The Stepmom Diaries Podcast

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.

This post contains affiliate links. For more about what that means, click here.

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: [email protected]

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

Instagram

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 [email protected] 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 to Stepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to [email protected] 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 to Stepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to [email protected] 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 to Stepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to [email protected] 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 to Stepmom Diaries on iTunes and leaving a (preferably awesome) review. Take a screenshot of your review and send it to [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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. 

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!!