My Dope Blend Podcast w/Leslie & Greg Kirkland

Shuhari Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to My Dope Blend, the podcast where blended families find strength, support, and inspiration. Hosted by the dynamic husband and wife team, Leslie & Greg Kirkland Jr., we dive into the real-life triumphs and challenges that come with blending families. With heartfelt stories, practical tips, and a thriving community, My Dope Blend is your go-to space for navigating the ups and downs of family life. Whether you're blending or just looking for a positive, uplifting space, join us for honest conversations that remind you—you’re not alone in the journey."

  1. I Almost Left My Husband Over This Family Secret_ Ep. 25

    6d ago

    I Almost Left My Husband Over This Family Secret_ Ep. 25

    Everyone knew. Except her. When Leslie discovered that her infant son had fallen off a bed weeks earlier and nobody told her, everything changed. Trust was broken. Anxiety took over. And for a moment, she seriously considered leaving. In this episode of My Dope Blend, Leslie and Greg share one of the most difficult stories from their blended family journey, exploring what happens when secrets, fear, and good intentions collide. This conversation covers: • Blended family trust issues • Postpartum anxiety • Bonus parent relationships • Parenting mistakes • Marriage conflict and forgiveness • Co-parenting challenges • Building trust after betrayal • Navigating difficult family conversations • First-time motherhood • Blended family healing Whether you're a bonus parent, biological parent, step-parent, co-parent, or simply trying to build a stronger family, this episode offers honest insight into the messy realities of love, marriage, and forgiveness. Subscribe for weekly conversations on blended family life, marriage, parenting, healing, and healthy relationships. #MyDopeBlend #BlendedFamily #StepParenting #MarriageAdvice #FamilyRelationships #ParentingJourney #BonusMom #BonusParent #FamilyHealing #MarriagePodcast #CoParenting #RelationshipAdvice #TrustIssues #ParentingMistakes #FamilyLife #MarriageGoals #LoveAndMarriage #MentalHealth #Motherhood #Fatherhood

    55 min
  2. I Thought My Kids Were Fine… Until I Saw Myself In Them_ Ep. 24

    May 26

    I Thought My Kids Were Fine… Until I Saw Myself In Them_ Ep. 24

    What are children really learning from divorce, remarriage, and blended families? In this deeply honest episode of My Dope Blend, we unpack the emotional lessons families unintentionally pass down through pain, healing, attachment, anxiety, divorce, and love. From separation anxiety to emotional avoidance, this conversation explores how unhealed trauma can silently shape relationships for generations. But this episode isn’t just about brokenness. It’s about healing. Accountability. Honesty. Community. And refusing to repeat unhealthy cycles. If you’ve ever struggled with attachment, fear of commitment, blended family dynamics, divorce recovery, or emotional healing, this episode is for you. Topics: Divorce and emotional trauma Blended family healing Generational relationship patterns Emotional attachment Parenting and anxiety Healing after divorce Therapy and emotional growth Marriage and communication What children learn from relationships Chapters 00:00 “Avoiding The Work Repeats You” 02:03 What Divorce Teaches Children About Love 05:08 Fear Of Attachment & Emotional Trauma 10:10 The Relationship Patterns We Inherit 16:10 “I Don’t Need Anybody” Energy 21:00 Why Blended Families Magnify Unhealed Pain 27:17 What Children “Catch” From Parents 31:49 “Avoiding The Work Does Not Protect You” 37:20 Becoming The Student Before The Teacher 42:33 “I Don’t Want My Pain To Become Their Identity” 45:31 Why Divorce Feels Like Grief 51:30 Can Blended Families Truly Heal? 54:00 What Your Children Are Really Learning 58:04 Final Thoughts On Healing & Growth #MyDopeBlend #BlendedFamily #DivorceHealing #Marriage #Relationships #TraumaHealing

    59 min

  3. May 12

    She Told My Son I Was Dead… Then Kidnapped Him _ Ep. 23

    What happens when a child you love and helped raise is suddenly taken from your life? In this deeply emotional episode of My Dope Blend, Jay Roy shares the painful true story of building a bond with a young boy who called her “Mom” — only to have that relationship ripped away overnight. What followed was a heartbreaking journey involving family conflict, legal battles, emotional trauma, and a year-long search filled with fear, confusion, and unanswered questions. But beneath the pain is a larger conversation about blended families, attachment, identity, and the emotional realities bonus parents often face in silence. This episode explores: the bond between bonus parents and childrenthe emotional impact of separation and parental conflictnavigating trauma within blended familiesforgiveness, healing, and protecting children emotionallySome relationships are not defined by biology alone. And some losses leave a mark that never fully disappears.

    56 min
  4. Both My Parents Married Four Times… this is what it did to me_Ep. 22

    May 5

    Both My Parents Married Four Times… this is what it did to me_Ep. 22

    You don’t just fall in love with a person… You step into a life that already existed before you. And no one tells you what that actually feels like. In this episode of My Dope Blend, we unpack the emotional reality of becoming a bonus mom — the part no one prepares you for. Because it’s not just about love. It’s about: • finding your place in a family that was already built • navigating relationships that didn’t start with you • and trying to show up fully… while feeling like an outsider We talk about: • the emotional shock of stepping into motherhood overnight • the tension between love and belonging • why so many women struggle silently in blended families • and how to find your voice without losing yourself If you’ve ever felt like you were trying to fit into something that didn’t have space for you… This episode will feel uncomfortably familiar.

    1h 7m
  5. 60–70% of Blended Marriages Fail… Are We Next?_Ep.21

    Apr 28

    60–70% of Blended Marriages Fail… Are We Next?_Ep.21

    Most people think blended families fail because of the kids. They don’t. They fail because of what’s happening between the adults. In this episode of My Dope Blend, we break down the uncomfortable truth behind why 60–70% of blended marriages don’t last From jealousy that quietly builds… To communication that completely breaks down… To the kind of “support” that isn’t actually support at all… This isn’t surface-level advice. This is what actually happens behind closed doors. We’re talking about: The difference between real support vs. assumed support Why “working as a team” sounds simple… but rarely is How silence becomes more dangerous than conflict And the six signs that don’t just predict failure… they create it If you’re in a blended family… thinking about one… or trying to save one… This conversation might hit closer than you expect. Watch carefully. You might hear yourself in it. TIMECODES + CHAPTERS 00:00 – “I quit. It’s over.” (The reality of blended family breakdowns) 00:19 – Red flags don’t stop after marriage 00:23 – What real support actually means in a relationship 01:33 – Why 60–70% of blended marriages fail 02:09 – The “call it quits” conversation most people avoid 04:00 – Sign #1: Jealousy in blended families 06:33 – When jealousy becomes dangerous 07:45 – Sign #2: Abuse (the part no one wants to talk about) 10:03 – Emotional manipulation and gaslighting explained 10:42 – Sign #3: You’re not working as a team 12:43 – Why avoiding issues makes everything worse 13:16 – When silence replaces communication 15:30 – Overcompensating vs. operating out of guilt 17:56 – Sign #4: Communication has broken down 18:27 – Parenting imbalance and resentment 20:02 – When your partner won’t communicate 22:14 – What to look for before entering a blended relationship 23:35 – The power of trying vs. “take me as I am” 24:09 – Why friendship matters in marriage 26:17 – When a partner refuses to engage with the kids 29:01 – Sign #5: Lack of support 30:02 – What support really looks like (and why people get it wrong) 32:20 – Why people don’t hear what you actually need 38:00 – The real definition of support in a relationship 39:15 – Sign #6: Major co-parenting issues 40:08 – The 6 reasons blended families fail 41:13 – The question every couple has to answer #BlendedFamily #MarriageAdvice #RelationshipTruth #StepParent #CoParenting #HealthyRelationships #EmotionalIntelligence #MarriageMatters #MyDopeBlend #FamilyDynamics

    43 min
  6. The Subtle Signs Your Relationship Is Already Over (You Felt It First)_Ep. 20

    Apr 20

    The Subtle Signs Your Relationship Is Already Over (You Felt It First)_Ep. 20

    You felt it. Something changed… but you couldn’t explain it. The conversations got shorter. The energy felt different. And even when everything looked “fine”… it didn’t feel right anymore. In this episode, we unpack what that feeling actually is. Because most relationships don’t end suddenly. They shift… quietly… internally… long before anyone says a word. We talk about: • why emotional distance shows up before someone leaves • what silence really means in a relationship • how long people stay after they’ve already checked out • and the moment you realize… something is off If you’ve ever questioned your instincts… or wondered if you were overthinking it… You weren’t. You felt it for a reason. Chapter timecode 00:00 — You Felt It Before It Was Said 01:12 — When the Energy Started Shifting 03:05 — “When He Stops Talking… Watch Out” 05:18 — The Question That Changed Everything 07:42 — Why He Got a Divorce 10:30 — “I Didn’t Have Peace in My Home” 13:55 — The Driveway Moment (Didn’t Want to Go Inside) 17:20 — Staying Longer Than You Should 20:45 — The Silent Breaking Point 24:10 — When “Enough Is Enough” 27:35 — The Fear of Letting Go 31:00 — Why People Stay Stuck in Pain 34:25 — Choosing Yourself (Even When It’s Hard) 38:10 — Finding Your Voice Again 42:00 — What You Wish You Knew Earlier 45:30 — You’re Not Crazy… You Felt It #relationships #divorce #marriageadvice #breakups #emotionalhealth #communication #mensmentalhealth #toxicrelationships #selfgrowth #mydopeblend

    50 min
  7. Dating a Single Parent.... Listen to this First..Ep.19

    Apr 14

    Dating a Single Parent.... Listen to this First..Ep.19

    “I didn’t date a man… I dated a trio.”_ Leslie Kirkland You think you’re dating one person… You’re not. In this episode, we break down the truth no one prepares you for: When you date a bio parent… you’re dating their entire world. From the outside, it looks like a relationship. But on the inside? It’s: • children • exes • responsibilities • and decisions that carry real consequences We talk about what bio parents are REALLY thinking while dating: • Why observation matters more than chemistry • The hidden guilt no one talks about • How one decision can impact your children forever • And why you can’t afford to “just see where it goes” This episode gets honest about the tension between: -love -responsibility -and doing what’s right for your kids Because the truth is… You don’t just choose a partner. You choose who helps raise your children. #datingwithkids #singleparentdating #blendedfamily #coparenting #relationships #marriageadvice #stepfamily #familydynamics #datingadvice #mydopeblend

    53 min
  8. Coparenting… Or Control? _ Ep. 18

    Apr 7

    Coparenting… Or Control? _ Ep. 18

    “You think you’re keeping the peace… but you’re actually giving up your power.” You don’t have a blended family problem… You have a control problem. In this episode, we break down the uncomfortable truth no one wants to say out loud: 👉 Your ex may not live in your house… …but they might still be controlling it. From subtle influence to outright overreach, we unpack how control shows up in blended families — and why it’s so hard to recognize when you’re in it. This conversation gets real: • When does “coparenting” become control? • Why do some exes struggle to let go? • How do you protect your home without creating more conflict? • And what happens when you don’t set boundaries early? We also share personal stories, including moments where control showed up in ways we didn’t even recognize at first. Because the truth is… If you don’t define your household, someone else will. This isn’t just about relationships. This is about ownership, identity, and emotional healing. #blendedfamily #coparenting #divorce #relationships #marriageadvice #stepfamily #boundaries #toxicrelationships #familydynamics #mydopeblend

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to My Dope Blend, the podcast where blended families find strength, support, and inspiration. Hosted by the dynamic husband and wife team, Leslie & Greg Kirkland Jr., we dive into the real-life triumphs and challenges that come with blending families. With heartfelt stories, practical tips, and a thriving community, My Dope Blend is your go-to space for navigating the ups and downs of family life. Whether you're blending or just looking for a positive, uplifting space, join us for honest conversations that remind you—you’re not alone in the journey."

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