• 94. Smooth Talking: Improving Communication, One Step At A Time
    Nov 22 2024
    Stepfamily Communication Is Complicated. But Does It Have To Be?

    In this episode, we go back to a topic that comes up over and over again with the stepfamilies I work with: communication. We'll talk about why communication is so much more challenging in a stepfamily than in a first family, and a few things you can do to improve it.

    And I've got a freebie for you to help with your communication. Smooth Talking: 10 Essential Stepmom Scripts will give you the exact words to use when you're trying to talk about some of these tricky stepfamily topics.

    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 Don't Forget:

    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

    Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE

    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!

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    24 mins
  • 93. What DOES Work In Stepfamilies, According To Research
    Nov 15 2024
    What Do We Know About What DOES Work In Stepfamilies?

    In this episode, I'm joined by one of the preeminent stepfamily scholars in the world, Larry Ganong, Ph.D., who is out with a new book, called What Works In Stepfamilies: Creating And Maintaining Satisfying And Effective Relationships.

    He also happens to sit on the Stepfamily Solutions advisory board and if you've attended any of our past Stepmom Summits, you'll remember him as one of our speakers.

    The two coauthors of What Works In Stepfamilies are his wife, Marilyn Coleman, Ed.D., who is a celebrated researcher with an international reputation for her work on stepfamilies, and Caroline Sanner, Ph.D., an award-winning family scientist and one of the leading stepfamily scholars of her generation.

    The book uses a strengths-based approach and resilience perspective to offer guidance on what works in creating effective stepfamily relationships. It draws from over 2500 studies and gives a comprehensive overview of the research and best practices around what works to create positive and satisfying stepfamily relationships.

    It's a great discussion - and the book comes out November 21st, so definitely go check it out!

    About Larry:

    Lawrence Ganong, Ph.D. is a Chancellor’s Professor and Emeritus Professor of Human Development and Family Science and Nursing at the University of Missouri. He has co-authored over 350 journal articles, chapters, and 10 books, and has received 12 research grants from public and private institutions.

    Ganong is a Fellow at the National Council on Family Relations and the Gerontological Society of America. He has served on the Board of Directors of the National Council on Family Relations, the Council on Contemporary Families, and The Stepfamily Association of America. Ganong’s research program has focused on how post-divorce families develop and maintain satisfying and effective relationships.

    And Don't Forget:

    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

    Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE

    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!

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    50 mins
  • 92. Stepfamily Resilience in Crisis: Addressing the Emotional Toll of War
    Nov 8 2024
    How Does The Daily Trauma of War Impact Stepfamilies?

    The trauma inflicted on stepfamilies is an aspect of war not often considered - but has a very real impact. In this episode, we are talking with Sigal Kaplan, a family counselor in Israel specializing in blended families. Sigal has done groundbreaking and captivating work around the impact of the ongoing war on Israeli stepfamilies.

    About Sigal: Sigal Kaplan is a family counselor specialist who works with stepfamilies, as well as families dealing with divorce. She teaches a course at Kibbutzim College for counselors and educators about divorce and stepfamilies. Sigal also founded the "Children First" project (2014-2018), supporting children and families dealing with divorce. She has a B.A in Education and M.A in Organizational Consulting. Sigal is certified in parental coordination and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), and has certifications from the Adler Institute, the Ministry of Education, and the Step Family Foundation. She is married to Aaron, stepmom to Noa, and mom to Ariel, Ben, and Zoe. You Can Find Sigal: sigalkaplan.com On Instagram And Don't Forget:

    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

    Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE

    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!

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    35 mins
  • 91. What Happens When You Retake Control Of Your Stepmom Story
    Sep 26 2024
    What Happens When You Stop Caring So Much About Your Expectations?

    In this episode, we welcome back our old friend and amazing stepmom and life coach, Naja Hall. Naja and I always have fun catching up - and then we have a great discussion about her journey to finally become "unbothered" and what happens when you can finally get there.

    About Naja:

    Naja is the founder of VIPStepmom and Blended and Black. As a Certified Coach and Educator, she understands that the family is THE MOST influential entity of human development, and her work centers around helping individuals, couples, and families navigate some of life’s toughest transitions. As the host of popular podcast, I know I’m Crazy with Naja Hall and author of the Amazon best-seller Girl, Bye! book series, Naja’s life’s work is to teach empathy, accountability, and emotional intelligence through the art of story-telling and genuine human connections. She’s a Stepmom of 3.

    You Can Find Naja:

    najahall.com

    blendedandblack.com

    VIPStepmom.com

    On TikTok

    On Instagram

    And Don't Forget:

    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

    Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE

    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!

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    44 mins
  • 90. Is Stepfamily Coaching For You?
    Sep 18 2024
    What Is Stepfamily Coaching, And Can It Help You?

    Today we're going to talk a bit about coaching. What it is, how it can help stepfamilies, and how to find a good coach. I was actually a coach skeptic for a long time, but I'll tell you how my mind was changed. And if you’re interested in paying it forward and becoming a coach, or even if you're just a little “coach-curious” I’ll let you know that the doors are open this week to the Stepfamily Coach Academy.

    Links Mentioned In Today's Episode

    If you're interested in giving back to other stepfamilies as a stepfamily coach, the doors are open for our next class of students inside the Stepfamily Coach Academy next month. Spots are limited, but you can find out more and apply HERE.

    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

    Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE

    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!

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    23 mins
  • 89. Breaking Free From Stepmom Guilt
    Sep 4 2024
    Stepmom Guilt Is Just The Symptom

    I don’t know about you, but when I became a stepmom, I put a huge amount of pressure on myself. To be clear, I put a lot of pressure on myself in general, but it got worse when I became a stepmom. Because even if you aren't the type who puts pressure on themselves already, you'll start to when you marry or parter with someone who has kids.

    So in this episode, I'm chatting about something that I have struggled with for a long time, and I thought it might resonate with you. And that’s stepmom guilt. We'll talk about what it is and a few things you can do to banish it!

    Links Mentioned In Today's Episode

    If you're interested in giving back to other stepfamilies as a stepfamily coach, we'll be opening doors for our next class of students inside the Stepfamily Coach Academy next month. You can get on the waitlist HERE.

    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

    Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE

    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!

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    20 mins
  • 88. It's Back-To-School Time. Are You Ready?
    Aug 23 2024
    Back-To-School Isn't Always What It Seems

    It’s back-to-school time, which always leaves me with mixed emotions. On one hand, it can feel GREAT to get the kids back on the bus and out of the house all day every day. But on the other, the school year brings its own nuttiness with themed days, sports and other activities starting, and packed schedules.

    So what's the best way to cope as a stepmom and look for your own fresh start? That's what this quickie episode is all about.

    Links Mentioned In Today's Episode

    If you're interested in giving back to other stepfamilies as a stepfamily coach, we'll be opening doors for our next class of students inside the Stepfamily Coach Academy next month. You can get on the waitlist HERE.

    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

    Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE

    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!

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    14 mins
  • 87. When blended DOES mean happily ever after, with Catt Sadler and Sarah Boyd
    Aug 14 2024
    Can You Actually Have It All In A Stepfamily? Today I'm sharing an interview I did for this year's Stepmom Summit because it's the kind of story that we don't get to hear enough of as stepmoms: a stepmom and mom who not only get along, but are real-life friends, work together, and have made co-parenting virtually seamless for their kids. I'm talking with Emmy Award-winning journalist Catt Sadler and Digital Dept. CEO Sarah Boyd. These women are each superstars professionally, and both vowed to put the kids in the stepfamily first. It's a wonderful story of how the dynamics can come together in a loving and positive way. About Catt: Catt Sadler is a three time-Emmy winning journalist, renowned for her work on E! Entertainment, where she spent more than a decade contributing to E! News, E! News Weekend, Daily Pop, Live From E! and hosting various network specials. She’s also been a fixture on the red carpet covering high-caliber events and interviewing celebrities during awards season. She has been co-host of the Vanity Fair Oscars Party show for the last several years. Today, she is the host and EP of her weekly podcast: CATT SADLER Now. Catt has appeared on The View, The Talk, The Tamron Hall Show, and many other programs. After choosing to leave E! over a wage gap issue and receiving an outpouring of support, Catt became a prominent voice for the equal pay movement. She has spent much of her time contributing to the cause by taking part in the LA Women’s March, speaking at the Equal Pay Day rally at City Hall in New York, and starring in LUNA Bar’s Equal Pay Day campaign. Catt was also selected for the NYDJ Denim campaign highlighting women leading change. She starred in the SECRET deodorant “I’d Rather Get Paid” initiative and MM.Le.Fleur’s “What Are You Made Of?” fashion campaign. In 2021 she was featured with a diverse group of women in Summersalt’s swimwear campaign celebrating an eclectic group of confident and successful women who love their bodies – in all forms, at any age. Championing women has always been her passion. About Sarah: Sarah Boyd is the co-CEO of The Digital Dept., which represents the most sought-after celebrity influencers. Her current/past clients roster includes Alessandra Ambrosio, Jamie Chung, Olivia Culpo, Julianne Hough, Lauren Bushnell Lane, Jana Kramer, and many more who look to Sarah to help them capitalize on their influential status in the entertainment industry to make their mark in the influencer world. Sarah started her career in Fashion PR and in 2012, she decided to channel her expert industry know-how, her extensive list of contacts, and relationships into starting her own business, SIMPLY, a collective with one goal in mind: connecting. The SIMPLY ‘Do What You Love’ event is an annual Fashion and Beauty Conference in cities such as LA, NY, Chicago, and Dubai. Since 2012, SIMPLY has hosted tens of thousands of attendees. Sarah has secured partnerships with prestigious brands like CITI, Topshop, Barney’s NY and many more. She’s been featured in Marie Claire, People Style Watch, Fox News, E!, LA Business Journal, to name a few. She was named a “Female Founder to Watch” by Forbes and is now a Forbes Fashion and Beauty contributor. In 2017, Sarah completed a successful acquisition for SIMPLY with Socialyte (under the NYLON LLC parent company) and Sarah held the position of President of Socialyte. In 2018, Sarah co-founded the Moms + Babes Box with partner Jana Kramer which is a quarterly subscription box filled with 6+ full sized products for moms and their babes. In 2020, Sarah and Jana sold the business. In 2022, Socialyte was acquired by Dolphin Entertainment, and in 2023, Socialyte and Be Social merged to become The Digital Dept. where Sarah was installed as co-CEO. You Can Find Catt and Sarah: On Instagram: @iamcattsadler @sarahpboyd On their websites: thecattwalk.com thedigitaldept.com Links Mentioned In Today's Episode Sarah appeared on the podcast back in episode 75, which you can listen to HERE. 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 Want to go deeper into coparenting, dealing with your partner's ex, finding your own peace, and other blended family challenges? Join the Stepfamily Circle HERE 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...
    Show more Show less
    35 mins