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The holiday season is supposed to be filled with joy and meaningful family memories. But when you're blending a family, competing traditions, conflicting expectations, and complicated relationships can quickly turn this special season into a source of tension.
We've experienced these challenges ourselves, and we know how difficult it can be to balance everyone's needs and stay united as a couple.
In this episode, we're joined by marriage therapist Zach Brittle for an insightful conversation about navigating blended family challenges, especially during the holidays.
Zach offers helpful perspectives on how couples can stop fighting over competing preferences and start building a new family culture together. We explore two surprisingly simple questions that can transform how you approach holiday decisions, along with the importance of managing your own emotions and negotiating as a team.
You'll also discover why healthy conflict can actually strengthen your relationship and how to recover when your holiday plans don't go as expected.
Our hope is that you'll move through this holiday season with less pressure, greater unity, and more meaningful connection.
About Zach Brittle
Zach has spent nearly 20 years teaching, coaching, mentoring, and counseling couples. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), a Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT), and a Relational Life Therapist. Zach is the host of Marriage Therapy Radio and the author of the bestselling relationship guides The Relationship Alphabet and The Marriage Therapy Journal. His work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Men’s Health, Real Simple, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Zach has been happily married to his wife, Rebecca, for 25 of their 28 years together. They live in Seattle with their two adult daughters.
You'll Discover:
Why competing traditions and unspoken expectations create so much holiday tension in blended families.
Two powerful questions to help you clarify your priorities, make better decisions, and create meaningful holiday memories.
How to negotiate differences with your spouse, recognize parenting blind spots, and build a stronger parenting partnership.
Why creating a new family culture requires flexibility, collaboration, and consideration for everyone's perspectives.
How emotional maturity and healthy conflict repair can strengthen your marriage, even when things don't go as planned.
Resources from this Episode:
Stuff I Write — Zach's Substack
Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes — Zach's upcoming book, releasing April 6, 2027.
Ready for personalized support? Schedule your free coaching call
We all need some extra support along the blending journey. 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.
Join our community
You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether
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