Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of stepmom life? In this episode, we tackle the relentless cycle of burnout and share practical strategies to reclaim your peace. From setting boundaries to finding your support system, this episode will help you take the first steps toward a calmer, more confident life. Plus, discover how connecting with like-minded stepmoms in The Stepmom Side Community can transform your journey.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why stepmom burnout happens and how it impacts your well-being.
• The emotional and mental load stepmoms carry and how to lighten it.
• Four actionable steps to break free from the overwhelm.
• How finding a supportive community can make all the difference.
• A personal invitation to join The Stepmom Side Community for real-time support and validation.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join The Stepmom Side Community
• Podcast: How Your Expectations Set You Up for Failure
• Download Free Resources for Stepmoms

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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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In this episode, Casey McGuire Davidson, a life sobriety coach, shares her personal journey with alcohol and its profound impact on her relationships, parenting, and well-being. Casey discusses the societal pressures and stigmas surrounding alcohol consumption, especially for high-achieving women and mothers, and how "mommy wine culture" perpetuates harmful coping mechanisms. She opens up about her struggles with drinking, the resentment it created in her marriage, and how quitting alcohol led to a more peaceful home, stronger boundaries, and greater self-awareness.

In this episode:

• Alcohol’s biochemical effects on cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin, and how these contribute to anxiety, mood swings, and dependency.
• How quitting drinking fosters improved communication, emotional stability, and self-care routines.
• The challenges of navigating societal norms around drinking, especially for mothers juggling work and family responsibilities.
• The transformative power of sobriety in creating authentic connections and reclaiming personal peace.

Casey also provides actionable tips for anyone considering taking a break from alcohol, emphasizing the physical and emotional benefits of even short-term sobriety.

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.

Connect with Casey:
www.hellosomedaycoaching.com
Free 30-Day Sober Guide
The Sobriety Starter Kit Course
Free Masterclass Take A Break From Drinking With These 5 Secrets
The Hello Someday Podcast

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All things Alicia visit www.aliciakrasko.com
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Welcome to the first episode of the year! In this episode, Alicia shares how choosing a single word for the year can set the tone for success, clarity, and peace in your stepmom journey. Her word for the year, Intentional, is all about making purposeful choices in time management, relationships, work, and self-care. She also invites you to reflect on what you want your year to feel like and walks you through practical steps to choose your own word.

Plus, Alicia introduces her upcoming re-release of her course, Resentment to Relief: A Stepmom’s Guide to Letting Go, designed to help stepmoms release heavy emotions and reclaim joy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The power of picking a word of the year and how it can guide your decisions.
• How being intentional can transform your relationships and boundaries as a stepmom.
• Simple steps to identify your word for the year and align it with your goals.
• Details about Alicia’s course and how it can help you achieve peace and confidence.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Get on the waitlist for Resentment to Relief: A Stepmom’s Guide to Letting Go: aliciakrasko.com/relief
• Follow Alicia on Instagram for more stepmom tips and inspiration: @AliciaKrasko
• Join The Stepmom Side Community: aliciakrasko.com/community

Don't forget:
Start your year with purpose and clarity! Choose your word for the year and share it with Alicia on Instagram. Don’t forget to join the waitlist for Resentment to Relief at aliciakrasko.com/relief.

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 reflective episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, we’re diving into the highs, the lows, and everything in between from 2024. Alicia gets real about her challenges, celebrates her wins, and shares what she’s looking forward to in 2025. If you’re ready to reflect on your own year and find inspiration for the year ahead, this episode is for you.

What We Cover:

• The struggles of 2024: wasted time, dropped balls, and battling imposter syndrome.
• Major wins: drama-free holidays, thriving stepkids, a kindergarten milestone, and growing The Stepmom Side Community.
• Coaching breakthroughs and the podcast’s incredible success.
• What’s on the horizon for 2025, including celebrating 10 years of marriage, refining resources, and living with intention.

Join Alicia as she wraps up the year with honesty, gratitude, and excitement for what’s ahead!

Resources Mentioned:

• What To Do If You Are Caught In the "What If" Cycle
• The Stepmom Side Community: Learn more and join the supportive network of stepmoms.
• Resentment to Relief: A Stepmom's Guide to Letting Go Stay tuned for the revamped course launching in 2025.

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 episode, Alicia dives into the all-too-common feeling of being a third wheel in your own family as a stepmom. From understanding the root causes to actionable steps and mindset shifts, this episode is packed with insights to help you reclaim your seat at the family table.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why feeling like an outsider happens and what it means.
• How to address these feelings with your partner and kids.
• Actionable strategies to build connection and confidence.
• The mindset shift that can transform your stepmom experience.

Resources Mentioned:
Define Your Stepmom Role
4 Steps for Healthy Boundaries

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.

Does it feel like you’re the only one laying down the law while your partner lets things slide? Are you starting to resent your stepkids when the real issue is a lack of teamwork with your partner? In this episode, Alicia breaks down why your frustration with discipline isn’t really about the kids—it’s about getting on the same page with your partner.

Alicia shares insights, practical tips, and mindset shifts to help you stop feeling like the “bad guy” in your home and start building house expectations that actually stick. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more confident and ready to approach your partner with a clear plan for creating structure and peace in your home.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why your stepkids aren’t the problem and how to shift your mindset.
• The importance of setting house expectations with your partner.
• How to approach the conversation without triggering defensiveness.
• Actionable tips to create a united front in parenting and discipline.
• What to do when your partner’s dad guilt gets in the way.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Free resource: Set Your Stepfamily Up for Success: How to Create House Expectations That Work for Everyone!
• Podcast Episode #66: Caught In the Middle: The Truth About Dad Guilt in Stepfamilies
• Join The Stepmom Side Community for support and advice: Here
• Book a 1:1 Coaching Call: Here

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.

Holidays as a stepmom can feel like walking a tightrope between honoring old traditions and creating space for something new. But here’s the thing: the holidays aren’t just about the past—they’re about building a future full of joy, connection, and belonging. In this episode, we’re diving into how you can confidently ditch outdated traditions, create fresh ones, and build a holiday season that feels uniquely yours.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How to gracefully step away from traditions that no longer work for your stepfamily.
• Creative and fun ideas for building meaningful new traditions (hint: gingerbread house competitions and nachos in PJs are encouraged).
• Why prioritizing connection over perfection is the ultimate holiday hack.
• A confidence boost to help you reclaim your holiday season with love and laughter.

Resources Mentioned

• Join The Stepmom Side Community for more tips, support, and holiday cheer.
• Download this free resource: “10 Tips To Get Through the Holidays.” 
• Share your holiday traditions with us! Tag me on Instagram @yourhandle.

Remember, the holidays aren’t about how they’ve always been done—they’re about how you choose to create them now. So grab that karaoke mic, bake those cookies (burnt edges and all), and own your role as the stepmom who makes this season unforgettable.

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.

The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for stepmoms? Let’s be real—it’s often a mix of logistical nightmares, emotional overload, and a whole lot of deep breathing. In this episode, Alicia is tackling the holiday stressors stepmoms face, straight from her Instagram broadcast channel: Stepmom Support. From co-parenting chaos to feeling like an outsider at family gatherings, we’re diving into the real struggles—and how to navigate them without losing your mind (or your holiday spirit).

Here’s what we’re covering:

1. New Schedules, New Stress:
   Many stepmoms are adjusting to new schedules in new places. Whether you’ve moved to another state or your partner’s custody schedule has shifted, trying to figure out how to make the holidays work feels like a game of Tetris no one asked to play.
2. The Planning Problem:
   The holidays fly by, and stepmoms often feel like they’re carrying the mental load of making it all happen. Add in the last-minute chaos from partners or co-parents who don’t plan ahead, and it’s no wonder so many stepmoms feel stuck trying to fit everything into an impossibly tight schedule.
3. The Flexibility Battle:
   One of the biggest complaints Alicia hears? Co-parents who are unaccommodating with their time but expect stepmoms to bend over backward for theirs. And when there’s an “older sibling who acts like a second mom,” the drama multiplies. Sound familiar?
4. The Gift-Giving Comparison Game:
   Whether it’s a competition with the ex or the kids’ expectations, many stepmoms struggle with feeling like their gifts won’t measure up. Alicia shares why this mindset happens and how to reframe the holiday gift game.
5. Sibling Tensions and Partner Inaction:
   A stressor Alicia hears about often: having stepkids and biological kids together during the holidays when they don’t get along. Worse? A partner who doesn’t step up to address the tension or hurtful behavior. We’ll talk about advocating for your kids, setting boundaries, and protecting your peace.
6. The Outsider Effect with In-Laws:
   Many stepmoms feel like their partner’s family still wishes for the “old” family dynamic, making holidays awkward or outright painful. If your in-laws treat you like a placeholder, you’re not alone—and we’ll talk about how to navigate those moments with grace and boundaries.

Resources mentioned:

• Stepmom Support Broadcast Channel
• Free Resource: 10 Tips to Get Through the Holidays
• Podcast episode: How Your Expectations Set You Up For Failure
• Podcast episode: Caught in the Middle: The Truth About Dad Guilt In Stepfamilies
• Podcast episode: Holiday Survival Guide for Stepmoms: Self-Care Strategies That Actually Work

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 episode, Alicia tackles a common, yet often tricky, part of stepmom life: having your stepkids come back home from college. If you’re feeling torn between enjoying the holiday reunion and dreading the disruption to your routine, this episode is for you! Alicia dives into real strategies for setting respectful boundaries and practical ground rules, so everyone can enjoy their time together (without you losing your mind).

What You’ll Learn:

• How to set boundaries with college-age stepkids in a way that feels fair and respectful.
• Tips for managing household routines and responsibilities while they’re home.
• Ways to handle pushback when they’re not exactly on board with the new rules.
• Self-care tips for stepmoms during the college break period.
• How to make the most of this time and find some positives in this phase of life.

FREE RESOURCE: 10 Tips To Get Through the Holidays

Join the Conversation:
Have questions or stories to share? Connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, or join The Stepmom Side Community to continue the conversation!

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 episode, I tackle one of the biggest pressures in stepfamily life: the expectation to create a “blended” family. Society makes us feel like a stepfamily isn’t successful unless everyone’s close and connected immediately, but real-life doesn’t always work like that. Lets break down the difference between blending and bonding and why forcing “blended” family dynamics often leads to more tension than connection.

Listen in to learn:

• Why blending isn’t the ultimate goal and what to focus on instead
• How to foster natural, individual relationships without forced bonding
• Practical ways to create shared experiences without pressure
• Real-life expectations for stepfamilies that aren’t all rainbows and butterflies

Whether you’re a new stepmom or have been in this role for a while, this episode offers practical insights to take the pressure off and focus on what truly matters.

Free Resources
30 Activities to Connect with You Stepchild At Any Age
10 Tips To Get Through the Holidays

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.