The Blending Place: Recent Episodes
Lindsey Swank
The Blending Place is a podcast for all stepmoms looking for more peace, purpose and power in their divine role. Divine? Divine.
We navigate through the trenches and triumphs of blending a family through the lens of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
We learn from each other - experienced and new stepmoms, professionals and others who will offer different perspectives, ideas, humor and hope.
You. Are. Not. Alone.
Lindsey Swank: Fellow stepmom and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the host of this podcast.
Have you ever wondered what it is like for the biological mom to have to share her child(ren) with you? In Part 2 of my interview with Toni Allman, we dive into this. It's a different perspective that we stepmoms need. It is a sensitive and tender topic and I am so grateful for Toni's honesty and insightfulness.
2:05 Acts of Kindness
4:28 Acts of Anger
8:44 Transition Day Difficulties
12:13 Pain We Inflict
15:21 Working Together
19:48 A Christlike Example
21:41 Empathy
23:30 To My Children
26:03 To The Stepmom
Toni Allman had one son with her first husband before they divorced. Later, she remarried and has since had three more children with her current spouse. In Part 1 of our interview Toni shares her experience of navigating divorce within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Join us for Part 2 as we talk about what it feels like to be the biological mom that has to share her child with a stepmom.
:51 Loss of control
3:08 Anger
3:54 Counseling & Returning to School
7:19 Feeling Embarrassed & Playing the Victim
8:54 Accepting Help
10:43 Dating Again
13:02 Facing Bitterness
Dr. Kasia Flanagan is the owner of the company Everyday Legacies - an organization created from her passion for capturing and preserving life stories. It can be complicated weaving in new stories with old ones. She shares her experience of doing just that as a stepmom of two girls.
1:14 Dating During COVID
3:04 A New Stepmom
5:08 Different Rules at Different Homes
8:15 Disciplining
10:04 Communication With Spouse
15:13 Transition Days
21:03 The Power of Stories
29:21 Healing Through Jesus
32:03 To My Stepdaughters
Links
Kasia's Company: Everyday Legacies @everydaylegacies
"Jet Lag Day" Reel by Kristina Kuzmic
Ronda's first husband passed away after having six children together. When she remarried, she became a stepmom to seven more. In this episode we talk about what life was like blending a family with 13 kids. She shares how prayer, hearing His voice and acting on those promptings changed everything for them.
Show Notes
4:18 Different Love
6:07 Keeping the Door Open
8:44 A Desperate Prayer & Unwanted Answers
15:38 He Really Means It
16:31 Dealing With a Difficult Biological Mom
20:31 The Family Counsel
22:41 To the Children
Jo Anne and Wayne Kalama have been blending their family for 28 years. Jo Anne didn't ever have any biological children of her own though she had always dreamed of having 12 kids. She was an estate lawyer and Wayne worked for Disney. Now as empty nesters, they share about the impact that praying for Wayne's former spouse had on their marriage and family.
Show Notes
3:41 - Afraid of Failing Again
6:39, 21:11 - Praying for the Previous Spouse
10:07 - Mothering, Smothering & Choosing Your Battles
12:35 - Gifts & Talents
15:04 - Extended Family Support
18:55 - One Definition of a Blended Family
23:56 - Look Ahead & Trusting
25:28 - About Temple Sealings
27:28 - Don't Demand Love
28:02 - To the Children & Grandchildren
29:22 - Better With Current Spouse
Welcome! This is the place for all stepmoms looking for more peace, purpose and power.
Here at the Blending Place Podcast we learn from each other - experienced and new stepmoms, from professionals and others who will offer different perspectives, ideas, tools, humor, and hope - through the lens of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are all at different points in our stepmotherhood journey. Our custody situations and stories are unique, even with all our similarities.
There's still so much I don't know, but there are some truths I know with absolute certainty among them as this: Our role as stepmothers is noble. Divine. God given.
It is my hope that these minutes spent together each week will help to fill you with greater peace purpose and power in your divine role of a stepmother.