The Stepmom Side Podcast

Alicia Krasko
  • 4.9 (54)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Do you find yourself googling for "Stepmom help" or "Stepmom struggles" more than you'd care to admit? If so, you're in the right place. The Stepmom Side Podcast is a conversational podcast about being a Stepmom and what that actually looks like. Host Alicia Krasko covers everything from part-time, full-time, to being an empty nester as a Stepmom. Every week, you'll get a bit of humor, advice, and a conversation that will have you taking an objective look at how you're showing up. You can expect honest (and uncomfortable) conversations with perspective shifts mixed in to help you create the life you no longer have to google for help.

  1. 5d ago

    #154: The Hidden Reason You're So Angry as a Stepmom

    Do you feel resentful as a stepmom and then immediately guilty for feeling that way? You're not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia dives into one of the most common but least talked about experiences in blended families: stepmom resentment. The truth is, resentment usually isn't about the kids. It's often the result of carrying too much emotional responsibility for too long. From managing everyone's feelings to carrying the mental load and constantly putting your own needs last, many stepmoms become overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, and disconnected from themselves. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ Why resentment develops in blended families ✔️ The hidden emotional labor many stepmoms carry ✔️ Common signs of stepmom burnout and emotional exhaustion ✔️ Why feeling trapped or unsupported creates resentment ✔️ How resentment affects your marriage and family relationships ✔️ Practical ways to ask for support and start meeting your own needs ✔️ How to stop feeling guilty for having hard emotions If you've ever thought, "I love my husband, but I hate this life," or "I don't even recognize myself anymore," this episode is for you. You are not broken. You are likely overwhelmed, unsupported, and carrying more than anyone realizes. 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.

    14 min

  2. Jun 16

    #153: Why Belonging Feels So Hard in Blended Families

    Feeling like an outsider in your own home as a stepmom? You're not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia explores why so many stepmoms struggle with belonging in blended families. She shares why outsider syndrome happens, the common traps stepmoms fall into, and practical ways to stop trying to earn your place and start feeling more secure in your role. Key takeaways: Why feeling left out is normal in blended familiesThe hidden cost of overfunctioning and people-pleasingWhy belonging can't be earned through doing moreHow to build meaningful relationships with your partner and stepchildrenSimple ways to create your own place within your familyJoin The Stepmom Side Community: https://aliciakrasko.com/community Explore Coaching: https://aliciakrasko.com/coaching 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.

    12 min

  3. Jun 9

    #152: Stepmom Confidence: Stop Auditioning for Belonging

    Do you ever feel like you're constantly trying to prove yourself as a stepmom? If only you could just be more patient, more understanding, more involved, or more helpful, then maybe you'd finally feel accepted in your blended family? In this episode, Alicia dives into a struggle many stepmoms silently carry: the belief that they have to earn their place in their own home. Whether you're dealing with outsider syndrome, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling invisible in your stepfamily, this episode will help you understand why belonging cannot be earned through sacrifice and exhaustion. Alicia shares the mindset shift that changed everything for her—the moment she stopped auditioning for acceptance and started recognizing her own worth. She also breaks down the common traps stepmoms fall into when they tie their value to their partner's approval, their stepkids' behavior, or the overall success of the family dynamic. If you've ever felt like you're working harder than everyone else just to feel like you belong, this conversation will remind you that your worth is not something you have to prove. 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.

    27 min

  4. Jun 2

    #151: When Your Stepkids Disrespect You: What Every Stepmom Needs to Know

    What should a stepmom do when her stepkids are disrespectful? Few things trigger a stepmom faster than being ignored, talked back to, rolled eyes at, or treated like she doesn't matter. When you're already questioning your role in the family, disrespect from a stepchild can feel deeply personal—and it can quickly create resentment, frustration, and conflict in your marriage. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia dives into one of the most common challenges stepmoms face: dealing with disrespectful stepkids. She explains why disrespect from stepkids often hurts more than people realize, how feelings of uncertainty and lack of belonging can amplify those interactions, and what stepmoms can do instead of reacting from anger or hurt. Whether you're dealing with eye rolls, backtalk, being ignored, or feeling completely unsupported, this episode will help you respond with confidence instead of resentment. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether your stepkids respect you—or if you've questioned whether you even belong in your family—this episode is for you. 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.

    19 min

  5. May 26

    #150: Why Setting Boundaries Feels Mean (And How to Stop Feeling Guilty)

    Does setting boundaries make you immediately feel guilty? Do you finally decide to say no, ask for space, or stop carrying everyone else's emotions… and then immediately wonder if you're being selfish? You're not alone. In this episode, Alicia is diving into why boundaries can feel so uncomfortable—especially for stepmoms who are used to people pleasing, over-functioning, and carrying the emotional weight of everyone around them. If you've ever felt responsible for keeping the peace, fixing everyone's feelings, or making sure nobody is disappointed, this episode will help you understand why boundaries can feel "mean" even when they're healthy. You'll learn why guilt doesn't always mean you're doing something wrong, how people pleasing can quietly fuel resentment, and practical ways to start setting boundaries without feeling like the villain in your own home. Because boundaries aren't about pushing people away. They're about protecting your peace. Resources Mentioned: Download your free boundaries resource: Aliciakrasko.com/boundaries Join The Stepmom Side Community: The Stepmom Side Community 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.

    17 min

  6. May 19

    #149: Why Stepmoms Confuse Peace With Perfection in Blended Families

    Are you constantly chasing peace in your blended family… but secretly defining peace as “everything going perfectly”? In this episode, Alicia dives into one of the biggest mindset traps high-achieving stepmoms fall into: believing that peace and perfection are the same thing. From overthinking conversations to trying to control transition days, co-parenting dynamics, schedules, emotions, and everyone else’s reactions, many stepmoms end up emotionally exhausted trying to create a version of family life that simply doesn’t exist. If you’ve ever thought: “I’ll relax when things settle down.”“If everyone would just cooperate, THEN I’d feel calm.”“Why can’t I stop overthinking everything?”…this episode is for you. Alicia breaks down: Why so many stepmoms equate peace with perfectionHow childhood conditioning and high-achiever tendencies fuel perfectionismWhy blended families trigger hypervigilance and emotional burnoutThe difference between emotional control and emotional flexibilityHow to stop spiraling when conflict, stress, or awkward moments happenPractical mindset shifts to help you feel calmer and more grounded as a stepmomThis episode is a reminder that peace in a blended family does NOT come from everyone behaving perfectly. It comes from learning how to stay grounded when life gets messy. Because real peace? It’s not perfection. It’s resilience. 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.

    24 min

  7. May 12

    148: Summer Break Is Chaos for Stepmoms—Here’s How to Take Back Control of Your Home

    Summer break sounds fun… until your house turns into chaos, the routines disappear, and you feel like you’re running a summer camp you never signed up for. In this episode, Alicia breaks down how stepmoms can create structure, maintain control, and protect their sanity during summer break—without turning into the “strict” or overwhelmed one in the house. If you’re already dreading the lack of routine, constant transitions between homes, and the mental load of managing it all… this episode is your game plan. You’ll learn how to create a flexible daily structure, set expectations that actually stick, and navigate summer transitions without feeling like you’re starting over every week. Because summer doesn’t have to feel like survival mode. You don’t need a perfect summer. You need a plan that creates just enough structure to keep your home calm, predictable, and manageable. Resource mentioned: Summer Routine Plan 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.

    23 min

  8. May 5

    #147: Stepmom Struggles: Why Kids Pull Away in Front of Their Other Parent

    Alicia dives into one of the most confusing and emotionally triggering experiences for stepmoms: why stepchildren suddenly act distant, avoidant, or completely different when their other parent is around. If you’ve ever felt ignored at pickup, brushed off in public, or like your relationship disappears the moment their other parent enters the picture… you are not imagining it. And more importantly—it’s not rejection. This episode breaks down the concept of loyalty binds in stepfamily dynamics and explains why children may feel torn between showing love to their stepmom and protecting their relationship at the other house. Even in healthy, connected relationships, kids can shift their behavior depending on the environment, leaving stepmoms feeling confused, hurt, and questioning everything. Alicia walks you through: What a loyalty bind is and why it happens in blended familiesWhy your stepchild’s behavior changes between homesThe why behind emotional “switching” and adaptive behaviorWhat stepmoms often take personally—but shouldn’tHow to respond in a way that builds trust and emotional safetyThis episode will help you stop overanalyzing your stepchild’s behavior and start understanding what’s actually happening beneath the surface. Because it’s not rejection. It’s emotional survival. If you’re a stepmom navigating complex family dynamics, co-parenting stress, or feeling like an outsider in your own home, this episode will give you clarity, relief, and a completely new perspective. If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. Come join us inside The Stepmom Side Community! 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.

    30 min
See All (154)

4.9
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

Do you find yourself googling for "Stepmom help" or "Stepmom struggles" more than you'd care to admit? If so, you're in the right place. The Stepmom Side Podcast is a conversational podcast about being a Stepmom and what that actually looks like. Host Alicia Krasko covers everything from part-time, full-time, to being an empty nester as a Stepmom. Every week, you'll get a bit of humor, advice, and a conversation that will have you taking an objective look at how you're showing up. You can expect honest (and uncomfortable) conversations with perspective shifts mixed in to help you create the life you no longer have to google for help.

Information

  • Creator
    Alicia Krasko
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Stepmom Side Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Stepmom Side Podcast

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