differently than you would.

✨ What would you do?

A. Speak up and share your thoughts immediately
B. Support your spouse publicly, talk privately later
C. Take a step back and observe
D. It depends on the situation (Tell us in the comments!)
I’d love to hear your story. 💬 What’s worked for you? What hasn’t? We’re all in this together, and your experience might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

🎧 For more real-life insights, listen to this week’s podcast episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/bbc95603-7c42-4ada-a190-2354fc468a52/