“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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” […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
This post may contain affiliate links. For what that means, click here. 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 […]
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 […]
“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, […]
