Christina welcomes Cynthia and Mackenzie to discuss how becoming a stepmom can impact our relationships with our family and friends. As our lives evolve into parenthood, how do our own parents embrace our new identities? What happens if our friends don’t support us? Do your parents takes on the step-grandparent role? What do you do when you want to be seen in your role, but your closest loved ones don’t understand? Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!! Want to meet other stepmoms? Become a ...
Jun 28, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 8Ep. 17
Christina welcomes Amy who shares what it took to create her stepmom identity. In the beginning of our relationships, we’re just putting the pieces together. We’re learning about the ex, experiencing how society views stepmoms, and figuring out what parts of parenting we’re “allowed” to do. How do we form our identity without losing ourselves? Listen in as Amy shares how she survives…out of spite. About My Guest: Amy Marie Ayres is a wife, stepmom, mother, author, and a passionate advocate for e...
Jun 12, 2025•58 min•Season 8Ep. 16
Christina welcomes back Michelle to talk about real and tactical tips for navigating the chaos of summer—when there’s no school or camp buffer, exchanges get messy, routines fall apart, and stepmoms often end up managing more than they expected. Michelle and Christiina talk about boundaries, managing expectations with partners, and keeping your sanity when everything feels unpredictable. What can you do now to protect your peace this summer? Listen in! About My Guest: Coach Michelle is a high co...
May 28, 2025•57 min•Season 8Ep. 15
Christina welcomes Aimee to chat about her long-term decision to not have children, and then falling in love with a man who has 2 kids. PLOT TWIST! Aimee shares how she jumped right in, then needed to find her boundaries before she lost herself. How do you manage the guilt while disengaging? How do you find your role when you never wanted to “mother”? Christina and Aimee discuss parenting with intent, communication as a stepmom and more! Listen in! About My Guest: Aimee is almost 3 years into he...
May 18, 2025•54 min•Season 8Ep. 14
Christina chats with Shayla about how dynamics are just different when your partner was never married to the mom. There was no wedding, no long history... what unique issues does this bring up? Shayla shares about the custody loss for 50/50, feeling protective of your partner and the frustration with “single” moms. Why do exes get more upset after you're married? How do you “love them like your own” but not too much? Shayla also discusses her unexplained fertility journey and shares a message to...
May 02, 2025•58 min•Season 8Ep. 13
Christina welcomes Katherine to share her story of blending into an interracial family. What happens when your mother-in-law isn’t happy you’re white? How do you find confidence in your stepmom role when it’s clear you’re not the mom? Christina and Katherine discuss positive relationships with the ex, bringing home an ours baby and so much more. Listen in! So much more than a podcast! Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcast Need some extra support? Schedule with Christina! Become a Member of the ...
Apr 21, 2025•49 min•Season 8Ep. 12
Christina welcomes Nicole to chat about the dynamics of being in a queer blended family and balancing boundaries with compassion. Nicole shares when her optimism for a peace was confronted with the reality of conflict and how she remains authentic even when the other co-parent is watching. How does her stepdaughter feel about having 4 moms? What is Nicole striving for now? Listen in! About My Guest Hello, I'm Nicole! I'm a wife in a queer relationship and a stepmom of 4 years to a beautiful 6 ye...
Apr 03, 2025•56 min•Season 8Ep. 11
Christina welcomes Courtney who shares her reflections on stepmotherhood. Courtney, a BM and stepmom, discusses the red flags she didn’t see in her relationship, the thresholds of bullshit she uncovered and when she realized it was time to leave. What is a non-negotiable when it comes to blending a family? How do you forgive yourself for not seeing it sooner? Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!! Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcast Need some extra support? Schedule with Christina! Want to mee...
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 8Ep. 10
Christina welcomes Kelly to discuss stepmom identity and finding your voice. We’ve all experienced situations that have made us feel small or ignored. Did your SK not include you in their family project? Does the ex completely ignore you? What do your stepkids call you and how does it make you feel? Kelly and Christina chat about it all and more! Listen in! About My Guest: Kelly Christ is a writer, teacher, blogger and radio host who has dedicated much of her life to reinventing herself--one tri...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr•Season 8Ep. 9
Sensitive Content: This episode talks about pregnancy and loss. Please care for yourselves as you need. Christina welcomes Carly to share her story of falling in love, pursuing friendship with the ex, and navigating loss alongside stepmotherhood. As we all know, stepmotherhood doesn’t pause to acknowledge your happiest moments, and it won’t for your deepest moments of grief. Listen in as Carly shares her daughter’s story, and how her darkest times brought her a rainbow. Sending so much love to a...
Feb 22, 2025•52 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Christina welcomes back Courtney and introduces Courtney’s husband, Mark. Courtney and Mark have been through a lot together and share their experience in dealing with high conflict, endless court battles, false allegations and how they managed to preserve their marriage in the process. Courtney speaks about her newly published book, “Uncaged” and gives her words of support and wisdom to other women feeling the weight of expectations. Has your health ever been impacted by the stress of stepmothe...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr•Season 8Ep. 7
Christina welcomes Jessica to hear her perspective on being a full-time stepmom, mom and having an ours baby. What have been her own challenges and areas for growth sharing custody of her kids? How has she adapted to full time stepmom life, and what advice does she give others? Christina and Jessica chat about “fairness” between siblings, being called “mom”. In this episode we talk about the messy, beautiful, and rewarding experience of step-parenting full-time—so join us as we unpack it all! Ab...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Christina welcomes Nathalie who shares her story of finding love and KIDS in her early 20’s. Young stepmoms have a unique journey. Nathalie shares how her friendships evolved or dissolved after taking on the stepmom role, having a partner in the military and managing custody schedules and oh-yes, high conflict situations. What can new, young stepmoms learn from Nathalie? Listen in! About My Guest: My name is Nathalie and I'm a 22-year-old stepmom. I became a stepmom 2 years ago, going into my fi...
Jan 07, 2025•36 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Christina welcomes Alexandra Nolan to chat how to create harmony within your blended family. Establishing a new family system takes time, so what can we do as parents and stepmoms to foster security, love and respect? Listen in as Alexandra and Christina talk loyalty binds, family identity and finding your footing as a stepmom. About My Guest Alexandra Nolan is a dynamic parenting educator, aspiring All About Parenting Trainer, and successful momtrepreneur. As a mother of three boys, she seamles...
Dec 18, 2024•53 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Christina is excited to welcome J.P. to the podcast to get a dad/partner perspective! JP shares about his co-parenting dynamic and what he considers when dating and potentially welcoming a stepmom into the blended mix. How does he view the stepmom role? What responsibility does the dad/partner have in the “blended process”? And what red flags does he suggest the stepmom pay attention to? We talk about it all and more! Listen in! About My Guest: 41 year old Single Girl Dad to a 9 year old. Have g...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 8Ep. 3
The holidays are supposed to be full of joy and love, but in a blended family…it can also bring frustration and conflict. In this BONUS episode, Christina and Michelle chat ways to prepare, things to consider and tips on protecting your holiday peace. How do you navigate schedule changes, gift giving, or holiday cards? Listen in! Happy Holidays, rad stepmoms! About My Guest: Coach Michelle is a high conflict resolution coach, an attorney, and a badass single mom. She helps parents disengage from...
Nov 27, 2024•42 min
Christina welcomes back Coach Michelle Michele to discuss the foundations of navigating a high conflict co-parenting relationship. If we’re in a high conflict dynamic we know the toll it can take on our relationship and our own mental health. We can all name one bad habit we have or one need that isn’t being met. What can you start implementing right now that will save time, money and resources in the long run? Listen in! About My Guest: Coach Michelle is a high conflict resolution coach, an att...
Nov 20, 2024•52 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Welcome to Season 8! Christina kicks off with a new series that will sound a little more like a 1:1 session. Meet Victoria, a stepmom who started her role in a less traditional way that adds an interesting dynamic. She is grieving the newlywed era she never got to have, wants to disengage but doesn’t know where to start and wonders how an “ours baby” will fit into the high conflict mix. Listen in as Victoria and I talk through her experience and what tools she can start using…now! About My Guest...
Nov 06, 2024•56 min
Christina invites her husband on to answer your questions! Some things they cover: - how can partners support the stepmom? What challenges have they overcome? - How do Christina and Jacob handle when their son shares details about the other house? - What conversations/concerns did they have when preparing for an ours baby? - Teacher conferences with or without the ex? How do we do it? AND MORE! Sending out a special THANK YOU for another amazing season! Thank you to all my guests who have shared...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Christina welcomes Courtney to unpack the term "High Conflict", and why labeling everyone as a "Narcissist" is concerning. How do these terms help us find support? Courtney shares her experience being both a bio-mom and stepmom navigating a challenging "co-parenting" dynamic. How does she lead with love and understanding, despite false allegations and endless court dates? What are her words of wisdom? Listen In! About My Guest: Dr. Courtney is wife-mom-stepmom-doodlemom-DNP-soon to be author who...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Christina welcomes Jen to discuss her story of vulnerability, opening your heart up to your partner and kids and all the sacrifices that come with becoming a stepmom. When she wanted the full package and the official marriage certificate, things changed within her relationship and home. Jen shares her heartache in leaving the family she built and how she's evolving post-stepmotherhood. Find Jen on Instagram @Lift4Women So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram @radicalstepmomspodc...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Christina welcomes divorce attorney and author, Nicole Sodoma to chat how stepmoms fit into their homes and the courtroom. Over the years, Nicole has risen to prominence as a national authority on divorce, custody, and co-parenting. However, she never expected to go through a divorce herself. She is not only a bio-mom but a stepmom, and shares her insights into topics that many of us face. What should you look for in an attorney? Managing first right of refusal? Should stepparents be in the pare...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Christina welcomes Sam to share her story of being the girlfriend through divorce, self-representing and even managing a restraining order. Sam also shares her experience in supporting high needs stepkids, toileting issues and the ex’s lack of support. Also discussed in this episode: The trauma our partner’s faced with the ex When the ex likes to call the cops Christina shares her update with her stepson and starting medication Listen in! About My Guest: Hi I’m Sam! I’m a bonus mom to two wonder...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Christina welcomes Renee to chat being a stepmom, growing up as a stepdaughter and how we can discuss our role with our stepkids. Renee took her own journey and made it into a children's storybook to debunk that evil stepmom trope. "The Truth About Stepmoms" is a fun and loving illustration of all the ways a stepmom can show they care - take that, Disney! What do we want our stepkids to say about us? What will they remember from their childhood? Listen In! About My Guest: Renee Bolla, a children...
May 15, 2024•43 min
Christina welcomes Veronica, a seasoned stepmom and author of the book “You Can Heal Stepmom Burnout.” Veronica shares her all too familiar journey of jumping into the stepmom role and getting a little too crispy burnt out. What can you do? How can you begin to find yourself again? What is your role? Veronica gives some guidance on where to start. Also, in the spirit of Mother's Day... Christina and Veronica chat what the holiday feels like for us stepmoms and how we have the power to embrace ...
May 08, 2024•49 min
Christina welcomes Beth on to discuss high conflict in the court room. Not only is she a stepmom but also a litigation attorney! Beth is sharing her tips on preparing for court, what she did to get through the process, and must have’s she included in their parenting plan. Have you ever looked at your parenting plan and thought WTF? Are you gearing up for court and need some guidance and a pep talk? What are good reasons to adjust the Parenting Plan and what should you include or not include in y...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Christina chats with Amber, a stepmom who is currently in her IVF journey. For any woman navigating the hormone and the emotional and physical tolls are difficult, but being a stepmom adds a unique layer to the ride. Amber chats her difficult feelings, what has been helpful and not so helpful and what she reminds herself everyday to keep her mindset strong. If you’re a stepmom navigating fertility or the journey to an ours baby, this episode is for you. Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!! ...
Apr 10, 2024•47 min
Christina welcomes Lori, a coach, speaker and author to discuss the unpaid labor of women, mothers and stepmoms. Lori is an advocate for amplifying the value of unpaid labor and influencing how families share the workloads in their homes. Through her children's book, " Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family" Lori breaks down the invisible labor that occurs in our homes and encourages children to take notice, appreciation and action into contributing to their family flow. Christina shares ...
Mar 27, 2024•57 min
We talk about high conflict exes, but what do you do when your stepkids are the source of the drama? Christina welcomes Ava to discuss her stepmom journey, how she's navigating the teen years, parallel parenting and when it feels like the ex runs the show. Ava opens up about the complicated relationship she has with her stepdaughter and the confusion around her parenting role. Where's the balance between the compassion for the kids, and boundaries for yourself? How do you not lose your relations...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr
What would you do if the ex just called and gave up custody? Christina welcomes Emily to chat her experience of raising teens while transitioning to full-time step parenting. Emily shares how she has helped her kids manage their expectations of their mother, and how she jumped into full-time parenting without really knowing what is and isn't "my place". How do you manage first jobs, driving, and all of the things that come with being a teen? For the fulltime stepmoms, the teen raising stepmoms a...
Feb 28, 2024•57 min
