The Stepmom Diaries Podcast

116: The Loyalty Bind in Blended Families: Why Kids Feel Torn Between Mom and Stepmom with Barb Goldberg

What if your stepchild isn't rejecting you… but protecting someone else? In this episode, I'm sitting down with the incredible Barb Goldberg: coach, author, podcaster, and stepmom to talk about one of the most misunderstood (and painful) dynamics in blended families: the loyalty bind. If you've ever felt hurt, dismissed, or completely invisible as a stepmom, this conversation is for you. Because when kids feel torn between mom and stepmom, it can show up as distance, attitude, silence, or even o...

Plot Twist: We're Going Weekly!

115: AI Is Already in Your Blended Family (You Just Don't Know How Yet) with Sarah Dooley

AI isn't "coming." It's already here - in your kids' phones, in their homework, in their group chats, and maybe even in your marriage. And most stepmoms have no idea how deeply it's shaping their blended family dynamics. If you've brushed off AI as a tech trend or something you'll figure out later, this episode may completely shift your perspective. Because the reality is: kids are already using it, adults are turning to it for emotional support, and families are navigating new territory without...

Beyond the Podcast: We're on YouTube @StepfamilySolutions

The Stepmom Diaries is officially on YouTube! Head over to @stepfamilysolutions for full video episodes, expert interviews, and bonus content you won't find anywhere else — subscribe so you never miss a thing.

New to The Stepmom Diaries? Let me tell you all about it!

114: The #1 Mistake Stepmoms Make: Trying to Prove They Belong with Jessica Frew

The fastest way to experience stepmom burnout from trying to prove she belongs? Over-functioning in a family that was already functioning before you arrived. High-capacity stepmoms don't come in weak. They come in capable. Responsible. Strong. And quietly determined to earn their seat at the table. But what happens when proving your worth slowly turns into resentment… exhaustion… and losing yourself? In this I chat with decision coach and author Jessica Frew to unpack how stepmom burnout from tr...

113: Why Stepmoms Feel So Much Pressure (and How to Stop Comparing Yourself) with Tara Clark

Have you ever wondered why being a stepmom feels so much heavier than you expected-like no matter what you do, it still doesn't feel like enough? If social media leaves you questioning yourself or you're constantly comparing your stepmom life to impossible standards, this episode is going to feel very familiar. In this episode, I'm joined by Tara Clark, creator of Modern Mom Probs , to talk about stepmom pressure and comparison, why burnout is so common in blended families, and how unrealistic m...

112: How to Talk to Your Stepkids Without Conflict: 12 Tips That Work

Have you ever tried to connect with your stepkids, only to feel like everything you say somehow makes things worse? If conversations keep blowing up - or you're walking on eggshells trying not to mess things up - this episode is going to hit close to home. We're breaking down how to communicate with your stepkids in a way that builds trust instead of triggering shutdowns, power struggles, or rejection - and why so much of the advice stepmoms are given actually makes things harder. In Today's Epi...

111. Why New Year Resolutions Fail for Stepmoms: The Hidden Pattern You Need to Know

If January already feels heavy… if you're tired of trying to feel hopeful... or if you're sitting there thinking, "What is wrong with me?" this episode is for you. January can be hard for stepmoms. And there's a reason no one talks about it. In Today's Episode, We're Talking About: Why January hits so hard for stepmoms Why the 'try harder' culture and first family advice miss the mark - especially this time of year The patterns that come up every January What not to do in January if you're a ste...

110. My Husband Doesn't Support Me with His Kids: What Every Stepmom Needs to Know

"My husband is an idiot." That's what a stepmom said to me recently - not once, but multiple times. But behind those words? A mountain of hurt, exhaustion, and feeling completely alone in her own home. If you've ever felt like you're carrying everything by yourself while your partner seems checked out, dismissive, or just doesn't get it - this episode is for you. I'm diving deep into what "he doesn't have my back" really means, why it's about so much more than just everyday disagreements, and mo...

109. When It's All Too Much: Mindfulness Tools for Stepmom Life

You're not broken. You're overwhelmed. This episode is for those moments when you're trying so hard to keep it together, but inside you're screaming. The mental load is crushing you, your patience is hanging by a thread, and even the dog's breathing feels like too much . . . If that rings a bell, let me reassure you that no, you're not broken. You're just overwhelmed. And there are tools to help you manage your stress. This week, I'm joined by licensed therapist and coach Kristin Cogan for a con...

108. Stepmom Triggers and the Power of Choosing Peace Over Panic

What if you could take that familiar whisper of "You don't quite belong" and give it the heave-ho? Picture this: at your stepdaughter's sorority Parents Weekend, everyone's wearing their "sorority mom" pins . . . everyone but you. That familiar whisper starts: "I wonder if they notice I don't belong here." But then something incredible happens: you pause, breathe, and choose a different thought. This episode is about that moment - how triggers that used to wreck you now don't have to. You know w...

107. Stop Trying Harder: Why Stepmoms Need Support, Not Perfection

"You're not the problem. You're just doing it alone." If you attended the Stepmom Summit last weekend, you wrapped up in a high - feeling seen and understood. But it's over now, and you're back in a house that doesn't feel like yours with zero space to land. Today we're talking about why "trying harder" isn't the answer, and what you actually need to create lasting change in your stepfamily life. In This Episode, We Cover: Why Stepmom Life Feels So Isolating The myth of "trying harder" and the s...

106. I Didn't Sign Up For This: When Stepmom Life Gets Messy Fast, with Alicia Krasko

Every stepmom has that moment where reality hits and you think: "Wait… I didn't sign up for this." In today's episode, I sit down with Alicia Krasko - stepmom coach, podcast host, and CEO of the Stepmom Side Community. Alicia's story will sound familiar: she went into stepmom life thinking it would be smooth sailing (kids liked her, in-laws liked her, even the ex liked her)… until suddenly, everything changed. In the episode, we talk about: What happens when "happily ever after" collides with bl...

105. From Bathroom Floor To Breakthrough: The Lifeline That's Helped Thousands of Stepmoms

"You don't have to do this alone. You don't have to guess, or feel guilty. You just have to say yes to support that actually gets it." Ever feel like you're walking on eggshells in your own home? Like no one truly sees how hard you're working to hold it all together? In this powerful mini episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why the FREE annual Stepmom Summit (coming up September 4-6th) has become a lifeline for thousands of stepmoms around the world - and why it might be exactly what you've...

104. Why You Don't Need the Ex to Change to Finally Feel at Peace in Your Stepfamily, with Priscilla Smith

If you've ever found yourself tangled in the emotional mess of a high-conflict ex, today's conversation is for you. My guest, Priscilla Smith, knows exactly what it's like to live in that storm. A certified stepfamily coach and child-free stepmom (and speaker at the upcoming Stepmom Summit !), Priscilla has navigated years of tension, loyalty binds, and co-parenting chaos — all while building a stronger marriage and a more peaceful home. She's here to share how she shifted from reacting to leadi...

103. Parenting Without The Power Struggles, with Parenting Expert Wendy Snyder

Parenting is hard - but it can help when you're able to lower the temperature. If you've followed me for a while, you know I subscribe to the research-based "connection before correction" philosophy when it comes to stepparents getting involved in discipline. My guest for this episode has an expertise in what she calls "compassionate discipline," which is a great option for parents looking for a way to be more responsive and less reactive. Wendy's work on positive parenting strategies is inspiri...

102. Real Food, Real Families: Katie Kimball on Kitchen Stewardship

Today we're talking about something that can be an unexpected complication in blended family life - and that's mealtime. Getting kids to eat nutrient-packed food is hard enough, but add in a two-house dynamic where kids may have different rules and expectations around what they eat and it can get downright thorny. That's where Katie Kimball comes in. Mom of four and founder of Kitchen Stewardship, Katie and I talk about how to navigate picky eaters and encourage good habits, even when the other ...

101. What Stepkids Think About Their Stepparents - And Why It Matters

Ever Wondered What Your Stepchildren Think About You? Kids can be tricky for stepparents to navigate. Their behavior isn't rational, they don't know how to express their emotions, and sometimes they can take out their frustration on the person who can be the easiest target: stepmom. But there's more to the story, and that's what we're talking about in this episode. We've got one of the top stepfamily researchers with us, and he's recently released a new look at the stepfamily dynamic - from the ...

100. Looking Back on 100 Episodes: The Lessons That Matter Most

🎉🎉We're 100! 🎉🎉 Today's episode is all about celebrating our big milestone - we have hit one hundred episodes! It's been a wild ride for these first hundred episodes and I am so honored that you've joined me to explore so many different topics that impact stepmoms. There's still so much to talk about, so I hope you'll come along for the next hundred episodes! Today we're going through some of the biggest lessons I've learned in these first hundred episodes. The lessons aren't all related to ...

99. Family Law Essentials for Stepmoms: A Conversation with Maria Simon

Family Law Insights From a Real Housewives' Lawyer In today's episode, we're getting into all the legal things around stepfamily life with an award-winning family law expert who has represented many high-profile clients in their divorces, including Ashley Darby of the Real Housewives of Potomac. About Maria: This week, I'm talking to a rockstar and award-winning attorney in the family law area. She is Managing Partner at the Geller Group and specializes in family law, divorce, custody disputes, ...

98. Every Other Weekend: A Son's Reflection On Stepfamily Life with Judge Anthony J. Mohr

Stepfamily Life From A Son's Perspective This week's guest isn't a stepmom. But he does have an interesting take on stepfamily life. Judge and author Anthony J. Mohr grew up with a father who had been a well-known radio actor who descended to the Hollywood B-list with the advent of television, and a stepfather who was a wealthy and successful businessman. In his award-winning book, Every Other Weekend: Coming of Age With Two Different Dads , Anthony discusses how he found his place between the t...

97. A Sober Look At (Step)Mommy Wine Culture, with Casey Davidson

How does "mommy wine culture" impact stepmoms? This week's episode is different than others - in the most interesting way! We're talking to top Life & Sobriety Coach Casey Davidson about drinking. It felt like a timely topic given the U.S. Surgeon General's recent advisory around alcohol - plus, Casey has a refreshing, non-"preachy" take on sobriety. We talk about how to hit pause on reaching for that glass of wine at the end of a hard day - and why it might just be the best thing you do for...

96. A Better Marriage Starts With A Better You, with Casey & Megan Caston

"If you want a better marriage, it starts with a better you" (there may be affiliate links in this post - for more about what that means, click here ) Our guests this week are known for their clever and relatable social media videos - but they are much more than that. Casey and Meygan Caston, founders of Marriage365 , offer up some great relationship advice for couples. In today's episode, they give us their top tips for good communication, and you'll enjoy hearing their story. And they've offer...

95. Stepfamily Holidays: Scrooge-Proof Your Season

The Stepfamily Holiday season can be filled with landmines. Let's tackle them one at a time. If you've ever felt like the holidays in a stepfamily are more stress than joy, this episode is for you. We're going to talk about some of the hardest things that come up for stepmoms during the holidays - and I'm going to give you some tips to help make it through. And if you'd like more support for the holidays, I'm hosting a special live class called From Humbug To Happy next week inside the Stepfamil...

94. Smooth Talking: Improving Communication, One Step At A Time

Stepfamily Communication Is Complicated. But Does It Have To Be? In this episode, we go back to a topic that comes up over and over again with the stepfamilies I work with: communication. We'll talk about why communication is so much more challenging in a stepfamily than in a first family, and a few things you can do to improve it. And I've got a freebie for you to help with your communication. Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts will give you the exact words to use when you're trying t...

93. What DOES Work In Stepfamilies, According To Research

What Do We Know About What DOES Work In Stepfamilies? In this episode, I'm joined by one of the preeminent stepfamily scholars in the world, Larry Ganong, Ph.D., who is out with a new book, called What Works In Stepfamilies: Creating And Maintaining Satisfying And Effective Relationships . He also happens to sit on the Stepfamily Solutions advisory board and if you've attended any of our past Stepmom Summits, you'll remember him as one of our speakers. The two coauthors of What Works In Stepfami...

92. Stepfamily Resilience in Crisis: Addressing the Emotional Toll of War

How Does The Daily Trauma of War Impact Stepfamilies? The trauma inflicted on stepfamilies is an aspect of war not often considered - but has a very real impact. In this episode, we are talking with Sigal Kaplan, a family counselor in Israel specializing in blended families. Sigal has done groundbreaking and captivating work around the impact of the ongoing war on Israeli stepfamilies. About Sigal: Sigal Kaplan is a family counselor specialist who works with stepfamilies, as well as families dea...

91. What Happens When You Retake Control Of Your Stepmom Story

What Happens When You Stop Caring So Much About Your Expectations? In this episode, we welcome back our old friend and amazing stepmom and life coach, Naja Hall. Naja and I always have fun catching up - and then we have a great discussion about her journey to finally become "unbothered" and what happens when you can finally get there. About Naja: Naja is the founder of VIPStepmom and Blended and Black. As a Certified Coach and Educator, she understands that the family is THE MOST influential ent...

90. Is Stepfamily Coaching For You?

What Is Stepfamily Coaching, And Can It Help You? Today we're going to talk a bit about coaching. What it is, how it can help stepfamilies, and how to find a good coach. I was actually a coach skeptic for a long time, but I'll tell you how my mind was changed. And if you're interested in paying it forward and becoming a coach, or even if you're just a little "coach-curious" I'll let you know that the doors are open this week to the Stepfamily Coach Academy . Links Mentioned In Today's Episode If...