217. Feeling Overwhelmed and Powerless?  How to Regain Hope with Tools that Heal [with EJ & Tarah Kerwin]

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If you’ve ever wondered why blending a family feels so hard—even when you're "doing everything right"—this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, we connect with EJ and Tarah Kerwin—professional therapists and co-founders of the Relationship Renovation Counseling Center—who open up about the very real and very raw struggles they faced when they merged their lives into one blended family.

Despite all their training, nothing could have prepared them for the emotional rollercoaster of stepparenting, co-parenting, and navigating deep-seated personal triggers.

But they didn’t give up. They got curious. They did the work. And they developed tools that not only brought healing to their own marriage, but are now helping countless couples thrive through their counseling center, podcast, and programs.

This isn’t a story about perfection—it’s a story about partnership, growth, and hope. If you’ve ever felt powerless, stuck, or just plain exhausted, lean in. There’s light at the end of this tunnel.

You'll Discover:

  • You aren't alone - even two trained therapists struggled to understand and work through the challenges of blending

  • How to reduce tension in your relationship and move toward healthy communication and partnership

  • Helpful mindsets for moving beyond resentment and dread when your step-kids come for visitation

  • A path to freedom by learning to recognize  your own painful emotions - and nurture yourself through them

  • The value of doing repair work with kids when we mess up by using the right approach

Resources from this Episode:

Ready for personalized support?  Schedule your free coaching call

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

Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start?

With so many episodes available here on the show, it might feel a bit overwhelming to find the topics that matter most to you.  That's why we've created the Blended Family Breakthrough Quiz which will direct you to the most impactful episodes that pertain to you personally.

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Mike Anderson

I grew up in difficult stepfamily dynamics.  I have experienced life as a step-child, a step-sibling and a step-parent.  My stepfamily perspective combined with my expertise as a Professional Life Coach uniquely qualifies me to help you move forward in your stepfamily journey.

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216. Ten Kids, One Pandemic, and a Marriage on the Brink: Wes and Jennie’s Empowering Breakthrough