What if conflict isn't the problem—but the portal? In this raw and real episode, Alicia is joined by Annmarie, a fellow stepmom and conflict resolution ninja, to unpack what’s really going on underneath the same old fights. (Spoiler: It’s not about the dishes.) They dig into: Why your drama triangle has assigned seating How to tell if you're reacting from love or fear What your partner’s defensiveness actually means (it’s not about you… kinda) Why kids shapeshift between houses and how it’s not ...
Jul 22, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 106
This episode is a raw, unfiltered Ask Me Anything from the stepmom trenches (on Instagram ). Alicia gets real about some of the most vulnerable (and let’s be honest, slightly rage-inducing) questions stepmoms are dealing with—like: • “Why do I feel like I won’t be good enough until we have a kid together?” • “Will I ever feel relaxed around the ex?” • “How the hell do I let go of the hate and bitterness?” • “Am I the only one who dreads vacations with the stepkids?” • “How much are we spending o...
Jul 15, 2025•41 min•Ep. 105
Transition days. You know, the ones where your quiet, clean house suddenly turns into a full-blown chaos factory. Whether your stepkids are arriving for the weekend, the week, or every other Tuesday, transition days can bring stress, overstimulation, and a whole lot of feelings you didn’t expect. In this episode, Alicia is answering real questions submitted through her Instagram broadcast channel from stepmoms just like you who are trying to survive the emotional rollercoaster of blended family ...
Jul 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 104
Alicia gets real about what it means to support your partner through parenting challenges. From learning when to speak up to knowing when to simply listen, Alicia shares personal stories and practical tips for navigating these tough moments with love and patience. This episode is for anyone who's ever struggled with how to show up for their spouse without stepping on toes—or losing themselves in the process. Plus, Alicia shares how couples coaching can help partners reconnect and communicate bet...
Jul 01, 2025•7 min•Ep. 103
In this deeply relatable solo episode, Alicia opens up about a struggle so many stepmoms face but rarely talk about—what it feels like to miss out on the “firsts.” First marriage, first baby, first home, first big life moments with your partner... when you weren’t part of those, it can trigger deep feelings of jealousy, insecurity, and even grief. Alicia shares a powerful personal story from early in her marriage—when she felt so second-best and confused that she literally googled “how to get di...
Jun 24, 2025•12 min•Ep. 102
In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , Alicia Krasko gets real about the silent struggle so many stepmoms face: losing themselves in the chaos of blended family life. One day you’re living your carefree (ish) life, and the next, you're the emotional project manager of a household that runs on other people's schedules and drama. Sound familiar? Alicia breaks down how the gradual burnout happens—and why so many stepmoms feel like they’ve completely lost touch with what they enjoy. From feel...
Jun 17, 2025•10 min•Ep. 101
In this episode, Alicia is here to lovingly snatch you out of your spiral with a bold-but-needed reminder: You’re not that special. (And yes, that’s the best news you’ll hear today.) Because if you’ve ever thought you were the only stepmom feeling like an outsider, overwhelmed by an ex, or questioning how the hell you ended up in this role—you’re absolutely not alone. Alicia shares her personal experience with outsider syndrome and challenges the toxic lies stepmoms tell themselves like: “No one...
Jun 10, 2025•8 min•Ep. 100
Summer break in a stepfamily isn’t always sunshine and s’mores—it can be a whirlwind of transitions, mood swings, and scheduling chaos. In this episode, Alicia gets real about the emotional toll of summer break as a stepmom, especially when the stepkids are constantly going back and forth between homes. She breaks down the most common summer struggles (spoiler: you’re not alone if the custody schedule makes you cry), and shares tools to help you find rhythm, protect your time, and reset after ea...
Jun 03, 2025•20 min•Ep. 99
In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , Alicia dives into a powerful truth that many stepmoms avoid: staying stuck in victimhood may feel safe—but it’s quietly stealing your joy, your voice, and your power. If you’ve ever thought, “No one gets it,” “Nothing I do matters,” or “I’m just done trying,” this episode is your wake-up call and warm hug in one. Alicia shares how victimhood becomes a comfort zone and why breaking free is the key to reclaiming your confidence, peace, and freedom as a...
May 27, 2025•17 min•Ep. 98
Alicia tackles the unspoken phase of stepmom life— the before. You’ve met the kids. You’re dating the dad. You’re not a stepmom technically , but you're already feeling all the weird, confusing emotions that come with blending families. This “in-between” season is messy, emotional, and full of what the actual efffff moments. Alicia breaks down how to ease into your role, communicate expectations before moving in, handle the third-wheel vibes when your partner and his ex still do holidays or spor...
May 20, 2025•23 min•Ep. 97
In this powerful episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia Krasko is joined by Nika Chadwick, an expert in navigating high-conflict co-parenting situations. They dive deep into understanding what high-conflict actually means, how to recognize it, and how to protect your peace and sanity while managing it. Whether you’re facing constant drama, navigating court battles, or just trying to keep your home a safe and stable space for your family, this episode has you covered. Key Topics Covered: Wha...
May 13, 2025•46 min•Ep. 96
In today’s episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , Alicia answers questions from her broadcast channel and "Ask Me Anything" from Instagram. She dives deep into some of the toughest struggles stepmoms face—like dealing with disrespectful stepkids, managing the emotions of bio kids, handling the drama from bio moms, and navigating tricky boundaries with your partner. It’s a tough ride, but guess what? You’re not alone. Alicia will be sharing actionable tips to help you work through these frustratio...
May 06, 2025•32 min•Ep. 95
Ever poured your heart out to your partner, only to get blank stares or the dreaded “You’re overreacting”? In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , Alicia breaks down the emotional disconnect so many stepmoms feel in their relationship — and how to get your partner to finally understand your experience (without it turning into World War III). From validation to communication shifts, Alicia shares the mindset tweaks and scripts that help you feel seen instead of silenced. If you’ve been feel...
Apr 29, 2025•16 min•Ep. 94
Are you stuck being the only one enforcing structure while your partner hands out snacks and screen time like it’s Halloween? Listen in as Alicia dives into one of the most frustrating parts of stepmom life — the moment you realize you’ve become the “bad cop” in your own home… and your partner is just vibing with chaos. You’ll learn why this dynamic happens in blended families, how it affects your mental load and relationship, and what you can actually do to fix it. Hint: It’s not about being st...
Apr 22, 2025•17 min•Ep. 93
Alicia dives deep into a feeling many stepmoms know all too well— that gut-punch of jealousy or sadness when your stepkids talk about their mom. Whether it’s an innocent story, a glowing compliment, or yet another comparison, the emotional reaction can be real —and often comes with a heavy dose of guilt. Alicia gets real about where those feelings come from, why they’re completely normal , and how to stop judging yourself for them. She unpacks the emotional triggers, gives practical mindset shif...
Apr 15, 2025•14 min•Ep. 92
Mother’s Day can be a tricky holiday for stepmoms, filled with mixed emotions and complicated dynamics. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia offers stepmoms practical advice and emotional support for navigating the complexities of Mother’s Day. From managing expectations with co-parents to finding personal ways to feel appreciated, Alicia dives deep into how stepmoms can honor themselves on this special day. Listeners will hear her personal insights and actionable tips for balanci...
Apr 08, 2025•13 min•Ep. 91
Alicia dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster of comparing yourself to your partner’s ex. Whether it’s scrolling through social media or feeling like you don’t measure up in the stepfamily dynamic, Alicia talks about why comparison is so common (but totally toxic) for stepmoms. She uncovers how comparison affects your sense of identity, belonging, and energy—and shares actionable steps to break the cycle. Spoiler: It starts with being honest with yourself and embracing your unique role in t...
Apr 01, 2025•15 min•Ep. 90
In today’s episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , we dive into one of the most frustrating and emotionally-charged dynamics stepmoms face: when your partner sides with the kids and leaves you feeling unsupported. Ever find yourself thinking, "Wait, am I the problem here?" or "Why do I feel like I’m living in the emotional Hunger Games?" Trust me, you’re not alone. Here’s what we’re unpacking in this episode: 1: The Gut Punch of Being Sided Against We’ve all been there — you bring up your stepkid’...
Mar 25, 2025•10 min
Starting over financially can feel overwhelming—especially after divorce, debt, and career setbacks. In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Hampton, a financial expert and mom who transformed her life after hitting rock bottom. She shares practical strategies for budgeting, debt repayment, and estate planning—plus the mindset shifts that helped her take control of her future. If you’re feeling stuck financially, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you break free from debt, star...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 88
In this episode, Alicia shares actionable strategies for navigating difficult conversations with your stepchild. From finding the right time to approaching sensitive topics with empathy, you’ll learn how to handle those awkward moments with confidence and grace. Whether you’re discussing rules, feelings, or family dynamics, this episode will help you build trust and create open, meaningful dialogue with your stepchild. Key Takeaways: Why timing and empathy are crucial in difficult conversations ...
Mar 11, 2025•9 min•Ep. 87
In this episode, Alicia dives into a common struggle many stepmoms face: doing all the “mom” things but not getting the recognition or credit for it. As a stepmom, it can feel emotionally draining to pour your heart and energy into your stepkids, only to be seen as “just” the stepmom. Alicia discusses the disconnect between the work you’re putting in and the lack of acknowledgment, especially when your partner and the ex are in constant communication. Even in the most amicable co-parenting situa...
Mar 04, 2025•28 min•Ep. 86
In this candid episode, Alicia dives deep into the heartache and humor behind that gut-wrenching moment when your stepchild says, "You're not my mom."She unpacks the emotional roller coaster that comes with blended family life and shares practical tips to help you navigate those painful moments with grace and resilience. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Understanding the Impact: Discover why the words “You’re not my mom” hit so hard—even when they’re less about you and more about the child’s own i...
Feb 25, 2025•16 min•Ep. 85
In today’s episode, we’re tackling a big one—happiness. More specifically, how YOUR happiness is an inside job , even when stepfamily stress is trying to bulldoze its way into your peace. If you’ve ever felt like your emotions are at the mercy of the ex, your stepkids, or the never-ending co-parenting drama, this episode is for you. Alicia breaks down: ⁃ How stepmoms unknowingly give away their power and happiness ⁃ Three practical ways to take back control (without the guilt) ⁃ Why boundaries, ...
Feb 18, 2025•10 min•Ep. 84
What happens when a stepmom decides to leave her relationship—but she’s deeply connected to her stepkids? This is a heartbreak that no one talks about. Today, Alicia is diving into: How to break the news to your stepkids Whether you should stay in contact after the breakup How to deal with the overwhelming guilt and sadness Healthy ways to cope and move forward Leaving a relationship when stepkids are involved adds layers of pain, guilt, and uncertainty. But here’s the truth—you can love them an...
Feb 11, 2025•13 min•Ep. 83
In this episode, Alicia is tackling one of the most frustrating issues many stepmoms face: what to do when your partner isn't stepping up with their kids or your "ours baby." It's hard when you feel like you're doing it all on your own, especially when your partner's involvement with their stepkids or shared children is lacking. First, Alicia dives into the common reasons why dads may hold back when it comes to stepping up for their stepkids. From co-parenting guilt to emotional distance, she di...
Feb 04, 2025•35 min•Ep. 82
Welcome to another episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast ! In this episode, Alicia dives into a tough but important topic: what to do when your partner doesn’t back you up as a stepmom. If you’re feeling unsupported, frustrated, or like you’re handling everything on your own, you’re not alone. Alicia shares actionable advice to help you navigate this challenge and start feeling more supported and confident in your role as a stepmom. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognize if your partner i...
Jan 28, 2025•18 min•Ep. 81
Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of stepmom life? In this episode, we tackle the relentless cycle of burnout and share practical strategies to reclaim your peace. From setting boundaries to finding your support system, this episode will help you take the first steps toward a calmer, more confident life. Plus, discover how connecting with like-minded stepmoms in The Stepmom Side Community can transform your journey. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why stepmom burnout happens and how it impac...
Jan 21, 2025•14 min•Ep. 80
In this episode, Casey McGuire Davidson, a life sobriety coach, shares her personal journey with alcohol and its profound impact on her relationships, parenting, and well-being. Casey discusses the societal pressures and stigmas surrounding alcohol consumption, especially for high-achieving women and mothers, and how "mommy wine culture" perpetuates harmful coping mechanisms. She opens up about her struggles with drinking, the resentment it created in her marriage, and how quitting alcohol led t...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 79
Welcome to the first episode of the year! In this episode, Alicia shares how choosing a single word for the year can set the tone for success, clarity, and peace in your stepmom journey. Her word for the year, Intentional , is all about making purposeful choices in time management, relationships, work, and self-care. She also invites you to reflect on what you want your year to feel like and walks you through practical steps to choose your own word. Plus, Alicia introduces her upcoming re-releas...
Jan 07, 2025•22 min•Ep. 78
In this reflective episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast , we’re diving into the highs, the lows, and everything in between from 2024. Alicia gets real about her challenges, celebrates her wins, and shares what she’s looking forward to in 2025. If you’re ready to reflect on your own year and find inspiration for the year ahead, this episode is for you. What We Cover: The struggles of 2024: wasted time, dropped balls, and battling imposter syndrome. Major wins: drama-free holidays, thriving stepkid...
Dec 31, 2024•20 min•Ep. 77
