365: The Second Time Around

In this heartfelt episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, David Sims and Lori Sims are joined by Erin and Jason Mencer to share their remarkable journey as a blended family. Married, divorced, and then remarried, Erin and Jason open up about the realities of stepfamily life, including challenges, personal growth, and what it truly takes to make a blended family work.

Hear how expectations, family dynamics, and personal struggles led to their separation, and how faith, self-reflection, and the Nacho Kids method helped them rebuild, heal, and ultimately reunite. Their story is a testament to hope, resilience, and the power of second chances, offering inspiration and practical advice to anyone navigating the complexities of stepfamily life.

Topics Discussed

• Jumping headfirst into the stepmom role and unrealistic nuclear family expectations

• Early struggles and searching for support/resources in blended families

• The impact of personal backgrounds and opposite personalities on the relationship

• The importance of personal growth and learning to "pick your battles"

• Applying (and sometimes struggling to apply) the Nacho Kids method

• Navigating discipline, boundaries, and the "step-back" approach

• The challenges of blending families with multiple children of varying ages

• Financial stress, family interference, and the weight of outside opinion

• Effects of living with extended family and oversharing with friends

• The process and emotional impact of separation and divorce

• Personal growth journeys, faith, and rediscovering oneself during time apart

• Rebuilding trust and repairing relationships after divorce

• Parenting agreements, custody changes, and relocation challenges

• Improving step-parent and stepchild relationships over time

• The renewed commitment after remarriage - setting God and teamwork at the center

• Advice for others: having patience, letting go of control, and embracing change

• The lasting importance of hope, forgiveness, and fighting for your marriage

Listen and be inspired by a true story of growth, redemption, and what it means to Nacho!