369: From Tragedy to Togetherness: Donna Kendrick's Story of Blended Family Success

369: From Tragedy to Togetherness: Donna Kendrick's Story of Blended Family Success

Author: Lori Sims & David Sims June 26, 2026 Duration: 50:42

In this heartfelt episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori Sims welcomes guest Donna Kendrick, who shares her deeply personal story of loss, resilience, and blending families. Raised in Philadelphia, Donna Kendrick describes her journey from being married to a Philadelphia police officer, living abroad as a family, and navigating the aftermath of her husband's tragic taking of his own life after their return to the U.S. She candidly discusses how mental health struggles, grief, and trust issues shaped her decisions as a widow and a mother.

Donna Kendrick goes on to recount meeting her current husband, a carpenter who had originally helped with renovations after her first husband's passing, and the slow, organic way their families and children came together. Through life's unexpected twists, including her husband's ex-wife's battle with cancer and the logistical and emotional challenges of moving and merging households, Donna Kendrick highlights the power of empathy, extended family support, and humor in navigating the ups and downs of blended family life.

The episode touches on grief, motherhood, the importance of listening to your body, and the ongoing challenges and blessings of raising six children in a truly blended household. Lori and Donna share relatable stories and insights, with promises to bring Donna Kendrick back for future conversations about financial planning.

In this episode:

  • Grief and Resilience in Blended Families

  • Navigating Blending After Loss and Divorce

  • Compassion, Empathy, and Extended Support

  • Practical Transitional Decisions

  • Humor and Dark Comedy as Coping

  • Importance of Self-care, Community, and Advocacy

  • Adaptability and Open Communication

Listeners will be inspired by themes of hope, community, and the ways that love and laughter can help families heal and grow together.


Navigating the complexities of a stepfamily can feel like an isolating journey, but it doesn’t have to be. The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver offers a genuine conversation for anyone in the thick of it, hosted by Lori and David Sims. As founders of Nacho Kids and experienced blended family coaches themselves, they bring both personal insight and professional guidance to each episode. This isn’t about abstract theory; it’s real talk about the daily struggles, from co-parenting tensions and sibling dynamics to maintaining your own relationship sanity. You’ll hear from the hosts and their guests as they share candid stories of both setbacks and hard-won successes, creating a sense of community. At the heart of this podcast is the practical, life-changing framework of the Nacho Kids Method, which provides tangible strategies for saving relationships and building a peaceful home. Tune in for honest discussions that replace judgment with support, offering the tools and reassurance needed to thrive in your blended family life. Each conversation is designed to make you feel understood and equipped, turning overwhelming challenges into manageable steps forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver
Podcast Episodes
370: Leaving the Stepkids Out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:53
In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David discuss a dilemma from their Facebook group about whether to include a troubled stepchild in a previously planned family cruise. The conversation explores the emo…
368: Surviving Summer In The Blend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:39
In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David broadcast live from the beach, sharing personal stories and hard-learned lessons about stepfamily vacations. They discuss the logistical and emotional challenges…
367: Nacho Parenting Isn't That! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:14
This episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast dives into the realities of publishing the upcoming Nacho Kids book and unpacks common misconceptions about the Nacho Parenting method. The conversation focuses on the emotional jou…
366: Loss, Reconciliation, and Growth in the blend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:51
In this heartfelt episode, Lori talks with California Stepmom, who shares her decade-long journey as a stepmom in a blend with no biological or "ours" kids of her own, but with plenty of lessons learned and emotional ups…
365: The Second Time Around [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:52
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 Jas…
363: How Did We Get Here? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:22
** Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of addiction, overdosing, and alleged inappropriate touching between a stepparent and stepchild ** In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with longtime f…
362: Comparison Will Make You Miserable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:28
Comparisons are the Thief of Joy—But What About in Blended Families? In episode NKP362 of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David dive deep into the pitfalls of comparison, especially when it comes to blended families, ki…
361: Keep The Target Off Your Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
In this episode, Lori and David dig into real-life stepfamily scenarios from handling dinnertime food drama with stepkids, to discovering vapes hidden in a teenager's room. They discuss the importance of keeping the "tar…
360: Stepmom Becomes Only Legal Parent to Stepdaughter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:17
In this heartfelt episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Valerie Mills shares her remarkable story of becoming a stepmom who ultimately adopted her stepdaughter, overcoming immense obstacles and heartbreak along the way. Lis…