The Stepmom Diaries Podcast: Recent Episodes
This Custom Life
The Stepmom Diaries podcast, hosted by Cameron Normand of This Custom Life, focuses on all things stepmom-related. As a second wife, stepmom to four kids, and successful businesswoman, Cameron Normand keeps it real with conversations about blended families, relationships, personal development, and much more. With her expert advice and down-home discussions, Cameron will inspire you to live into your best blended family life.
Have you ever left therapy feeling heard, but not truly understood?
Maybe you were told to be more patient, create more family togetherness, present a united front, or step up and discipline your stepchildren. You followed the advice, and somehow things got even harder.
That does not mean you failed.
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron explains why therapy for stepfamilies can go sideways when professionals apply advice designed for first families to blended families.
Most therapists are not given meaningful training in stepfamily dynamics during graduate school or through continuing education. As a result, even a skilled and caring therapist may be working from the wrong family map.
Cameron breaks down the gap between what research tells us about stepfamilies and what actually reaches the professionals supporting them. She also shares four practical questions you can ask to determine whether a therapist understands how stepfamilies really work.
In this episode, you will learn:
• Why traditional family therapy advice can make stepfamily challenges worse
• How stepfamily relationships develop differently from relationships in first families
• Four questions to ask a therapist about their stepfamily training and approach
• What a healthy and realistic stepparent and stepchild relationship can look like
The goal is not to criticize therapy or convince you to leave a therapist you trust. It is to help you recognize whether your family is receiving advice that reflects the research on stepfamily development.
You are not failing because advice created for a different kind of family did not work for yours. You may simply need a therapist who understands the unique structure, pace, and challenges of stepfamily life.
Resources Mentioned * Upgrade your bedtime with Cozy Earth's temperature-regulating bamboo sheets and pajamas, and use code STEPMOMDIARIES at CozyEarth.com for up to 20% off. * Patricia Papernow's research and clinical work on stepfamily development * Todd Jensen's research on stepfamilies and the gap between research and professional practice * Patricia Papernow's clinical book for professionals working with stepfamilies * Stepfamily Solutions and its evidence-based approach to stepfamily coaching * Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/
If you are a stepmom, you know how loud the guilt can get and how quiet you may have learned to be.
But with 14 million stepmoms in America, you have never been as alone as it feels.
The 6th annual Stepmom Summit is back September 14 through 18, 2026, and this year's theme is Out Loud. It is time to find your voice, take your place, and live your life loud and proud.
This free, 100% virtual and 100% live event features more than 30 speakers sharing honest conversations, practical tools, and real support for stepmoms. You will also have the opportunity to ask speakers your questions in real time.
Join the waitlist now and be first in line when registration opens August 24.
Visit www.thestepmomsummit.com to get on the waitlist.
When you became a stepmom, you probably expected your life to change.
What you may not have expected was how easy it would be to lose yourself in the process.
Between navigating stepfamily dynamics, supporting your partner, caring for children, managing schedules, and trying to keep the peace, many stepmoms quietly put their own dreams, interests, and identity on hold.
In this episode, Cameron sits down with former Apple executive, creator of Whole Wellness Mamas, and speaker Amy Nesbitt to explore how curiosity can become one of the most powerful tools for rediscovering yourself. Rather than making massive life changes, Amy shares how small "experiments" can help you reconnect with the person you've always been—and maybe even discover someone new.
They also discuss how curiosity can improve marriages, strengthen relationships with stepchildren, reduce conflict, and help blended families communicate with more empathy.
In this episode, you'll learn: * Why so many stepmoms lose their identity after joining a blended family * How curiosity helps you reconnect with yourself * The power of tiny experiments instead of overwhelming life changes * Practical ways to make time for yourself without guilt * Simple ways to connect with your stepchildren through shared experiences * How curiosity can reduce conflict in stepfamily dynamics
Whether you've been a stepmom for six months or sixteen years, this conversation will remind you that rediscovering yourself doesn't require changing your entire life- it simply begins with being curious.
Resources Mentioned • Learn more about Amy Nesbitt: https://wholewellnessmamas.com
• Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholewellnessmamas
• This Japanese American Life YouTube Channel
• Amy Reads YouTube Channel
• Join the waitlist for The Stepmom Summit: https://thestepmomsummit.com
• Free Resource: Download our 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Finding your stepmom identity can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to figure out where you fit in your blended family. Bestselling author Amy Porterfield knows that feeling well. Long before she became one of the world's most recognized business educators, she was learning the same lessons so many stepmoms face today.
In this candid conversation, Amy opens up about the emotional journey of discovering her stepmom identity. She shares what it was like trying to earn her stepson's love, the pressure she felt to be the "perfect" stepmom, and the moment she realized she did not need to replace his mom to build a meaningful relationship.
If you have ever questioned your place in your blended family or wondered whether you are doing enough, this episode will remind you that your stepmom identity is not something you earn. It is something you grow into over time.
In this episode, you'll learn: * Why developing your stepmom identity takes time and why that is completely normal. * How to build a meaningful relationship with your stepchildren without trying to replace their mom. * Why perfectionism keeps so many stepmoms from feeling confident in their role. * How embracing your unique place in your blended family leads to stronger relationships.
Resources Mentioned * Amy Porterfield * Get your copy of Two Weeks Notice * The Amy Porterfield Show podcast * Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/ * Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
One day your stepchild is excited to see you and your spouse... and the next they're distant, angry, or refusing visits altogether.
Is it normal family conflict? Is it the stress of divorce? Or could it be parental alienation?
In this episode, Cameron sits down with internationally recognized researcher and author Amy J.L. Baker, PhD, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in divorce and blended families. Together, they discuss what parental alienation really is, how it differs from legitimate estrangement, and what parents and stepparents should know if they suspect someone is interfering with a child's relationship with the other parent.
Dr. Baker also explains her evidence-based Five-Factor Model, common parental alienation strategies, and how stepparents can support their partner without making an already difficult situation worse.
In this episode, you'll learn: * What parental alienation actually is, and what it isn't * The difference between alienation and justified estrangement * The Five-Factor Model used to identify parental alienation * Common strategies that can damage a parent-child relationship
If this episode encouraged or helped you, please share it with another stepmom, parent, or blended family who may need to hear this conversation.
Resources Mentioned Amy J.L. Baker, PhD: https://www.amyjlbaker.com/
Adult Children of Parental Alienation Syndrome by Amy J.L. Baker
Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/
Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Are you the one tracking the dentist appointments, school forms, birthday gifts, custody schedules, groceries, and all the details everyone else seems to forget?
That invisible work has a name: the mental load.
In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, I'm sharing my conversation with Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space. We talk about the mental load in blended families and why so many stepmoms feel exhausted from carrying invisible labor no one else sees.
This conversation is honest, validating, and so needed for stepmoms who feel like they are holding everything together behind the scenes.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why stepmoms often carry the invisible labor
- How the mental load shows up differently in blended families
- Why boundaries and communication have to come before systems
- The real antidote to burnout
Resources Mentioned
Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Find Your Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky
Fair Play Cards
Follow Eve on Instagram
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Get on the waitlist for The Stepmom Summit happening September 14th-18th, 2026!
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
We've all been there.
Someone makes a comment about being a stepmom that they probably mean well... but it still stings.
"You knew what you were getting into." "At least you get a break." "They're not really your kids."
In the moment, it's hard to know what to say. Later, you think of the perfect response.
This listener-favorite replay is packed with practical, gracious ways to respond to some of the most common (and frustrating) comments stepmoms hear—while also helping friends and family better understand the realities of blended family life.
Whether you're new to your stepfamily or years into the journey, this episode will help you navigate these awkward conversations with confidence and compassion.
In this episode: * Why "You knew what you were getting into" misses the reality of stepfamily life * Thoughtful responses to common stepmom comments * How to respond to friends and family without becoming defensive * Ways to protect your peace while building stronger relationships
If this episode encourages you, please share it with another stepmom who needs the reminder that she's not alone.
Resources Mentioned Grab our FREE "10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms": https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Have you ever realized that the things that make a family look different on the outside don't change what matters most on the inside?
In this episode, I sit down with Jaimie Kelton and José Rolón to talk about LGBTQ families, parenting, belonging, and the many ways families are built. From infertility and surrogacy to stepfamily dynamics and family acceptance, we explore the challenges and joys of creating a family that may not fit society's traditional expectations.
What stood out most in this conversation is how much LGBTQ families and blended families have in common. The desire to love, connect, belong, and create a safe home for our children is universal.
In this episode, we cover:
• The unique paths many LGBTQ families take to parenthood • Why representation and visibility matter for kids and families • The double standards faced by stepmoms, stepdads, and modern families • How to teach children about different family structures with openness and acceptance
If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend and help us continue creating conversations that celebrate all kinds of families.
Resources Mentioned
Follow Love Take Two Podcast
The Queer Family Podcast
Follow José Rolón on Instagram @NYCGayDad
https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?
Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families looking for practical guidance, validation, and encouragement.
Ever feel like your stepkids are living in two completely different worlds? The rules change from house to house, expectations don't always match, and somehow everyone expects the kids to make sense of it all.
In this episode, I sit down with researcher, professor, stepmom, and former stepchild Bailey Oliver Blackburn, PhD to discuss new research on co-parenting with different values and what happens when children are navigating two households with very different beliefs, expectations, and parenting styles.
Bailey shares insights from a recent study exploring how co-parents manage divergent values, the impact on children, and the communication strategies that help families reduce conflict and support kids without forcing them to choose sides.
In This Episode, We Cover: • What happens when children are raised across households with different values and beliefs • The surprising challenges families reported beyond politics and religion • How parents can discuss values without putting kids in loyalty binds • Why high-conflict co-parenting and parallel parenting deserve more research
If you've ever wondered how to protect your relationship with your stepkids while navigating differences between households, this conversation offers practical insights and plenty of reassurance that you're not alone.
Resources Mentioned Bailey Oliver Blackburn: https://www.baileyoliverblackburn.com
UA Little Rock Department of Applied Communication: https://ualr.edu/appliedcommunication/
Get our FREE 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms and get the exact words for your toughest stepmom conversations! https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Join the waitlist for our free Stepmom Summit happening virtually September 14th-18th, 2026: https://thestepmomsummit.com/
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more stepmoms and blended families who need these conversations.
Ever feel like you're carrying everyone else's responsibilities while somehow still feeling like you're failing? Yeah... you're not alone.
In this episode, I'm chatting with organizational expert and Escaping Quicksand author Lisa Woodruff to talk about why so many overwhelmed stepmoms feel like they're drowning, even when they're doing everything right.
We dive into the invisible load many women carry, the unique challenge of having responsibility without control in a blended family, and practical ways to create more peace, structure, and boundaries in your daily life.
In this episode, we cover: • Why stepmoms often feel responsible for everything but in control of very little
• The invisible mental load that contributes to stepmom burnout
• How weekly planning conversations can reduce stress and resentment
• Simple ways to reclaim control and prioritize your own self-care
Resources Mentioned * Get Lisa's book Escaping Quicksand: https://escapingquicksand.com * Organize 365: Practical organization systems, planning tools, and resources designed to help busy women reduce overwhelm and create a more functional home and life. * Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: Follow Lisa Woodruff for insights on organization, productivity, household management, and personal development. * Follow Organize 365 on Instagram * Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries?
Please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need these conversations.
"You knew what you signed up for."
If you're a stepmom, chances are you've heard that phrase before. Maybe it's, "At least you get every other week off." Or, "Why do you care so much? They're not your kids." And if you're anything like me, those comments don't just annoy you. They stick with you.
In this episode, I'm unpacking some of the worst things people say to stepmoms, why these comments hurt so much, and how to stop letting other people's opinions define your role in your family. We'll talk about the hidden emotional load many stepmoms carry, the unique challenges of stepfamily life, and what to do when someone completely misses the reality of what you're experiencing.
In This Episode, We Cover: * Why comments like "You knew what you signed up for" feel so invalidating * The hidden emotional load and role ambiguity many stepmoms carry * What to say when someone misunderstands your role in the family * How to build confidence in your place within your blended family
Resources Mentioned Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepfamilysolutions/
Check out the 5-part series I did on "Things People Say to Stepmoms" HERE
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Join us at The Stepmom Retreat in Florida | Nov. 6–8, 2026: [https://stepfamilycircle.com/retreat] A weekend for stepmoms who are tired of feeling alone in this role and ready for real connection, support, and growth:
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Anybody else look at the summer custody schedule and immediately feel their eye start twitching? 😅
In this episode, we're talking about why summer hits so differently in a blended family and why so many stepmoms head into this season already feeling overwhelmed, resentful, and exhausted before it even begins.
From schedule changes and camp logistics to vacation drama and invisible labor, summer can bring out every existing stress point in stepfamily life. But you are not powerless in it.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why summer creates so much stress for stepmoms
- The hidden mental load many stepmoms carry during this season
- How to protect your peace instead of trying to make summer "perfect"
- Simple communication and boundary strategies that actually help
If summer in your blended family already feels chaotic before it's even started, this episode will help you feel less alone and a whole lot more prepared.
Resources we mentioned in this episode:
Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Learn more about Stepfamily Coach Academy: [https://stepfamilycertification.com/]
The Stepmom Retreat: [https://stepfamilycircle.com/retreat]
Blending a family is hard. Blending a family with three teenagers? Absolute chaos sometimes. 😅
In this episode, I'm talking with Ashley Noelle, creator of Blended Bond, about the small communication shift that completely changed the way her blended family connected.
Ashley shares what it was really like bringing together two completely different households (a structured mother-daughter home and a loud, sports-heavy boy house) and how trying to make everything "perfect" actually created more pressure for everyone.
This conversation is honest, emotional, and incredibly validating for any stepmom who feels like she's trying so hard to hold everything together while still figuring it out herself.
Inside this episode:
- Why "How was your day?" often stops working with stepkids and teens
- The simple question that helped lower tension in their home almost immediately
- What kids in blended families may be silently carrying emotionally
- Why trying to be the "perfect stepmom" usually backfires
- Small ways to create more connection without forcing it
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is the reminder that blended families don't need perfection to feel connected. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when everyone feels safe enough to be honest.
Resources Mentioned * Blended Bond Conversation Cards: [https://blendedbond.com/] * Follow Ashley + Blended Bond on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/theblendedbond/] * Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Ever felt like stepmom life isn't what you expected- and no matter how hard you try, you're carrying a weight you can't quite explain? If you've felt resentment, guilt, or even questioned your choices, this episode will hit home.
In this episode, we're joined by Rachel Dunne, licensed counselor, certified stepfamily coach, and founder of Spiritual Stepmom. Rachel shares her personal journey into stepmotherhood and opens up about the stepmom grief no one talks about- the hidden sense of loss, emotional overwhelm, and internal conflict that so many women experience but rarely say out loud. She also brings her clinical expertise to help stepmoms understand what's really happening beneath the surface- and how to begin healing.
Key takeaways from this episode:
- The stepmom grief no one talks about- and why it's completely normal
- How resentment and emotional shutdown happen when grief goes unprocessed
- Why stepfamily life triggers loss- not just love
- How repair (not perfection) can actually strengthen your relationship with your stepkids
If you've ever thought, "This is harder than I expected," or felt alone in your experience as a stepmom, this episode will remind you- you're not broken, and you're definitely not the only one.
Resources Mentioned:
- Rachel Dunne Coaching: https://racheldunnecoaching.com
- Follow Rachel on Instagram: @spiritualstepmom
- Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
If Mother's Day feels more painful than joyful as a stepmom… you're not alone.
While everyone else is celebrating, many stepmoms are left feeling unseen, unacknowledged, or unsure where they fit. In this episode, Cameron Normand breaks down why Mother's Day for stepmoms can feel so heavy—and reminds you that it's not because you're doing anything wrong.
More importantly, you'll walk away with a simple, empowering plan to help you navigate the day with more clarity, confidence, and peace.
In This Episode, We Talk About: * Why Mother's Day hits differently in blended families * The hidden grief and expectation gap stepmoms experience * The truth about validation (and why it's not a measure of your worth) * A simple plan to take back control of your Mother's Day
You deserve to feel seen—on Mother's Day and every day. Hit play to go into this year feeling supported, grounded, and a little less alone.
Resources Mentioned * Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts * Want to join us where you can take the time to find yourself again? Get on the waitlist for The Stepmom Retreat happening Nov. 6-8, 2026 in Siesta Key, Florida!
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Have you ever felt like you've lost yourself somewhere along the way in stepmotherhood—and no matter how hard you try, you can't quite find your way back? If you've been holding it all together on the outside but feeling overwhelmed, resentful, or invisible on the inside… this episode will hit deep.
In this episode, we're joined by Christina Nelson, host of the Radical Stepmoms Podcast and a leading voice in honest, unfiltered conversations about stepmom life. Together, we dive into the stepmom identity crisis so many women experience, and what it really takes to be a stepmom without losing yourself in the process.
Key takeaways from this episode:
- Why so many stepmoms feel like they've lost themselves (and why it's more common than you think)
- The hidden emotional load of stepmotherhood no one talks about
- How to start reclaiming your identity without guilt or burnout
- The role boundaries play in protecting your peace and your relationship
- A powerful reframe that helps you show up as yourself—not just "the stepmom"
If you're tired of feeling like you're disappearing in your own life and ready to feel like you again, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
Resources Mentioned * Radical Stepmoms Podcast: Hosted by Christina with raw, honest conversations about stepmom life and blended family dynamics * Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Do you feel like your stepkids keep pushing you away, no matter how hard you try? In this episode, we're talking about rejection, emotional distance, teenage stepkids, and the painful reality many stepmoms face when connection in blended family life feels one-sided.
I'm joined by Mindy Kyle, Certified Parenting with Purpose and Certified Stepfamily Coach, who has spent more than 16 years helping stepmoms navigate boundaries, burnout, and complicated family dynamics. Together, we unpack what's really happening during the teen years- and why forcing connection often creates even more distance.
Key takeaways from this episode:
- Why stepteens pull away (and why it's not always personal)
- The hidden pressure stepmoms put on themselves to "fix" the relationship
- How your emotional energy impacts connection more than constant effort
- A powerful mindset shift that helps stepmoms stop chasing connection and start building it naturally
If you've been feeling hurt, rejected, or emotionally exhausted trying to connect with your stepteen, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone, and that a healthier connection is still possible.
Resources Mentioned * Learn more about everything Mindy offers HERE * Follow Mindy on on Instagram and TikTok * Want to work with Cameron? Click Here * Check out our YouTube channel where we share real-life stepfamily dynamics, expert advice, and practical tools you can actually use. Plus, you can watch full behind-the-scenes video episodes of the podcast. Subscribe and join us! * Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Most stepmoms have a will. Almost none of them have a plan. And in a blended family, that gap can cost your stepkids their inheritance- or even cost you your home.
Tara Yukawa- certified executor advisor, author, and stepdaughter- joins Cameron for a conversation that's equal parts wake-up call and practical roadmap. After navigating loss in her own blended family, Tara now helps others avoid the chaos, confusion, and conflict that happens when planning falls short.
In this episode, she breaks down what actually happens when there's no plan- and how to make sure every child is protected.
Key takeaways from this episode:
- Without a proper plan, stepchildren can legally inherit part of your home- and even force its sale
- "Everything goes to my spouse" can unintentionally disinherit your biological children
- A will alone isn't enough- you need a full plan (including trust and powers of attorney) to truly protect your family
Resources shared:
- Tara Yukawa's Website
- Free Newsletter from Tara
- Before It's Too Late by Tara Yukawa
- Check out our YouTube channel where we share real-life stepfamily dynamics, expert advice, and practical tools you can actually use. Plus, you can watch full behind-the-scenes video episodes of the podcast. Subscribe and join us!
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Transition days can be tough in any blended family, but when ADHD is part of the picture, they can feel even more overwhelming. In this episode, ADHD expert and stepmom Jennie Anderson joins the conversation to explain why kids with ADHD often struggle with moving between households and how stepmoms can help create more stability. You'll learn how emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, and loyalty binds show up for these kids, and what you can do to support them without making things worse. If transitions in your stepfamily often feel tense or unpredictable, this episode will give you practical ways to help kids feel safer and more regulated.
In This Episode You'll Learn: • Why transitions between homes can feel especially overwhelming for kids with ADHD • How predictable routines can help reduce stress and support emotional regulation • Why rejection sensitivity and loyalty binds can shape a child's behavior in blended families
Resources Mentioned:
- Grab this free guided planner from Jennie to help you get things done! [https://resources.thehouseofher.com/sprintplanner]
- House of Her [https://www.adhdsociety.co/house-of-her]: Jennie Anderson's program for women navigating ADHD with education and support
- ADHD Redefined [https://www.instagram.com/adhdredefined/]: Jennie Anderson's Instagram account for ADHD resources and education
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
When kids live in two households, education decisions can get complicated fast!
In this episode, Houlie Duque, former teacher and founder of Homeschool to Go, shares a fresh perspective on how families can rethink learning when co-parenting is part of the picture. As both a biomom and stepmom raising kids in a blended family, Houlie brings real-life insight into how parents can create flexible education plans that support children across two homes. From navigating co-parenting dynamics to designing learning around a child's strengths, this conversation explores what it really looks like to prioritize a child's growth in a blended family. If you've ever wondered how education decisions work when multiple parents are involved, this episode will open your mind to what's possible.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
• How blended families can approach education decisions across two households • Creative ways co-parents can divide responsibilities while supporting their child • Why adaptability and communication are key when raising kids in blended families
Resources Mentioned:
- Homeschool to Go [https://www.homeschooltogo.org/] An organization that helps families design personalized education plans tailored to each child and family structure
- Free Homeschool Masterclass (Homeschool to Go) [https://courses.homeschooltogo.org/freemasterclass-registration] A 30-minute class explaining how parents can explore alternative education options
- Houlie Duque Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/houlieduque/] sharing education insights and parenting perspectives
- Stepfamily Solutions [https://stepfamilysolutions.com/] Your single source of support for building and blending a thriving stepfamily
- Subscribe to the Stepfamily Solutions YouTube channel- your go-to resource for blended family life, where we're constantly dropping new videos packed with expert interviews, full podcast episodes, and everything you need whether you're navigating stepfamily life or thinking about becoming a certified stepfamily coach!
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
What if your stepchild isn't rejecting you… but protecting someone else?
In this episode, I'm sitting down with the incredible Barb Goldberg: coach, author, podcaster, and stepmom to talk about one of the most misunderstood (and painful) dynamics in blended families: the loyalty bind.
If you've ever felt hurt, dismissed, or completely invisible as a stepmom, this conversation is for you. Because when kids feel torn between mom and stepmom, it can show up as distance, attitude, silence, or even outright rejection - and it's easy to take that personally.
But often? It's not about you.
In This Episode, We Talk About: * What the loyalty bind in blended families actually is - and how it quietly shapes your relationship with your stepkids * Why the teenage brain reacts from emotion and survival (and why kids often don't even remember the hurtful things they say) * How stepmoms get stuck in emotional trigger loops - and how to calm your nervous system and break the cycle * Why stepmotherhood is a long game - and how kids often grow up, gain perspective, and sometimes even come back around
We also talk honestly about the things stepmoms don't always say out loud - the crying in closets, the normalization of disrespect, and the cultural pressure to "just love them like your own."
This episode offers compassion for kids navigating divorce and blended family dynamics - but it also offers deep validation for stepmoms who are carrying emotional burnout in silence.
Resources Mentioned: * The Evil Stepmother Speaks is a compassionate and empowering resource for stepmothers navigating the complex world of blended families with Barb Goldberg. * Follow Barb on Instagram & Facebook * Stepfamily Circle Membership – A supportive community for stepmoms who want help navigating conversations with stepkids, partners, and exes - without losing themselves in the process. Inside, you'll find coaching, real-life examples, and space to practice these conversations so you're not guessing anymore.
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
AI isn't "coming." It's already here - in your kids' phones, in their homework, in their group chats, and maybe even in your marriage.
And most stepmoms have no idea how deeply it's shaping their blended family dynamics.
If you've brushed off AI as a tech trend or something you'll figure out later, this episode may completely shift your perspective. Because the reality is: kids are already using it, adults are turning to it for emotional support, and families are navigating new territory without even realizing it.
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Sarah Dooley, founder of AI Empowered Mom, to unpack what AI is really doing inside modern families - and how stepmoms can respond proactively instead of reactively. With nearly two decades in tech- including leading AI initiatives at Visa, Sarah brings both corporate expertise and real-life mom experience to this rapidly changing conversation.
In Today's Episode, We're Talking About:
- The surprising statistics about how many kids are already using AI - and why parents can't afford to ignore it
- How AI relationships are showing up in marriages, therapy spaces, and teen lives (and the boundaries families need to discuss)
- Why AI is not private - and what every parent should know before sharing personal information
- Practical ways stepmoms can use AI right now to reduce your mental load
This episode isn't about replacing human connection. It's about using technology intentionally - so you're not left behind, your kids are safer, and your mental load is lighter.
If you've been hesitant, skeptical, or quietly curious about AI, this conversation will help you feel more informed, more confident, and more equipped to navigate this new reality inside your blended family.
Resources Mentioned * Check out Sarah's free private, 3-part mini podcast series with step-by-step instructions for using AI to reduce your mental load. * Stepfamily Circle Membership – A supportive community for stepmoms who want help navigating conversations with stepkids, partners, and exes - without losing themselves in the process. Inside, you'll find coaching, real-life examples, and space to practice these conversations so you're not guessing anymore.
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
The Stepmom Diaries is officially on YouTube! Head over to @stepfamilysolutions for full video episodes, expert interviews, and bonus content you won't find anywhere else — subscribe so you never miss a thing.
The fastest way to experience stepmom burnout from trying to prove she belongs? Over-functioning in a family that was already functioning before you arrived.
High-capacity stepmoms don't come in weak. They come in capable. Responsible. Strong. And quietly determined to earn their seat at the table.
But what happens when proving your worth slowly turns into resentment… exhaustion… and losing yourself?
In this I chat with decision coach and author Jessica Frew to unpack how stepmom burnout from trying to prove she belongs nearly cost Jessica her marriage - and how setting one boundary at a time changed everything.
Jessica shares her powerful blended family story, including why she left her marriage one year in… and what brought her back with a completely different mindset.
If you're a high-functioning stepmom who feels like you're carrying everyone's emotional weight, are afraid to look "selfish" by setting boundaries, or are just quietly questioning whether you can keep doing this…then this episode will help you finally put language to what you've been living.
In Today's Episode, We're Talking About:
- Why stepmom burnout from trying to prove she belongs is so common
- The emotional cost of over-functioning in a blended family
- Why you are not the main character in your stepkids' story - and why that's freeing
- The subtle ways resentment builds when you sacrifice yourself to prove your value
- How to set one boundary at a time without blowing up your marriage
- The difference between strength and self-abandonment
This episode isn't about walking away. It's about walking back to yourself.
Because protecting your peace isn't selfish - it's foundational.
If you've been trying to earn your place instead of simply standing in it, this conversation will help you reset.
Resources Mentioned
- Shove Your Shoulds by Jessica Frew [https://shoveyourshoulds.com/freebook] A powerful guide to identifying the invisible "shoulds" driving your decisions and releasing the ones that aren't serving you.
- Stepfamily Circle Membership [https://stepfamilycircle.com] A supportive community for stepmoms navigating blended family dynamics without losing themselves in the process.
- If you've lived the blended family journey and ever wondered if your experience could help someone else, this one's for you- I'm hosting a free webinar on how to turn your stepfamily experience into a paid coaching path, even if you've never coached before. Grab your spot at [https://stepfamilysolutions.com/becomeacoach]
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
Have you ever wondered why being a stepmom feels so much heavier than you expected-like no matter what you do, it still doesn't feel like enough? If social media leaves you questioning yourself or you're constantly comparing your stepmom life to impossible standards, this episode is going to feel very familiar.
In this episode, I'm joined by Tara Clark, creator of Modern Mom Probs, to talk about stepmom pressure and comparison, why burnout is so common in blended families, and how unrealistic motherhood narratives make stepmomming even harder. We unpack why this pressure isn't personal, how misinformation thrives online, and what stepmoms actually need instead of more "do it all" advice.
In Today's Episode, We're Talking About: * Why social media comparison hits stepmoms especially hard * How unrealistic expectations fuel stepmom burnout (and why it's not your fault) * A lower-pressure way to show up as a safe adult for kids in a scary, noisy world * Why stepmoms deserve evidence-based guidance, not loud, fear-driven advice
If you're tired of feeling like you're falling short and ready to feel more grounded in your role as a stepmom, this conversation offers relief, validation, and perspective.
Where to find Tara: * Modern Mom Probs * Modern Mom Probs Podcast * Modern Mom Probs: A Survival Guide for 21st Century Mothers by Tara Clark
Love The Stepmom Diaries?Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your support helps the show reach more stepmoms who need honest, supportive conversations like this one.
Have you ever tried to connect with your stepkids, only to feel like everything you say somehow makes things worse? If conversations keep blowing up - or you're walking on eggshells trying not to mess things up - this episode is going to hit close to home.
We're breaking down how to communicate with your stepkids in a way that builds trust instead of triggering shutdowns, power struggles, or rejection - and why so much of the advice stepmoms are given actually makes things harder.
In Today's Episode, We're Talking About: * Why connection has to come before correction - and how discipline too early can backfire * The most common communication mistakes stepmoms make (and why they lead to pushback) * What to say when your stepkid says something that cuts deep, like "you're not my mom" * How to approach conversations differently with younger kids vs. teens so they feel safe, not pressured * Stepfamily Circle Membership – A supportive community for stepmoms who want help navigating conversations with stepkids, partners, and exes - without losing themselves in the process. Inside, you'll find coaching, real-life examples, and space to practice these conversations so you're not guessing anymore.
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.
If January already feels heavy…
if you're tired of trying to feel hopeful...
or if you're sitting there thinking, "What is wrong with me?" this episode is for you.
January can be hard for stepmoms. And there's a reason no one talks about it.
In Today's Episode, We're Talking About: * Why January hits so hard for stepmoms * Why the 'try harder' culture and first family advice miss the mark - especially this time of year * The patterns that come up every January * What not to do in January if you're a stepmom * How to reframe what's actually happening
Resources Mentioned: * For Stepmoms: Join the Stepfamily Circle for scripts, strategies, and community support * For Aspiring Coaches: Learn how to help families navigate these dynamics with wisdom and expertise at stepfamilysolutions.com/stepfamily-certification
Share This Episode: If this hit home for you, please share it with another stepmom who needs to hear it. Post it in that Facebook group where everyone's struggling with the same thing. Send it to that friend who's been texting you about her partner not getting it.
The more we talk about this stuff openly, the more we normalize the struggle, and the more stepmoms realize they're not alone and they're not crazy.
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing the show! It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you who need this support. Just click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "write a review." Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I'll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It's normally $49 and it's a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you'll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Connect with Cameron: * Website: stepfamilysolutions.com * Instagram: @stepfamilysolutions * TikTok: @stepfamilysolutions
"My husband is an idiot."
That's what a stepmom said to me recently - not once, but multiple times. But behind those words? A mountain of hurt, exhaustion, and feeling completely alone in her own home.
If you've ever felt like you're carrying everything by yourself while your partner seems checked out, dismissive, or just doesn't get it - this episode is for you.
I'm diving deep into what "he doesn't have my back" really means, why it's about so much more than just everyday disagreements, and most important - what you can actually do about it before resentment poisons everything.
This isn't just a communication problem. It's about feeling invisible in your own home. It's about partnership (or the lack of it). And it's time we talk about it.
In Today's Episode, We're Talking About: * What "he doesn't have my back" REALLY means (hint: it's not just about the kids' behavior) * Why your partner might genuinely not see what you're seeing * How resentment becomes a marriage emergency disguised as a stepfamily issue * The vulnerable conversation that can change everything * What to do when he won't engage (and how to know your bottom line) * Why generic therapy advice can make stepfamily dynamics worse * For coaches: Why this will be a top issue in your practice
Resources Mentioned: * For Stepmoms: Join the Stepfamily Circle for scripts, strategies, and community support * For Aspiring Coaches: Learn how to help families navigate these dynamics with wisdom and expertise at stepfamilysolutions.com/stepfamily-certification
Share This Episode: If this hit home for you, please share it with another stepmom who needs to hear it. Post it in that Facebook group where everyone's struggling with the same thing. Send it to that friend who's been texting you about her partner not getting it.
The more we talk about this stuff openly, the more we normalize the struggle, and the more stepmoms realize they're not alone and they're not crazy.
Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing the show! It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you who need this support. Just click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "write a review." Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I'll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It's normally $49 and it's a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you'll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Connect with Cameron: * Website: stepfamilysolutions.com * Instagram: @stepfamilysolutions * TikTok: @stepfamilysolutions
You're not broken. You're overwhelmed.
This episode is for those moments when you’re trying so hard to keep it together, but inside you're screaming. The mental load is crushing you, your patience is hanging by a thread, and even the dog’s breathing feels like too much . . .
If that rings a bell, let me reassure you that no, you’re not broken. You’re just overwhelmed. And there are tools to help you manage your stress.
This week, I'm joined by licensed therapist and coach Kristin Cogan for a conversation every stepmom (and honestly, every woman) needs. We’re diving into the truth about “mom overwhelm:" what it is, why it hits so hard in blended families, and how mindfulness can help you interrupt the spiral before it swallows you whole.
This is the kind of episode you’ll want to save and come back to - especially on the days when you feel like disappearing into the bathroom for a week.
ABOUT KRISTIN: Kristin Cogan, MA, LPC, is a licensed therapist, coach, and mom of five based in Texas who helps high-achieving, overwhelmed moms break free from the cycle of stress and self-doubt so they can feel confident, calm, and in control again. With a down-to-earth approach and over a decade of experience, Kristin empowers women to stop surviving and start thriving - on their terms.
Learn more about Kristin at imperfectlywonderful.com Follow her on Instagram: @imperfectlywonderfulmotherhood
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Connect with Cameron: * Website: stepfamilysolutions.com * Instagram: @stepfamilysolutions * TikTok: @stepfamilysolutions
What if you could take that familiar whisper of "You don't quite belong" and give it the heave-ho?
Picture this: at your stepdaughter's sorority Parents Weekend, everyone's wearing their "sorority mom" pins . . . everyone but you. That familiar whisper starts: "I wonder if they notice I don't belong here." But then something incredible happens: you pause, breathe, and choose a different thought. This episode is about that moment - how triggers that used to wreck you now don't have to.
You know what I'm talking about: It can be the smallest, most seemingly-insignificant moments that hits stepmoms where we're most vulnerable and surfaces our deepest insecurities. And then before we know it, we embark on the mental gymnastics of analyzing every interaction to verify our assumptions that we have, in fact, been rejected - or that we are, in fact, inadequate . . . and we spiral. Sound familiar?
But what if we didn't have to go down that rabbithole of doubt? What if we could catch ourselves in that moment and choose to focus on what's actually true? I'll talk you through how to do just that so next time you can change your experience. And your stepfamily.
Connect with Cameron: * Website: stepfamilysolutions.com * Instagram: @stepfamilysolutions * TikTok: @stepfamilysolutions
Resources Mentioned * Join the Stepfamily Circle:
Ready to stop navigating stepfamily life alone? The Stepfamily Circle offers ongoing support, group coaching calls, and a community that truly gets it. Learn more at stepfamilycircle.com
- For Aspiring Stepfamily Coaches:
Ready to help other stepmoms through coaching? Or just want to dive deep into learning everything about stepfamily life and see what happens from there? Learn about the Stepfamily Coach Academy at stepfamilysolutions.com/stepfamily-certification
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
"You're not the problem. You're just doing it alone."
If you attended the Stepmom Summit last weekend, you wrapped up in a high - feeling seen and understood. But it’s over now, and you're back in a house that doesn't feel like yours with zero space to land. Today we're talking about why "trying harder" isn't the answer, and what you actually need to create lasting change in your stepfamily life.
In This Episode, We Cover: * Why Stepmom Life Feels So Isolating * The myth of "trying harder" and the stepmom spiral of second-guessing your boundaries and interactions * How "trying harder" leads to losing yourself in the effort * That you're not actually failing - the system is failing you * You don't need to try more - you need to be seen * You weren't meant to navigate stepfamily life alone
Resources Mentioned * Join the Stepfamily Circle:
Ready to stop navigating stepfamily life alone? The Stepfamily Circle offers ongoing support, group coaching calls, and a community that truly gets it. Learn more at stepfamilycircle.com
- If you missed The Stepmom Summit
For a few more days, you can still grab a VIP ticket and access all of the presentations and $2,000 in bonuses. Don't wait because the opportunity to grab your ticket will expire on September 15th!
- For Aspiring Stepfamily Coaches:
Ready to help other stepmoms through coaching? Or just want to dive deep into learning everything about stepfamily life and see what happens from there? Learn about the Stepfamily Coach Academy at stepfamilysolutions.com/stepfamily-certification
Connect with Cameron: * Website: stepfamilysolutions.com * Instagram: @stepfamilysolutions * TikTok: @stepfamilysolutions
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Every stepmom has that moment where reality hits and you think: “Wait… I didn’t sign up for this.”
In today’s episode, I sit down with Alicia Krasko - stepmom coach, podcast host, and CEO of the Stepmom Side Community. Alicia’s story will sound familiar: she went into stepmom life thinking it would be smooth sailing (kids liked her, in-laws liked her, even the ex liked her)… until suddenly, everything changed.
In the episode, we talk about:
- What happens when “happily ever after” collides with blended family reality
- Why traditional therapy often misses the mark for stepmoms (and what to look for instead)
- How to handle high-conflict situations without losing yourself
- The truth about always being asked to be “the bigger person” — and what to do when it feels exhausting
- Why stepmom struggles look so similar (and why you’re NOT the only one going through this)
✨ Plus, Alicia gives us a sneak peek of her upcoming live session at the Stepmom Summit, where she’ll dive into extended family drama (yes, we’re talking in-laws) and how to navigate it without losing your peace.
If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “how to get divorced” or wondering why stepmom life feels harder than you imagined — this conversation will remind you that you are not alone, and there is a way forward.
🎟️ Save your seat at the FREE Stepmom Summit 🎟️ Links + Resources Mentioned: * Connect with Alicia: aliciakrasko.com * Grab Alicia’s free guide: aliciakrasko.com/expectations * Join the Stepmom Summit: thestepmomsummit.com
The Stepmom Summit Is For You If: * You’re tired of doing this alone * You love your partner but struggle with “everything that comes with them” * You want tools that work outside of therapy sessions and social media scrolls
🎟️ Save your seat now! 🎟️ Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
“You don’t have to do this alone. You don’t have to guess, or feel guilty. You just have to say yes to support that actually gets it.”
Ever feel like you’re walking on eggshells in your own home? Like no one truly sees how hard you’re working to hold it all together?
In this powerful mini episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why the FREE annual Stepmom Summit (coming up September 4-6th) has become a lifeline for thousands of stepmoms around the world - and why it might be exactly what you’ve been needing, too.
I share my own raw and real moments (yes, including the one where my stepson called 911 on me), and why this annual virtual gathering is more than just a few Zoom sessions—it’s a community, a permission slip, and a freaking game-changer.
Plus, get a sneak peek at the surprises in store at this year’s event (hint: you're going to get to ask all of our speakers your most burning questions in real-time) - along with our jaw-dropping speaker lineup!
We'll discuss: * Why even “strong” stepmoms need safe spaces * The shift from isolation to belonging (with real stories from past attendees) * How the summit is going 100% live this year - and why that changes everything
Featured Speakers Sneak Peek: * Eve Rodsky – on burnout, boundaries, and reclaiming your joy * Terri Cole – setting unapologetic boundaries * Patricia Papernow - the globally-recognized top stepfamily expert in the field * Samantha Boss – parenting plans during high conflict * Kristin Cogan - mindfulness in the midst of chaos * Jessica Frew, Alicia Krasko, and even a lawyer from the Real Housewives 👀 * Plus: top therapists, experts, coaches, and a panel of top researchers led by Emmy-winning journalist Jamie Yuccas
The Stepmom Summit Is For You If: * You’re tired of doing this alone * You love your partner but struggle with “everything that comes with him” * You want tools that work outside of therapy sessions and social media scrolls
Join Us: The Stepmom Summit is completely virtual, packed with live speakers, and full of support that lasts long after the event ends. Replays are available for 48 hours - so no pressure, just presence.
Register now at thestepmomsummit.com
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
If you’ve ever found yourself tangled in the emotional mess of a high-conflict ex, today’s conversation is for you.
My guest, Priscilla Smith, knows exactly what it’s like to live in that storm. A certified stepfamily coach and child-free stepmom (and speaker at the upcoming Stepmom Summit!), Priscilla has navigated years of tension, loyalty binds, and co-parenting chaos — all while building a stronger marriage and a more peaceful home. She’s here to share how she shifted from reacting to leading, stopped letting the ex dictate her peace, and created tools that actually work in real life.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The turning point that helped Priscilla reclaim her calm
- Why waiting for a high-conflict ex to change will keep you stuck
- How to take the high road without feeling like a doormat
- The impact on your relationship — and how to protect it
- Practical self-care in the middle of constant stress
Whether you’re in the thick of it right now or supporting someone who is, Priscilla’s story and strategies will help you see a way forward — one that’s not about “fixing” someone else, but about protecting your own energy, marriage, and peace.
About Priscilla: Priscilla Smith is a certified stepfamily coach who helps stepmoms and their partners go from chaos to clarity to calm, especially when high-conflict dynamics and neurodiverse child needs are part of the picture. A child-free stepmom herself, Priscilla brings many years of lived experience, a calm presence, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges that come with blending families.
With a mindset-focused approach, she helps clients break free from old patterns, build new tools, and create lasting change in their relationships and daily life. She doesn’t just hand out advice, she asks the right questions, helps you connect the dots, and teaches practical strategies that actually stick.
Before coaching, Priscilla spent two decades in Human Resources and leadership development, where she honed her skills in strategy, goal setting, and guiding people through tough transitions. She now works with stepfamilies across the globe from her home in central Pennsylvania, where she enjoys reading and hanging out with her dog, Bernie.
You Can Find Priscilla: Blendedbloomingcoaching.com
Instagram: @blendedstepfamilycoaching
Priscilla's FREE Mastering Transition Days Guide:
https://blendedbloomingcoaching.myflodesk.com/transitiondayguide
Links Mentioned In This Episode: * Join the waitlist for The Stepmom Summit: thestepmomsummit.com * Learn more about Stepfamily Coach Academy certification program
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Parenting is hard - but it can help when you're able to lower the temperature. If you've followed me for a while, you know I subscribe to the research-based "connection before correction" philosophy when it comes to stepparents getting involved in discipline.
My guest for this episode has an expertise in what she calls "compassionate discipline," which is a great option for parents looking for a way to be more responsive and less reactive. Wendy's work on positive parenting strategies is inspiring - and should give us all some food for thought as we work to create strong relationships with our kids and stepkids.
About Wendy: Wendy Snyder is a mom of two, certified parenting educator & family life coach, who inspires parents to learn & grow through connection based positive parenting strategies. As the host of The Fresh Start Family Show & Founder of FreshStartFamilyOnline.com, she helps parents ditch the threats, yelling & harsh punishments so they can live life as a joyful & confident parent (with kids that listen & cooperate great!). Families who take part in her learning & coaching programs experience radical shifts in their hearts, minds & souls - that help them to create rock solid relationships with their kids, while at the same time teaching important life lessons & helping to raise the next generation of leaders, change makers & important human souls.
You Can Find Wendy: freshstartfamilyonline.com
The Fresh Start Family Show podcast
Instagram: @freshstartwendy
YouTube:@wendysnyder-freshstartfamily
Facebook: @freshstartfamily
Links Mentioned In This Episode: FREE Quick Start Learning Bundle: 3 Secrets to Thriving with Strong-Willed Kids
Firm and Kind Parenting Blueprint
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Today we're talking about something that can be an unexpected complication in blended family life - and that's mealtime.
Getting kids to eat nutrient-packed food is hard enough, but add in a two-house dynamic where kids may have different rules and expectations around what they eat and it can get downright thorny.
That's where Katie Kimball comes in. Mom of four and founder of Kitchen Stewardship, Katie and I talk about how to navigate picky eaters and encourage good habits, even when the other house has different rules.
And she tells us about her FREE Life Skills Camp coming up this summer, where CEOs, chefs, tv hosts, and others will teach your kids and teens all kinds of useful skills that they'll use in everyday life. It's a phenomenal resource to help kids feel (and become) more self-sufficient.
About Katie: Katie Kimball helps change kids’ relationship to food, both through work in the kitchen and helping parents of picky eaters. She’s a former teacher, two-time TEDx speaker, writer, and mom of 4 kids. She created the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, which was recommended by The Wall Street Journal as the best online cooking class for kids. Her blog Kitchen Stewardship helps families stay healthy without going crazy, and she’s on a mission to connect families around healthy food, teach every child to cook, and instill those all-important life skills! Links Mentioned In This Episode: Life Skills Camp
Kids Cook Real Food, which the Wall Street Journal praised as the top online cooking course for kids
Free Knife Skills Class
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Ever Wondered What Your Stepchildren Think About You? Kids can be tricky for stepparents to navigate. Their behavior isn't rational, they don't know how to express their emotions, and sometimes they can take out their frustration on the person who can be the easiest target: stepmom.
But there's more to the story, and that's what we're talking about in this episode. We've got one of the top stepfamily researchers with us, and he's recently released a new look at the stepfamily dynamic - from the kids' perspectives.
He's got some really interesting, insightful, and surprising, findings that stepmoms should definitely pay attention to.
About Dr. Todd Jensen: Todd Jensen, PhD, MSW is an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science and Director of the Thriving Through Family Transitions Research Lab in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Much of his research focuses on identifying factors that promote high-quality stepparent-child relationships, particularly those involving adolescent children.
Dr. Jensen’s professional activities are connected to more than 34 million dollars in funding, including support from the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, The Duke Endowment, the William T. Grant Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Jensen is a Faculty Fellow of the Carolina Population Center, a Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research, Deputy Editor for the Journal of Family Theory & Review, and co-founder and co-chair of the Diverse Family Structures Focus Group of the National Council on Family Relations. As an educator, Dr. Jensen specializes in teaching courses on family theory and practice, human development, program evaluation, and advanced quantitative methodology.
You can find Todd Jensen: On Instagram HERE
On his website, toddjensen.com, where you can also find links to many of his journal articles
Have You Ever Thought About Coaching? On Wednesday, May 7th, I'm hosting a masterclass: The 5-Step Framework To Becoming A Stepfamily Coach (even if you've never coached before.
This FREE class is for you if you’ve ever thought about turning your stepfamily experience into a meaningful career or side hustle - but you’re unsure where to start, how to get clients, or if you’re even “qualified.” Here's what you'll learn: ✅ How I turned my own stepfamily challenges into a career that fuels me daily ✅ What you really need (hint: not a counseling degree or a “perfect family”) ✅ The biggest myths that hold amazing women back from making a real impact
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
🎉🎉We're 100! 🎉🎉 Today's episode is all about celebrating our big milestone - we have hit one hundred episodes!
It's been a wild ride for these first hundred episodes and I am so honored that you've joined me to explore so many different topics that impact stepmoms. There's still so much to talk about, so I hope you'll come along for the next hundred episodes!
Today we're going through some of the biggest lessons I've learned in these first hundred episodes. The lessons aren't all related to stepmom life - but they are all helpful for taking a look at your mindset, your stepmom experience, and how even one small step can make big changes in your life when you need it.
Join Me Next Week: Next Wednesday, February 26th, I'm hosting an amazing 1 hour Masterclass: From Exhausted To Empowered: The 60-Minute Reset Every Stepmom Needs (and deserves!).
In the class, you're going to learn the three big obstacles that hold back almost every stepmom - things that you can address with a few simple mindset shifts.
Take just 60 minutes for yourself and come learn how to finally live into your blended family life without sacrificing your happiness.
Links Mentioned In This Episode: Episode 32, Talking All Things Stepmom with Dr. Patricia Papernow
Episode 59, Letting It Be Easy (Even With Stepmom Life), with Susie Moore
Episode 56, How To Love Stepmom Life While Building A Business Empire, with Amy Porterfield
Episode 87, When Blended DOES Mean Happily Ever After, with Catt Sadler and Sarah Boyd
Episode 27, A Conversation with Megan Hunter, CEO of the High Conflict Institute
Episode 85: Learning How To Stepmom One Lesson At A Time, with Jamie Yuccas
Episode 96, A Better Marriage Starts with a Better You, with Casey and Meygan Caston
Episode 91, What Happens When You Retake Control of Your Stepmom Story, with Naja Hall
Episode 93, What Does Work In Stepfamilies, According To Research
Episode 94: Smooth Talking, Improving Communication One Step At A Time
Honorable Mention, Episode 99, Family Law Essentials for Stepmoms
Want Your Question Answered On The Podcast? Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Family Law Insights From a Real Housewives' Lawyer In today's episode, we’re getting into all the legal things around stepfamily life with an award-winning family law expert who has represented many high-profile clients in their divorces, including Ashley Darby of the Real Housewives of Potomac.
About Maria: This week, I'm talking to a rockstar and award-winning attorney in the family law area. She is Managing Partner at the Geller Group and specializes in family law, divorce, custody disputes, collaborative divorce, and litigation.
Maria has been continually recognized as Virginia Business’ Legal Elite and selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for Virginia and the District of Columbia. She’s a frequent speaker and is a member of the Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia (CPNV), the D.C. Academy of Collaborative Professionals (DCACP), and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Maria graduated cum laude from the Honors Program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and cum laude from the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. She is active in the DC community and served two years as General Counsel for Crispus Attucks Development Corporation. Our worlds have overlapped along the way, too. Maria was General Counsel for the Taste of the South Charity, which I was involved with for years, and she’s a member of the Junior League of Washington, where I served as President.
Along with Maria’s zeal for the practice of law, she is an avid runner and yoga practitioner, and loves cooking and spending time with her husband and three sons.
You Can Find Maria: Thegellerlawgroup.com
On Instagram
Want Your Question Answered On The Podcast? Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Stepfamily Life From A Son's Perspective This week's guest isn't a stepmom. But he does have an interesting take on stepfamily life. Judge and author Anthony J. Mohr grew up with a father who had been a well-known radio actor who descended to the Hollywood B-list with the advent of television, and a stepfather who was a wealthy and successful businessman. In his award-winning book, Every Other Weekend: Coming of Age With Two Different Dads, Anthony discusses how he found his place between the two contrasting worlds while coming of age during a time when divorce was rare and often viewed as shocking.
About Anthony: Anthony J. Mohr served for 26 years as a judge on the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. He also sat as a judge pro tem on the California Court of Appeal. In January 2021, he became a fellow at the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and is now a senior editor of the Harvard ALI Social Impact Review. His stories and essays have received six Pushcart Prize nominations. He has worked on the staffs of Evening Street Review, Fifth Wednesday Journal, Hippocampus Magazine, and Under the Sun.
You Can Find Anthony: anthonyjmohr.com
Want Your Question Answered On The Podcast? Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
How does "mommy wine culture" impact stepmoms? This week's episode is different than others - in the most interesting way! We're talking to top Life & Sobriety Coach Casey Davidson about drinking. It felt like a timely topic given the U.S. Surgeon General's recent advisory around alcohol - plus, Casey has a refreshing, non-"preachy" take on sobriety. We talk about how to hit pause on reaching for that glass of wine at the end of a hard day - and why it might just be the best thing you do for yourself.
About Casey: Casey McGuire Davidson is a Life & Sobriety Coach and the host of the Top 100 Mental Health Podcast, The Hello Someday Podcast for Sober Curious Women. As an ex-red wine girl who spent 20 years climbing the corporate ladder while holding on tightly to her love of wine, Casey’s passionate about helping busy women stop drinking and create lives they love without alcohol. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, NPR, HuffPost and The New York Times.
You Can Find Casey: Hello Someday Coaching
The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women
You can grab her free 30-Day Sober Guide here or take her free Masterclass Take A Break From Drinking With These 5 Secrets
On Instagram
On Facebook
On YouTube
On Pinterest
Want Your Question Answered On The Podcast? Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
"If you want a better marriage, it starts with a better you" (there may be affiliate links in this post - for more about what that means, click here)
Our guests this week are known for their clever and relatable social media videos - but they are much more than that. Casey and Meygan Caston, founders of Marriage365, offer up some great relationship advice for couples. In today's episode, they give us their top tips for good communication, and you'll enjoy hearing their story.
And they've offered a special $250 discount for our listeners to their annual marriage retreat happening October 2-5, 2025. You can check it out HERE and put the code STEPFAMILY SOLUTIONS in the comment field to apply the discount.
About Casey & Meygan: Casey and Meygan Caston, founders of Marriage365, fell in love, got married, and started their happily ever after. They quickly found themselves facing deep challenges in their marriage due to childhood trauma, stubborn personalities, and poor communication. By year three, they were on the brink of divorce.
Determined to turn things around, Meygan embraced the advice: “If you want a better marriage, it starts with a better you.” She focused on her own healing, habits, and boundaries, sparking a dramatic shift in their relationship.
Frustrated by ineffective and costly therapy, the Castons created practical tools and resources to help couples strengthen their marriages. This inspired the launch of the Marriage365 app offering affordable and convenient support for relationships that has helped over 100,000 couples reconnect and reignite their love. They’ve authored five books, lead global marriage retreats, and offer one of the top premarital courses in the U.S.
Married 21 years, Casey and Meygan live in Southern California with their two teenagers, enjoy the beach, card games, and walks with their dog.
You Can Find Casey & Meygan: On their website: marriage365.com
On Instagram: @marriage365
You can grab their book, 365 Connecting Questions For Couples, on Amazon!
And Join Me In January! For additional support, join me in Alexandria, VA January 24-25th for Stepmom Live! - it will be a transformative 2 days of diving into stepfamily challenges like communication, conflict, and most of all, how to tame the chaos and save your sanity. And follow me on Instagram and TikTok for all my latest.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
The Stepfamily Holiday season can be filled with landmines. Let's tackle them one at a time. If you’ve ever felt like the holidays in a stepfamily are more stress than joy, this episode is for you. We're going to talk about some of the hardest things that come up for stepmoms during the holidays - and I'm going to give you some tips to help make it through.
And if you'd like more support for the holidays, I'm hosting a special live class called From Humbug To Happy next week inside the Stepfamily Circle. It will be an interactive hour filled with Q&A - and you'll walk away with practical strategies to navigate the stepfamily holiday season. To claim your spot, just pop over and Join the Circle HERE
For additional support, join me in Alexandria, VA January 24-25th for Stepmom Live! - it will be a transformative 2 days of diving into stepfamily challenges like communication, conflict, and most of all, how to tame the chaos and save your sanity.
And Don't Forget: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for all my latest.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Stepfamily Communication Is Complicated. But Does It Have To Be? In this episode, we go back to a topic that comes up over and over again with the stepfamilies I work with: communication. We'll talk about why communication is so much more challenging in a stepfamily than in a first family, and a few things you can do to improve it.
And I've got a freebie for you to help with your communication. Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of these tricky stepfamily topics.
For additional support, join me in Alexandria, VA January 24-25th for Stepmom Live! - it will be a transformative 2 days of diving into stepfamily challenges like communication, conflict, and most of all, how to tame the chaos.
And Don't Forget: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for all my latest.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
What Do We Know About What DOES Work In Stepfamilies? In this episode, I'm joined by one of the preeminent stepfamily scholars in the world, Larry Ganong, Ph.D., who is out with a new book, called What Works In Stepfamilies: Creating And Maintaining Satisfying And Effective Relationships.
He also happens to sit on the Stepfamily Solutions advisory board and if you've attended any of our past Stepmom Summits, you'll remember him as one of our speakers.
The two coauthors of What Works In Stepfamilies are his wife, Marilyn Coleman, Ed.D., who is a celebrated researcher with an international reputation for her work on stepfamilies, and Caroline Sanner, Ph.D., an award-winning family scientist and one of the leading stepfamily scholars of her generation.
The book uses a strengths-based approach and resilience perspective to offer guidance on what works in creating effective stepfamily relationships. It draws from over 2500 studies and gives a comprehensive overview of the research and best practices around what works to create positive and satisfying stepfamily relationships.
It's a great discussion - and the book comes out November 21st, so definitely go check it out!
About Larry: Lawrence Ganong, Ph.D. is a Chancellor’s Professor and Emeritus Professor of Human Development and Family Science and Nursing at the University of Missouri. He has co-authored over 350 journal articles, chapters, and 10 books, and has received 12 research grants from public and private institutions.
Ganong is a Fellow at the National Council on Family Relations and the Gerontological Society of America. He has served on the Board of Directors of the National Council on Family Relations, the Council on Contemporary Families, and The Stepfamily Association of America. Ganong’s research program has focused on how post-divorce families develop and maintain satisfying and effective relationships.
And Don't Forget: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for all my latest.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
How Does The Daily Trauma of War Impact Stepfamilies? The trauma inflicted on stepfamilies is an aspect of war not often considered - but has a very real impact. In this episode, we are talking with Sigal Kaplan, a family counselor in Israel specializing in blended families. Sigal has done groundbreaking and captivating work around the impact of the ongoing war on Israeli stepfamilies.
About Sigal: Sigal Kaplan is a family counselor specialist who works with stepfamilies, as well as families dealing with divorce. She teaches a course at Kibbutzim College for counselors and educators about divorce and stepfamilies. Sigal also founded the "Children First" project (2014-2018), supporting children and families dealing with divorce. She has a B.A in Education and M.A in Organizational Consulting. Sigal is certified in parental coordination and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), and has certifications from the Adler Institute, the Ministry of Education, and the Step Family Foundation. She is married to Aaron, stepmom to Noa, and mom to Ariel, Ben, and Zoe. You Can Find Sigal: sigalkaplan.com On Instagram And Don't Forget: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for all my latest.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
What Happens When You Stop Caring So Much About Your Expectations? In this episode, we welcome back our old friend and amazing stepmom and life coach, Naja Hall. Naja and I always have fun catching up - and then we have a great discussion about her journey to finally become "unbothered" and what happens when you can finally get there.
About Naja: Naja is the founder of VIPStepmom and Blended and Black. As a Certified Coach and Educator, she understands that the family is THE MOST influential entity of human development, and her work centers around helping individuals, couples, and families navigate some of life’s toughest transitions. As the host of popular podcast, I know I’m Crazy with Naja Hall and author of the Amazon best-seller Girl, Bye! book series, Naja’s life’s work is to teach empathy, accountability, and emotional intelligence through the art of story-telling and genuine human connections. She’s a Stepmom of 3.
You Can Find Naja: najahall.com
blendedandblack.com
VIPStepmom.com
On TikTok
On Instagram
And Don't Forget: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for all my latest.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
What Is Stepfamily Coaching, And Can It Help You? Today we're going to talk a bit about coaching. What it is, how it can help stepfamilies, and how to find a good coach. I was actually a coach skeptic for a long time, but I'll tell you how my mind was changed. And if you’re interested in paying it forward and becoming a coach, or even if you're just a little “coach-curious” I’ll let you know that the doors are open this week to the Stepfamily Coach Academy.
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode If you're interested in giving back to other stepfamilies as a stepfamily coach, the doors are open for our next class of students inside the Stepfamily Coach Academy next month. Spots are limited, but you can find out more and apply HERE.
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for all my latest.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Stepmom Guilt Is Just The Symptom I don’t know about you, but when I became a stepmom, I put a huge amount of pressure on myself. To be clear, I put a lot of pressure on myself in general, but it got worse when I became a stepmom. Because even if you aren't the type who puts pressure on themselves already, you'll start to when you marry or parter with someone who has kids.
So in this episode, I'm chatting about something that I have struggled with for a long time, and I thought it might resonate with you. And that’s stepmom guilt. We'll talk about what it is and a few things you can do to banish it!
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode If you're interested in giving back to other stepfamilies as a stepfamily coach, we'll be opening doors for our next class of students inside the Stepfamily Coach Academy next month. You can get on the waitlist HERE.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Back-To-School Isn't Always What It Seems It’s back-to-school time, which always leaves me with mixed emotions. On one hand, it can feel GREAT to get the kids back on the bus and out of the house all day every day. But on the other, the school year brings its own nuttiness with themed days, sports and other activities starting, and packed schedules.
So what's the best way to cope as a stepmom and look for your own fresh start? That's what this quickie episode is all about.
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode If you're interested in giving back to other stepfamilies as a stepfamily coach, we'll be opening doors for our next class of students inside the Stepfamily Coach Academy next month. You can get on the waitlist HERE.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Can You Actually Have It All In A Stepfamily? Today I'm sharing an interview I did for this year's Stepmom Summit because it's the kind of story that we don't get to hear enough of as stepmoms: a stepmom and mom who not only get along, but are real-life friends, work together, and have made co-parenting virtually seamless for their kids.
I'm talking with Emmy Award-winning journalist Catt Sadler and Digital Dept. CEO Sarah Boyd. These women are each superstars professionally, and both vowed to put the kids in the stepfamily first. It's a wonderful story of how the dynamics can come together in a loving and positive way.
About Catt:
Catt Sadler is a three time-Emmy winning journalist, renowned for her work on E! Entertainment, where she spent more than a decade contributing to E! News, E! News Weekend, Daily Pop, Live From E! and hosting various network specials. She’s also been a fixture on the red carpet covering high-caliber events and interviewing celebrities during awards season. She has been co-host of the Vanity Fair Oscars Party show for the last several years. Today, she is the host and EP of her weekly podcast: CATT SADLER Now.
Catt has appeared on The View, The Talk, The Tamron Hall Show, and many other programs. After choosing to leave E! over a wage gap issue and receiving an outpouring of support, Catt became a prominent voice for the equal pay movement.
She has spent much of her time contributing to the cause by taking part in the LA Women’s March, speaking at the Equal Pay Day rally at City Hall in New York, and starring in LUNA Bar’s Equal Pay Day campaign. Catt was also selected for the NYDJ Denim campaign highlighting women leading change. She starred in the SECRET deodorant “I’d Rather Get Paid” initiative and MM.Le.Fleur’s “What Are You Made Of?” fashion campaign. In 2021 she was featured with a diverse group of women in Summersalt’s swimwear campaign celebrating an eclectic group of confident and successful women who love their bodies – in all forms, at any age. Championing women has always been her passion.
About Sarah:
Sarah Boyd is the co-CEO of The Digital Dept., which represents the most sought-after celebrity influencers. Her current/past clients roster includes Alessandra Ambrosio, Jamie Chung, Olivia Culpo, Julianne Hough, Lauren Bushnell Lane, Jana Kramer, and many more who look to Sarah to help them capitalize on their influential status in the entertainment industry to make their mark in the influencer world.
Sarah started her career in Fashion PR and in 2012, she decided to channel her expert industry know-how, her extensive list of contacts, and relationships into starting her own business, SIMPLY, a collective with one goal in mind: connecting.
The SIMPLY ‘Do What You Love’ event is an annual Fashion and Beauty Conference in cities such as LA, NY, Chicago, and Dubai. Since 2012, SIMPLY has hosted tens of thousands of attendees.
Sarah has secured partnerships with prestigious brands like CITI, Topshop, Barney’s NY and many more. She’s been featured in Marie Claire, People Style Watch, Fox News, E!, LA Business Journal, to name a few. She was named a “Female Founder to Watch” by Forbes and is now a Forbes Fashion and Beauty contributor.
In 2017, Sarah completed a successful acquisition for SIMPLY with Socialyte (under the NYLON LLC parent company) and Sarah held the position of President of Socialyte.
In 2018, Sarah co-founded the Moms + Babes Box with partner Jana Kramer which is a quarterly subscription box filled with 6+ full sized products for moms and their babes. In 2020, Sarah and Jana sold the business.
In 2022, Socialyte was acquired by Dolphin Entertainment, and in 2023, Socialyte and Be Social merged to become The Digital Dept. where Sarah was installed as co-CEO.
You Can Find Catt and Sarah: On Instagram:
@iamcattsadler
@sarahpboyd
On their websites:
thecattwalk.com
thedigitaldept.com
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Sarah appeared on the podcast back in episode 75, which you can listen to HERE.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Navigating Stepfamily Life After Tragedy Strikes Today we are taking on a tough, but important, topic: picking yourself (and your stepfamily) back up after your worst nightmare comes to life. I'm talking to stepmom and grief expert Krista St-Germain, who moved through unthinkable tragedy to learn how to thrive again. She's got an inspiring outlook and some amazing insights for stepfamilies who may be dealing with grief.
About Krista:
Krista St-Germain is a Master Certified Life Coach, Post-Traumatic Growth and grief expert, widow, mom and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista’s life was completely and unexpectedly flipped upside down.
After therapy helped her uncurl from the fetal position, Krista discovered Life Coaching, Post Traumatic Growth and learned the tools she needed to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too.
Krista has been featured online and in print in Psychology Today, Medium, Thrive Global, Bustle, Psych Central, and Parents Magazine and on select podcasts such as The SelfWork Podcast, Seek The Joy, Life Check Yourself, and You Need A Budget to name a few.
You Can Find Krista: On Instagram: @lifecoachkrista
On her website, coachingwithkrista.com/
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Krista is generously offering a course on navigating grief to our listeners for FREE - You can access it right HERE.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
A rockstar journalist navigates stepmom life in real time Today I'm talking to Jamie Yuccas, Emmy-Award-winning journalist - and stepmom. I first met Jamie a few months ago when she reached out to cover The Stepmom Summit for KCAL/CBS News Los Angeles. I enjoyed chatting with her so much I knew we had to have her on the podcast!
About Jamie:
Jamie Yuccas is a CBS News correspondent known for her coverage of high-profile stories, including the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, the wildfires across the Western United States, and the social justice protests following the murder of George Floyd. She is a co-anchor for KCAL News Mornings, a seven-hour weekday morning news program.
Yuccas joined CBS Newspath from WCCO-TV, the CBS-owned and operated station in Minneapolis, where she won two Emmy Awards and contributed reporting to the CBS Evening News and CBS This Morning for breaking news stories in the Midwest. She also won an Emmy Award for coverage of Hurricane Sandy. As an anchor, reporter, and producer at WBBH-TV in Fort Myers, Florida, Yuccas won a Florida Associated Press award for a feature story about a U.S. Marshals operation.
You Can Find Jamie: On Instagram: @jamieyuccas
On her website, KCaLnews.com
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
How to break the cycle of relational trauma Today I'm talking to Abbey Williams, LSW about estrangements and healing to break the cycle of generational trauma.
Abbey spoke at our recent Stepmom Summit (the Summit is over but you can still access the presentations for a few more days with an Ultimate Access Pass)
About Abbey:
Abbey is a Trauma Therapist + Estrangement Expert, Founder of You, The Mother, Coach, Co-Founder of The Estrangement Project, Co-Founder of The Parenting with Trauma Project, and mother of 4. For over 10 years, Abbey has provided direct clinical and coaching services to individuals seeking healing from relational trauma. She writes and speaks about various parenting, relational, and mental health topics.
Abbey focuses on helping moms heal from their childhood wounding, navigate difficult family dynamics, estrangement, and breaking generational trauma. She is committed to supporting, empowering, and connecting with her community by providing accessible information on her podcast, "You, The Mother Podcast," social media platforms, coaching, support groups, healing book club, retreats, and webinars for people all over the world.
She has been featured by PopSugar, Parents, SheKnows, and Romper, and was named a top 50 parenting podcast by Podcast Magazine.
Abbey navigates her blended family/coparenting life in Cincinnati, OH with her husband, four kids, and two sister labs.
You Can Find Abbey: On Instagram: @youthemother
On her website, youthemother.com
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Get your Ultimate Access Pass and get access to the Stepmom Summit HERE!
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
What happens when you realize you're in a high-conflict situation? All too often, stepmoms get into their stepfamily only to realize their spouse's ex is way more high-conflict than they realized or that there is some pretty nasty parental alienation happening. That's exactly what happened to Maarit Miller and we're talking all about her experience and how it led her to start coaching others through similar situations.
Maarit spoke at our recent Stepmom Summit (the Summit is over but you can still access the presentations for a few more days with an Ultimate Access Pass)
About Maarit:
Maarit has been a mom for 20+ years, a stepmom for 15+, and was one of the founding moderators over at the stepparent support subreddit. She's been nominated for Best Stepmom Blog and named a Top 10 Blended Family Blog. Blended Family Frappé was also listed as one of the best blended family Instagram accounts to follow.
And she says when she's running her site, she's probably eating tacos while watching Star Wars.
You Can Find Maarit: On Instagram: @blendedfamilyfrappe
On her website, blendedfamilyfrappe.com
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Get your Ultimat Access Pass and get access to the Stepmom Summit HERE!
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Does High Conflict Coparenting Ever Get Better? That's what we're talking about in today's episode with CEO and co-founder of the High Conflict Institute, Megan Hunter, another "three-peat" guest (Episode 27 and Episode 59) and speaker at this year's Stepmom Summit (which is coming up April 25-28th - you can get on the waitlist for doors to open HERE).
Megan will give us a bit of a preview of what she and Bill Eddy will discuss when they appear together at the Summit in a few weeks - and, as always, some great tips for handling any high conflict personalities you may have in your life.
About Megan:
Megan Hunter, MBA, is the co-founder and CEO. She developed the concept of the Institute after 13 years in policy, legislation, and judicial training with the Arizona Supreme Court and five years with the Dawes County Attorney’s Office in Nebraska. She is founder and publisher of Unhooked Books, a U.S.-based media company.
Megan has trained professionals in business, public service, law, education, and mental health in the U.S. and seven other countries. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Business and Economics degree from Chadron State College. She has served as President of the Arizona Chapter of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, the Arizona Family Support Council and Nebraska Child Support Enforcement Association. She served five years on the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiner, and is one of our experts serving on the Advisory board of Stepfamily Solutions.
You Can Find Megan: On Instagram @highconflictinstitute
On her website, highconflictinstitute.com
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Get your FREE ticket for the Stepmom Summit HERE!
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Is it possible to stepmom without losing yourself? That's what we're talking about in today's episode with relationship crisis coach Jessica Frew - a "three-peat" guest (Episode 29 and Episode 65) and speaker at this year's Stepmom Summit (which is coming up April 25-28th - you can get on the waitlist for doors to open HERE). And spoiler alert, Jessica has some great advice.
About Jessica:
Jessica Frew is a wife, ex-wife, mom, stepmom, and BOLD action taker. She has a successful podcast called “Husband in Law” that she records with her husband, Matt, and her ex-husband, Steve. Together they are sharing their stories of love, marriage, coming out, divorce, remarriage and co-parenting to help others know they are not alone. She owns The BOLD Logic, a company devoted to helping people figure out the “What NOW?!” after crisis in their relationship or having a partner come out. Jessica is a firm believer that by knowing and understanding what it is you really want in life you can BOLDly create a life you love, no matter what your circumstances.
You Can Find Jessica: On Instagram @heyjessicafrew
On her podcast, Husband In Law
On her website, theboldlogic.com
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Hop on the waitlist for the Stepmom Summit HERE
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Let's Get Comfortable . . . In Your Own Skin. Today's episode is about getting more comfortable in your own skin. Specifically as it relates to your partner’s ex and comparing yourself to her. This is something that I hear ALL THE TIME from stepmoms. And it can take various forms.
It can be overt, like wondering if your spouse thinks she’s prettier or smarter than you.
But it can also be sneaky and lead to even more insecurities, like when you wonder why your partner married her to begin with.
Whatever way it comes, you can find yourself down an unhealthy rabbit hole real quick. And you can find yourself obsessing over her. Her looks, her parenting skills, why she doesn’t like you. On and on and on.
I'll walk you through some of the most common comparisons - and we'll talk about how you can reset your outlook the next time you find yourself wondering if you're measuring up.
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode If you'd like more on this topic, you can check out Linda Black's piece in Stepfamily Magazine: Stepmoms, Quit Comparing Yourself To Your Partner's Ex.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Are you a people pleaser? If so, this episode is for YOU. Our guest today has been here before, back on episode 61. And she recently published her first book, The People Pleaser’s Guide to Coparenting Well.
About Mikki: Mikki Gardner is a Certified Life and Conscious Parenting Coach, a mom, a speaker, host of the Co-Parenting with Confidence Podcast, and author of the People Pleaser’s Guide to Co-Parenting Well.
Mikki’s personal struggles with divorce motivated her to become a “better mom” so that she could better help her son overcome the challenges of their new family dynamic. Drawing on her academic background, professional training, and personal experience, she empowers other moms to move beyond the overwhelming obstacles of co-parenting and thrive after divorce.
Mikki strives to guide moms to navigate the divorce & co-parenting drama by becoming calm, confident co-parents, even without their ex’s participation.
Mikki is on a mission to help children by helping their moms learn to handle the emotional and practical difficulties of divorce and co-parenting while creating an intentional, joyful, and ease-filled life for both themselves and their children.
You can find Mikki:
On her podcast, Co-Parenting With Confidence
You can grab her book HERE
Follow her on Instagram
Visit her website: www.mikkigardner.com
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Listen to my first interview with Mikki back in Episode 61 HERE.
Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE
Want to go deeper into coparenting, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
In today's episode, I'm answering your questions!
I put out a call before the holidays for questions and boy, did you respond! I'm so excited to tackle these and hope today is just the first of many Q&A episodes.
Today's question is from Lauren, who wants to know if feeling like an outsider ever really gets better and how she can cope with it.
If you've got a question you'd like me to answer, head HERE and ask away!
Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Submit a question to be answered on a future episode HERE
Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Today I'm talking to another veteran stepfamily coach, Amelia Lane, all about how to get "okay" with it when you realize your expectations do not line up with your stepfamily reality.
Amelia has been a guest expert inside the Stepfamily Circle membership, which you can learn more about HERE. And she's got some great insights for you - no matter what stage of stepmom life you're in!
About Amelia Amelia Lane is a Certified Stepparent Coach and the co-founder of The Art of Blended Chaos, based out of a small town in Ontario, Canada. As a {second} wife, mother of two, and stepmom of one, Amelia draws on 13 years of partnership, 8 years of marriage, and a lifetime of navigating stepfamily dynamics when working with clients.
Her personal journey, from a child of divorce to a blended family maven, fuels her coaching. Amelia doesn't just bring certification; she brings a lifetime of lived experiences, having triumphed over jealousy, insecurity, parenting differences, communication blocks and a handful of other stepfamily challenges.
Before coaching, Amelia spent 12 years in long-term care as a Personal Support Worker, caring for the elderly and assisting psychiatric patients in a group-homes. Now, with a continued passion for helping others, she leverages her unique insights to guide clients through the maze of stepfamily life.
You Can Find Amelia: On Instagram @amelia.lane.stepparentcoach and @theartofblendedchaos You can learn more about all of the ways Amelia On her website www.theartofblendedchaos.com
Amelia has offered listeners of the podcast 50% of her eBook: The {Un}Official Guide to Becoming an Empowered Stepmom. Just head HERE and use the code: STEPMOMDIARIES at checkout.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Today I'm talking to a veteran stepfamily coach and one of last year's Stepmom Summit speakers, Mindy Kyle. We are talking about how it feels when you realize you've gone from dating to the deep end of stepfamily life and feel like you are barely staying afloat.
Mindy has a wealth of experience in that very subject and some great insights for stepmoms who might be struggling right now.
About Mindy Mindy Kyle is no stranger to the struggles that often come with the title of stepmom. She became a stepmom to 4 kids at the early age of 24. Because of her struggles through her own stepmom journey, she focuses solely on helping other stepmoms who feel they are barely surviving their stepmom roles and instead create the kind of deeply connected, harmonious, and purpose-filled lives they have always dreamt of living.
You Can Find Mindy: At mindykylecoaching.com
On Instagram: @mindykylecoaching
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
In this episode, I’m talking to a rockstar in the influencer marketing world, but one who also happens to be a stepmom and has one of the best relationships with her stepchildren’s mom that I’ve ever seen.
Sarah Boyd and I actually met sitting next to each other at a dinner hosted by a mutual friend, Susie Moore, in Miami. And the more I talked to her about her family life and what a rockstar she is, the more I thought, I’ve got to have her on the podcast!
The mom of Sarah's stepkids is journalist and influencer Catt Sadler, and it’s amazing how they have navigated their situation. I can’t wait for you to hear from her.
About Sarah Sarah Boyd is the Founder and creative force behind SIMPLY, a collective with one goal in mind: connecting. Sarah started her career in Fashion PR and in 2012, she decided to channel her expert industry know-how, her extensive list of contacts, and relationships into starting her own business.
The SIMPLY 'Do What You Love' event is an annual Fashion and Beauty Conference in cities such as LA, NY, Chicago, and Dubai. Since 2012, SIMPLY has hosted tens of thousands of attendees.
In 2016, with the rise of influencer marketing, Sarah started managing some of the most sought-after celebrity influencers. Her current/past clients roster includes Alessandra Ambrosio, Jamie Chung, Olivia Culpo, Julianne Hough, Lauren Bushnell Lane, Jana Kramer, and many more who look to Sarah to help them capitalize on their influential status in the entertainment industry to make their mark in the influencer world.
Sarah’s reach is undeniable and she has been able to secure partnerships with prestigious brands like CITI, Topshop, Barney’s NY and many more. She’s been featured in Marie Claire, People Style Watch, Fox News, E!, LA Business Journal, to name a few, and she was named a "Female Founder to Watch" by Forbes and is now a Forbes Fashion and Beauty contributor.
In 2017, Sarah completed a successful acquisition for SIMPLY with Socialyte (under the NYLON LLC parent company) and Sarah held the position of President of Socialyte.
In 2018, Sarah co-founded the Moms + Babes Box with partner Jana Kramer which is a quarterly subscription box filled with 6+ full sized products for moms and their babes. In 2020, Sarah and Jana sold the business but remain advisors and the face of the brand.
In 2022, Socialyte was acquired by Dolphin Entertainment and in 2023, Socialyte and Be Social merged to become The Digital Dept. where Sarah is currently the co-CEO.
You Can Find Sarah: At The Digital Dept
On Social:
Instagram @sarahpboyd // @thedigitaldpt
LinkedIn @sarahpboyd
And don't forget to save your seat for the Jan. 24th Masterclass: 6 Simple Steps To Stepfamily Peace: The blueprint happy stepmoms use to achieve harmony in their stepfamily life - even when it feels like a chaos-free home is just a pipe dream.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
It's a brand new year and we're back with all new episodes! Today, we’re talking about the new beginnings that come with a new year. To include word of the year. And resolutions.
We’re talking about the differences between stepfamily life and first-family life and why they matter.
AND I’m going to fill you in on some big and exciting changes I’ve got going on for you.
The first one - and the biggest - is that This Custom Life has officially merged with Stepfamily Magazine! We have formed Stepfamily Solutions.
Stepfamily Solutions is the new home of The Stepmom Diaries podcast, all of the This Custom Life courses, Stepfamily Magazine, The Stepmom Summit, The Stepmom Retreat, and the Stepfamily Circle membership. With our curated content, research-backed tools, and expert advisory board, we are truly your one-stop shop for all of your stepmom and stepfamily needs.
The other big news we've got is that our Stepfamily Circle membership is getting a huge overhaul. Later this month, we're launching a brand new custom site for our members. We're putting the finishing touches on the site, which will house our exclusive community off social media for stepmoms and stepfamilies to access experts, tools and resources, and coaching. Every single month.
In addition to a brand new site and portal, we are launching a brand new custom app for the membership so that you'll have all of our resources on the go. It's honestly amazing and we're so excited to unveil it this month.
AND to celebrate the new site and app, we're adding hundreds of dollars of additional exclusive courses and resources into the membership.
Check out the site HERE and follow me on social ⬇️ to stay up to date on all the things!
Links Mentioned: Stepfamily Solutions: www.stepfamilysolutions.com
Stepfamily Circle membership: www.stepfamilycircle.com
Instagram: @stepfamilysolutions
Facebook: @stepfamilysolutions
TikTok: @stepfamilysolutions
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Today I'm talking to Beth McDonough, my partner in Stepfamily Magazine, which includes the Stepmom Summit, the Stepfamily Circle Membership, and our upcoming Stepmom Retreat (we still have one spot for you if you're looking for a getaway!).
In this episode, you'll get a sneak peek into how we work, as we shoot the breeze talking about all the things - especially what we'd go back and tell our younger selves as new stepmoms.
About Beth:
Beth McDonough is a badass stepmom coach and happens to be my business partner over at Stepfamily Magazine. We started our partnership when we co-founded The Stepmom Summit a few years ago and have been working together ever since to create more resources for stepfamilies. Beth runs The Inclusive Stepmom, where she takes stepmoms from hopeless to happy through 1:1 and group coaching and courses.
Her work has been featured in NPR, Good Morning America, SheKnows Parenting, BabyCenter, Bustle, Romper, Mom2.0, and ParentMap. The Inclusive Stepmom was also named one of the best stepparenting blogs by Healthline in 2020.
Beth has a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from Gannon University in Erie, PA. Currently, she works as the Director of Content at digital marketing agency &Marketing and serves on the Marketing Committee for the Crawford County Housing Coalition.
YOU CAN FIND BETH:
On her website, theinclusivestepmom.com
Instagram: @theinclusivestepmom
Facebook: @theinclusivestepmom
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
The 2023 Stepmom Retreat [November 9-11, St. George, Utah]
Stepfamily Magazine
The Stepfamily Circle Membership
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I'll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It's normally $49 and it's a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you'll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
I am so excited about today’s guest. She is a family friend of my husband Craig’s and has become a friend and mentor of mine. She happens to also be a stepmom and a Kickass one at that.
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Gay Gaddis is an entrepreneur, author, artist, and trailblazer. She’s the founder of T3, one of the largest woman-owned independent advertising agencies in the U.S., which she led for over 30 years. She’s a popular speaker on women’s leadership, company culture, and entrepreneurship, and wrote the book Cowgirl Power: How to Kick Ass in Business & Life.
She's a contributor to Forbes and founded Women Who Mean Business, a women’s development program that she co-teaches at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas.
Gay has received numerous awards including the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Texas, 2021 Hall of Fame Award by the McCombs School of Business, the Liz Carpenter Lifetime Achievement Award, Fast Company’s Top 25 Women Business
Builders, Inc. Magazine’s Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the Year and C200’s Luminary Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
Gay is also an amazing artist and her bold and vibrant paintings have been shown in a number of prestigious galleries around the country including New York City and Santa Fe. Texas Monthly magazine named Gay as one of “10 Artists to Collect Now.” Gay and her husband own and operate the historic Double Heart Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, home to Gay’s private art studio and gallery, Fossil Ridge.
You can snag a copy of Gay's book HERE, and you can find Gay:
LinkedIn: GayGaddisInstagram: @GayGaddis Facebook: @Gay.Gaddis
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I'll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It's normally $49 and it's a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you'll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
In case no one told you, stepmom life can be really tough (duh, right?). But I’ve got your back in today's bonus mini-episode. I’m excited to tell you about this free bootcamp I’m doing NEXT WEEK. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while and the time finally felt right, so I hope you’re excited too.
I'll be helping you uncover:
- The 3 Steps that have helped stepmoms around the world understand their role in order to let go of the guilt, frustration, or shame that comes with being a stepmom in today's society.
- How to improve your relationship in blended, new, or complex families - even if you're dealing with a difficult ex, without sacrificing your relationships with your partner or your kids.
- The keys to dealing with conflict in the unique power dynamics that blended families create, without stepping on anybody's toes or creating more chaos.
. . . and MORE!
You can find out more and sign up here: www.thiscustomlife.com/bootcamp
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I'll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It's normally $49 and it's a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you'll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Today’s topic is one I haven’t talked much about before: stepmom infertility and the challenges around being a childless stepmom.
Many stepmoms struggle with infertility and how to cope with being childless. I've spent a lot of time thinking about this over the years. And if I’m being honest, a lot of time trying to understand it all for myself. And coaching myself around my obstacles and mindsets, too.
Childless stepmoms can be childless by choice or by circumstance. Either way, it can be a difficult experience. But in today's episode, I’m talking specifically about being childless by circumstance - meaning not because you chose to be.
I'll walk through the challenges around stepmom infertility, including the challenges I have faced, and I'll discuss a few coping strategies that have helped me over the years. If you're struggling with being childless by circumstance, I hope this will help you, too.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I'll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It's normally $49 and it's a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you'll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!
Stepfamily finances and the issues around them are some of the most important but least talked about (at least in advance) landmines that must be navigated in a new blended family.
When I met my husband, Craig, we talked about all kinds of things when we were planning to marry and move in together. But you know what we didn’t talk about? Stepfamily finances. We did sit down right around when we got engaged to go through each of our assets and debts. And we talked about our philosophy around debt…But that was about the extent of it.
There are a ton of things to consider around stepfamily finances. Way too much for just one podcast episode. So today I'm covering my top pieces of advice. These are things that are great to do before you tie the knot or merge your households, but if you're like me and didn't - it's never too late!
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Stepfamilymoney.com: Snag your FREE copy of The Top 10 Conversations Every Stepmom Needs To Have About Money.
Stepfamily Finances Can Get Sticky: 3 Tips for Parenting Peace, by Cameron Normand for CNET
5 Must-Have Money Conversations Before Becoming A Stepmom, by Cameron Normand for Insider
Episode 54, Raising Financial Grownups with Bobbi Rebell
Episode 1442, So Money Podcast With Farnoosh Torabi: Financial Advice for Step Parents and Blended Families
Financial Tips For Grownups Podcast With Bobbi Rebell: Money Tips For Complicated Families
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
And follow me on Instagram for even more stepmom content!
Dear stepmom, please know you are not alone when you’re overwhelmed by big life changes. Whether you've got kids moving away to school, you have a new job, or you're just changing in your season of life, transitions can be tricky for everyone - but especially when you factor in stepfamily dynamics.
This episode is all about how to get through those life changes. And I'll walk you through a couple of recent life transitions I experienced this summer and how I dealt with them.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
For more stepmom resources, visit me at thiscustomlife.com or follow me on Instagram!
Michelle Dempsey-Multack likes to say that her mission in life is to help her clients ensure their children have a co-parenting experience they won’t need to recover from. And as a child of divorce who experienced a fairly terrible coparenting dynamic, I so appreciate having her out in the world.
About Michelle:
Michelle Dempsey-Multack is a Certified Divorce and Co-Parenting Specialist, bestselling author, educator for divorce coaches, and top 1% podcaster known for her ability to inspire and empower moms through their divorce and co-parenting journeys.
Michelle’s passion for “putting the child first” in the divorce process while helping everyone she reaches feel supported and empowered, makes her a sought-after coach by clients as well as divorce industry professionals from around the globe.
Michelle has helped thousands of women find the permission to move on confidently after divorce as they move towards a more intentional and holistic co-parenting experience – one that their kids can be proud of one day.
Michelle is the author of Moms Moving On: Real Life Advice on Conquering Divorce, Co-Parenting Through Conflict, and Becoming Your Best Self from Simon and Schuster.
Michelle was also a speaker at this year’s Stepmom Summit, which if you missed it - it’s not too late. You can still access her presentation and all the others HERE.
You can find Michelle:
On her website: www.michelledempsey.com
On Instagram: @themichelledempsey
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
Last week, we talked about new stepmoms - This week, I'm chatting with one of the OG stepmom coaches, Barb Goldberg, about how to stepmom through life’s transitions.
I’ve known Barb, aka the "evil stepmother," for several years. She's an accomplished writer, executive, and coach, and has been one of our most popular speakers at The Stepmom Summit every year. And when I was out in Arizona in May with Beth McDonough, we got to finally meet Barb in person and enjoy a wonderful dinner.
We talked about stepmom life, our businesses, and everything in between. And you're going to get a sample of all her amazingness in this episode.
About Barb:
Barb Goldberg is the author and owner of The Evil Stepmother Speaks website, blog, book, and podcast. As the stepmother to three children and the biological mom to one son, Barb has been through the trenches and understands the challenges of stepmother life. Now, her children are grown and she can look back and teach practical solutions while keeping you laughing along the way.
Barb has a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and is a certified Dr. Martha Beck life coach.
Barb spoke again at this year's Stepmom Summit. [and by the way, if you missed the Stepmom Summit, you can still access presentations from this (and past) years HERE].
You can find Barb:
On Instagram: @evilstepmom
At theevilstepmotherspeaks.com and StepmomSanctuaryRetreat.com
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
If you're a new stepmom (or even a not-so-new stepmom) who has struggled, today's guest will speak to you. Because I'm talking to a stepmom coach about how to find your footing.
My guest this week is Bee Chatman, a stepmom coach and Operations Manager at the Naja Hall Coaching Agency who helps her stepfamily clients with all the things.
About Bee:
Bee is an experienced coach and serves as Operations Manager at The Naja Hall Coaching Agency. With 6 years of dedication in the field of coaching, Bee is knowledgeable in life transitions, empathy, and reflective thinking. As a custodial stepmom and military spouse, Bee brings a unique perspective to her stepfamily coaching and has helped stepmoms worldwide.
Bee also spoke at our third annual Stepmom Summit back in April about the "ABCs" of how to be an unbothered stepmom. [and by the way, if you missed the Stepmom Summit, you can still access presentations from this (and past) years HERE].
You can find Bee:
On Instagram: @chatwithbee
On VIP Stepmom HERE
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
If you've ever felt like you've gotten lost in your relationship or your stepfamily, today's conversation will resonate with you. My guest is relationship crisis coach, Jessica Frew. Jessica is an expert at helping her clients deal with betrayal - recognizing it and coming back from it, all while making sure to keep their sense of self.
About Jessica:
Jessica Frew is a wife, ex-wife, mom, stepmom, and BOLD action taker. She has a successful podcast called “Husband in Law” that she records with her husband, Matt, and her ex-husband, Steve. Together they are sharing their stories of love, marriage, coming out, divorce, remarriage and co-parenting to help others know they are not alone. She owns The BOLD Logic, a company devoted to helping people figure out the “What NOW?!” after betrayal or having a partner come out. Jessica is a firm believer that by knowing and understanding what it is you really want in life you can BOLDly create a life you love, no matter what your circumstances.
Jessica was once again a popular speaker at this year's Stepmom Summit. [and by the way, if you missed the Stepmom Summit last month, you can still grab an all-access pass HERE].
You can find Jessica:
On Instagram: @heyjessicafrew
On her podcast, husband-in-law
On her website: theboldlogic.com
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
Today’s guest is one of my favorite stepmom coaches. She's seen it all and her down-to-earth (and sometimes blunt, but in the best possible way) advice is always spot-on. And regardless of what you may be struggling with in your stepmom life, you'll get great advice from Anita in this episode.
About Anita:
As a step-child, divorced mother, and step-mother Anita has been part of a step-family for most of her life. This gives her important insight into the varied and complex dynamics at play within step- and divorced families and brings her personal experience and years of mentoring along with graduate and post-graduate qualifications in psychology to her work.
As a survivor of childhood trauma she understands the additional challenges being a trauma survivor adds to the step-family dynamic. Feelings of entitlement, not belonging, and negativity from other parties within the dynamic can all be triggering for trauma survivors. Having experienced a very high conflict custody situation and pathogenic parenting, Anita is well versed in how to maintain relationships with children who are experiencing pressure to reject the targeted parent and family.
Anita operates from a narrative therapy perspective, believing that the stories we tell ourselves, the stories that are told about us, and the stories of those we interact with, are all key in determining how happy our relationships are.
Anita is always one of our most popular speakers at the Stepmom Summit and this year was no exception. [and by the way, if you missed the Stepmom Summit last month, you can still grab an all-access pass HERE]. And Anita is the founder of the Institute of stepfamily dynamics. Anita was also the co-founder of Stepfamily Magazine, which Beth McDonough and I acquired from her last year.
You can find Anita:
On Instagram: @stepfamilydynamics
On her website: step-familydynamics.com
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
Today's guest is truly "radical." If you haven't listened to her podcast, you've probably seen her relatable, raw, and often funny stepmom posts on Instagram. It's a delight to get to chat with Christina Nelson of Radical Stepmoms about all the things.
And Christina gives us a preview of her talk at the Stepmom Summit, the free 3-day event I host for stepmoms, which is THIS WEEK! If you haven't heard me talk about the summit, it's a live, online (did I mention free?) event for stepmoms. We've got 25 of the world's top experts in stepfamily issues talking about all. the. things. You'll walk away with actionable tips and advice that will help your stepmom life - today. Grab your free spot HERE.
About Christina:
Christina Nelson is a clinical social worker and therapist in Seattle, Washington. As a stepmom, mom and wife, she created the Radical Stepmoms Podcast and is committed to sharing the raw stepmom experience, letting others know they aren’t alone. Christina creates a space to support stepmoms and their partners, assisting them in getting unstuck and building the love and life they desire.
You can find her:
On Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcast
On her website: radicalstepmomspodcast.com
Today we're kicking ass and taking names. Just kidding (kind of) - I'm actually having a discussion with one of the OG's in the online stepmom space, Jamie Scrimgeour, host of The Kickass Stepmom podcast. I always enjoy a chat with Jamie and we are talking about all. the. things.
Jamie is also a speaker at our third annual Stepmom Summit next week. The Stepmom Summit will feature presentations, live panels, and coaching with 25 of the world's top stepfamily experts. You can grab your FREE ticket to hear her speak HERE!
About Jamie:
Jamie is wife, stepmom, and mom to four kids ranging in age from 8 to 20. When she first became a stepmom, she quickly realized that she was in over her head. Disappointed in the type of support available for stepmoms, she decided to create the type of support she was looking for.
Now, Jamie is a top charting podcast host, digital creator and Life Coach with a Specialization in Stepfamily Dynamics and the internet's go to for stepmom support. Jamie’s loyal community of followers see her as the go to for parenting, lifestyle and personal growth content. Through her podcast, The KICK-ASS Stepmom Podcast and membership, The Exclusive Stepmom Community, Jamie’s goal is to inspire women to live their own version of a KICK-ASS Life, while bringing them along as she creates her own.
Jamie is a Certified life Coach with a specialization in Stepfamily Dynamics. She has a BA Honors in Psychology, a post grad in Social Service Work, and prior to starting her digital platform, she enjoyed a career in Child Protection.
Where You Can Find Jamie:
Her website: www.jamiescrimgeour.com
Her podcast: www.jamiescrimgeour.com/podcast
On Instagram and Facebook
At the 2023 Stepmom Summit - grab your ticket HERE!
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
I’ve had some amazing podcast guests the last few months, and have even more coming up in the next few months - but I thought I’d take a beat and record a quick bonus episode for you to talk about some of the things going on in my world and some things I’ve been working on for you.
It can be hard to find resources that apply to your specific stepmom situation. I've got access to so many resources that are helpful for stepmoms, so I wanted to highlight just a few that are coming up that you might enjoy. And the great part is that they range in price from free to kind of pricey so there are options no matter where you are in your journey and what is realistic for you.
Links Mentioned In This Episode
The Stepmom Summit - happening April 20-22 with more than 25 of the top stepfamily experts in the world providing actionable tools and advice on every stepmom topic you can imagine. You can get your FREE ticket HERE.
The Stepfamily Circle - a monthly membership that gives you regular access to group coaching, top experts, and resources to help you no matter what stage of stepfamily life you're in. Doors will re-open during the summit for the first time this year. You can get a free trial when you upgrade your summit ticket, or you can keep an eye out on my Insta April 20-22 for more info.
The Stepmom Retreat - coming up in the fall, we'll take a small group of stepmoms to southern Utah for 3 days of wellness, fellowship, and coaching. It's going to be magical - you can learn more hop on the waitlist HERE so that you're the first to know when we open registration.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
Last episode, we had a great chat with Katie Davie about coparenting - and it's such an important topic, we're continuing the discussion this week.
Coparenting, both in your household and with your partner's ex, can be loaded with stress. Today's guest, stepmom Mikki Gardner, talks about what "conscious parenting" is and how you can be more intentional in your relationship with your spouse - and their ex.
About Mikki
Mikki Gardner is the host of the Co-Parenting With Confidence Podcast and a mom of 3 (her son and 2 bonus sons). After learning how to navigate life post divorce and using it as a catalyst to her own transformation, Mikki now helps moms move past the divorce drama to become calm, confident co-parents, even without their ex's participation. Mikki has built a wonderful relationship with her ex’s new partner and created a blended family where they can vacation together and raise happy children. She is on a mission to help women navigate the emotional and practical difficulties of divorce and co-parenting while creating an intentional, joy and an ease-filled life after divorce. Mikki has offered my listeners a free masterclass on conscious coparenting, which you can find HERE. You Can Find Mikki on Instagram and on her website. Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
Supporting your spouse as they coparent with their ex can be one of the hardest parts of stepmom life.
Today's guest, Katie Davie, has found a way to help coparents that doesn’t require the high conflict coparent to even be a part of the process. She founded Coparenting Peacefully in 2021, where she helps coparents, biological parents, and stepparents become the best versions of themselves - and protect their peace.
Katie has an undergraduate degree in psychology, has studied at the High Conflict Institute, and is a certified coach. Her ebook, Your Guide To Coparenting With Boundaries is available online - and you can access it HERE.
Katie also offers The Big Book of Boundaries and Scripts: 200+ scripts, which comes with advice around specific boundary areas, examples, and enforcements. You can access it HERE.
You Can Find Katie on her website HERE and follow her on Instagram.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
Have you ever wished stepmom life could just be easier? This week’s guest is going to tell us how you can “let it be easy.”
A few weeks ago in Episode 56, I got to chat with one of my business mentors, Amy Porterfield, about her stepmom life and this week I'm talking to one of my other business mentors (and really one of my favorite people around), Susie Moore, who's got some amazing lessons around mindset.
Susie grew up living on welfare in a variety of women’s shelters, often on the run from her abusive, alcoholic, drug-addicted father. Getting approval from others - because she picked the right jeans or got the right haircut - gave her the illusion of safety and love, but she quickly realized those were “approval traps’ and began watching and studying what truly self-assured people were like. She started work as a receptionist, worked her way up to being a top sales director at a Silicon Valley startup, and today, Susie Moore is a life coach and advice columnist for some of the world’s biggest media outlets.
Her work has been featured on the Today show, Oprah, Business Insider, CNN, Forbes, Time Inc, Entrepreneur, Marie Claire, and the Huffington Post. Her insights have been shared by celebrities and thought leaders including Arianna Huffington, Paulo Coelho, Kris Jenner, and Sara Blakely.
Her first book What if It Does Work Out? was named by Entrepreneur as one of the 8 Business Books Entrepreneurs Must Read to Dominate Their Industry and her second book, Stop Checking Your Likes debuted as an Amazon bestseller in April 2020. Her most recent book, Let It Be Easy: Simple Ways To Stop Stressing And Start Living, was published in 2021.
And of course, Susie has been a mentor of mine for a few years now and I just adore her. She is like a ball of sunshine everywhere she goes - and it’s not because she lives in Miami. Her motto, to always "let it be easy" has given her the best outlook on life, which is what we're talking about in this episode.
Susie lives in Miami with her husband Heath and Yorkshire Terrier, Coconut.
You Can Find Susie on her website HERE and follow her on Instagram HERE.
Are you enjoying The Stepmom Diaries? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It’s super easy – all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “write a review.” Then just let me know what you like best!
In this episode, I'm bringing back my guest from Episode 27, Megan Hunter, to talk about high-conflict relationships. This is a topic that just can't be discussed enough and as CEO of the High Conflict Institute, Megan's expertise is unmatched.
About Megan: Megan Hunter, MBA, is co-founder and CEO of the High Conflict Institute and founder/publisher at Unhooked Books. Megan is a keynote speaker and trainer on high-conflict interactions and disputes, and conflict influencing. She is the author of several books and serves on several boards throughout her career. She is a mom of 3, stepmom of 5, nana of 4, and wife of the world's best husband. Resources Mentioned In This Episode
The Stepmom Diaries Episode 27, A Conversation With Megan Hunter, CEO of the High Conflict Institute
The Stepmom Summit - we're hosting our third annual Stepmom Summit next month and could not be more thrilled that Megan will return as a speaker. You can grab a spot on the waitlist HERE!
The BIFF Response® Template - Megan has provided a great free template to my listeners that will help you formulate a "BIFF" response when you're dealing with a high-conflict personality. You can download it HERE.
Megan has written a number of helpful books related to high-conflict personalities, relationships, and coparenting. You can find them, and others, HERE.
Did you like this episode? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It's super easy - all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "write a review." Then just let me know what you like best!
In this episode, we’re talking about something we haven’t tackled yet: relationships and marriage after 60. Settling down in your later years presents totally different blended family issues than what you face in your younger or midlife years.
There are 73 million people over the age of sixty in the United States, or twenty-two percent of the total population – and that number is only growing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2050, the number of people aged sixty-five to eighty-nine will double, while the number of Americans over the age of ninety is expected to quadruple. And while much has been written about the economic needs and impacts of this aging population, there's not much out there about the emotional lives of the age group.
My husband’s parents are in this demographic and they both got remarried the same summer we did. They had been divorced 16 years. And they both remarried the most wonderful people. I really hit the inlaw jackpot - and I’m not just saying that because they might listen to this!
But getting married after sixty - and in their case in their seventies - presented totally different blended family issues than what I faced when I married their son. They all had lived very full lives before they married. And they all had adult children - and while that certainly makes some things easier, it can present other issues that just weren’t top of mind for me and Craig.
Which is what we're talking about in this episode. My guest, Nan Bauer-Maglin, is Professor Emerita at the City University of New York. She has published eight collections (six with coeditors) on topics such as stepfamilies, retirement, feminism, death, dying and choice, and older parenting.
Her latest book is Gray Love: Stories About Dating and New Relationships After 60. In Gray Love, Nan and her co-editor, Daniel E. Hood, have compiled a series of essays that provide a fascinating first-hand glimpse into the love lives of older Americans as they face the twilight of their lives.
Did you like this episode? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It's super easy - all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "write a review." Then just let me know what you like best!
This is a special episode because I am interviewing one of my favorite business mentors, Amy Porterfield - who also happens to be a stepmom. And Amy doesn't hold back.
She talks all about how she balanced stepmom life with building her multimillion-dollar business. And how she dealt with the struggles of not feeling like a "real mom." And she gives us a sneak peek into her brand new book, Two Weeks Notice - a handbook for any woman who's thought about starting her own business. The book is already a bestseller and will make a difference in the lives of thousands of women.
About Amy:
Amy Porterfield is an ex-corporate girl turned online marketing expert and CEO of a multimillion-dollar business. During her corporate days, Amy worked with mega-brands like Harley-Davidson, as well as Peak Performance Coach Tony Robbins. After one fateful boardroom meeting and witnessing the lifestyle, financial, and work freedom an online business has to offer, Amy developed her nine-to-five exit plan and never looked back.
Through her best-selling courses and top-ranked marketing podcast Online Marketing Made Easy, Amy has helped hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs turn in their two weeks’ notice and trade burnout for freedom, income, and impact. Amy’s action-by-action teaching style provides aspiring business owners with the tools they need to bypass the overwhelm and build a business they love.
Amy empowers women across the globe to take their futures into their own hands and find professional autonomy, independence, achievement, and success far beyond what a corporate glass ceiling would traditionally allow. Amy’s work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, CNBC, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and more.
Her company has twice been awarded the Inc. 5000 Award as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S. Today, she runs her growing business from Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Hobie, and their Labradoodle, Scout.
You can find Amy:
amyporterfield.com
Instagram: @amyporterfield
Facebook: @amyporterfield
TikTok: @amy.porterfield
About Two Weeks Notice:
Ever wish there was a step-by-step blueprint for designing your life for financial freedom, lifestyle flexibility, and major impact? No more wishful thinking is necessary, the blueprint exists, and it’s backed by solid proof that all of the above is possible (even if you have no idea how to get started, no advantages, and no secret bank account to serve as a backup plan).
In her highly anticipated book, award-winning entrepreneur, Amy Porterfield, delivers a practical, proven plan that’s helped thousands of women design their own destinies. Two Weeks Notice is a guide to online business building that leaves no stone unturned for those looking to go all in on the life of their dreams.
You can buy Two Weeks Notice at Amazon or wherever you buy books. And I've added Two Weeks Notice to my book recommendations HERE.
Did you like this episode? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show. It will help me reach more stepmoms just like you so they can get MORE out of stepmom life! It's super easy - all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "write a review." Then just let me know what you like best!
And if you haven't already, make sure you follow The Stepmom Diaries. If you're not following me, you'll miss out on all the goodness to come!
How Do You Move Forward When Things Get Tough?
Balancing all the stepfamily things can be really overwhelming. And if you're like me, sometimes you just want to crawl back into bed and hit the "fast forward" button until things are calmer. Except they don't ever really get calmer, do they?
Today’s guest, Michelle Wolfe, is in tune with that emotion. She’s the host of the Muve Forward podcast, investor, and founder of MUVE Life Activewear.
If you like The Stepmom Diaries, can you do me a favor? Head to iTunes and leave me a review? It will just take a second and will help me reach even more stepmoms.
About Michelle:
Losing her Mom to cancer as a child inspired Michelle to dedicate her life, to learning as much as possible about how to live a life that is both healthy and fulfilled. She’s made it her mission to inspire others to take time to slow down and get in tune with their body, mind, and soul so that they too, can learn what it is that they need to move through any challenge they may be facing.
And she’s done just that through her podcast, her amazing activewear line, and in her stepmom life. Michele knows that when we can relate to others and feel their heartache, but also receive the energy from their light, we can start on our own healing journey.
Throughout her 11 years as a Massage Therapist and years of self-development and mindset work, she’s learned that one of the best ways to adapt to our ever-changing lives, is to just keep moving forward. Making one decision at a time, and taking one step at a time. She’s the first to admit though, that it's not always an easy road. That’s why she created a community where people can feel safe to share their stories of struggle and also what they found helped them grow and shift to get through it. Because when we can relate to others and feel their heartache, but also receive the energy from their light, we too can start on our own healing journey.
Michelle is the host of The MUVE Forward Podcast, the founder of MUVE Life Activewear, a Stepmom, partner, and an investor.
She speaks on topics such as mindset, self-development, health and wellness, and more. Michelle likes to deploy a good-vibes-only mindset wherever she goes.
You can find Michelle:
Her website: www.themichellewolfe.com
Her Muve Life Activewear Line: www.muvelife.com
Instagram @themichellewolfe
Helping kids learn about money is difficult, but is even more complicated in stepfamilies. Today's guest is money expert and author Bobbi Rebell, CFP®. Bobbi is the founder of Financial Wellness Strategies and the author of Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart. She is a financial wellness advocate, the host of the Money Tips for Financial Grownups podcast, and the founder of GrownupGear.com. Bobbi was previously a global business news anchor and personal finance columnist at Reuters and held various journalist positions at top news outlets including CNBC, CNN, and PBS.
And on top of all of her credentials, Bobbi is a stepmom - and her stepmom experience greatly influenced her book. We had a great discussion - and if you're raising kids, you'll want to get your hands on this book!
You can find Bobbi on her podcast, Money Tips For Financial Grownups, her website, www.bobbirebell.com, and on social media:
Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
And make sure to get your copy of Bobbi's book, Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life By Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart. It's seriously good!
And if you're looking for more help on stepfamily money issues, you can head HERE for a free list of ten money conversations you need to have with your spouse if you're in a stepfamily.
It's the new year, so everyone is making resolutions. Instead of an actual resolution - because let's face it, I usually give up on those within a few days of the new year - I again decided to choose a word for the year.
In this episode, we'll talk about my word and why it doesn't mean what you think it might mean. Plus, how you can make sure 2023 is your best year yet!
If you enjoy The Stepmom Diaries podcast, would you do me a big favor and head HERE to leave me a review? It just takes a few seconds - and even just leaving 5 stars will help me reach more and more stepmoms.
Here's to a fabulous 2023!
xo,
Cameron
It's the eve of the holiday weekend for millions of stepfamilies around the world. And if you're like me, even when you're having a great holiday season you still have some level of anxiety as you deal with the complications that come with being part of a blended family.
That's what we're talking about in this episode - and you'll come away with some tips for how to cope with the challenges and actually enjoy your holidays.
If you enjoy listening to the podcast, could you do me a solid and head to iTunes and leave me a review? It will help me reach more stepmoms and give them the tools they need to get MORE out of stepmom life.
Happy holidays!
Today's episode features author Jo Dodd talking about her journey to kids book author and her most recent book, "Dear Mama Bear With The F*ed Up Hair." She's got some great lessons about family and why you don't have to hold it together all the time. And her book is perfect for moms and stepmoms who are struggling to hold it all together.
About Jo Jo Dodd is an author, coach and mom of four. In 2020, after a 6-month furlough, she took a bold leap, stepping away from a leadership role in Corporate America, to launch Jotopia Productions, LLC, where she writes content that focuses on the power of positive thinking, embracing diversity, and crushing fear!
Jo has published three children's books in the past two years. Her most recent endeavor is a one-of-a-kind picture book for moms called 'Dear Mama Bear with the F*cked Up Hair.' This book that tells an authentic, poignant, dark, sometimes humorous story of motherhood which is based on Jo's journey of silently battling depression. Jo is passionate about shining a light for any 'Mama Bears' struggling with the ever-increasing pressures of motherhood, and knows that this book will help them feel seen, heard and understood. To find out more about Jo's work, visit www.livinginjotopia.com and follow her on Instagram @livinginjotopia And if you enjoy The Stepmom Diaries, would you do me a big favor? Please head to iTunes and leave me a review so that we can reach as many stepmoms as possible.
It's our FIFTIETH episode, can you believe it?!? And it's a goodie - I'm talking to one of my OG business besties about mom life, the hot mess express, and rage rooms.
My guest is Nikki Oden, a lawyer and mom coach who teaches working moms how to battle burnout, own their days, and lose the mom guilt. She is the founder of Your Ideal Mom Life® and host of the Love Your Mom Life podcast. Nikki’s work has been featured in TODAY Parents, The Boston Globe, Cafe Mom, Thrive Global, Authority Magazine, Kidspot, and more.
Not only are we talking about all the "mom life" things, we're talking about why stepmoms might enjoy a trip to the rage room - yes, it's a real thing!
You can find Nikki on Instagram, Facebook, and on her Love Your Mom Life podcast.
And her new book, "But Definitely Wear Mascara," will be available on Amazon next week - we'll update with a link right here once it's available.
If you enjoyed this episode, can I ask you a favor? Head to iTunes and leave me a review, will ya? It will help me reach even more stepmoms like you who want more.
The holidays are approaching and I don't know about you, but I'm already tired. Stepmom life is exhausting on a good day and it can be hard to figure out how to feel restored. That's exactly what we're talking about in this episode.
I'm talking to Nancy Colier, author of The Emotionally Exhausted Woman: Why You're Feeling Depleted And How To Get What You Need.
Nancy tells us what the $14 billion self-care industry has gotten wrong and how we can truly take care of ourselves. It's an important conversation for stepmoms - and any woman who feels like she can never quite get things together.
Mentioned In This Episode Make sure to grab Nancy's book; I've got a link to it here - it's a digestible read and will give you some great insight into how you can engage in meaningful self-care.
You can find Nancy:
On her website
On Twitter
Can I ask you a favor? If you enjoy this episode, please head to iTunes or wherever you listen and give me a review. It will help me reach more stepmoms like you who need good resources.
Ever wondered if stepdads face the same challenges as stepmoms? Well, we find out in this episode, when we chat with Franco Zavala, also known as the "Professional Stepdad."
Franco is an actor, host of The Professional Stepdad Podcast and YouTube Show, 60-second storyteller, and stepfather of five, who loves sharing wisdom, insight, and anecdotes about fatherhood. Driven by his passion to affect real change, Franco is on a mission to challenge the current narrative around the meaning and purpose of being a Stepdad in today’s world.
You can find Franco on his YouTube Channel, his podcast, Instagram, Facebook, and his website.
Like this episode? Head over to iTunes and leave a review so that I can reach more stepmoms just like you!
We're back and in this episode, we're talking about why it's been a tough fall this year. And I'm opening up about the recent death of my beloved dog, Charlie. Why it's so hard to lose our fur-babies - and the surprising lessons he taught me about stepfamily life and relating to my stepchildren.
If you enjoy The Stepmom Diaries, would you head over to iTunes or wherever you listen and leave me a review? It will help me reach even more stepmoms like you!
Part TWO of TWO Episodes With Dr. Papernow! This episode is the second installment featuring Stepfamily Magazine's Clinical & Research Advisor and Advisory Board member, AND Stepmom Summit keynote speaker, Dr. Patricia Papernow.
We started talking and there was so much to cover, it took two episodes!
About Dr. Papernow
Dr. Patricia Papernow is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on “blended families.” She is the author of Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn’t, which has been called “the best book ever written on the subject,” and “a remarkable achievement.” With Karen Bonnell, she wrote The Stepfamily Handbook: From Dating, to Getting Serious to Forming a “Blended Family,” a practical guide that helps recoupling parents and their partners create a successful stepfamily. Dr. Papernow has written over 30 professional articles and book chapters. She provides training and consultation all over the U.S. and internationally to clinicians, guidance counselors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, clergy, lawyers, judges and others on the front lines with stepfamily challenges.
Dr. Papernow is a member of the Experts Council of the National Stepfamily Resource Center and is the recipient of the 2017 award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Psychology from the American Psychological Association. She is the Director of the Institute for Stepfamily Education and a psychologist in private practice in Hudson, MA.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
Dr. Papernow's site, Stepfamily Relationships
Dr. Papernow's books (which I have read and refer back to regularly!) and other resources can be found on my site HERE.
THE STEPMOM SUMMIT IS COMING!
Don't forget to sign up for the 2022 Stepmom Summit, which will be held August 25 - 27. You can get your FREE ticket HERE!
Part ONE of TWO Episodes With Dr. Papernow! This episode is the first of two featuring Stepfamily Magazine's Clinical & Research Advisor and Advisory Board member, AND Stepmom Summit keynote speaker, Dr. Patricia Papernow.
We started talking and there was so much to cover, it took two episodes!
About Dr. Papernow
Dr. Patricia Papernow is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on “blended families.” She is the author of Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn’t, which has been called “the best book ever written on the subject,” and “a remarkable achievement.” With Karen Bonnell, she wrote The Stepfamily Handbook: From Dating, to Getting Serious to Forming a “Blended Family,” a practical guide that helps recoupling parents and their partners create a successful stepfamily. Dr. Papernow has written over 30 professional articles and book chapters. She provides training and consultation all over the U.S. and internationally to clinicians, guidance counselors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, clergy, lawyers, judges and others on the front lines with stepfamily challenges.
Dr. Papernow is a member of the Experts Council of the National Stepfamily Resource Center and is the recipient of the 2017 award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Psychology from the American Psychological Association. She is the Director of the Institute for Stepfamily Education and a psychologist in private practice in Hudson, MA.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
Dr. Papernow's site, Stepfamily Relationships
Dr. Papernow's books (which I have read and refer back to regularly!), along with other resources are HERE.
Don't forget to sign up for The Stepmom Summit, happening August 25-27, 2022. (THIS WEEK!)
The Stepmom Summit Speakers Series Continues! In this episode, we're going deep with Dr. Erin Careless on what it means to set some boundaries and "step back." We also talk about finding stepmom resources and why it's so important to look for tools that are evidence and research-backed.
Erin is one of the experts speaking at this year's Stepmom Summit and is the Chair of Stepfamily Magazine's Advisory Board. Erin became a stepmom when she met her partner Matt in 2014. That same year, she became a Certified Stepfamily Coach and founded Steplife as a way to share her experiences and provide support to other women navigating stepfamily life. Erin is also a Director of Adult Education, so her coaching is informed by adult learning principles and strategies such as reflection and critical thinking.
Erin and Matt married in 2015, and in addition to her stepkids Oliver and Waverleigh, they are parents to Grace and Finn. Erin's PhD research is on stepmothering, and it is her passion to empower stepmoms to find the role in their family that works for them.
Mentioned In This Episode
The Stepmom Summit will happen August 25 - 27. If you haven't grabbed your FREE ticket, head HERE and sign up!
You can find Erin at Steplife
What Do Stepmoms Have In Common With Endurance Athletes? Today's guest is another speaker at our second upcoming (and FREE) Stepmom Summit, August 25 - 27th. You can head HERE to make sure you are on the waitlist and can snag your spot when tickets open up on August 9th!
Sarah Freeman, CEO of Sarah Freeman Coaching, is a passionate endurance athlete, podcast host, step-mum, wife, and a brave, badass, big-hearted woman. Her mission is to guide women endurance athletes and step-mums to embody their next-level confidence through her one on one coaching, podcasting, and speaking.
Sarah believes that when women endurance athletes and step-mums start to embody their confidence, that's when anything is possible.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Sarah Freeman Coaching
The Stepmom Summit
Blending Families - And Households In this episode, we're talking to Tamara Harris of Design Your Way Home. Tamara is an interior designer who breaks down decorating into easy-to-follow steps so you can confidently turn your house into a home you love, without frustration, overwhelm or regret-purchases.
Tamara is also a stepmom - and a speaker at this year's Stepmom Summit August 25 - 27th, where she'll be talking about the challenges of blending households as a stepfamily - and how to address them. In this episode, she gives a preview of her talk and some great decorating tips. AND she's giving you her Revive Your Room Checklist for free HERE.
You Can Find Tamara:
On her website: www.designyourwayhome.com
On Instagram
Don't forget to grab your FREE Revive Your Room Checklist - and don't forget to get yourself on the waitlist for The 2022 Stepmom Summit HERE. The summit is free and will feature 20 top experts on blended families. You don't want to miss it!
What happens when the people who are supposed to support you through thick and thin fall down on the job? Today we are talking about how tricky it can be to handle it when your friends don't support your life choices.
It's summertime and the travel is . . . wild?! These days, whether you're traveling for the holiday long weekend or for a summer vacation, there are lots of factors that can make your trip better - or worse. Flight delays, rental car hiccups, and, of course, traveling with kids. And stepkids.
Traveling with kids can present all kinds of unique challenges, so this episode is all about making sure you're prepped for making the most out of your trip, wherever you're going and however you're getting there.
How Do You Change Your Stepmom Outlook? What do you say when people ask if you enjoy being a stepmom?
I recently had someone ask me if being a stepmom was hard and the answer I blurted out surprised me. And it made me realize that I could use some mindset work myself. But guess what - changing your outlook and mindset can be harder than it sounds - and that's what this episode is all about.
Always a student! In the course of my stepmom coaching experience, and as the co-founder of Stepmom Summit and the co-owner/co-Editor In Chief of Stepfamily Magazine, I’ve helped thousands of stepmoms find peace with their journey. And what I’ve learned along the way is that the problems that every stepmom faces really boil down to 7 key issues and responses. And if stepmoms understand these issues, they can deal with literally anything that comes up in stepmom life. So I brought it all together into the BLENDED Family Formula. Whether you’re dealing with high conflict ex issues - which so many stepmoms are - or a spouse that isn’t supporting you. Or kids that are causing problems. Maybe you're feeling alone and like there isn't a place in the family for you. Or you’re just feeling stressed and overwhelmed - the BLENDED Family Formula can help you address it. And for the first time in a year, I've opened the doors to my BLENDED Family Formula course to the public. The course is only open for a few more days, but if you're a struggling stepmom, you need this episode. Because I'm giving you a sneak peek, behind-the-scenes look into the course.
You can sign up for the BLENDED Family Formula course HERE.
How To Use Your Personality Style To Communicate Better We have a special treat in this episode: we're talking to Karen Bemmes, a certified DISC behavior system expert. And she's offering a special bonus for my BLENDED Family Formula students (reminder that doors open next week!) [in the meantime, you can sign up for my FREE stepmom Masterclass on April 5 and 6 HERE] Who is Karen?
Nearly 30 years ago, Karen Bemmes sat straight up in bed while reading a book called Positive Personality Profiles. She looked at her husband and said, “I understand Lisa for the first time in my life.” You see, Lisa is her sister-in-law, who she never quite “clicked” with. Because of that book, she did, and they’ve stayed close for 30+ years. Since then, she has used the DISC behavior system she learned about in that book to improve every area of her life, which inspired her to get certified to teach about DISC and now helps other professional women improve their personal and professional life while making it all feel simple, easy and natural. Karen even makes housekeeping and organization easier with the Whole Home Reset program, where she takes something she used to hate and makes it easy and quick so you can get your home in order and get to the fun stuff faster. You can learn about all the ways DISC can help you on her website, Moving Toward Better.
You Can Connect With Karen:
Website: www.movingtowardbetter.com
Email: whatsup@movingtowardbetter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movingtowardbetter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movingtowardbetter/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-bemmes-2787459/
Resources Mentioned During This Episode:
Register for my Stepmom Masterclass HERE
Get on the waitlist for the BLENDED Family Formula HERE
Why It Can Be So Hard To Relate To Your Stepkids If you've had a hard time getting to know, communicating, or relating to your stepchildren - you are not alone. It can be really difficult to develop that relationship, even when you're trying your hardest. We'll talk all about why it's hard and how you can improve things in this episode.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Episode 3 is a great introduction to handling it when your stepmom reality isn't quite measuring up to what you expected.
AND - the doors to the BLENDED Family Formula course will open in less than 2 weeks. This is going to be a gamechanger for you - in relating to your stepkids and every other area of stepfamily life. You can get on the waitlist HERE!
It's not WHAT you say, it's HOW you say it. What do you do when it feels like you and your spouse just cannot get on the same page? When even small discussions turn into big arguments. You've got to dig deep and really examine how you're communicating with each other - and that's what this episode is all about.
Also, the BLENDED Family Formula course will open its doors on April 4th for just a few days! Join the waitlist HEREso you're the first to know! (and the course will do some deep dives on this issue, so if you like this episode, you'll definitely want to check it out)
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
Here are a few of the books I've found valuable relating to communication and various personality assessments. I've got even more on the site at www.thiscustomlife.com/shop.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
The Road Back To You: An Enneagram Journey To Self-Discovery
Taking Flight!: Master The DISC Styles To Transform Your Career, Your Relationships...Your Life
Love More, Fight Less: Communication Skills Every Couple Needs: A Relationship Workbook For Couples
It's a square peg, round hole situation. What do you do when you've tried and tried and just can't make coparenting work with your spouse's ex? It can be really hard when you feel like you're forcing communication while the other house just doesn't want to make it work. The good news is, you and your partner have options.
We'll talk about what you can do when coparenting seems impossible - and more - in this episode.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Stepfamily Magazine
Join the waitlist for my popular BLENDED Family Formula course and get a free sneak peek at the formula!
Nothing Is Off Limits! In today's episode, I talk to Naja Hall, founder of Blended and Black and VIP Stepmom and host of the podcast, I Know I'm Crazy. Naja describes her life's work as being "to teach empathy, accountability, and emotional intelligence in order to serve individuals and families that are affected by some of life’s toughest transitions." I'd say she's succeeded. She serves stepmoms with a dedication, humor, and empathy that gives stepmoms the tools to cope with all the challenges.
And y'all, we talk about everything in this no holds barred discussion. Us two "country girls" had a blast talking about all the things. Naja gives it to you straight with love and laughter - you won't want to miss her!
Resources Mentioned You can find Naja at:
Blended and Black
VIP Stepmom
I Know I'm Crazy Podcast
You can follow her here on Instagram and Facebook.
A Supersized Episode You Do NOT Want To Miss I was thrilled to talk with Dr. Patricia Papernow in this episode. Dr. Papernow is one of the top experts in the world working with blended families and if you attended The Stepmom Summit last month, you heard some amazing advice from her. If you missed it, don’t worry - you can still get access to her talk and all of the content from the three day event HERE.
Dr. Papernow has taught about blended families all over the U.S. and the world. She brings forty years of clinical experience helping stepfamilies, and a solid grounding in the current research about what works (and what doesn’t) to build a thriving, healthy “blended family.”
Dr. Papernow is the author of Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn’t, and, with Karen Bonnell, The Stepfamily Handbook: From Dating, to Getting Serious to Forming a “Blended Family.” You can find both books on my recommended list of stepmom resources HERE.
Dr. Papernow is a member of the Experts Council of National Stepfamily Resource Center and the recipient of the 2017 award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Psychology from the American Psychological Association.
A few of her appearances include Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and many, many others. She graduated from Harvard University and earned a Doctorate from Boston University.
In today's episode, we talk about all. the. things. We start with the 5 challenges identified by Dr. Papernow that face stepmoms. And she gives us some great advice on how to deal with it all.
Resources Mentioned: You can find Dr. Papernow and all the resources she offers on her site at www.stepfamilyrelationships.com.
You can find her books, along with more great resources, HERE.
And don't forget, you can still get unlimited access to Dr. Papernow and the rest of the 23 top stepmom experts from around the world who spoke at The Stepmom Summit HERE.
Let's Get Real! Being a stepmom can be so hard - and sometimes you want someone to break it down and give you the tough love. The real advice with no sugarcoating. That person is Maarit Miller and in today's episode, we talk to her about all the tough things. The issues like high-conflict relationships, parental alienation, and more. And she's got some great advice for anyone who's struggling.
You Can Find Maarit: www.blendedfamilyfrappe.com
The Stepmom Summit: Maarit will also be speaking at The Stepmom Summit August 26-28, 2021. You won’t want to miss it.
The Stepmom Summit, is a premier, virtual event just for stepmoms. We have 23 of the top experts from around the world who will sharing stories, support, advice, guidance, and connection to help stepmoms from all walks of live navigate their blended families.
You can find out more at thestepmomsummit.com. I hope we’ll see you there!
Learning How To Step Back Figuring out when it's time to take a step back and learning how to do it is no joke for stepmoms. And today's guest, Dr. Erin Careless, is going to tell you how to do it in a way that helps both you and your stepfamily.
Dr. Careless, a self-described recovering people-pleaser, has a PhD in adult education focusing on stepmothering, is a Certified Stepfamily Coach, and the owner of Steplife: Stepmom Coaching and Support. She is also a Director of Adult Learning and Teaching at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She lives just a few feet from the ocean in Nova Scotia, Canada, and the beach is a favourite spot for her and her kids.
You can find Erin at https://www.steplife.biz.
She's also on Instagram and Facebook.
The Stepmom Summit Dr. Careless is also one of the renowned experts speaking at the upcoming Stepmom Summit, August 26-28. You can find out more and get your FREE ticket HERE.
Being a BOLD Stepmom
Today's guest is Jessica Frew. She is a wife, ex-wife, mom, stepmom, and BOLD action taker. She has a successful podcast called “Husband in Law” that she records with her husband, Matt, and her ex-husband, Steve. Together they share their stories of love, marriage, coming out, divorce, remarriage, and co-parenting to help others know they are not alone.
Jessica is also a speaker at our upcoming Stepmom Summit, where she'll be talking about LGBTQ issues in blended families with religious differences. You will not want to miss it!
You Can Find Jessica: * On Instagram * TheBoldLogic.com * Husband In Law Podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts
THE STEPMOM SUMMIT
Jessica will also be speaking at The Stepmom Summit August 26-28, 2021. You won't want to miss it.
The Stepmom Summit, is a premier, virtual event just for stepmoms. We have 23 of the top experts from around the world who will sharing stories, support, advice, guidance, and connection to help stepmoms from all walks of live navigate their blended families.
You can find out more at www.thestepmomsummit.com. I hope we’ll see you there!
This episode is fit for a queen! In this episode, we talk to Brittany Lynch, the founder & CEO of Stepqueen and the host of top-ranked relationship podcast: Queen of your Castle. Brittany helps stepmoms from around the world to release the jealousy, resentment, anger, and insecurity that come with stepfamily life.
With nearly a decade of experience as a Registered Nurse, a post-degree certification in Stepfamily Counselling from the Stepfamily Foundation, Brittany has become a beacon of hope for countless stepmoms who long for a life of peace, acceptance, and security.
Brittany is also one of our speakers at the premier virtual stepmom experience, The Stepmom Summit, August 26 – 28 and you won't want to miss her talk!
You can find Brittany: * At www.stepqueen.com * On Instagram * Queen of Your Castle podcast on iTunes (or wherever you listen to podcasts)
THE STEPMOM SUMMIT Brittany will also be speaking at the virtual The Stepmom Summit August 26-28, 2021 and you can get your FREE ticket HERE.
The Stepmom Summit is a three-day, FREE virtual event just for stepmoms. The summit will feature 23 of the top experts from around the world who will share stories, support, advice, guidance, and connection to help stepmoms from all walks of live navigate their blended families.
You can find out more at www.thestepmomsummit.com. I hope we’ll see you there!
If you're dealing with a high conflict situation, you NEED this episode! In this episode, Megan Hunter, co-founder of the High Conflict Institute and Conflict Playbook, talks to us about why there's more to high-conflict personalities than meets the eye. And how you, as a stepmom, can deal with them.
Megan, along with author and speaker, Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq. developed the high-conflict personality theory. She foundedthe Institute after 13 years in policy, legislation, and judicial training with the Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts, and the Dawes County Attorney’s Office in Nebraska. She is also the founder of Unhooked Books Publishing.
Megan has trained professionals across a wide spectrum of professions across the U.S. and 7 countries. She holds an MBA and a B.S. in Business and Economics. She has served as President of the Arizona Chapter of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, and the Arizona Family Support Council, and the Nebraska Child Support Enforcement Association. She served 5 years on the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners. She is the author and/or co-author of several books, including: Dating Radar, Hiring Radar, BIFF at Work, and The High Conflict Co-Parenting Survival Guide.
She's also a mom of 3, mother-in-law of 2, and stepmom of 5.
Megan is speaking at The Stepmom Summit August 26-28 and you won't want to miss it. Get on the waitlist and grab your ticket HERE.
Connect With Megan At:
High Conflict Institute
Unhooked Books
Instagram: @highconflictinstitute
From Beauty Queen To Stepmom Coach . . . Welcome to Supersized August! Where you'll get TWO episodes a week in the leadup to The Stepmom Summit August 26 – 28th.
I mentioned the summit to you last week, but I cofounded it with Beth McDonough of The Inclusive Stepmom and we have got an incredible lineup of 23 the world’s top experts on all issues affecting stepmoms. High conflict exes, self-care, boundaries, outsider syndrome. You name it, we’ve got the experts talking about it.
You can get on the waitlist HERE – which is also where you can register once registration opens up. You will NOT want to miss it!
In today's episode, we chat with one of our Stepmom Summit speakers, Kimberly King, about her experience in a multi-cultural stepfamily and how she's dealt with the challenges of blended family life while living in a foreign country.
Born + raised in Southern California to immigrant parents, Kimberly is a Certified Stepfamily Coach, using her knowledge and personal experiences to help blended families navigate their way toward a peaceful and happy home.
As a biracial woman in an interracial and multicultural marriage and family, the former beauty queen turned chef and stepfamily coach is a wealth of knowledge. When she’s not helping stepfamilies, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up delightful dishes or doting on her adorable 2 year old.
The Kings have recently traded city life for island life with a move from Los Angeles to Jamaica. Kimberly knows what it’s like to have all the odds stacked against you in a blended family.
Connect With Kimberly:
www.honestlymum.com
Instagram @honestly.mum
Navigating The Teen Years It's been a hot minute since we had a guest and we have got a great one for you in this episode! We will be talking all about how to make it through the teen years and how you can support the teens in your life.
Dr. Courtney Conley is an author, therapist, parent coach, and author who specializes in working with adolescents. Courtney’s passion stems from her own emotional turmoil during her teenage years. Her mission is to equip adolescents with the inner tools needed to successfully navigate their teenage years. She partners with parents to support young people. Courtney’s book, Your Daughter Doesn’t Have to Be Miserable: An Approach to Supporting Your Teenage Daughter Through Depression, teaches parents strategies to connect with and help their struggling teen. She currently resides in a suburb of Washington D.C. where she continues to serve adolescents and their families in her private practice, Expanding Horizons Counseling and Wellness.
You can find her at www.courtney-conley.com and on Instagram at @dr.courtconley
The Stepmom Summit Dr. Conley will also be speaking at The Stepmom Summit August 26-28, 2021.
I am so excited and proud to be co-founder and sponsor of The Stepmom Summit, which will be a three-day, FREE virtual event just for stepmoms. We have 23 of the top experts from around the world who will sharing stories, support, advice, guidance, and connection to help stepmoms from all walks of live navigate their blended families.
You can find out more at www.thestepmomsummit.com. I hope we'll see you there!
Yes, There IS A Formula To Love Your Blended Family Life Do you ever wish there was a formula for being a stepmom? Steps you could follow that would help you succeed? Guess what? There is! And that’s what we are talking about today in this bonus episode!
When I became a stepmom, I looked for the right resources. But nothing out there really spoke to my personal situation.
So I started doing research. And learning. And realizing I had already made a pretty good amount of mistakes. So I sat down to try to figure out what exactly I had done wrong and what I should have done differently.
And out of that, the BLENDED Family Formula was born. When I started pulling together all the elements, I realized there were seven areas that if I could get a handle on, would make all the difference in my stepmom journey.
And you know what? It did.
It's not a silver-bullet solution because, let's face it, that doesn't exist. BUT. If you can get an understanding of these seven areas of blended family life, you'll develop the skills and confidence to take on whatever your stepfamily throws at you.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Don’t forget . . . The doors to the The BLENDED Family Formula Course are now OPEN! You can learn more and join HERE.
"Boundaries" Is Not A Bad Word Have you heard the term boundaries before? I hadn’t before I became a stepmom. But over the years, I’ve realized how important they are to my health – and to my family. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
Have you heard the term boundaries before? I hadn’t before I became a stepmom. But over the years, I’ve realized how important they are to my health – and to my family. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
Resources Discussed In This Episode:
Episode 4 of The Stepmom Diaries Podcast: This episode will give you all the deets on why stepmom self-care looks different and how you can make sure you're putting your needs back on the front burner.
Episode 10 of The Stepmom Diaries Podcast: This episode features and interview with Magriet Steyn and dives into mindful meditation and why it's such a great tool for stepmoms to use to take care of themselves.
I've got a fantastic exercise on boundaries included as part of a FREE Masterclass, called, "The Three Stepmom Lies Keeping You From A Blended Family Life You Love." You can register for the masterclass HERE.
And Don’t forget . . .
The BLENDED Family Formula Course – The next class is open! And you can join HERE!
Stepmom Imposter Syndrome: 5 Quick Tips To Stop Feeling Like A Fraud It's easy for "imposter syndrome" to creep into stepmom life. That feeling that you are in no way qualified to be doing this. That you don't know what you're doing. That you're not a "real" parent. Every stepmom experiences this at one time or another. The good news is that there are a few ways you can battle feeling like a fraud and regain the confidence you need to succeed. In this episode, I'll give you 5 ways you can do just that.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode: The Stepmom Diaries Episode 4: Why You Need Stepmom Self-Care And How To Get It
Other: You can find the pics from my Pinterest-worthy birthday party here (you'll have to listen to the episode for why throwing awesome parties is not the best idea!)
And Don’t forget . . .
The BLENDED Family Formula Course – The next class is opening soon! And you can join the waitlist for this six-week intensive HERE.
I’m giving away a free 30-minute coaching session! All you have to do to win is enter. And you can do that by going to Stepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
Parental Alienation Affects Stepmoms, Too. Parental Alienation is one of the hardest issues that faces blended families. And not only can it have an impact on you as a stepmom, but it can be really hard to know how you should deal with it.
In this episode, we'll talk through parental alienation and how you can deal with it, both as a stepmom and as a spouse.
Resources Mentions In This Episode:
The BLENDED Family Formula Course – The next class is opening soon! And you can join the waitlist for this six-week intensive HERE.
And Don’t forget . . .
I’m giving away a free 30-minute coaching session! All you have to do to win is enter. And you can do that by going toStepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
Facing The Assumptions WE Make There are lots of assumptions out there about stepmoms. And let's face it, most of them are negative. But that's not what we're talking about in this episode.
We're going to think about the assumptions that we as stepmoms make about others. And how we can "flip the script" to try to turn those assumptions on their heads.
Resources Mentions In This Episode:
The BLENDED Family Formula Course - The next class is opening soon! And you can join the waitlist for this six-week intensive HERE.
And Don’t forget . . .
I’m giving away a free 30-minute coaching session! All you have to do to win is enter. And you can do that by going toStepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
It's hard to deal with stepkids who don't like you. Or who aren't nice to you. Or some combination of the two. The good news is that there are some things you can do to release the stress that kind of situation causes you. And that's what this episode is all about.
Resources Discussed In This Episode:
My piece on Five Ways To Bond With Your Stepchildren
My in-depth, and FREE, Guide To Bonding With Your Stepchildren HERE
And Don’t forget . . .
I’m giving away a free 30-minute coaching session! All you have to do to win is enter. And you can do that by going toStepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
It's Okay To Ask For Help - And Here's How As a stepmom, you may feel like you should know how to do this job. No, girl, no. There are so many different and unique challenges that every stepmom deals with. It is totally okay to need help. And you should feel comfortable asking for it!
But where do you look for good advice or tools to help you deal with all the things? In this episode, I'm going to walk you through all kinds of resources that are available out there for stepmoms. You won't want to miss this!
Resources Mentioned In The Episode:
- Websites geared towards stepmoms:
- I mentioned a number of awesome online resources for stepmoms. You can find them HERE.
- Books and workbooks I have found helpful:
- I mentioned a number of books in this episode and you can find them all HERE.
- The BLENDED Family Formula For Stepmom Success
- This is my signature course. It's an intensive six-week program featuring live classes, interactive discussions, and assignments. And at the end of the six weeks, you'll see a definitive difference in your stepmom life!)
- Course registration is currently closed but will open back up very soon and you can get on the waitlist HERE.
Get Control Back - IF You Want It! Hey stepmom, how often do you feel like you have no control over your life?
Like everything in your life is dictated either by your spouse’s ex or by the stepkids and their schedules. Today we’re going to talk about how to get control back – and whether that’s actually a good idea. You might be surprised by the discussion.
And I'll give you five steps to take to decide if you actually want control back and then what to do to get it.
Resources Discussed In This Episode
The Stepmom Diaries Episode 15
The Stepmom Diaries Episode 3
And Don’t forget . . .
I’m giving away a free 30-minute coaching session! All you have to do to win is enter. And you can do that by going toStepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
Mother's Day Can Be Awkward For Stepmoms Mother's Day can make stepmoms feel "less than," insecure, like an imposter, or just plain old sad. The good news? Whatever emotions you're feeling as the holiday approaches are totally normal. In this episode, we're going to talk about why it's such a weird holiday for stepmoms and I'm going to give you some ways to cope with it.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
I've also got a blog post on this subject and you can find it HERE.
And if you're looking for more stepmom gift ideas or stepmom resources, I've got a page on my site with all that you need. Just click HERE.
Don’t forget, I’m giving away a free 30-minute coaching session! All you have to do to win is enter. And you can do that by going to The Stepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
What to do when you're feeling out of control Have you ever felt like you’ve had one of those weeks, or months – or heck, years where nothing seems to go right and you just feel -off-? Or when you wake up, you feel like there's an overwhelming weight bearing down on you and you can't get control of your stepmom life?
You're not alone. Stepmom life can be overwhelming - and that's before all the pressure we put on ourselves. It's enough to stress out even the most zen of us!
In this episode, we'll talk about what you can do RIGHT NOW to reset yourself and make sure you feel just a little bit lighter when you wake up tomorrow.
Resources in this episode:
Don’t forget, I’m giving away a free 30-minute coaching session! All you have to do to win is enter. And you can do that by going to The Stepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
Stepmom Outsider Syndrome Is Real. But the good news is, you can do something about it. In this episode, we'll talk all about how to deal with feeling like an outsider in your own family. And I'll give you five great tips you can implement RIGHT NOW to feel more like you fit in - and to learn how to take a step back when you need to.
Resources Mentioned In The Episode:
- The BLENDED Family Formula For Stepmom Success: This is a six-week course that will transform your stepmom life. I'll open the doors in a few weeks for registration. To be added to the waitlist for more information, head HERE.
- How To Bond With Your Stepkids: I've got a great blog post on this topic, and a freebie with ideas for things you can do to bond with your stepkids. You can access it HERE.
- Stepmom Outsider Syndrome: The Hard Truth: If you enjoyed this episode, I've also got a post on the issue that you can access HERE.
- And don't forget, I'm giving away a free 30-minute coaching session! All you have to do to win is enter. And you can do that by going to The Stepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me - and I'll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
Do You Have A Stepmom Anchor Statement? When you were getting serious with your partner, you probably discussed some of the logistics of what blending your families would look like. Whether you would attend sporting events or pick kids up from school. But did you discuss your role at a deeper level? Did you think about your stepmom purpose? Your "why"?
Obviously the "why" starts with you falling in love with your spouse. But what are your hopes and goals for being a stepmom? What kind of stepmom do YOU want to be?
Today we’re going to talk about why you need to understand your stepmom role and how you can figure out the kind of stepmom you want to be. And I'm going to help you create your own Anchor Statement, which will help you get clear on all of your goals, your priorities, and your needs going forward.
Resources Mentioned In The Episode:
My upcoming FREE Stepmom Masterclass: The 3 Stepmom Lies Keeping You From Living Your Best Blended Family Life. For more information and to sign up, click HERE. In the Masterclass, I'll help you uncover the things. you're doing that you don't even realize are holding you back. And the simple tweaks you can make right now to start LOVING your stepmom life!
One of the most common challenges for stepmoms is how to relate to their stepchildren's biological mom, or "biomom" in stepmom speak. Especially if it’s a high conflict situation.
When you started dating and then settled down with someone with kids, you probably didn’t expect that so many aspects of your life would be controlled by someone outside of your marriage or your immediate family. Someone who might not like you.
So how do you deal with a biomom who doesn't like you? How do you deal with her if it's a high conflict situation? We'll talk about all of that and more in this episode.
Resources Mentioned In The Episode
"Ten Quick Tips To Deal With A High Conflict Bio Mom" that you can download for FREE right here.
Bill Eddy, of The High Conflict Institute, has some great resources to deal with high conflict situations - both in blended families and in the workplace. Head to our show notes for more of his tools.
Another great resource is Stepmom Magazine - an online publication with the tagline, "Even when it's good, it's complicated."
In this episode, we’re going to talk about new year’s resolutions. Why I stopped setting them this year, and what I did instead. And that it's not too late for you to try it, too.
I also give you a hint about some SUPER exciting things coming your way this year. For a free sneak peek, sign up HERE!
You can find the show notes (and other goodies) at www.thiscustomlife.com/episode11.
Why You Need Mindfulness Now And How To Get It Our guest today is Magriet Steyn and she's talking all about how to clear your mind and change your outlook through mindfulness.
Stepmom life can be rough - on a daily basis sometimes. And it's all too easy to "catastrophize." (Don't know what that term is? Neither did I before today's talk!)
Magriet helps guide stepmoms to a more peaceful outlook and positive mindset through meditation and self-care.
Magriet is the founder of Stepfamily Harmony and Mindful Stepmums. She's a professional Life Coach, Certified Stepparent Coach, and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. As a stepmom to two adult stepchildren, a bio mom to two teens, and a coparent with two ex-husbands, she understands the complexities and challenges surrounding stepfamily life. Magriet helps stepmoms move from overwhelm to ease through a combination of coaching techniques and mindfulness practices.
You will not want to miss this discussion!
You can find Magriet at stepfamilyharmony.com, and you can connect with her on Facebook, where she runs regular live meditations, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Forgive and Forget - not as easy as it sounds! In our last episode, we talked about gratitude and being intentional about things you’re thankful for. Forgiveness goes hand in hand with gratitude, believe it or not, and that’s what we’re talking about today.
Forgiving someone is hard. Really hard. In this episode, I'll give you four steps to take so you can both ask for and grant forgiveness in your daily life.
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Stanford Forgiveness Project: https://learningtoforgive.com/9-steps/
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/forgiveness/art-20047692
And don't forget . . . Text 44222 with the word "STEPMOM" if you'd like a preview of our BLENDED Family Formula. You can also find it HERE.
Did you know that gratitude is more than just being thankful? It's about forgiveness, too. And the two go hand in hand in helping you build a positive frame of mind. This is the first of a two-part series about gratitude and forgiveness and how they relate to your stepmom life.
In today's episode, we'll talk about five ways you can reset your outlook by looking for more ways to be grateful in your daily life.
You can find the show notes at: www.thiscustomlife.com/episode8
Can you imagine falling in love with someone who has a child and then moving from your big city home to the same small town they and their ex have lived in for years and years? Add in all the challenges around being in an LGBTQ+ blended family and you'll have the journey of today's guest.
We talk about all of that and more with Beth McDonough, owner of The Inclusive Stepmom, as well as CMO and Editor-in-Chief of Stepmomz, the first mobile app for stepmoms.
In this episode, we talk all about how you can make your relationship a priority.
Especially during these crazy times, it's easy to let your relationship take a back seat to all of the day to day responsibilities you've got. Especially in the complicated dynamics found in blended families.
But the good news is, you can get back on track. And I'll show you how. (spoiler alert: it will take some work and some intentionality)
Check out the show notes HERE, along with our companion blog post HERE.
We're so delighted to welcome Kristen Skiles as our guest in this episode. She is a Certified Stepparent Coach and founder of stepmomming.com, where she works to show stepmoms around the world that stepmomming is what they do and not who they are, encouraging them to embrace their unique roles and truly love their lives. In this episode, we'll tackle all the things. From her unique stepmom history (her husband's ex is one of her besties and actually lived with them for a bit!), to stepmom insecurities, to why you might want to consider a stepmom coach, it's a fun discussion that you won't want to miss!
Here are all the places you can find Kristen: Blog: https://stepmomming.com/ Shop: https://shop.stepmomming.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stepmomming Private Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepmomming/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/stepmomming/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/stepmommingblog
We hear a lot about self-care these days. But what about stepmom self-care? It’s just as important for stepmoms, if not more, than for anyone else.
In this episode, we’ll talk about why stepmoms need to take care of themselves and how you can get started.
We’ve also got a free self-care assessment for you. It only takes about five minutes to complete and will help you identify the areas of your life that are causing you stress and that you need to focus on. You can check it out here: https://bit.ly/3jBvEkm
Today is all about the expectations versus the reality of being a stepmom. No matter what you thought life would be like when you married someone with kids, the reality probably looks a lot different.
Today we’ll talk all about that difference. How it impacts your life as a stepmom, how you can let go of your expectations, and how you can embrace your reality.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Stepmom Diaries so that you don't miss an episode. And head to www.thiscustomlife.com for lots more stepmom tools and resources!
How often have you been talking to a friend, family member, or coworker and they've made some offhand comment about being a stepmom. And you know it wasn’t intentionally offensive, but it still made you cringe. And you’ve kicked yourself for not having a good response.
Get ready. We’re going to tackle some of those awkward moments today and I’m going to make sure you are armed with the perfect response the next time it happens.
Don't forget to share this episode with friends - and subscribe to The Stepmom Diaries Podcast so you don't miss anything!
You can find more stepmom support and resources at www.thiscustomlife.com.
Welcome to Episode 1 of The Stepmom Diaries! Being a stepmom comes with all kinds of feelings and emotions. And you are not alone.
No matter what your emotions may be in the moment, we'll talk about how you can respond to them.
Once you can acknowledge and embrace your feelings, you'll be able to tackle your challenges.
Give yourself some grace. And show yourself some kindness. Your needs are just as important as your family's. And you'll be no good to them or anyone else if you are neglecting your needs.
You can find us at www.thiscustomlife.com. Please share this episode with friends - and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss anything!!