311: Blend Don't Break - Chad M. Brignac
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Release Date: 05/16/2025
328: Don't Have Conversations When You Are...
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Feeling tired, hangry, or just out of sorts? This week on the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David dive into how emotions like hunger, anger, loneliness, and exhaustion can derail crucial conversations in blended families - and what to do about it. In this candid and witty episode, Lori and David unpack the HALT method (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired), sharing personal stories and practical tips for recognizing when you're not in the right headspace for tough talks with your partner or stepkids. You'll learn why it's so important to hit pause on those "serious" discussions when emotions are...
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327: Stepmom Says Just To Shut Up
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Struggling with the challenges of blending families? Discover practical ways to set healthy boundaries and rediscover yourself in stepfamily life! In Episode NKP327 of the Nacho Kids Podcast, host Lori welcomes Heather, a stepmom navigating her first year in the blending trenches. Heather opens up about her journey from confident “super stepmom” to being overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations - especially around food, household chores, and parenting differences. She shares how discovering the Nacho Kids approach helped her step back, reduce resentment, repair relationships, and reclaim...
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326: Guilty Parent Syndrome
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Struggling to understand why your partner “guilty parents”, or noticing it in yourself? This episode dives deep into what “Guilty Parent Syndrome” (GPS) is, why it’s so common in blended families, and how partners can navigate it with empathy and confidence. In Episode #326 of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David get real about guilty parent syndrome: when guilt affects how parents discipline or interact with their kids, often leading to inconsistent boundaries, indulgence, or fear of “losing” time or connection. Lori and David share their personal experiences of...
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325: One Stepkid's Journey
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Discover what happens when a blended family actually flourishes. Yes, it’s possible! In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with a remarkable teenage stepkid who shares his rare, positive perspective on navigating life with divorced parents, stepfamilies, and even step-siblings. Listeners will get an inside look at what healthy co-parenting looks like through the eyes of an easygoing stepkid who has strong, drama-free relationships with his stepmom and stepdad. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of adapting to living in two homes, forming real bonds with step-siblings, and...
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324: When The Stepkids Lie
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Laugh your way through the ups and downs of blended family life in Episode 324 of the Nacho Kids Podcast! Hosts David and Lori bring their signature humor and honesty to a fresh discussion about the realities of stepfamily dynamics—proving it’s always a hot mess, but never without a laugh. In this episode, you’ll: Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into David and Lori’s relationship as they share candid moments and jokes about married life in a blended family. Hear how they transform challenging topics—like issues around stepkids and “family sucking otherwise”—into...
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323: Emotional Regulation With Michaela Bucchianeri
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, host Lori welcomes back Michaela Bucchianeri to explore emotional regulation, a crucial skill for every stepmom and stepfamily member. Michaela breaks down the myth that emotions are the enemy and shares actionable tips for managing stress responses like fight, flight, and fawn. Discover practical tools for building emotional vocabulary, reframing negative thoughts, and intentionally choosing which situations to engage in. Learn why emotional awareness is vital in step-parenting, how to avoid people-pleasing traps, and ways to protect your mental and...
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322: Don't Get Divorced Over Dirty Dishes
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David dive into the everyday challenges stepparents face, using real-life examples from their blended family. From disputes over GPS navigation and vacuum cleaner filters to the ongoing “dishes dilemma,” the couple offers a candid, humorous look into the emotional triggers that can arise in blended households. Lori emphasizes how the Nacho Method not only reduces stress within the stepfamily dynamic but also helps handle life’s daily annoyances more calmly. Whether it’s tackling chores, navigating relationships with stepkids, or...
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321: One Big Happy Family ~ Stepmom and Bio Mom are Friends
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this insightful episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, host Lori sits down with a unique duo - a biomom and stepmom who have successfully navigated the challenges of a blended family to become good friends. With over 11 years in their blend, the stepmom and the biomom discuss how they overcame early co-parenting hurdles, managed shifting visitation schedules, and built a friendship rooted in mutual respect and the well-being of the children. Listeners get a candid look at real-life co-parenting dynamics, from open communication and handling tough emotions to supporting each other through...
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320: Send Those Kids Back to School
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Navigating back-to-school season in a blended family? 🎒 In this Nacho Kids podcast episode, hosts Lori and David dive deep into the real-life challenges and lessons learned when sharing school supply costs, managing homework stress, and setting healthy boundaries between bio and step-parents. They share why splitting school expenses can be tricky, discuss the importance of clear agreements, and offer practical tips on handling school-related responsibilities without unnecessary conflict. Whether you're a bio parent, step-parent, or co-parent, this insightful conversation is packed with...
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319: Billie Tarascio Shares Her Blended Journey
The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
In this must-listen episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, hosts Lori and David Sims chat with guest Billie Tarascio, a family law attorney and now full-time stepmom. Billie gets real about the challenges and surprises that come with blending families, such as unexpectedly gaining full-time stepkids and managing life with seven kids in the house. Listeners will gain practical step-parenting tips on setting boundaries, embracing different parenting styles, coping with custody uncertainties, and using the Nacho Kids method. They also discuss stepmom roles, loyalty binds, handling exes, and the...
info_outlineOn today’s episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with Chad Bignac, transformationist, consultant, author, and coauthor of the new book “Blend, Don’t Break.” Drawing from over 22 years of blended family experience, Chad opens up about the challenges he and his wife faced merging their families after personal tragedies, including the loss of his first wife and his current wife’s ex-husband.
Chad shares candidly about the painful missteps and valuable lessons learned along their journey, from clashing parenting styles and personal assumptions to the importance of unity, compassion, and self-growth. He details the turning point in his family’s story, catalyzed by his wife’s severe health crisis, and how choosing to respond rather than react helped heal deep family rifts.
Through heartfelt stories and practical wisdom, Chad emphasizes the power of compassion, influence over authority, and the need to unpack old emotional baggage before starting anew. Whether you’re in a blended family or looking for guidance on overcoming personal and family struggles, this episode offers honest insights and hope for healing and connection.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Early Challenges in Blending
- Authority vs. Influence in Parenting
- Becoming a “Student of Your Children”
- Creating Environments for Healing in Blended Families
- Advice for Prospective Stepfamilies
Nacho Kids Success Story:
I thought stepping up meant stepping all the way in, but it was destroying me.
As a stepdad, I believed it was my job to take the lead and fix everything. I disciplined, managed homework, scheduled appointments… and got nothing but pushback. My wife and I were constantly arguing, and I felt like an outsider in my own home. Then we found Nacho Kids. Learning to Nacho helped me stop parenting by proxy and start supporting my wife as her partner, not as a replacement dad. The stress lifted, and surprisingly, my stepkids started warming up to me once I stepped out of the power struggle. Nacho Kids didn’t just change our home, it gave me my peace back. ~Mark T., Stepdad of 2