The Stepmom Diaries Podcast

It's the eve of the holiday weekend for millions of stepfamilies around the world. And if you're like me, even when you're having a great holiday season you still have some level of anxiety as you deal with the complications that come with being part of a blended family. That's what we're talking about in this episode - and you'll come away with some tips for how to cope with the challenges and actually enjoy your holidays. If you enjoy listening to the podcast, could you do me a solid and head to iTunes and leave me a review? It will help me reach more stepmoms and give them the tools they need to get MORE out of stepmom life. Happy holidays!

Today's episode features author Jo Dodd talking about her journey to kids book author and her most recent book, "Dear Mama Bear With The F*ed Up Hair." She's got some great lessons about family and why you don't have to hold it together all the time. And her book is perfect for moms and stepmoms who are struggling to hold it all together. About Jo Jo Dodd is an author, coach and mom of four. In 2020, after a 6-month furlough, she took a bold leap, stepping away from a leadership role in Corporate America, to launch Jotopia Productions, LLC, where she writes content that focuses on the power of positive thinking, embracing diversity, and crushing fear! Jo has published three children's books in the past two years. Her most recent endeavor is a one-of-a-kind picture book for moms called 'Dear Mama Bear with the F*cked Up Hair.' This book that tells an authentic, poignant, dark, sometimes humorous story of motherhood which is based on Jo's journey of silently battling depression. Jo is passionate about shining a light for any 'Mama Bears' struggling with the ever-increasing pressures of motherhood, and knows that this book will help them feel seen, heard and understood. To find out more about Jo's work, visit www.livinginjotopia.com and follow her on Instagram @livinginjotopia And if you enjoy The Stepmom Diaries, would you do me a big favor? Please head to iTunes and leave me a review so that we can reach as many stepmoms as possible.

It's our FIFTIETH episode, can you believe it?!? And it's a goodie - I'm talking to one of my OG business besties about mom life, the hot mess express, and rage rooms. My guest is Nikki Oden, a lawyer and mom coach who teaches working moms how to battle burnout, own their days, and lose the mom guilt. She is the founder of Your Ideal Mom Life® and host of the Love Your Mom Life podcast. Nikki's work has been featured in TODAY Parents, The Boston Globe, Cafe Mom, Thrive Global, Authority Magazine, Kidspot, and more. Not only are we talking about all the "mom life" things, we're talking about why stepmoms might enjoy a trip to the rage room - yes, it's a real thing! You can find Nikki on Instagram, Facebook, and on her Love Your Mom Life podcast. And her new book, "But Definitely Wear Mascara," will be available on Amazon next week - we'll update with a link right here once it's available. If you enjoyed this episode, can I ask you a favor? Head to iTunes and leave me a review, will ya? It will help me reach even more stepmoms like you who want more.

The holidays are approaching and I don't know about you, but I'm already tired. Stepmom life is exhausting on a good day and it can be hard to figure out how to feel restored. That's exactly what we're talking about in this episode. I'm talking to Nancy Colier, author of The Emotionally Exhausted Woman: Why You're Feeling Depleted And How To Get What You Need. Nancy tells us what the $14 billion self-care industry has gotten wrong and how we can truly take care of ourselves. It's an important conversation for stepmoms - and any woman who feels like she can never quite get things together. Mentioned In This Episode Make sure to grab Nancy's book; I've got a link to it here - it's a digestible read and will give you some great insight into how you can engage in meaningful self-care. You can find Nancy: On her website On Twitter Can I ask you a favor? If you enjoy this episode, please head to iTunes or wherever you listen and give me a review. It will help me reach more stepmoms like you who need good resources.

Ever wondered if stepdads face the same challenges as stepmoms? Well, we find out in this episode, when we chat with Franco Zavala, also known as the "Professional Stepdad." Franco is an actor, host of The Professional Stepdad Podcast and YouTube Show, 60-second storyteller, and stepfather of five, who loves sharing wisdom, insight, and anecdotes about fatherhood. Driven by his passion to affect real change, Franco is on a mission to challenge the current narrative around the meaning and purpose of being a Stepdad in today's world. You can find Franco on his YouTube Channel, his podcast, Instagram, Facebook, and his website. Like this episode? Head over to iTunes and leave a review so that I can reach more stepmoms just like you!

We're back and in this episode, we're talking about why it's been a tough fall this year. And I'm opening up about the recent death of my beloved dog, Charlie. Why it's so hard to lose our fur-babies - and the surprising lessons he taught me about stepfamily life and relating to my stepchildren. If you enjoy The Stepmom Diaries, would you head over to iTunes or wherever you listen and leave me a review? It will help me reach even more stepmoms like you!

Part TWO of TWO Episodes With Dr. Papernow! This episode is the second installment featuring Stepfamily Magazine's Clinical & Research Advisor and Advisory Board member, AND Stepmom Summit keynote speaker, Dr. Patricia Papernow. We started talking and there was so much to cover, it took two episodes! About Dr. Papernow Dr. Patricia Papernow is widely recognized as one of the world's foremost experts on "blended families." She is the author of Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn't, which has been called "the best book ever written on the subject," and "a remarkable achievement." With Karen Bonnell, she wrote The Stepfamily Handbook: From Dating, to Getting Serious to Forming a "Blended Family," a practical guide that helps recoupling parents and their partners create a successful stepfamily. Dr. Papernow has written over 30 professional articles and book chapters. She provides training and consultation all over the U.S. and internationally to clinicians, guidance counselors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, clergy, lawyers, judges and others on the front lines with stepfamily challenges. Dr. Papernow is a member of the Experts Council of the National Stepfamily Resource Center and is the recipient of the 2017 award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Psychology from the American Psychological Association. She is the Director of the Institute for Stepfamily Education and a psychologist in private practice in Hudson, MA. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Dr. Papernow's site, Stepfamily Relationships Dr. Papernow's books (which I have read and refer back to regularly!) and other resources can be found on my site HERE. THE STEPMOM SUMMIT IS COMING! Don't forget to sign up for the 2022 Stepmom Summit, which will be held August 25 - 27. You can get your FREE ticket HERE!

Part ONE of TWO Episodes With Dr. Papernow! This episode is the first of two featuring Stepfamily Magazine's Clinical & Research Advisor and Advisory Board member, AND Stepmom Summit keynote speaker, Dr. Patricia Papernow. We started talking and there was so much to cover, it took two episodes! About Dr. Papernow Dr. Patricia Papernow is widely recognized as one of the world's foremost experts on "blended families." She is the author of Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships: What Works and What Doesn't, which has been called "the best book ever written on the subject," and "a remarkable achievement." With Karen Bonnell, she wrote The Stepfamily Handbook: From Dating, to Getting Serious to Forming a "Blended Family," a practical guide that helps recoupling parents and their partners create a successful stepfamily. Dr. Papernow has written over 30 professional articles and book chapters. She provides training and consultation all over the U.S. and internationally to clinicians, guidance counselors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, clergy, lawyers, judges and others on the front lines with stepfamily challenges. Dr. Papernow is a member of the Experts Council of the National Stepfamily Resource Center and is the recipient of the 2017 award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Psychology from the American Psychological Association. She is the Director of the Institute for Stepfamily Education and a psychologist in private practice in Hudson, MA. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Dr. Papernow's site, Stepfamily Relationships Dr. Papernow's books (which I have read and refer back to regularly!), along with other resources are HERE. Don't forget to sign up for The Stepmom Summit, happening August 25-27, 2022. (THIS WEEK!)

The Stepmom Summit Speakers Series Continues! In this episode, we're going deep with Dr. Erin Careless on what it means to set some boundaries and "step back." We also talk about finding stepmom resources and why it's so important to look for tools that are evidence and research-backed. Erin is one of the experts speaking at this year's Stepmom Summit and is the Chair of Stepfamily Magazine's Advisory Board. Erin became a stepmom when she met her partner Matt in 2014. That same year, she became a Certified Stepfamily Coach and founded Steplife as a way to share her experiences and provide support to other women navigating stepfamily life. Erin is also a Director of Adult Education, so her coaching is informed by adult learning principles and strategies such as reflection and critical thinking. Erin and Matt married in 2015, and in addition to her stepkids Oliver and Waverleigh, they are parents to Grace and Finn. Erin's PhD research is on stepmothering, and it is her passion to empower stepmoms to find the role in their family that works for them. Mentioned In This Episode The Stepmom Summit will happen August 25 - 27. If you haven't grabbed your FREE ticket, head HERE and sign up! You can find Erin at Steplife

What Do Stepmoms Have In Common With Endurance Athletes? Today's guest is another speaker at our second upcoming (and FREE) Stepmom Summit, August 25 - 27th. You can head HERE to make sure you are on the waitlist and can snag your spot when tickets open up on August 9th! Sarah Freeman, CEO of Sarah Freeman Coaching, is a passionate endurance athlete, podcast host, step-mum, wife, and a brave, badass, big-hearted woman. Her mission is to guide women endurance athletes and step-mums to embody their next-level confidence through her one on one coaching, podcasting, and speaking. Sarah believes that when women endurance athletes and step-mums start to embody their confidence, that's when anything is possible. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Sarah Freeman Coaching The Stepmom Summit