The Stepmom Diaries Podcast

What does your stepchild actually need from you, even if they cannot put it into words? In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron sits down with Robin Breuner, host of Step Stories: Thriving and Surviving Life in Blended Families, to talk about the stepmom and stepchild relationship from a perspective stepmoms do not often get to hear: the adult stepdaughter looking back. Robin shares what she wishes her own stepmothers had understood, what she now sees differently as an adult, and why giving stepchildren space to maintain their relationship with their biological parent can actually help build trust with a stepparent. In This Episode, You'll Learn: • What Robin wishes her stepmothers had understood about her behavior as a child • Why stepchildren may need one on one time with their biological parent, and why stepmoms should not take that personally • How stepmoms can become a safe adult without trying to replace a child's mother • Why education and realistic expectations matter before and during stepfamily life Resources Mentioned: • Learn more about Robin: https://robinbruner.com • Follow Robin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepstoriespodcast/ • Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive. Register HERE for Free! • Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

Have you ever felt like you have to be helpful enough, easygoing enough, or needed enough to truly earn your place in your stepfamily? Psychotherapist and bestselling author Terri Cole joins Cameron to explore how a father wound in stepmom life can quietly show up as overfunctioning, people pleasing, resentment, and the belief that everyone else's needs should come before your own. In this episode, you'll learn: Why high achieving, capable women can still carry a deep worthiness wound How overfunctioning and constantly putting yourself last can become your way of trying to belong How to tell when a difficult stepfamily situation may also be activating something from your past How stepmoms can help children feel seen, valued, and emotionally safe without trying to replace a parent Terri also shares her own experience becoming a stepmom to three teenage boys and why she believes stepmoms have to stop silently suffering, walking on eggshells, and waiting for someone else to give them permission to matter. Resources From This Episode Terri Cole's new book, Father Wound Learn more and preorder at fatherwoundbook.com. Terri also shares information there about her virtual Father Wound retreat for preorder customers. Connect with Terri Cole Find Terri, her work, podcast, upcoming appearances, and more at terricole.com. The Stepmom Summit Terri is returning as a speaker for the 2026 Stepmom Summit. Get your free ticket at thestepmomsummit.com. Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

What happens when you have an ours baby in a blended family and suddenly one child is staying home while their siblings leave for another house? In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron sits down with Morgan Lindahl and Amanda Gonzales, two moms and stepmoms who created a resource specifically for the children in blended families who stay behind when their siblings transition between homes. Morgan shares how becoming a biological mom changed the way she saw herself as a stepmom and gave her a new perspective on her stepchildren, their mom, and the emotions that come with moving between two homes. Amanda brings both her personal experience and her background as a children's therapist to the conversation, including why predictability and consistency can look very different in a blended family. They also talk about something that does not get nearly enough attention: what life feels like for an "ours" baby in a blended family when their brothers or sisters leave. For some kids, transition day means suddenly going from a full house to being the only child at home, and those repeated goodbyes can bring some very big feelings. In this episode, you'll learn: How having an ours baby can change your identity and confidence as both a mom and stepmom Why sibling transitions can be especially emotional for the child who stays behind How to create connection and security when blended family schedules are constantly changing Why intention and self compassion matter when you cannot make every transition feel easy Morgan and Amanda also share the story behind their book, How Many More Days?!, which was created to help children process the goodbyes, waiting, and reunions that come with having siblings who live between two homes. Resources Mentioned Learn more about Morgan and Amanda's work and Pre-order a copy of the book, How Many More Days?! & get their 25 Transition Day Rituals download for FREE! Simply add both products to your cart and use the code: STEPMOMDIARIES https://forthekidswhostay.com Follow Amanda & Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forthekidswho.stay/ The Stepmom Summit: Out Loud Sept. 14-18, 2026. Morgan and Amanda will be joining Cameron at The Stepmom Summit to continue the conversation about ours babies and blended family dynamics. Get your FREE ticket HERE: https://www.thestepmomsummit.com Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

Have you ever left therapy feeling heard, but not truly understood? Maybe you were told to be more patient, create more family togetherness, present a united front, or step up and discipline your stepchildren. You followed the advice, and somehow things got even harder. That does not mean you failed. In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, Cameron explains why therapy for stepfamilies can go sideways when professionals apply advice designed for first families to blended families. Most therapists are not given meaningful training in stepfamily dynamics during graduate school or through continuing education. As a result, even a skilled and caring therapist may be working from the wrong family map. Cameron breaks down the gap between what research tells us about stepfamilies and what actually reaches the professionals supporting them. She also shares four practical questions you can ask to determine whether a therapist understands how stepfamilies really work. In this episode, you will learn: • Why traditional family therapy advice can make stepfamily challenges worse • How stepfamily relationships develop differently from relationships in first families • Four questions to ask a therapist about their stepfamily training and approach • What a healthy and realistic stepparent and stepchild relationship can look like The goal is not to criticize therapy or convince you to leave a therapist you trust. It is to help you recognize whether your family is receiving advice that reflects the research on stepfamily development. You are not failing because advice created for a different kind of family did not work for yours. You may simply need a therapist who understands the unique structure, pace, and challenges of stepfamily life. Resources Mentioned Upgrade your bedtime with Cozy Earth's temperature-regulating bamboo sheets and pajamas, and use code STEPMOMDIARIES at CozyEarth.com for up to 20% off. Patricia Papernow's research and clinical work on stepfamily development Todd Jensen's research on stepfamilies and the gap between research and professional practice Patricia Papernow's clinical book for professionals working with stepfamilies Stepfamily Solutions and its evidence-based approach to stepfamily coaching Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/

Finding your stepmom identity can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to figure out where you fit in your blended family. Bestselling author Amy Porterfield knows that feeling well. Long before she became one of the world's most recognized business educators, she was learning the same lessons so many stepmoms face today. In this candid conversation, Amy opens up about the emotional journey of discovering her stepmom identity. She shares what it was like trying to earn her stepson's love, the pressure she felt to be the "perfect" stepmom, and the moment she realized she did not need to replace his mom to build a meaningful relationship. If you have ever questioned your place in your blended family or wondered whether you are doing enough, this episode will remind you that your stepmom identity is not something you earn. It is something you grow into over time. In this episode, you'll learn: Why developing your stepmom identity takes time and why that is completely normal. How to build a meaningful relationship with your stepchildren without trying to replace their mom. Why perfectionism keeps so many stepmoms from feeling confident in their role. How embracing your unique place in your blended family leads to stronger relationships. Resources Mentioned Amy Porterfield Get your copy of Two Weeks Notice The Amy Porterfield Show podcast Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/ Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

Are you the one tracking the dentist appointments, school forms, birthday gifts, custody schedules, groceries, and all the details everyone else seems to forget? That invisible work has a name: the mental load. In this episode of The Stepmom Diaries, I'm sharing my conversation with Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space. We talk about the mental load in blended families and why so many stepmoms feel exhausted from carrying invisible labor no one else sees. This conversation is honest, validating, and so needed for stepmoms who feel like they are holding everything together behind the scenes. In this episode, we cover: Why stepmoms often carry the invisible labor How the mental load shows up differently in blended families Why boundaries and communication have to come before systems The real antidote to burnout Resources Mentioned Fair Play by Eve Rodsky Find Your Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky Fair Play Cards Follow Eve on Instagram Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Get on the waitlist for The Stepmom Summit happening September 14th-18th, 2026! Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

Have you ever realized that the things that make a family look different on the outside don't change what matters most on the inside? In this episode, I sit down with Jaimie Kelton and José Rolón to talk about LGBTQ families, parenting, belonging, and the many ways families are built. From infertility and surrogacy to stepfamily dynamics and family acceptance, we explore the challenges and joys of creating a family that may not fit society's traditional expectations. What stood out most in this conversation is how much LGBTQ families and blended families have in common. The desire to love, connect, belong, and create a safe home for our children is universal. In this episode, we cover: • The unique paths many LGBTQ families take to parenthood • Why representation and visibility matter for kids and families • The double standards faced by stepmoms, stepdads, and modern families • How to teach children about different family structures with openness and acceptance If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend and help us continue creating conversations that celebrate all kinds of families. Resources Mentioned Follow Love Take Two Podcast The Queer Family Podcast Follow José Rolón on Instagram @NYCGayDad https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/ Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families looking for practical guidance, validation, and encouragement.

Ever feel like you're carrying everyone else's responsibilities while somehow still feeling like you're failing? Yeah... you're not alone. In this episode, I'm chatting with organizational expert and Escaping Quicksand author Lisa Woodruff to talk about why so many overwhelmed stepmoms feel like they're drowning, even when they're doing everything right. We dive into the invisible load many women carry, the unique challenge of having responsibility without control in a blended family, and practical ways to create more peace, structure, and boundaries in your daily life. In this episode, we cover: • Why stepmoms often feel responsible for everything but in control of very little • The invisible mental load that contributes to stepmom burnout • How weekly planning conversations can reduce stress and resentment • Simple ways to reclaim control and prioritize your own self-care Resources Mentioned Get Lisa's book Escaping Quicksand: https://escapingquicksand.com Organize 365: Practical organization systems, planning tools, and resources designed to help busy women reduce overwhelm and create a more functional home and life. Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: Follow Lisa Woodruff for insights on organization, productivity, household management, and personal development. Follow Organize 365 on Instagram Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps us reach more blended families who need these conversations.

Anybody else look at the summer custody schedule and immediately feel their eye start twitching? 😅 In this episode, we're talking about why summer hits so differently in a blended family and why so many stepmoms head into this season already feeling overwhelmed, resentful, and exhausted before it even begins. From schedule changes and camp logistics to vacation drama and invisible labor, summer can bring out every existing stress point in stepfamily life. But you are not powerless in it. In this episode, we cover: Why summer creates so much stress for stepmoms The hidden mental load many stepmoms carry during this season How to protect your peace instead of trying to make summer "perfect" Simple communication and boundary strategies that actually help If summer in your blended family already feels chaotic before it's even started, this episode will help you feel less alone and a whole lot more prepared. Resources we mentioned in this episode: Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Learn more about Stepfamily Coach Academy: [https://stepfamilycertification.com/] The Stepmom Retreat: [https://stepfamilycircle.com/retreat]

Ever felt like stepmom life isn't what you expected- and no matter how hard you try, you're carrying a weight you can't quite explain? If you've felt resentment, guilt, or even questioned your choices, this episode will hit home. In this episode, we're joined by Rachel Dunne, licensed counselor, certified stepfamily coach, and founder of Spiritual Stepmom. Rachel shares her personal journey into stepmotherhood and opens up about the stepmom grief no one talks about- the hidden sense of loss, emotional overwhelm, and internal conflict that so many women experience but rarely say out loud. She also brings her clinical expertise to help stepmoms understand what's really happening beneath the surface- and how to begin healing. Key takeaways from this episode: The stepmom grief no one talks about- and why it's completely normal How resentment and emotional shutdown happen when grief goes unprocessed Why stepfamily life triggers loss- not just love How repair (not perfection) can actually strengthen your relationship with your stepkids If you've ever thought, "This is harder than I expected," or felt alone in your experience as a stepmom, this episode will remind you- you're not broken, and you're definitely not the only one. Resources Mentioned: Rachel Dunne Coaching: https://racheldunnecoaching.com Follow Rachel on Instagram: @spiritualstepmom Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

Have you ever felt like you've lost yourself somewhere along the way in stepmotherhood—and no matter how hard you try, you can't quite find your way back? If you've been holding it all together on the outside but feeling overwhelmed, resentful, or invisible on the inside… this episode will hit deep. In this episode, we're joined by Christina Nelson, host of the Radical Stepmoms Podcast and a leading voice in honest, unfiltered conversations about stepmom life. Together, we dive into the stepmom identity crisis so many women experience, and what it really takes to be a stepmom without losing yourself in the process. Key takeaways from this episode: Why so many stepmoms feel like they've lost themselves (and why it's more common than you think) The hidden emotional load of stepmotherhood no one talks about How to start reclaiming your identity without guilt or burnout The role boundaries play in protecting your peace and your relationship A powerful reframe that helps you show up as yourself—not just "the stepmom" If you're tired of feeling like you're disappearing in your own life and ready to feel like you again, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Resources Mentioned Radical Stepmoms Podcast: Hosted by Christina with raw, honest conversations about stepmom life and blended family dynamics Get our free Stepmom Scripts Guide with real-life scripts for common stepfamily conversations: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

Most stepmoms have a will. Almost none of them have a plan. And in a blended family, that gap can cost your stepkids their inheritance- or even cost you your home. Tara Yukawa- certified executor advisor, author, and stepdaughter- joins Cameron for a conversation that's equal parts wake-up call and practical roadmap. After navigating loss in her own blended family, Tara now helps others avoid the chaos, confusion, and conflict that happens when planning falls short. In this episode, she breaks down what actually happens when there's no plan- and how to make sure every child is protected. Key takeaways from this episode: Without a proper plan, stepchildren can legally inherit part of your home- and even force its sale "Everything goes to my spouse" can unintentionally disinherit your biological children A will alone isn't enough- you need a full plan (including trust and powers of attorney) to truly protect your family Resources shared: Tara Yukawa's Website Free Newsletter from Tara Before It's Too Late by Tara Yukawa Check out our YouTube channel where we share real-life stepfamily dynamics, expert advice, and practical tools you can actually use. Plus, you can watch full behind-the-scenes video episodes of the podcast. Subscribe and join us! Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.

When kids live in two households, education decisions can get complicated fast! In this episode, Houlie Duque, former teacher and founder of Homeschool to Go, shares a fresh perspective on how families can rethink learning when co-parenting is part of the picture. As both a biomom and stepmom raising kids in a blended family, Houlie brings real-life insight into how parents can create flexible education plans that support children across two homes. From navigating co-parenting dynamics to designing learning around a child's strengths, this conversation explores what it really looks like to prioritize a child's growth in a blended family. If you've ever wondered how education decisions work when multiple parents are involved, this episode will open your mind to what's possible. In This Episode You'll Learn: • How blended families can approach education decisions across two households • Creative ways co-parents can divide responsibilities while supporting their child • Why adaptability and communication are key when raising kids in blended families Resources Mentioned: Homeschool to Go [https://www.homeschooltogo.org/] An organization that helps families design personalized education plans tailored to each child and family structure Free Homeschool Masterclass (Homeschool to Go) [https://courses.homeschooltogo.org/freemasterclass-registration] A 30-minute class explaining how parents can explore alternative education options Houlie Duque Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/houlieduque/] sharing education insights and parenting perspectives Stepfamily Solutions [https://stepfamilysolutions.com/] Your single source of support for building and blending a thriving stepfamily Subscribe to the Stepfamily Solutions YouTube channel- your go-to resource for blended family life, where we're constantly dropping new videos packed with expert interviews, full podcast episodes, and everything you need whether you're navigating stepfamily life or thinking about becoming a certified stepfamily coach! Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.