106. I Didn’t Sign Up For This: When Stepmom Life Gets Messy Fast, with Alicia Krasko
Release Date: 08/29/2025
110. My Husband Doesn’t 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...
info_outline
109. When It’s 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 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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 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...
info_outline
106. I Didn’t 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: “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...
info_outline
105. From Bathroom Floor To Breakthrough: The Lifeline That's Helped Thousands of Stepmoms
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
“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 (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...
info_outline
104. Why You Don’t Need the Ex to Change to Finally Feel at Peace in Your Stepfamily, with Priscilla Smith
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
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 !), 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...
info_outline
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_outline
102. Real Food, Real Families: Katie Kimball on Kitchen Stewardship
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
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 coming up this summer, where CEOs,...
info_outline
101. What Stepkids Think About Their Stepparents - And Why It Matters
The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
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...
info_outlineEvery 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!