100. Looking Back on 100 Episodes: The Lessons That Matter Most
Release Date: 02/22/2025
112: How to Talk to Your Stepkids Without Conflict: 12 Tips That Work
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
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 youâre walking on eggshells trying not to mess things up - this episode is going to hit close to home. Weâre 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 Todayâs Episode, Weâre Talking About: Why connection has to come before correction - and how...
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111. Why New Year Resolutions Fail for Stepmoms: The Hidden Pattern You Need to Know
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
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 Todayâs Episode, Weâre Talking About: Why January hits so hard for stepmoms Why the âtry harderâ 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 youâre a stepmom How to reframe whatâs actually happening Resources...
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110. My Husband Doesnât Support Me with His Kids: What Every Stepmom Needs to Know
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
"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...
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109. When Itâs All Too Much: Mindfulness Tools for Stepmom Life
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
You're not broken. You're overwhelmed. This episode is for those moments when youâre 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 dogâs breathing feels like too much . . . If that rings a bell, let me reassure you that no, youâre not broken. Youâre 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. Weâre diving into the...
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108. Stepmom Triggers and the Power of Choosing Peace Over Panic
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
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...
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107. Stop Trying Harder: Why Stepmoms Need Support, Not Perfection
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
"You're not the problem. You're just doing it alone." If you attended the last weekend, you wrapped up in a high - feeling seen and understood. But itâs 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...
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106. I Didnât Sign Up For This: When Stepmom Life Gets Messy Fast, with Alicia Krasko
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
Every stepmom has that moment where reality hits and you think: âWait⌠I didnât sign up for this.â In todayâs episode, I sit down with Alicia Krasko - stepmom coach, podcast host, and CEO of the Stepmom Side Community. Aliciaâs 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 âhappily ever afterâ collides with blended family reality Why traditional therapy often misses the mark for...
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105. From Bathroom Floor To Breakthrough: The Lifeline That's Helped Thousands of Stepmoms
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
âYou donât have to do this alone. You donât have to guess, or feel guilty. You just have to say yes to support that actually gets it.â Ever feel like youâre walking on eggshells in your own home? Like no one truly sees how hard youâre working to hold it all together? In this powerful mini episode, Iâm pulling back the curtain on why the FREE annual (coming up September 4-6th) has become a lifeline for thousands of stepmoms around the world - and why it might be exactly what youâve been needing, too. I share my own raw and real moments (yes, including the one where my stepson...
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104. Why You Donât Need the Ex to Change to Finally Feel at Peace in Your Stepfamily, with Priscilla Smith
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
If youâve ever found yourself tangled in the emotional mess of a high-conflict ex, todayâs conversation is for you. My guest, Priscilla Smith, knows exactly what itâs like to live in that storm. A certified stepfamily coach and child-free stepmom (and speaker at the upcoming !), Priscilla has navigated years of tension, loyalty binds, and co-parenting chaos â all while building a stronger marriage and a more peaceful home. Sheâs 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...
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103. Parenting Without The Power Struggles, with Parenting Expert Wendy Snyder
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
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...
info_outlineđđWe're 100! đđ
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! Itâs super easy â all you have to do is click HERE and scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select âwrite a review.â 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, Iâll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. Itâs normally $49 and itâs a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan youâll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!