Love Is the Spark, Not the Glue: Blended Family Realities with April Eldemire

Blended families are complex — and love alone isn’t always enough. In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, hosts Deanna Coyle and Mandy Pullen Barr sit down with April Eldemire, nationally recognized marriage and family therapist, stepfamily expert, and founder of Couples Thrive. With over 13 years of experience and advanced training in the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, April brings both research-based tools and lived experience to the conversation.

Together, they dive into:

• Why building bonds in blended families takes 5–7 years (and why patience matters)

• The misconceptions couples often bring into stepfamily life — and how to reset expectations

• Why “love is the spark, not the glue” that holds families together

• The silent challenges of loyalty binds, parenting misalignment, and the hidden mental load of stepparents

• Simple tools to move from reactivity to genuine connection, including curiosity, mindfulness, and alignment rituals

April also shares insights from her new program, The Blended Family Alignment Blueprint, a step-by-step course designed to help couples shift from chaos to clarity, create a united front, and build emotionally safe homes.

Whether you’re a parent, stepparent, or supporting someone navigating divorce and remarriage, this episode offers real-world wisdom, practical tools, and hope for the journey ahead.

🎧 Listen now and discover how curiosity, alignment, and intentional connection can transform blended family life.

Connect with April

Website: https://www.couples-thrive.com/

Learn more about the Blended Family Alignment Blueprint: https://www.couples-thrive.com/services/the-blended-family-course