The Stepmom Diaries Podcast
This Custom Life
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The Stepmom Diaries podcast, hosted by Cameron Normand of This Custom Life, focuses on all things stepmom-related.
As a second wife, stepmom to four kids, and successful businesswoman, Cameron Normand keeps it real with conversations about blended families, relationships, personal development, and much more. With her expert advice and down-home discussions, Cameron will inspire you to live into your best blended family life.
Available episodes
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Oldest first
May 11, 2023
65. Being BOLD When Your Relationship Is In Crisis, with Jessica Frew
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!
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May 4, 2023
64. Accepting Your Stepmom Life, Even When It's High-Conflict, With Anita Inglis
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!
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Apr 20, 2023
63. Being A Radical Stepmom With Christina Nelson
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
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Apr 13, 2023
62. Kick Ass At Stepmom Life With Jamie Scrimgeour
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!
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Apr 12, 2023
Bonus Episode: Stepmom Resources You Need
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!
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Apr 6, 2023
61. Conscious Coparenting With Mikki Gardner
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!
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Mar 24, 2023
60. How To Coparent Peacefully, Even When It Feels Impossible, With Katie Davie
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!
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Mar 16, 2023
59. Letting It Be Easy (Even With Stepmom Life), With Susie Moore
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!
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Mar 9, 2023
58. When It Feels Like The Conflict Will Never End, with Megan Hunter, CEO of The High Conflict Institute
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!
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Mar 3, 2023
57. Dating And Stepfamily Life After 60
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!
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Feb 23, 2023
56. How To Love Stepmom Life While Building A Business Empire With Amy Porterfield
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…
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Feb 17, 2023
55. Moving Forward When Things Are Hard With Michelle Wolfe
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 chal…
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Jan 20, 2023
54. Raising Financial Grownups With Author Bobbi Rebell
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:…
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Jan 13, 2023
53. What Does New Year, New You Even Mean?
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
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Dec 22, 2022
52. Finding Your Holiday Happy When You Feel Like Scrooge
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!
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Dec 8, 2022
51. Dear (Step)Mama Bear . . . with Author Jo Dodd
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…
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Nov 23, 2022
50. Live Your Ideal (Step)Mom Life, Rage Room Included
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,…
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Nov 17, 2022
49. Emotional Exhaustion Is Real, But You Can Recover
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 li…
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Nov 11, 2022
48. The Professional Stepdad Is In The House
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!
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Nov 4, 2022
47. Stepfamily Pets & What Fido Can Teach Us About Stepfamily Life
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!
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Aug 23, 2022
46. More Of The (Big) Stepfamily Challenges with Dr. Patricia Papernow
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. a…
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Aug 22, 2022
45. Meeting The (Big) Stepfamily Challenges With Dr. Patricia Papernow
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 int…
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Aug 16, 2022
44. When It's Time To Set Some Boundaries
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 emp…
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Aug 4, 2022
43. Confidence Is Key - Especially For Stepmoms
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
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Jul 31, 2022
42. Your Blended Family Design
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!
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Jul 20, 2022
41. When Your Support System Stumbles
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.
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Jul 1, 2022
40. Summer Travel With (Step)Kids
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.
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Jun 16, 2022
39. When You Realize. Your Outlook Sucks
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.
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Apr 8, 2022
38. A Conversation About The BLENDED Family Formula
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 cours…
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Mar 31, 2022
37. Using Your Personality Style To Communicate: Interview with Karen Bemmes
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 w…
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Mar 24, 2022
36. Breaking Through To Your Stepkids
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!
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Mar 17, 2022
35. The Biggest Key To Fixing Your Stepfamily Problems
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...Yo…
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Mar 10, 2022
34. When Coparenting Just Isn't Working
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!
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Sep 30, 2021
33. Reclaiming Your Power With Naja Hall
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.
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Sep 19, 2021
32. Talking All Things Stepmom With Dr. Patricia Papernow
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.…
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Aug 19, 2021
31. Real Talk With Maarit Miller
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!
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Aug 17, 2021
30. Stepping Back Successfully With Dr. Erin Careless
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.
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Aug 12, 2021
29. Successful Stepfamily Relationsh!t with Jessica Frew
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 connect…
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Aug 10, 2021
28. Happily Ever After With The Stepqueen
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…
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Aug 4, 2021
27. A Conversation with Megan Hunter, CEO of The High Conflict Institute
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…
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Aug 3, 2021
26. Multi-Cultural Stepfamilies: A Discussion With Kimberly King
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 experi…
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Jul 29, 2021
25. Dr. Courtney Conley On The Art Of Relating To Teens
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 f…
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Jul 15, 2021
Bonus Episode: The Formula To Love Your BLENDED Family Life
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 fam…
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Jul 6, 2021
24. Stepmom Boundaries: What They Are And Why You Need Them
"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 p…
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Jun 23, 2021
23. How To Deal With Stepmom Imposter Syndrome
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 coachi…
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Jun 17, 2021
22. How To Cope With Parental Alienation As A Stepmom
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 hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
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Jun 10, 2021
21. Flipping The Script On Stepmom Assumptions
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 hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
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May 28, 2021
20. Why Can't We Just Get Along?
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 hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
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May 21, 2021
19. How To Ask For Help - And Where To Find It
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. An…
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May 13, 2021
18. How To Regain Control Of Your Life
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 hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good luck!
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May 4, 2021
17. Mother's Day And Stepmoms: It's Okay To Feel Weird
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 hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I’ll pick a lucky winner for a session. Good…
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Apr 28, 2021
16. How To Get Back On Track
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 hello@thiscustomlife.com or post it on social media and tag me – and I…
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Apr 22, 2021
15. The Hard Truth About Stepmom Outsider Syndrome
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…
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Jan 29, 2021
14. What's Your Stepmom "Why"?
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 t…
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Jan 14, 2021
12. What To Do When Bio Mom Doesn't Like You
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 publica…
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Jan 6, 2021
11. Why I Stopped Making New Year's Resolutions
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.
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Dec 17, 2020
10. The Mindful Stepmom With Magriet Steyn
Why You Need Mindfulness Now And How To Get It
Our guest today is Magriet Steyn and she's talking all about how to clear your mind and change your outlook through mindfulness.
Stepmom life can be rough - on a daily basis sometimes. And it's all too easy to "catastrophize." (Don't know what that term is? Neither did I before today's talk!)
Magriet helps guide stepmoms to a more peaceful outlook and positive mindset through meditation and self-care.
Magriet is the founder of Stepfamily Harmony and Mindful Stepmums. She's a professional Life Coach, Certified Stepparent Coach, and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. As a stepmom to two adult stepchildren, a bio mom to two teens, and a coparent with two ex-husbands, she understands the complexities and challenges surrounding stepfamily life. Magriet helps stepmoms move from overwhelm to ease through a combination of coaching techniques and mindfulness practices.
You will not want to miss this discussion!
You can find Magriet at stepfamily…
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Dec 10, 2020
9. From Stepmom Gratitude To Forgiveness
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.
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Nov 26, 2020
8. Why Being Grateful Isn't Enough
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
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Nov 19, 2020
7. Stepmom Inclusivity with Beth McDonough
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.
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Nov 12, 2020
6. Putting Your Relationship First
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.
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Nov 5, 2020
5. All The Stepmom Things: A Conversation With Kristen Skiles Of Stepmomming.com
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/stepmo…
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Oct 28, 2020
4. Why You Need Stepmom Self-Care And How To Get It
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
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Oct 16, 2020
3. What To Do When Your Stepmom Reality Doesn't Live Up To Your Expectations
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!
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Oct 14, 2020
2. How To Respond To Those Awkward Stepmom Moments
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.
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Oct 14, 2020
1. Your Stepmom Feelings Are Normal
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!!
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