Blending a family is not magical at first. It's two entire worlds trying to share one kitchen, one routine, and one emotional landscape.

In this episode, Jamie and Jim break down the biggest mistake blended families make: trying to force the "we're one big happy family now" moment. They share the simple framework from The Family Board Meeting that helped them build trust, safety, and belonging inside their home.

Blending does not happen through pressure. It happens through consistency, presence, and courage.

If you're navigating step-parenting, adoption, or remarriage, this conversation will give you a grounded starting point.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why forcing connection actually delays bonding
• The power of intentional one-on-one time
• How tech distraction quietly damages trust
• Why the parent must go first in vulnerability
• The importance of never speaking poorly about other parental counterparts
• How 4 to 6 weeks of consistency can shift the entire home dynamic

Resources

Want practical tools for building trust and communication in your home? Grab a copy of "The Family Board Meeting" and start implementing the three simple pillars discussed in this episode.

Visit www.18summers.com to explore more family leadership tools and conversations.

About Jamie & Jim Sheils

Jamie and Jim Sheils are the founders of 18 Summers and co-authors of The Family Board Meeting. As parents of five in a blended family, they've walked the challenges of step-parenting, adoption, and remarriage firsthand. Through books, retreats, and honest conversations, they equip families to build trust, deepen connection, and lead their homes with intention.

Connect with Us

Website: www.18summers.com

Email: info@18summers.com

Subscribe to the 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review to help more blended families build strong foundations.

Family trips are supposed to be magical.

So why do they sometimes feel messy, chaotic, and completely exhausting?

In this episode, Jamie and Jim unpack the real reasons parents avoid traveling with their kids. From schedule disruptions and budget fears to airport meltdowns and unexpected emergencies, they share honest stories from years of traveling as a growing family of seven.

The truth? Travel is rarely perfect. But it builds something far more valuable than comfort. It builds culture, resilience, perspective, and shared stories that shape your family for life.

If you've ever wondered whether the stress is worth it, this conversation will change how you see family adventure.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why "too stressful" is often just unmanaged expectations
• How messy travel moments become the most powerful memories
• Why kids remember more than you think
• The real cost of waiting until life feels convenient
• How to create buy-in so everyone feels invested in the adventure
• Why nothing is an emergency unless it's truly an emergency

Resources

Start small. Travel does not have to be international or expensive. A local road trip, camping weekend, or even a day adventure can create powerful family bonding moments.

Want to be intentional about how you build your family culture? Visit www.18summers.com to explore tools that help you lead your home with purpose.

About Jamie & Jim Sheils

Jamie and Jim Sheils are the founders of 18 Summers, a movement focused on helping families create deeper connection and stronger culture. As parents of five, they've built a family life centered around adventure, intentionality, and shared growth. Through retreats, books, and honest conversations, they equip parents to prioritize what truly matters before the 18 summers fly by.

Connect with Us

Website: www.18summers.com

Email: info@18summers.com

Grab a copy of "The Family Board Meeting" to learn how to create simple rituals that strengthen communication and connection inside your home.

Subscribe to the 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review to help more families choose connection over convenience.

Thinking about adoption? There are beautiful moments ahead, but there are also myths, pressure, and realities most people never talk about.

In this deeply personal episode, Jamie and Jim Sheils share their own adoption journey as a blended family of five children, including adoption at birth and adoption at older ages. They break down the misconceptions, emotional pressures, bonding challenges, and hard conversations every couple needs to have before starting the process.

Adoption is not a rescue mission. It is not a shortcut. It is a sacred commitment that requires alignment, preparation, boundaries, and honesty.

If you are considering adoption, or know someone who is, this episode is essential listening.

Key takeaways to listen for

• The biggest myths about adoption that create unnecessary pressure
• Why adoption must be two clear yeses from both partners
• How trauma, identity, and trust shape the bonding process
• Why love alone is not enough and what preparation really means
• The importance of boundaries in open and closed adoption
• What real attachment looks like and why it takes time

Resources

If adoption is on your heart, begin by educating yourself on trauma-informed parenting and attachment. Join adoptive and foster support groups, read widely, and connect with families who have walked this path before you.

To explore more conversations on intentional parenting and family leadership, visit www.18summers.com
.

About Jamie & Jim Sheils

Jamie and Jim Sheils are the founders of 18 Summers, a movement dedicated to helping families build stronger connections and raise confident, capable kids. As parents who have experienced blended family life, adoption, foster care, and biological parenting, they share honest conversations rooted in real experience. Their work centers on strengthening family culture, developing emotional intelligence, and preparing parents for the responsibilities that truly shape a child's life.

Connect with Us

Website: www.18summers.com

Email: info@18summers.com

Get a copy of our book "The Family Board Meeting" to learn how to build intentional rituals that strengthen your family bond.

Subscribe to the 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review to help more families navigate adoption and parenting with clarity and confidence.

Is school actually preparing your kids for real life… or just teaching them how to pass tests?

In this episode, Jamie and Jim Sheils unpack the uncomfortable truth about modern education and why some of the most important life skills are never taught in a classroom. From emotional intelligence to financial literacy, they share the three core areas every child needs to thrive personally and professionally and how you can start teaching them at home right now.

Key takeaways to listen for

The three life skills schools ignore that shape long-term success
Why discipline is overrated and devotion is the real driver of mastery
How emotional intelligence protects your kids from avoidable struggle
A simple family book strategy that builds wisdom and connection
Why high grades do not guarantee financial confidence or strong relationships

Resources

Want to equip your kids with the tools school skips? Start by reading one book together in one of these three areas: personal development, relationship skills, or financial intelligence. Even one shared book can radically shift your family conversations and awareness.

To learn more about building intentional family culture, visit www.18summers.com
and explore our resources designed to help families lead with purpose.

About Jamie & Jim Sheils

Jamie and Jim Sheils are the founders of 18 Summers, a movement dedicated to helping families raise confident, connected, and capable kids. Through live events, retreats, books, and conversations with world-class thinkers, they focus on what truly prepares children for life beyond school. Their work centers on strengthening family relationships, developing emotional intelligence, and building financial confidence from an early age. As parents who have walked this path themselves, they share what has worked in their own home and in the lives of thousands of families they've mentored.

Connect with Us

Website: www.18summers.com

Email: info@18summers.com

Get a copy of our book "The Family Board Meeting" to learn how to create powerful weekly rituals that build trust and leadership inside your home.

Subscribe to the 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review to help more families rethink education and raise kids who are ready for real life.

Want a family that thrives, not just survives? Lee Benson breaks down his game-changing formula to turn everyday moments into lasting bonds. Tune in to learn how intentional dinners, distraction-free hangouts, and simple rituals can transform your household into a powerhouse of love, growth, and community.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Practical strategies for setting family goals and assigning meaningful roles
• The surprising influence of music and emotional energy on family and business success
• Growing impactful communities: from personal passion to global influence
• How to eliminate distractions to maximize meaningful family interactions
• Real-life transformations through the Dinner Table Method

Resources
Join a community of like-minded families who are equipping their kids with real-world skills at https://community.dinnertable.com/. Start with the FREE community, then explore the Family Elite options—virtual or in-person. Ready to level up? Use code "SHIELDS" for a discount when joining the paid communities!

About Lee Benson
Lee Benson is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the Founder and CEO of Execute to Win (ETW) and Dinner Table. With over 30 years of business experience, Lee has dedicated his career to one core mission: creating value. From his humble beginnings pulling weeds for 25 cents an hour, he went on to found and lead eight companies, including Able Aerospace, which scaled from a two-person startup to a global business serving 2,000 customers in 60 countries before achieving a 9-figure exit in 2016. At ETW, Lee now helps organizations of all sizes accelerate value creation through strategic execution and leadership alignment. A respected voice in business, he's been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Inc., and interviewed by CNBC and Bloomberg for his insights on leadership, execution, and driving measurable results.

Connect with Lee

• Website: Dinner Table
• Instagram: @dinnertablefamily
• LinkedIn: Lee Benson

Connect with Us
To learn more about us, visit our website at www.18summers.com or email us at info@18summers.com. To get a copy of our book "The Family Board Meeting", click here.

Subscribe to 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review!

Social Media Channels

• Facebook Group: 18 Summers
• LinkedIn: Jimmy Sheils
• Instagram: @18summerstribe

Balancing boardrooms and ball fields is no small feat. Scott Danner, AAMS®, demonstrates how he balances a high-octane career with parenting two teenage soccer players, navigating double-booked calendars, empty-nest moments, and home-based hacks. Learn about his four-pillar L.I.F.E. Model to stay aligned amid chaos and build a lasting legacy by tuning in!

Key takeaways to listen for

• What unexpected parenting surprises teach about resilience
• A simple ritual that builds stronger family ties
• 4 healthy-risk opportunities that fuel teen development
• Reasons why a dedicated "home base" brings stability
• How the LIFE Model's pillars harmonize work and family

Resources

• The Bible in a Year | Apple Podcasts
• Ted Lasso
• Freedom Street by Scott Danner | Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover

About Scott Danner, AAMS®
Scott Danner, AAMS®, is the CEO of Freedom Street Partners, bestselling author of Freedom Street, and creator of the L.I.F.E. Model (Leadership, Impact, Faith & Energy). A champion of high performers, he coaches individuals and teams to grow with intention, build cultures of meaningful connection, and serve others at the highest level. As host of The High Performance LIFE podcast, Scott explores how to live with purpose, strengthen relationships, and show up fully in every role, helping listeners craft lives of freedom, fulfillment, and lasting impact.

Connect with Scott

• Website: Scott Danner
• Podcast: The High Performance Life | Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Instagram: @scottwdanner
• LinkedIn: Scott Danner

Connect with Us
To learn more about us, visit our website at www.18summers.com or email us at info@18summers.com. To get a copy of our book "The Family Board Meeting", click here.

Subscribe to 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review!

Social Media Channels

• Facebook Group: 18 Summers
• LinkedIn: Jimmy Sheils
• Instagram: @18summerstribe

What if your kid's lemonade stand became a legit business? In this episode, we crack the "Education Matrix" code, turning allowances into assets, guiding kids to buy real estate, launch ventures, and master money without brewing entitlement. Get ready-to-use tools and stories to make you their first business coach.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why everyday financial topics in conversations are vital for kids
• How a simple visual can change kids' learning curve around money
• Mastering one specialized skill vs. being well-rounded
• The best financial lessons you can give your kids
• A way to give money a deeper purpose in a child's life

Resources

• Education Matrix

Connect with Us
To learn more about us, visit our website at www.18summers.com or email us at info@18summers.com. To get a copy of our book "The Family Board Meeting", click here.

Subscribe to 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review!

Social Media Channels

• Facebook Group: 18 Summers
• LinkedIn: Jimmy Sheils
• Instagram: @18summerstribe

What does it really take to thrive as a blended family for over 14 years? In this episode, we share hard-earned lessons, honest stories, and the intentional practices that helped us navigate challenges and strengthen our bond. Tune in for practical advice on communication, connection, and creating unity in your blended family journey.

Key takeaways to listen for

• The value of effective communication in a blended family's success
• How to build trust and relationships with your children
• Challenges and approaches to integrating external family dynamics
• Why you need to establish family rituals to strengthen bonds
• Emotional process and impact of adopting his stepchildren

Connect with Us
To learn more about us, visit our website at www.18summers.com or email us at info@18summers.com. To get a copy of our book "The Family Board Meeting", click here.

Subscribe to 18 Summers Podcast and leave a rating and written review!

Social Media Channels

• Facebook Group: 18 Summers
• LinkedIn: Jimmy Sheils
• Instagram: @18summerstribe