The Stepmom Side Podcast

Эпизоды

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  #159: What If I Don’t Like My Stepkids? The Truth No One Talks About (re-release) 29.07.2026 27мин

  What if you don’t like your stepkids? It’s the question that stepmoms whisper to themselves and rarely admit out loud. In this episode, Alicia unpacks why these feelings show up, why they don’t make you a “bad stepmom,” and how to move through them without shame. You’ll learn: Why it’s normal to not always like your stepkidsHow societal expectations set stepmoms up for guiltSimple shifts to ease the tension when relationships feel strainedHow to release the pressure to force a bondThis is you...
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  #158: The Emotional Reality of Stepmom Life with Darlene Sparks 21.07.2026 1ч 11мин

  In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia Krasko sits down with certified stepfamily coach Darlene Sparks for an honest conversation about the realities of stepmom life—because “just love them like your own” is not exactly a complete instruction manual. Darlene shares her experience navigating identity loss, rejection, complicated family relationships, and feeling like an outsider in her own home. Together, Alicia and Darlene discuss how stepmoms can protect their peace without disc...
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  #157: Family Meetings, Chore Battles, and Teenagers: Real Talk About Blended Family Life with Ashley Noelle 14.07.2026 51мин

  Blended families don't become connected overnight—and honestly, nobody hands you a roadmap. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia sits down with Ashley from The Blended Bond to talk about what actually helps blended families feel more connected. From awkward first family meetings and navigating transitions to chore systems, parenting teenagers, and learning to stop taking everything personally, this conversation is filled with practical strategies and reassuring reminders for st...
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  #156: The Truth About Happy Blended Families 07.07.2026 14мин

  Are you constantly wondering why your blended family doesn't feel like the happy, picture-perfect family you imagined? You're not doing anything wrong. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia shares why so many stepmoms struggle because they're chasing unrealistic expectations about what blended family life should look like. From instant love and immediate connection to perfectly blended relationships, many of us were sold a version of stepfamily life that simply doesn't exist. In...
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  #155: In Blended Families, The Real Problem Isn't Always the Kids 30.06.2026 12мин

  Feeling unsupported by your husband or partner can make blended family life feel incredibly lonely. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia talks about why partner support is one of the biggest predictors of stepmom satisfaction and blended family success. Many stepmoms don't necessarily need perfection from their partners. They need partnership. They need to feel heard, valued, and like they're part of a team. Key takeaways: ✔️ Why partner support matters so much in blended famil...
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  #154: The Hidden Reason You're So Angry as a Stepmom 23.06.2026 14мин

  Do you feel resentful as a stepmom and then immediately guilty for feeling that way? You're not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia dives into one of the most common but least talked about experiences in blended families: stepmom resentment. The truth is, resentment usually isn't about the kids. It's often the result of carrying too much emotional responsibility for too long. From managing everyone's feelings to carrying the mental load and constantly putting your own n...
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  #153: Why Belonging Feels So Hard in Blended Families 16.06.2026 11мин

  Feeling like an outsider in your own home as a stepmom? You're not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explores why so many stepmoms struggle with belonging in blended families. She shares why outsider syndrome happens, the common traps stepmoms fall into, and practical ways to stop trying to earn your place and start feeling more secure in your role. Key takeaways: Why feeling left out is normal in blended familiesThe hidden cost of overfunctioning and people-pleasingW...
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  #152: Stepmom Confidence: Stop Auditioning for Belonging 09.06.2026 26мин

  Do you ever feel like you're constantly trying to prove yourself as a stepmom? If only you could just be more patient, more understanding, more involved, or more helpful, then maybe you'd finally feel accepted in your blended family? In this episode, Alicia dives into a struggle many stepmoms silently carry: the belief that they have to earn their place in their own home. Whether you're dealing with outsider syndrome, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling invisible in your stepfamily, th...
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  #151: When Your Stepkids Disrespect You: What Every Stepmom Needs to Know 02.06.2026 18мин

  What should a stepmom do when her stepkids are disrespectful? Few things trigger a stepmom faster than being ignored, talked back to, rolled eyes at, or treated like she doesn't matter. When you're already questioning your role in the family, disrespect from a stepchild can feel deeply personal—and it can quickly create resentment, frustration, and conflict in your marriage. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia dives into one of the most common challenges stepmoms face: dealing...
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  #150: Why Setting Boundaries Feels Mean (And How to Stop Feeling Guilty) 26.05.2026 16мин

  Does setting boundaries make you immediately feel guilty? Do you finally decide to say no, ask for space, or stop carrying everyone else's emotions… and then immediately wonder if you're being selfish? You're not alone. In this episode, Alicia is diving into why boundaries can feel so uncomfortable—especially for stepmoms who are used to people pleasing, over-functioning, and carrying the emotional weight of everyone around them. If you've ever felt responsible for keeping the peace, fixing e...
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  #149: Why Stepmoms Confuse Peace With Perfection in Blended Families 19.05.2026 23мин

  Are you constantly chasing peace in your blended family… but secretly defining peace as “everything going perfectly”? In this episode, Alicia dives into one of the biggest mindset traps high-achieving stepmoms fall into: believing that peace and perfection are the same thing. From overthinking conversations to trying to control transition days, co-parenting dynamics, schedules, emotions, and everyone else’s reactions, many stepmoms end up emotionally exhausted trying to create a version of fa...
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  148: Summer Break Is Chaos for Stepmoms—Here’s How to Take Back Control of Your Home 12.05.2026 23мин

  Summer break sounds fun… until your house turns into chaos, the routines disappear, and you feel like you’re running a summer camp you never signed up for. In this episode, Alicia breaks down how stepmoms can create structure, maintain control, and protect their sanity during summer break—without turning into the “strict” or overwhelmed one in the house. If you’re already dreading the lack of routine, constant transitions between homes, and the mental load of managing it all… this episode is ...
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  #147: Stepmom Struggles: Why Kids Pull Away in Front of Their Other Parent 05.05.2026 29мин

  Alicia dives into one of the most confusing and emotionally triggering experiences for stepmoms: why stepchildren suddenly act distant, avoidant, or completely different when their other parent is around. If you’ve ever felt ignored at pickup, brushed off in public, or like your relationship disappears the moment their other parent enters the picture… you are not imagining it. And more importantly—it’s not rejection. This episode breaks down the concept of loyalty binds in stepfamily dynamics...
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  146: Stepmother’s Day Emotions: Feeling Invisible, Seen, and Everything In Between 28.04.2026 12мин

  Stepmother’s Day—did you even know it existed? In this episode of, Alicia dives into the emotional complexity of Stepmother’s Day—a holiday created in 2000 a nine year old to honor her stepmom. While the intention behind the day is meaningful, the reality for many stepmoms is… complicated. Alicia unpacks the mixed emotions stepmoms experience around Stepmother’s Day and challenges stepmoms to rethink how they approach this day. Instead of waiting for others to get it right, Alicia encourages ...
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  #145: Feeling Forgotten on Mother’s Day? A Stepmom’s Guide to Getting What You Need 21.04.2026 21мин

  Mother’s Day can be one of the most confusing—and painful—holidays for stepmoms. You show up. You support your partner. You help raise kids who aren’t biologically yours. You carry emotional labor, household responsibilities, and the invisible weight of stepfamily dynamics… …and then Mother’s Day rolls around and you feel completely overlooked. In this episode, Alicia dives into the emotional reality of Mother’s Day for stepmoms—especially those who are childfree or childless. If you’ve ever ...
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  #144: Stepfamily Myths That Damage Marriages and How to Fix the Disconnect with Monica Tanner 14.04.2026 56мин

  In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia is joined by Monica Tanner to talk about how to reignite connection and intimacy in blended families, why stepfamily myths can damage marriages, and what couples can do to create a stronger, healthier relationship. They dive into one of the most controversial but important ideas in blended family life: why the couple relationship has to be the priority. Monica explains what that actually looks like in real life, how to support your partner w...
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  #143: Infertility as a Stepmom: Coping with Failed IUI, Grief, and Redefining Motherhood with Kristen Skiles 07.04.2026 57мин

  Trigger warning: miscarriage Infertility is hard. Being a stepmom is hard. Put the two together? Yeah… it’s a whole different level that no one really prepares you for. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia sits down with Kristen Skiles to have an honest, emotional, and empowering conversation about infertility as a stepmom—including the heartbreak of a failed IUI cycle. They dive into the layered experience of wanting a baby while already being a parent figure, the guilt ...
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  #142: Family Court, Co-Parenting Stress, and Protecting Your Peace With Sol Kennedy 31.03.2026 54мин

  In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia talks with Sol Kennedy, founder of the Best Interest co-parenting app, about high-conflict co-parenting, family court, co-parent communication, and how AI can help parents reduce conflict. Sol shares how his own divorce and co-parenting experience led him to create an app that acts like a buffer between toxic messages and reactive responses. They talk about why the family court system can feel emotionally brutal, how co-parenting apps are us...
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  #141: The Hidden Reason Stepmoms Feel Like the Least Supported Person at Home 24.03.2026 24мин

  In this episode, Alicia explores why stepmoms often feel like the least supported person in their own home. She breaks down the emotional and mental load stepmoms carry, the role of over-functioning, and how relationship dynamics with partners can unintentionally reinforce feelings of isolation. Stepmoms will gain insight into why this pattern happens and learn actionable strategies for communicating their needs, setting boundaries, and creating more support within their relationship. This ep...
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  140: Stepmom Burnout: When Family Expectations Don’t Match Your Capacity 17.03.2026 15мин

  In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia wraps up the Role Clarity Series by exploring what happens when expectations in blended families exceed a stepmom’s emotional and mental capacity. Many stepmoms feel pressure to overextend themselves in order to keep the peace, avoid conflict, or prove they are a “good” stepmom. This episode helps listeners identify expectations they may be carrying unconsciously, evaluate whether those expectations are sustainable, and begin honoring ...