If you’ve ever said, “I understand why this happened, so I shouldn’t still feel upset,” this episode is for you.

Alicia explores why so many stepmoms intellectualize their emotions instead of processing them — and how that pattern quietly leads to resentment, burnout, and emotional shutdown.

Stepmoms are often praised for being mature, understanding, and “handling things well,” but that praise can come at a cost. When feelings are constantly explained away instead of felt, they don’t disappear — they get stored.

This episode breaks down the difference between intellectualizing emotions and actually processing them, and why skipping the emotional “ouch” is one of the fastest ways resentment builds in blended families.

In this episode, Alicia covers:

• The difference between understanding emotions and processing them
• Why explaining feelings too quickly blocks emotional release
• How resentment is created from unacknowledged pain
• Why stepmoms feel pressure to be “the mature one”
• What to do instead of reframing your feelings out of existence

This episode offers stepmoms permission to feel first — without justification, explanation, or self-criticism.

✨ Resentment to Relief builds directly on this work, teaching stepmoms how to safely feel emotions without spiraling, self-abandoning, or stuffing them down until they explode later. Join the waitlist here.

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Have you ever handled a stepfamily moment calmly, maturely, and with impressive emotional intelligence — only to completely unravel hours later?

Alicia breaks down the difference between your thinking self and your nervous system, and why logic isn’t enough to regulate emotional reactions in blended family life.

This episode is especially for high-functioning, Type A stepmoms who pride themselves on being self-aware but feel confused (and frustrated) when that awareness doesn’t stop the emotional spirals.

Alicia explains why stepmom triggers hit so deeply, why feelings often show up after the situation is over, and how nervous system responses are rooted in safety, belonging, and attachment — not immaturity or weakness.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between your thinking brain and your nervous system
• Why stepmom triggers go straight to feelings of rejection and belonging
• Why you “handle it well” in the moment but fall apart later
• Why logic doesn’t calm a body-based response
• What emotional regulation actually looks like in real life

This episode helps stepmoms stop judging themselves for emotional reactions and start understanding what their body is trying to communicate.

This conversation is a key foundation for Resentment to Relief, Alicia’s framework for helping stepmoms stop managing resentment and start releasing it by working with — not against — their nervous system.

Get on the waitlist for Resentment to Relief here. 

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Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
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You’ve done the work.
You’re self-aware.
You can explain everyone’s behavior in the situation…
So why do you still feel triggered, exhausted, or quietly resentful?

In this episode, Alicia breaks down why insight alone doesn’t calm a dysregulated nervous system — and why high-functioning, emotionally intelligent stepmoms often struggle more, not less.

This conversation is for the stepmom who:

• understands what’s happening but still feels overwhelmed
• prides herself on being “the calm one”
• keeps asking, “Why isn’t this working if I know better?”

Alicia explores how self-awareness can accidentally turn into self-pressure, why explaining your feelings doesn’t regulate them, and how emotional maturity has been confused with emotional suppression.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Why capable stepmoms struggle more than they expect to
• The trap of “If I understand it, I won’t feel it”
• How being self-aware can turn into being hard on yourself
• Why insight ≠ nervous system regulation
• How unprocessed feelings quietly turn into resentment

If you’ve ever thought, “I shouldn’t feel this way anymore,” this episode will gently (and lovingly) call that out.

This episode sets the foundation for Resentment to Relief — a process designed not to fix you, but to help your nervous system feel safe enough to finally let go of resentment instead of managing it forever.

Get on the waitlist for Resentment to Relief here. 

Support the show

Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!
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Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.
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If you’re a Type A, high-achieving woman who suddenly felt like she lost her footing after becoming a stepmom — this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia speaks directly to driven, control-loving, people-pleasing women who were thriving before blended family life… and now feel anxious, resentful, burned out, or completely out of control.

Alicia breaks down the common pitfalls Type A stepmoms don’t see coming, including over-functioning, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and emotional burnout. She also explains what’s actually happening beneath the surface — and how to start letting go of control without losing confidence or identity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Type A and perfectionist women struggle more as stepmoms
• How over-functioning leads to resentment in blended families
• Why people-pleasing makes stepmoms feel invisible in their own homes
• How control becomes a false sense of safety....and more!

This episode is a must-listen for stepmoms who are exhausted from managing everyone else’s emotions and ready to stop trying to “fix” blended family life.

Support the show

Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!
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Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.
All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.com
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When your stepkid says, “I miss my mom”  especially right after a consequence,  it hits different. It’s not just the words; it’s the sting behind them. The comparison. The reminder that no matter how much you love and show up, you’re still not her.

In this episode, Alicia dives into how to handle it when your stepchild brings up their mom whether it’s “I miss her,” “She does it better,” or “Mom lets me.” You’ll hear real stories (including one straight from The Stepmom Side Community), emotional insight, and a few hard truths about what’s really happening when those words come out.

Alicia breaks down:

• Why kids say things like “I miss my mom” and what they actually mean
• How to stay calm and respond in a way that keeps your power
• What not to do when it feels like manipulation
• Simple, validating phrases that defuse the tension
• Why leaning into the moment helps it lose power over time

If you’ve ever felt like you’re being compared, rejected, or just plain over it, this one’s for you. You’ll walk away with confidence, clarity, and maybe a little less sting next time those words come up.

Support the show

Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
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Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.
All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.com
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When your in-laws are still close with your partner’s ex, it can feel like emotional whiplash. You’re trying to build a future while they’re still tethered to the past—and it leaves you wondering where (or if) you fit in. In this extended episode, Alicia gets real about her own experience of feeling like the outsider in her husband’s family and shares how she moved from frustration to clarity.

You’ll learn how to navigate this tricky dynamic without shutting people out, setting healthy boundaries around what you will (and won’t) discuss, and how to confidently define your own place in the family—even if it feels like the ex is still holding space.

This episode is part validation, part strategy, and 100% support for the stepmom who's tired of feeling like the backup option.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why it hurts when in-laws stay close to the ex
• Alicia’s personal story of feeling like the outsider
• Boundary-setting phrases you can use with in-laws
• How to talk to your partner about what you’re feeling
• Reframing your role without needing permission to belong

Support the show

Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!
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Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.
All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.com
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Kids are emotional chameleons — sweet one minute, sassy the next, and then asking for help like nothing ever happened. For stepmoms (especially those without kids of their own), those mood swings can feel deeply personal.

In this episode, Alicia gets real about how confusing and hurtful kids’ quick emotional flips can be — and why they usually have nothing to do with you. She shares a personal story about her daughter going from furious to friendly in record time and what it taught her about emotional regulation, perspective, and saving yourself from unnecessary heartache.

Alicia breaks down:

• Why kids’ moods can change on a dime (and the unseen variables behind it)
• How to stop taking every “off” behavior personally
• What emotional regulation actually looks like for kids (spoiler: it doesn’t)
• The right (and wrong) way to address disrespect or attitude
• How to keep your peace when kids forget they were just mad at you

If you’ve ever spiraled after a stepkid’s attitude shift or found yourself holding on to something long after they’ve moved on, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone — and it’s not personal.

Join other stepmoms learning how to take things less personally (and laugh about it along the way) inside The Stepmom Side Community
.
For 1:1 coaching, visit aliciakrasko.com/coaching
.

Support the show

Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!
Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.
Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.
All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.com
Get on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.

Are you tired of repeating yourself and feeling like your partner just doesn’t hear you? Whether it’s dad guilt, lack of boundaries with the kids, inconsistency in parenting, or not feeling prioritized in your relationship — this episode is here to validate and support you.

In this episode, Alicia breaks down why communication feels so hard in blended families, why your partner may not respond the way you hope, and how being "too close" to the situation can make you the least effective person to bring up these issues.

You’ll learn:

• Why it’s normal for your partner to shut down (and why it’s not about you)
• What really causes that defensive reaction when you try to talk about the hard stuff
• How to shift the conversation without walking on eggshells
• Why outside support (like couples coaching with Alicia) can be a game-changer

If you're exhausted from having the same conversations that go nowhere, this episode will give you clarity, relief, and a path forward.

Interested in Couples Coaching? Apply here!

Support the show

Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!
Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.
Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.
All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.com
Get on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.

In this deeply honest episode, we’re getting into the emotional weeds of what happens when the ex’s belongings, photos, or influence are still showing up in your home. From hoodies and framed photos to never-ending texts between your partner and their ex, it can start to feel like you’re suffocating in someone else’s life.

Especially for childless and childfree stepmoms, the presence of “her stuff” can stir up major discomfort—and lead to fights with your partner, emotional shutdowns, or resentment toward the kids.

Alicia shares her personal experience and helps you reframe the issue so you can set boundaries without guilt, protect your peace without controlling the narrative, and finally start to feel at home in your own house. This episode offers validation, strategy, and a healthy dose of real talk for any stepmom who’s ever felt like a guest in her own home.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why “her stuff” hits different when you’re childless or childfree
• How to avoid explosive fights with your partner about the ex
• Reframing the discomfort as part of your stepmom growth
• The difference between setting boundaries and controlling the space
• Tips to stop feeling like a stranger in your own home

Support the show

Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!
Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.
Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.
All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.com
Get on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.

Is your partner’s past still taking up space in your present-day relationship? You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. Whether it's memories of the ex, old traditions, or constant reminders of “how things used to be,” retroactive jealousy and emotional triggers are real in stepmom life.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the emotional weight of feeling like you’re competing with the past—and how to move forward with confidence. We’ll talk about:

• Why retroactive jealousy is more common than you think
• How your husband’s past relationship can affect your present
• The real reason these feelings sting so deeply
• Tangible tools to process your emotions without shame
• How to create new memories and reclaim your space in the blended family

This episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and empowered to take back your role—not as a replacement, but as a renewal.

Support the show

Want a specific topic covered? Let me know here.
After you listen to this, tag me on Instagram @aliciakrasko and let me know what you think!
Get all the FREE RESOURCES here.
Want to learn more about The Stepmom Side community? Here's where you get all the info. Looking forward to connecting with you on the inside.
All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.com
Get on the list, get behind the scene info on Stepmom life, and tips delivered to your inbox.