When a divorced dad keeps letting his ex control the emotional temperature of his life, the new relationship pays the price. In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Wood who reveals why "being nice" to an ex often turns into chaos, how to set boundaries without escalating conflict, and what it actually takes to build a stable home for a new partner and child.Bryan speaks from hard-won experience: military injury, early retirement, divorce, financial devastation, and then a full rebuild into an emotionally and financially independent life. He and Rebecca get real about the pressure stepmoms feel when they’re unknowingly pulled into a marriage with the husband and the ex, and why that dynamic can quietly destroy trust if it isn’t handled early. You'll discover:

• What it really means for a man to emotionally move on from his ex
• Why "professional relationship" is the right mindset for co-parenting
• How over-accommodating an ex can backfire and create more conflict
• What a divorced dad owes his new partner before the relationship gets serious
• Why stepmoms should not be responsible for managing the ex's boundaries

Bryan shares the exact shift that changed everything: stop reacting, stop arguing, and stop handing over emotional control. Instead of feeding the conflict, he shows how consistent boundaries and calm non-engagement can change the entire dynamic over time.If you’re a stepmom, a divorced dad, or someone trying to blend a family without losing your sanity, this conversation gives you the language, framework, and clarity to do it better. Essential listening if you’re tired of drama masquerading as co-parenting.

Connect with Bryan Wood on Instagram | @the.divorce.warrior 

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Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/

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Resentment is one of those feelings stepmoms experience but rarely want to admit out loud.

In this episode, we’re talking about what resentment actually looks like in stepmom life, why the smallest things can suddenly feel HUGE, and who we’re really angry with when it starts to build. From resentment toward your husband, your stepkids, the other parent, and even yourself, we’re getting honest about the feelings we usually try to push down.

I’ll also share some of my own experiences with resentment and walk you through the questions I use to figure out what’s really underneath it and what we can actually do about it.

Because sometimes “just let it go” is the least helpful advice ever.

You may not be able to change the person or situation that hurt you, but you can decide how much of your peace it gets to take from you.

Episode sponsor | Get Out | ⁠www.getout.com⁠ and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: 

Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast

Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/

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What happens when co-parenting conflict doesn’t stay between the co-parents and starts creeping into your marriage, your home, and your relationship with your stepkids?

In this episode of Call Me Stepmom, I sit down with Livi North, founder of Unfuck Your Co-Parenting, to talk about navigating high-conflict co-parenting from both the biological parent and stepparent perspective.

We get into what actually makes someone “high conflict,” why a new partner can sometimes pour gasoline on an already difficult dynamic, parental alienation, kids becoming messengers between homes, and the complicated line between supporting your partner and getting pulled too far into their battle.

We also talk about the boundaries that can protect your marriage and your home and why stepmoms don't need anyone's permission to love, support, and show up for their stepkids.

If you've ever felt like someone else's conflict has taken up way too much space in your home, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Livi North

On Instagram | @unfuckyourcoparenting  

Her website | https://unfuckyourcoparenting.com/

For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: 

Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast

Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/

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Welcome to the very first episode of Call Me Stepmom. I’m Becca, a wife, mom, and stepmom to three, and I’m starting this podcast because stepmoms deserve a space where we can talk about how this role actually feels, not just how we’re told we should feel.

In this first episode, I’m sharing how I became a stepmom, the honeymoon phase when I jumped headfirst into doing all the things no one asked me to do, and the reality check that came when I realized just how complicated blended-family life can be. I also share what happened when my teenage stepson moved in full-time and I suddenly found myself questioning everything about what my role was supposed to be.

We’re talking overcompensating, wanting everyone to like you, complicated feelings, different relationships with different stepkids, and why there is no one right way to be a stepmom.

This show will absolutely be a place to vent but we’re not stopping there. We’re going to ask, Okay, this is hard… now what?

Around here, you don't need to be the perfect stepmom. We just want you to be an honest one. Welcome to Call Me Stepmom.

For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: 

Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast

Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/

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We use the term “high conflict” a lot in the blended family worldbut what happens when what you’re experiencing is actually something more?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Christine Cocchiola, coercive control expert, clinician, researcher, and author, to unpack what coercive control can look like after separation and how it can continue through co-parenting.

We talk about the difference between a difficult ex and a pattern of coercive control, how children and the family court system can become part of the dynamic, and what happens when a new partner or stepmom gets pulled into it.

Most importantly, we talk about why recognizing the pattern matters and what families need to understand when “just co-parent better” isn’t the answer.

Connect with Dr. Cocchiola on Instagram | @dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol  

Her website | https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/

For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: 

Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast

Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/

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Episode sponsor:

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Being a stepmom while trying for a baby of your own can turn even the sweetest moments into grief triggers. Rebecca sits down with Jen, known online as The Sober Stepmom, for a raw, honest conversation about infertility, IVF, sobriety, and what it really feels like to want an "ours baby" in a blended family. Jen shares how she met her husband on Hinge, became a stepmom to his two young sons, and then found herself unexpectedly pulled toward motherhood after watching him show up as a devoted dad. From there, the conversation gets deeply personal as she opens up about trying to conceive naturally, tracking cycles, exploring acupuncture and holistic support, and eventually moving into IVF after learning that time, age, and bloodwork made a more aggressive path make sense. You'll discover:

• Why IVF can feel like an emotional rollercoaster long before the pregnancy test
• How daily hormone shots, egg retrievals, and embryo attrition affect both body and mind
• The way infertility grief can show up in stepmotherhood, from loud households to affectionate father moments that suddenly sting
• What "childless stepmom" really means, and why Jen breaks it into very different lived experiences
• Practical regulation tools like solo hotel or Airbnb stays, noise-canceling headphones, movement, journaling, and intentional one-on-one time with your partner

Jen also explains how sobriety became part of her stepmom journey. She gets candid about why alcohol no longer fit the version of herself she wanted to be for two little boys, and how the tools she learned in sobriety now shape the way she coaches other women toward steadier, more authentic stepmotherhood. This episode is for stepmoms, childless stepmoms, women navigating IVF, and anyone who has ever been told to just be grateful for what they already have. It is a conversation about grief, identity, boundaries, and the fierce work of staying grounded when family, fertility, and your nervous system all collide.If you've ever needed someone to say, "yes, this is hard, and no, you are not crazy," this one will feel like exhale-worthy company. Perfect for anyone who wants real talk, practical support, and a reminder that you can love your stepkids deeply while still wanting more.

Connect with Jen on Instagram - @the_sober_stepmom 

For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: 

Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast

Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/

Pateron stepmom community | Join us 

Episode sponsor:

Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

Welcome to Call Me Stepmom the podcast where we say the things about stepmotherhood that everyone else is thinking but no one wants to say out loud.

New episodes coming soon. Hit Follow so you don’t miss what’s next. 🤍

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