Blended Family Wisdom with Ron Deal

In this episode, Lesa Koski interviews Ron Deal, a world-renowned expert on blending families. The discussion covers Ron's background and the journey that led him to his current role, including his professional experiences and personal challenges. Ron shares practical advice for single parents considering dating, the role of a stepparent, and handling complex family dynamics. He emphasizes the importance of managing fears to build successful blended families and touches on crucial topics such as co-parenting and involving children in the dating process. The episode also highlights Ron's various resources, including books, podcasts, and online courses, aimed at supporting blended families.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

01:37 Ron's Journey to Becoming a Blended Family Expert

04:57 Personal Challenges and Triumphs

07:15 Dating and the Single Parent

10:26 Red Flags and Yellow Lights in Relationships

15:29 The Role of a Stepparent

20:54 Navigating Grief in Blended Families

22:40 The Importance of Intentionality in Blended Families

24:01 Single Parenting vs. Blended Families

26:17 Co-Parenting and Conflict Resolution

28:13 Managing Fear in New Relationships

31:30 Involving Kids in the Dating Process