Send us a text "We had no idea what we were doing." Those words might not be what you expect to hear from podcast hosts sharing advice about blended families, but that's exactly what makes Baggage Claim so refreshingly honest. In this vulnerable episode, Greg and Jess pull back the curtain on their 13-year journey of blending families to reveal the messy, beautiful truth: nobody really knows what they're doing. The highlight reels we often see of blended families can be intimidating. Core values, behavior lists, and carefully structured routines make it seem like some families have it all figured out. But behind those Instagram-worthy moments are real people navigating uncharted waters, making mistakes, and learning as they go. Greg and Jess share some of their biggest failures—from leaving kids at practice because they missed calendar invites to writing checks for groceries they knew wouldn't clear—and how those challenging moments actually created some of their family's most cherished traditions. What stands out most is their resilience through financial hardships and communication challenges. As Greg shares the humbling experience of not being able to afford medical care for Jess during a time of illness, they reflect on how these struggles shaped their family philosophy: "If we can't be happy with a hundred dollars in our bank account, we'll never be happy with hundreds of thousands." This perspective shift transformed their approach to both money and marriage. Whether you're in the trenches of early blended family life or navigating the evolving relationships with adult children, this episode offers comfort in knowing you're not alone. The real magic happens not in having all the answers, but in showing up consistently with love, curiosity, and the willingness to fail forward. After all, if you're failing, it means you're trying—and that's something worth celebrating.…

Send us a text What happens when a bank teller and a marketing guy fall in love over karaoke at a country bar? In our first-ever guest episode, we're thrilled to welcome Nick and Brandy Kastner, who bring 19 years of marriage wisdom to the table. Their story begins with workplace animosity (Brandy wasn't thrilled when Nick got quickly promoted at the bank where they both worked) and transforms into a relationship built on compromise, communication, and intentional connection. After a memorable first date where Brandy sang "Baby Got Back"—the moment Nick claims he fell in love—they navigated early relationship challenges, including an ex trying to reconnect. When they finally decided to marry, they skipped the expensive ceremony, opting for a $50 backyard wedding that proved true commitment doesn't require grand gestures. The Kastners openly share their struggles with balancing busy schedules, raising their now nearly-adult daughters, and nurturing their relationship through different love languages. Despite the chaos of volleyball tournaments, work travel, and everyday life, they've maintained a strong connection by never going to bed angry and making intentional time for each other. They've experienced only three truly heated arguments in nearly two decades together—a testament to their communication skills and mutual respect. As they prepare for their oldest daughter's graduation and the next chapter of their lives, Nick and Brandy offer practical advice about staying truthful with each other, not forcing expectations on children, and most importantly, creating dedicated time for your relationship. Their journey reminds us that beautiful marriages don't happen by accident—they're built through daily choices, honest conversations, and the willingness to compromise (even on graduation party plates).…

Send us a text Have you ever wondered how to make each child in a blended family feel uniquely valued? Sometimes the answer lies in being purposefully present in both big adventures and small everyday moments. When Greg and I merged our families, we quickly realized that intentionality would be our lifeline. After a chance encounter at Target revealed how our daughter Callie felt about sharing "her time" with us, we knew we needed a better approach. This moment of clarity sparked what would become one of our most cherished family traditions – the "Sweet 16 Adventures." For each child's sixteenth birthday, we dedicated three to four days to go anywhere in the continental US and do whatever they wanted. Callie's New York adventure during a historic snowstorm, Thomas's adrenaline-filled outdoor excursion in Asheville, Cody's skateboarding journey up the California coast, and Erin Grace's personalized NYC experience – each trip uniquely reflected that child's personality and interests. But perhaps the most powerful parts of our story aren't the grand adventures but the small, consistent investments we made: "Girls' Days" getting manicures, "Boys' Days" fishing followed by eating at "places the girls would never go," and those in-between moments where we simply showed up. These seemingly ordinary times built extraordinary connections that our now-adult children still reference today. The beauty of intentional parenting isn't in perfection but presence. As I recently heard, "Don't wish for happiness to come. Be happy where you're at." Whether you're managing a blended family or simply looking to deepen your connection with your children, start where you are, with what you have. We'd love to hear your stories of intentional moments with your children on our social media. What simple traditions have created lasting bonds in your family?…

Send us a text What happens when your faith gets shattered? How do you rebuild trust in something bigger than yourself when life deals devastating blows? This deeply personal episode reveals the spiritual journeys that have profoundly shaped our marriage and blended family. Greg shares his transformation from substance abuse to ministry after a rock-bottom moment in a bar bathroom. His story includes unexpected miracles—like the time four catering vans mysteriously appeared with food after a simple prayer for homeless people in Atlanta. You'll hear how his faith was later tested through divorce despite "doing everything right" according to religious expectations, leading to broken windows, burned furniture, and ultimately, redemption. Jess reveals a different path—raised in church by a devoted mother, her faith was strengthened through her daughter's miraculous healing from severe heart defects. Yet she too faced a devastating test when her first husband died unexpectedly, forcing her to redefine what "good" looks like in a world where prayers sometimes seem unanswered. We explore how these experiences form the foundation of our relationship, highlighting our belief that healthy marriages require three essential components: personal health (emotional, mental, spiritual), a strong couple relationship, and family dynamics. As we share our stories without filters, we invite you to consider your own "true north"—what grounds you during life's inevitable storms? Whether you're spiritually inclined or not, this conversation offers valuable perspective on finding anchor points that hold you steady when everything else falls apart. Because as we've learned through our journeys, everyone is either in a storm, just coming out of one, or about to enter one—and what matters most is how you weather it together.…

Send us a text The scheduling dance of blended families might be the most challenging choreography you'll ever learn. In this heartfelt episode, Greg and Jess dive deep into the complexities, frustrations, and unexpected joys of figuring out who gets the kids when—and how to do it with grace. Drawing from their 13 years of experience navigating the waters of shared custody, they reveal how color-coded calendars became their lifeline and why perspective changes everything. With a simple yet powerful finger-pointing exercise, they demonstrate how two people can look at the exact same situation yet see completely different things—a perfect metaphor for co-parenting negotiations. The conversation takes an honest turn as they address the painful reality that children will inevitably miss events that feel important to you. Rather than creating guilt or making demands, they share their philosophy of always extending invitations while accepting that kids will make their own choices, especially as they grow older. "It's not about you" becomes their mantra, repeated throughout as a necessary reminder for anyone trying to navigate these tricky waters. Most powerfully, Greg shares the story of the mule in the well—a touching metaphor for how the dirt that seems to be burying you can actually become the steps that lead you out if you just keep shaking it off and stepping up. For anyone feeling stuck in the scheduling conflicts and emotional turbulence of blended family life, this episode offers not just practical advice but genuine hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel. Whether you're newly navigating the blended family journey or have been at it for years, this conversation delivers equal parts practical wisdom and emotional reassurance. The key takeaway? Keep communicating, keep perspective, and above all—keep moving forward.…

Send us a text We're all guilty of seeking that elusive "silver bullet" – the one magical secret that transforms an ordinary marriage into an extraordinary one. But what if the answer isn't found in grand gestures or revolutionary techniques, but rather in simple, consistent choices made day after day? In this deeply personal episode, Greg and Jess pull back the curtain on their 13-year relationship to share four foundational principles that have sustained them through blended family challenges, busy schedules, and life's inevitable ups and downs. Their candid conversation reveals how intentionally having fun together, embracing selflessness, letting go of minor irritations, and prioritizing communication creates the bedrock of lasting love. Jess shares a particularly powerful perspective on "not sweating the small stuff" that stems from her experience of losing her first husband – a reminder that the very things we complain about (laundry left unfolded, items on countertops) are actually privileges of having someone in our lives. Meanwhile, Greg opens up about his journey from being communication-avoidant to recognizing how essential honest dialogue is to relationship health. What makes this episode especially valuable is its practicality. Rather than offering vague platitudes, Greg and Jess provide specific, actionable challenges you can implement immediately: a five-minute question exercise to improve communication, ways to redefine "fun" that fit your current life stage, and the transformative practice of serving your partner with zero expectation of return. Whether you're in the honeymoon phase, navigating the roommate years, or rebuilding after a rough patch, these time-tested principles offer a roadmap for creating a relationship that doesn't just survive but genuinely thrives. Ready to move beyond searching for silver bullets and start building something that lasts? This conversation is your starting point.…

Send us a text Family culture doesn't happen by accident. Drawing on corporate experience, we discovered how establishing core values could transform our blended family's dynamics and create an intentional environment for our children to thrive. With sticky notes spread across our kitchen table, we invited our children (ages 8-12) to help identify what mattered most to our family. This collaborative process resulted in six core values: Love, Communication, Service, Together, Fun, and Faith. Each family member selected one value that resonated personally with them, then painted it on canvas as a visual reminder of our shared commitments. These values became guideposts for daily life together. When arguments threatened to escalate, our communication value reminded us to speak respectfully and take a cooling-off lap around the neighborhood if needed. When weekend mountain bike races consumed our time, our fun value pushed us to find creative ways to make these trips enjoyable for everyone. Our faith value encouraged questions and personal discovery rather than forced participation. The real power wasn't in the pretty canvases hanging on our walls—it was in modeling these values consistently. Children don't learn from what we say but from what we do. Even when we stumbled (and we certainly did), returning to these core principles helped reset our family's direction. Whether you're in a newly blended family, raising teenagers who challenge every boundary, or just beginning your parenting journey, establishing core values provides a foundation for intentional family culture. Start small with just one or two values—what matters is beginning the conversation about what your family stands for and how you'll live that out together. What core values would you choose for your family? We'd love to hear which principles guide your home.…

Send us a text Picture this: a well-worn table, rescued from an old hunting lodge, standing at the heart of a bustling blended family home. Not particularly beautiful or expensive, but carved with a "P" by small hands and refinished with love. This humble kitchen table became the gravitational center of our family life - where boundaries were established, hearts were mended, victories celebrated, and a family culture was forged. In this deeply personal conversation, we reveal how something as simple as consistent family meals became the anchor point that helped our family of six navigate the sometimes choppy waters of blending. We share the intentional practices that made our table sacred ground - the no-phones rule, our cherished "highs and lows" tradition, even the amusing "shirts must be worn" policy (thanks to our perpetually shirtless teenage son). What's fascinating is that we didn't realize what we were building at the time. We were just trying to wrangle four kids from different households into some semblance of togetherness. But twenty years later, our now-adult children still gravitate to that table when they visit, still ask to share highs and lows, and even our daughter-in-law has embraced these seemingly small but mighty traditions. Beyond just our table, we explore how creating intentional gathering spaces throughout our home fostered what TikTok now calls a "living room family" - where children naturally gather in common areas rather than retreating to bedrooms. These weren't accidental choices, but deliberate decisions about the kind of family culture we wanted to create. Whether you're part of a blended family or simply looking to strengthen your family bonds, this episode offers practical wisdom about how physical spaces shape emotional connections. What anchor points are you creating in your home? Where does your family naturally gather? The culture you're building might be happening around something as simple as your kitchen table.…

Send us a text Your perspective shapes everything about how you experience your marriage. Are you constantly focusing on what your partner does wrong, or are you actively looking for the good? In this candid conversation, Greg and Jessica share how their vastly different life experiences shaped their mindsets about family, relationships, and overcoming trauma. Jessica reveals the profound shift that occurred when she had to decide whether to live as "the widow" after losing her first husband at 32 with two small children. Through counseling and learning about "Eucharisto" - the practice of active gratitude - she discovered how to find joy even amidst devastating loss. Her powerful realization: "He's there to do it" became her response when hearing others complain about their spouses' annoying habits. The simple gift of presence became everything. Greg opens up about his transformative experience running a half-marathon with zero training after his divorce, sobbing through the final mile as he processed years of pain and the fear of becoming like his abusive father. This physical challenge became a metaphor for his life: "I can do more than I think I can." Both hosts emphasize that choosing not to be victims doesn't mean denying their trauma - it means refusing to let their hardest moments define them. This mindset has shaped how they parent their blended family and approach their marriage, deliberately looking for positive rather than dwelling on annoyances. Try this simple exercise: pause right now and text your partner three things you love about them. As Greg brilliantly sums up: "You will find what you're looking for. If you're looking for positive, you're going to find it."…

Send us a text Greg and Jess share their dating journey from first meeting through getting engaged and married, exploring how they've maintained their relationship while raising four children in a blended family. • Started with Facebook messages and texts before meeting at Waffle House for their first date • Second date was at a rock climbing gym in Atlanta • Realized they were in love on the same day while Greg was installing a bike rack • Nanny (Jess's grandmother) gave Jess a ring to give to Greg, unknowingly answering his private prayer • Got engaged at St. Simon's Island after dating for just months, with all four children present • Married in October 2012, only eight months after meeting • Made dating each other a priority throughout their marriage despite busy schedules with four kids • Found creative ways to connect including coffee dates before grocery shopping • Took annual trips without children to invest in their relationship • Emphasized putting phones down and being present with each other Remember to date each other no matter how chaotic life gets. When kids eventually leave home, your relationship needs to be strong enough to continue thriving as a couple.…

Send us a text Join Jess and Greg as they unpack how they handled expectations for all four kids. We unpack how we handled discipline with all the children and how we managed expectations for everyone in the house on a weekly basis. We also briefly dig into what kind of environment they wanted to create in their home including specific word choices used to support the culture they created.…

Send us a text Today we start to unpack the huge topic of communication and expectations. Join Greg and Jess as they unpack how different personality traits influence relationship dynamics and communication.

Send us a text From scarred and skeptical to safe and secure, Greg and Jess brought baggage of trust issues in two very different ways. Join us as we unpack this baggage together!

Send us a text Meet Greg and Jess the ones behind the mic! We're excited to introduce our new podcast where we dive into real-life conversations about the ups and downs of relationships, from navigating second marriages to unpacking the baggage we all bring. Join us for laughs, insights, and some unforgettable stories! In this first episode we talk briefly about how we both found ourselves single after 10 plus years of being married.…