“You don’t have to do this alone. You don’t have to guess, or feel guilty. You just have to say yes to support that actually gets it.”

Ever feel like you’re walking on eggshells in your own home? Like no one truly sees how hard you’re working to hold it all together?

In this powerful mini episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why the FREE annual Stepmom Summit (coming up September 4-6th) has become a lifeline for thousands of stepmoms around the world - and why it might be exactly what you’ve been needing, too.

I share my own raw and real moments (yes, including the one where my stepson called 911 on me), and why this annual virtual gathering is more than just a few Zoom sessions—it’s a community, a permission slip, and a freaking game-changer.

Plus, get a sneak peek at the surprises in store at this year’s event (hint: you're going to get to ask all of our speakers your most burning questions in real-time) - along with our jaw-dropping speaker lineup!

We'll discuss:

• Why even “strong” stepmoms need safe spaces

• The shift from isolation to belonging (with real stories from past attendees)

• How the summit is going 100% live this year - and why that changes everything

Featured Speakers Sneak Peek:

• Eve Rodsky – on burnout, boundaries, and reclaiming your joy

• Terri Cole – setting unapologetic boundaries

• Patricia Papernow - the globally-recognized top stepfamily expert in the field

• Samantha Boss – parenting plans during high conflict

• Kristin Cogan - mindfulness in the midst of chaos

• Jessica Frew, Alicia Krasko, and even a lawyer from the Real Housewives 👀

• Plus: top therapists, experts, coaches, and a panel of top researchers led by Emmy-winning journalist Jamie Yuccas

The Stepmom Summit Is For You If:

• You’re tired of doing this alone

• You love your partner but struggle with “everything that comes with him”

• You want tools that work outside of therapy sessions and social media scrolls

Join Us:

The Stepmom Summit is completely virtual, packed with live speakers, and full of support that lasts long after the event ends. Replays are available for 48 hours - so no pressure, just presence.

Register now at thestepmomsummit.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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

If you’ve ever found yourself tangled in the emotional mess of a high-conflict ex, today’s conversation is for you.

My guest, Priscilla Smith, knows exactly what it’s like to live in that storm. A certified stepfamily coach and child-free stepmom (and speaker at the upcoming Stepmom Summit!), Priscilla has navigated years of tension, loyalty binds, and co-parenting chaos — all while building a stronger marriage and a more peaceful home. She’s here to share how she shifted from reacting to leading, stopped letting the ex dictate her peace, and created tools that actually work in real life.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The turning point that helped Priscilla reclaim her calm

• Why waiting for a high-conflict ex to change will keep you stuck

• How to take the high road without feeling like a doormat

• The impact on your relationship — and how to protect it

• Practical self-care in the middle of constant stress

Whether you’re in the thick of it right now or supporting someone who is, Priscilla’s story and strategies will help you see a way forward — one that’s not about “fixing” someone else, but about protecting your own energy, marriage, and peace.

About Priscilla:

Priscilla Smith is a certified stepfamily coach who helps stepmoms and their partners go from chaos to clarity to calm, especially when high-conflict dynamics and neurodiverse child needs are part of the picture. A child-free stepmom herself, Priscilla brings many years of lived experience, a calm presence, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges that come with blending families.

With a mindset-focused approach, she helps clients break free from old patterns, build new tools, and create lasting change in their relationships and daily life. She doesn’t just hand out advice, she asks the right questions, helps you connect the dots, and teaches practical strategies that actually stick.

Before coaching, Priscilla spent two decades in Human Resources and leadership development, where she honed her skills in strategy, goal setting, and guiding people through tough transitions. She now works with stepfamilies across the globe from her home in central Pennsylvania, where she enjoys reading and hanging out with her dog, Bernie.

You Can Find Priscilla:

Blendedbloomingcoaching.com

Instagram: @blendedstepfamilycoaching

Priscilla's FREE Mastering Transition Days Guide:

https://blendedbloomingcoaching.myflodesk.com/transitiondayguide 

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

• Join the waitlist for The Stepmom Summit: thestepmomsummit.com

• Learn more about Stepfamily Coach Academy certification program

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

 

Parenting is hard - but it can help when you're able to lower the temperature. If you've followed me for a while, you know I subscribe to the research-based "connection before correction" philosophy when it comes to stepparents getting involved in discipline.

My guest for this episode has an expertise in what she calls "compassionate discipline," which is a great option for parents looking for a way to be more responsive and less reactive. Wendy's work on positive parenting strategies is inspiring - and should give us all some food for thought as we work to create strong relationships with our kids and stepkids.

About Wendy:

Wendy Snyder is a mom of two, certified parenting educator & family life coach, who inspires parents to learn & grow through connection based positive parenting strategies. As the host of The Fresh Start Family Show & Founder of FreshStartFamilyOnline.com, she helps parents ditch the threats, yelling & harsh punishments so they can live life as a joyful & confident parent (with kids that listen & cooperate great!). Families who take part in her learning & coaching programs experience radical shifts in their hearts, minds & souls - that help them to create rock solid relationships with their kids, while at the same time teaching important life lessons & helping to raise the next generation of leaders, change makers & important human souls. 

You Can Find Wendy:

freshstartfamilyonline.com

The Fresh Start Family Show podcast

Instagram: @freshstartwendy

YouTube:@wendysnyder-freshstartfamily

Facebook: @freshstartfamily

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

FREE Quick Start Learning Bundle: 3 Secrets to Thriving with Strong-Willed Kids

Firm and Kind Parenting Blueprint 

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

Today we're talking about something that can be an unexpected complication in blended family life - and that's mealtime.

Getting kids to eat nutrient-packed food is hard enough, but add in a two-house dynamic where kids may have different rules and expectations around what they eat and it can get downright thorny.

That's where Katie Kimball comes in. Mom of four and founder of Kitchen Stewardship, Katie and I talk about how to navigate picky eaters and encourage good habits, even when the other house has different rules. 

And she tells us about her FREE Life Skills Camp coming up this summer, where CEOs, chefs, tv hosts, and others will teach your kids and teens all kinds of useful skills that they'll use in everyday life. It's a phenomenal resource to help kids feel (and become) more self-sufficient. 

About Katie: Katie Kimball helps change kids’ relationship to food, both through work in the kitchen and helping parents of picky eaters. She’s a former teacher, two-time TEDx speaker, writer, and mom of 4 kids. She created the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, which was recommended by The Wall Street Journal as the best online cooking class for kids. Her blog Kitchen Stewardship helps families stay healthy without going crazy, and she’s on a mission to connect families around healthy food, teach every child to cook, and instill those all-important life skills! Links Mentioned In This Episode:

Life Skills Camp

Kids Cook Real Food, which the Wall Street Journal praised as the top online cooking course for kids

Free Knife Skills Class

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

Ever Wondered What Your Stepchildren Think About You?

Kids can be tricky for stepparents to navigate. Their behavior isn't rational, they don't know how to express their emotions, and sometimes they can take out their frustration on the person who can be the easiest target: stepmom.

But there's more to the story, and that's what we're talking about in this episode. We've got one of the top stepfamily researchers with us, and he's recently released a new look at the stepfamily dynamic - from the kids' perspectives. 

He's got some really interesting, insightful, and surprising, findings that stepmoms should definitely pay attention to.  

About Dr. Todd Jensen:

Todd Jensen, PhD, MSW is an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science and Director of the Thriving Through Family Transitions Research Lab in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Much of his research focuses on identifying factors that promote high-quality stepparent-child relationships, particularly those involving adolescent children.

Dr. Jensen’s professional activities are connected to more than 34 million dollars in funding, including support from the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, The Duke Endowment, the William T. Grant Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Jensen is a Faculty Fellow of the Carolina Population Center, a Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research, Deputy Editor for the Journal of Family Theory & Review, and co-founder and co-chair of the Diverse Family Structures Focus Group of the National Council on Family Relations. As an educator, Dr. Jensen specializes in teaching courses on family theory and practice, human development, program evaluation, and advanced quantitative methodology.

You can find Todd Jensen:

On Instagram HERE 

On his website, toddjensen.com, where you can also find links to many of his journal articles

Have You Ever Thought About Coaching?

On Wednesday, May 7th, I'm hosting a masterclass: The 5-Step Framework To Becoming A Stepfamily Coach (even if you've never coached before. 

This FREE class is for you if you’ve ever thought about turning your stepfamily experience into a meaningful career or side hustle - but you’re unsure where to start, how to get clients, or if you’re even “qualified.” Here's what you'll learn: ✅ How I turned my own stepfamily challenges into a career that fuels me daily ✅ What you really need (hint: not a counseling degree or a “perfect family”) ✅ The biggest myths that hold amazing women back from making a real impact

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

🎉🎉We're 100! 🎉🎉

Today's episode is all about celebrating our big milestone - we have hit one hundred episodes!

It's been a wild ride for these first hundred episodes and I am so honored that you've joined me to explore so many different topics that impact stepmoms. There's still so much to talk about, so I hope you'll come along for the next hundred episodes!

Today we're going through some of the biggest lessons I've learned in these first hundred episodes. The lessons aren't all related to stepmom life - but they are all helpful for taking a look at your mindset, your stepmom experience, and how even one small step can make big changes in your life when you need it.

Join Me Next Week: 

Next Wednesday, February 26th, I'm hosting an amazing 1 hour Masterclass: From Exhausted To Empowered: The 60-Minute Reset Every Stepmom Needs (and deserves!). 

In the class, you're going to learn the three big obstacles that hold back almost every stepmom - things that you can address with a few simple mindset shifts.

Take just 60 minutes for yourself and come learn how to finally live into your blended family life without sacrificing your happiness.

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

Episode 32, Talking All Things Stepmom with Dr. Patricia Papernow

Episode 59, Letting It Be Easy (Even With Stepmom Life), with Susie Moore

Episode 56, How To Love Stepmom Life While Building A Business Empire, with Amy Porterfield

Episode 87, When Blended DOES Mean Happily Ever After, with Catt Sadler and Sarah Boyd

Episode 27, A Conversation with Megan Hunter, CEO of the High Conflict Institute

Episode 85: Learning How To Stepmom One Lesson At A Time, with Jamie Yuccas

Episode 96, A Better Marriage Starts with a Better You, with Casey and Meygan Caston

Episode 91, What Happens When You Retake Control of Your Stepmom Story, with Naja Hall

Episode 93, What Does Work In Stepfamilies, According To Research

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

Honorable Mention, Episode 99, Family Law Essentials for Stepmoms

Want Your Question Answered On The Podcast?

Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE

If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

 

Family Law Insights From a Real Housewives' Lawyer

In today's episode, we’re getting into all the legal things around stepfamily life with an award-winning family law expert who has represented many high-profile clients in their divorces, including Ashley Darby of the Real Housewives of Potomac.

About Maria:

This week, I'm talking to a rockstar and award-winning attorney in the family law area. She is Managing Partner at the Geller Group and specializes in family law, divorce, custody disputes, collaborative divorce, and litigation. 

Maria has been continually recognized as Virginia Business’ Legal Elite and selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for Virginia and the District of Columbia. She’s a frequent speaker and is a member of the Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia (CPNV), the D.C. Academy of Collaborative Professionals (DCACP), and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Maria graduated cum laude from the Honors Program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and cum laude from the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. She is active in the DC community and served two years as General Counsel for Crispus Attucks Development Corporation. Our worlds have overlapped along the way, too. Maria was General Counsel for the Taste of the South Charity, which I was involved with for years, and she’s a member of the Junior League of Washington, where I served as President. 

Along with Maria’s zeal for the practice of law, she is an avid runner and yoga practitioner, and loves cooking and spending time with her husband and three sons. 

You Can Find Maria:

Thegellerlawgroup.com

On Instagram

Want Your Question Answered On The Podcast?

Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE

If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

Stepfamily Life From A Son's Perspective

This week's guest isn't a stepmom. But he does have an interesting take on stepfamily life. Judge and author Anthony J. Mohr grew up with a father who had been a well-known radio actor who descended to the Hollywood B-list with the advent of television, and a stepfather who was a wealthy and successful businessman. In his award-winning book, Every Other Weekend: Coming of Age With Two Different Dads, Anthony discusses how he found his place between the two contrasting worlds while coming of age during a time when divorce was rare and often viewed as shocking.

About Anthony:

Anthony J. Mohr served for 26 years as a judge on the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. He also sat as a judge pro tem on the California Court of Appeal. In January 2021, he became a fellow at the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and is now a senior editor of the Harvard ALI Social Impact Review. His stories and essays have received six Pushcart Prize nominations. He has worked on the staffs of Evening Street Review, Fifth Wednesday Journal, Hippocampus Magazine, and Under the Sun.

You Can Find Anthony:

anthonyjmohr.com

Want Your Question Answered On The Podcast?

Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE

If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

How does "mommy wine culture" impact stepmoms?

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

About Casey:

Casey McGuire Davidson is a Life & Sobriety Coach and the host of the Top 100 Mental Health Podcast, The Hello Someday Podcast for Sober Curious Women. As an ex-red wine girl who spent 20 years climbing the corporate ladder while holding on tightly to her love of wine, Casey’s passionate about helping busy women stop drinking and create lives they love without alcohol. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, NPR, HuffPost and The New York Times.

You Can Find Casey:

Hello Someday Coaching

The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women

You can grab her free 30-Day Sober Guide here or take her free Masterclass Take A Break From Drinking With These 5 Secrets

On Instagram

On Facebook

On YouTube

On Pinterest 

Want Your Question Answered On The Podcast?

Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE

If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!

"If you want a better marriage, it starts with a better you"

(there may be affiliate links in this post - for more about what that means, click here)

Our guests this week are known for their clever and relatable social media videos - but they are much more than that. Casey and Meygan Caston, founders of Marriage365, offer up some great relationship advice for couples. In today's episode, they give us their top tips for good communication, and you'll enjoy hearing their story. 

And they've offered a special $250 discount for our listeners to their annual marriage retreat happening October 2-5, 2025. You can check it out HERE and put the code STEPFAMILY SOLUTIONS in the comment field to apply the discount. 

About Casey & Meygan:

Casey and Meygan Caston, founders of Marriage365, fell in love, got married, and started their happily ever after. They quickly found themselves facing deep challenges in their marriage due to childhood trauma, stubborn personalities, and poor communication. By year three, they were on the brink of divorce.

Determined to turn things around, Meygan embraced the advice: “If you want a better marriage, it starts with a better you.” She focused on her own healing, habits, and boundaries, sparking a dramatic shift in their relationship.

Frustrated by ineffective and costly therapy, the Castons created practical tools and resources to help couples strengthen their marriages. This inspired the launch of the Marriage365 app offering affordable and convenient support for relationships that has helped over 100,000 couples reconnect and reignite their love. They’ve authored five books, lead global marriage retreats, and offer one of the top premarital courses in the U.S.

Married 21 years, Casey and Meygan live in Southern California with their two teenagers, enjoy the beach, card games, and walks with their dog.

You Can Find Casey & Meygan: 

On their website: marriage365.com 

On Instagram: @marriage365

You can grab their book, 365 Connecting Questions For Couples, on Amazon!

And Join Me In January!

For additional support, join me in Alexandria, VA January 24-25th for Stepmom Live! - it will be a transformative 2 days of diving into stepfamily challenges like communication, conflict, and most of all, how to tame the chaos and save your sanity. And follow me on Instagram and TikTok for all my latest.

Got a question for me or something you're struggling with in your stepfamily life? Submit a question to be answered on a future podcast episode HERE

If you're looking for some help with stepfamily communication, make sure you grab Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts - it will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of the tricky stepfamily topics that come up on the regular.

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!

And the best part about leaving a review? If you send me a screenshot of your review, I’ll send YOU my 20-minute Stepmom Self-Care Blueprint. For FREE. It’s normally $49 and it’s a great tool to quickly set up a self-care plan you’ll actually use. Just head HERE to send me your screenshot and grab your blueprint!