Ep. 18 – Dr. Todd Jensen

On this week’s episode of The Step Stories Podcast, host Robin Breuner interviews Dr. Todd Jensen, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and director of the Thriving through Family Transitions Research Lab, about research on blended families and youth wellbeing during family structural transitions. Jensen explains why relationship quality, especially stepparent–stepchild connection, can support behavioral, psychological, and physical health outcomes, and clarifies terms like “social parent” and stepparent, including non-married long-term partners. They also discuss adolescence as a challenging transition period, blending family cultures slowly with patience, and why adults often shoulder more responsibility. Jensen also notes overlaps with military family transitions, shares Dr. Todd JensenInstagram: @drtoddjensen Twitter/X: @toddmjensen Linkedin: LinkedInBluesky: @toddmjensen.bsky.socialWebsite: toddmjensen.comEmail [email protected] Robin Breuner Email:  [email protected]:  www.robinbreuner.comInstagram: stepstoriespodcastIGFacebook: stepstoriespodcastFBLinkedin:  RobinBreunerLinkINPodcast:  StepStories PodcastThreads:  @robinbreunerYouTube: StepStories Podcast YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What this episode covers

On this week’s episode of The Step Stories Podcast, host Robin Breuner interviews Dr. Todd Jensen, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and director of the Thriving through Family Transitions Research Lab, about research on blended families and youth wellbeing during family structural transitions. Jensen explains why relationship quality, especially stepparent–stepchild connection, can support behavioral, psychological, and physical health outcomes, and clarifies terms like “social parent” and stepparent, including non-married long-term partners. They also discuss adolescence as a challenging transition period, blending family cultures slowly with patience, and why adults often shoulder more responsibility. Jensen also notes overlaps with military family transitions, shares Dr. Todd JensenInstagram: @drtoddjensen Twitter/X: @toddmjensen Linkedin: LinkedInBluesky: @toddmjensen.bsky.socialWebsite: toddmjensen.comEmail [email protected] Robin Breuner Email: [email protected]: www.robinbreuner.comInstagram: stepstoriespodcastIGFacebook: stepstoriespodcastFBLinkedin: RobinBreunerLinkINPodcast: StepStories PodcastThreads: @robinbreunerYouTube: StepStories Podcast YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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This episode is 39 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 12, 2026.

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