Parenting a prodigal creates pain and helplessness as we seek to navigate difficult relationships. Listen to Ron Deal’s conversation with Judy Douglass, a prodigal parent, on how to tenderly manage these tenuous relationships while staying calm, present, and patient in rebuilding a relationship on their terms.

Douglass and Deal discuss the Prodigal Son story in Luke and the parallels with our prodigals in opening our arms to them when appropriate but not chasing or threatening in any way with our behavior. We move toward the goal of gaining influence as we patiently work to bring back love and trust in our relationships.

Show Notes and Resources

• Make plans to join us at Blended & Blessed!
• Judy's podcast with Ron
• Judy's podcast: When You Love a Prodigal
• Order your copy of When You Love a Prodigal

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Cheryl Shumake wants to reach brown & black blended families with brown & black voices. She & Clifton Howard talk with Ron Deal about her new ministry, Sawubona, which means “I see you” & its goal to break through the barriers with culture-informed spaces

Show Notes and Resources

• Watch Blended & Blessed from anywhere in the world!
• Join us on the 2026 Love Like You Mean It Cruise
• Learn more about Cheryl
• Sawubona Ministries
• Send a tax deductible gift
• Ron's upcoming events
• Blended Small Group Ministry Map

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What does the apostle Paul mean in Philippians 2:4 when he says, “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others?” How do we apply that to marriage, and to relationships in a blended family?

In this podcast episode, Ron Deal talks with Brian Goins, author of Playing Hurt, A Guy’s Strategy for a Winning Marriage, about taking care of our own needs and always being mindful of the needs of our spouse. Goins explains that marriage is about finding the motivation and resolve to stay in the game despite the pain and calls husbands to be the heroes they long to be--men who play hurt in order to win at marriage.

Show Notes and Resources

• Get Ron's new book: The Mindful Marriage
• Get Brian's book: Playing Hurt
• Check out Brain, Heart, World
• Order The Art of Marriage
• Send a tax deductible gift of support
• Register for Blended & Blessed

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