Melanie Stern is a psychotherapist specializing in alcohol and substance use issues and individual adult therapy. She tailors treatment to the individual to reveal the root of the problem with therapeutic process that is informed by psychoanalytic thinking, systems, CBT techniques, and trauma-based theory and practice. She is also a mother and step-mother, enjoys running and being by the beach, and is a proud lifelong New Yorker.

In this episode, we discuss:

-what is addiction?
-how to break the habit of enabling?
-how do I/we communicate with stepkid about addiction
-what if my stepkid's mom overdosed? and more!

Connect with Melanie:
www.melaniesstern.com/

Additional resources:
We The Village Helping families treat addiction

Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change (Book)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

After a Crisis: How Young Children Heal

Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

Talking to Teens When Violence Happens

Talking to Children When Scary Things Happen

Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event

Creating Supportive Environments When Scary Things Happen

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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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Krista St-Germain is a Master Certified Life Coach, grief expert, widow, mom and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista’s life was completely and unexpectedly flipped upside down. After therapy helped her unfurl from the fetal position, Krista discovered Life Coaching, Post Traumatic Growth and learned the tools she needed to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now, she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too.

In this episode, we cover:
-5 stages of grief and why Krista thinks there's another way
-dual process model
-Dougy Center for Grieving Families
-death of a parent/coparent
-How to handle emotions you see in kids
-Post traumatic growth

To connect with Krista:
www.coachingwithkrista.com
Instagram
Facebook

Resources mentioned:
Dougy Center for Grieving Families
Grief Outloud Podcast

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.

First, it's normal! Completely normal. Everyone has done it, so don't beat yourself up about it.

In this episode, I discuss why it happens and how to break the cycle of repeating it. Let's be honest, you want to stop the cycle, too. You don't want this living rent free in your head.

Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair; you can do it all day, but you don't get anywhere.

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.

I know this sounds like a crazy concept, especially if you have an upbringing like mine. You know, one with the authoritarian parent. "Do as I say, not as I do." or a parent that expects you to jump when they say, "jump."

Listen in on why apologizing to your stepkid when you are wrong/made a mistake is actually helpful to your relationship. 

Dare I say an apology could strengthen it?

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.

Ever feel like everyone else belongs but you do not?

There's a secret language they speak.

There are inside jokes.

The history they share.

The memories, vacations, and, well, you know everything that you don't share with them.

In this episode, I break down, what outside syndrome is, what it feels like, and things you can do to overcome and work through it.

We talk about this in The Stepmom Side Community. Come join us there!

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 episode, Alicia talks about  being "just the stepmom" and how society puts pressure on stepmoms to show up in all the ways, but to remember that, as a stepmom, you aren't the kid's mom.

She talks about changing your perspective from being "just" the stepmom to "I'm just the stepmom." Listen in to hear the difference and for tips to embracing being just the stepmom.

Want help "Defining Your role"? Click 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.

How hard is it to admit you are wrong?

Do you have to have things your way?

How hard is it to say, "I'm sorry"?

If those are hard questions to answer, this episode might be for you. It's a little dose of tough love to help stop your ego from driving the bus.

Listen in as I share a nickname my husband gave me early on in our relationship. (Thankfully, he never uses it now!)

The resource mentioned is: Mastering the Stressors found 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.

We've all been there: that awkward, "I don't know how to connect with my stepkid...but I know I should at least try.."

In this episode, I talk about 

-why it's important to build connections with your stepkids
-where things can go sideways
-what to do when it doesn't go well
-how to try again

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.

JP Marsh is a single "girl dad" to a 9 year old. He's gone gone from "Conflict to Collaboration" in the 7+ years of co-parenting. JP speaks, coaches, and advocates for the benefits of getting out of your own way to be adults in the eyes of your children.

In this episode, we cover:
-the double standards of stepmoms and stepdads
-changing your perspective on the other parent
-what your "cutesy" name for the ex says about you
-why being and acting like an "adult" in a blended family situation is important...and more!

Connect with JP:
on Instagram

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.

Christina is a San Diego native, with a degree in English from San Diego State University. She is a project manager by trade and a producer, writer and director by fun. Christina is the host of Wise Cracking Blonde Trivia Show.

In this episode, we discuss:

-what it's like having different custody schedules for siblings
-how we help the kids navigate things when they go wrong
-why Christina doesn't parent her stepkids
-why doesn't she force her stepkids to like her
-how she's gamified her family...and more.

Listen in and find yourself nodding along to relatable stories.

Connect with Christina:

www.wisecrackingblonde.com
Instagram: Wise Cracking Blonde Christina
Podcast: Wise Cracking Blonde Trivia

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.