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. 1d ago

    #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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Apr 28

    146: Stepmother’s Day Emotions: Feeling Invisible, Seen, and Everything In Between

    Stepmother’s Day—did you even know it existed? In this episode of, Alicia dives into the emotional complexity of Stepmother’s Day—a holiday created in 2000 a nine year old to honor her stepmom. While the intention behind the day is meaningful, the reality for many stepmoms is… complicated. Alicia unpacks the mixed emotions stepmoms experience around Stepmother’s Day and challenges stepmoms to rethink how they approach this day. Instead of waiting for others to get it right, Alicia encourages listeners to take ownership of what Stepmother’s Day means to them—whether that’s celebrating, setting expectations, or choosing to ignore it altogether. If you’ve ever felt invisible in your role, questioned whether you “count,” or wished your partner understood what you do—this episode will make you feel seen, validated, and empowered to speak up. 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

  7. Apr 21

    #145: Feeling Forgotten on Mother’s Day? A Stepmom’s Guide to Getting What You Need

    Mother’s Day can be one of the most confusing—and painful—holidays for stepmoms. You show up. You support your partner. You help raise kids who aren’t biologically yours. You carry emotional labor, household responsibilities, and the invisible weight of stepfamily dynamics… …and then Mother’s Day rolls around and you feel completely overlooked. In this episode, Alicia dives into the emotional reality of Mother’s Day for stepmoms—especially those who are childfree or childless. If you’ve ever felt forgotten, awkward, resentful, or unsure of your place on this holiday, you are not alone. This episode will help you: Understand why Mother’s Day feels so triggering and complicated as a stepmomBreak out of the silent expectation trap that leads to disappointmentLearn how to communicate what you want (yes… even if it feels uncomfortable)Explore ways to celebrate yourself—without waiting for someone else to do itNavigate grief and complex emotions as a childless stepmomReclaim your power and define your role on your termsWhether you want to feel appreciated, create your own plan, or simply survive the day without spiraling, this episode gives you practical tools and a powerful mindset shift. Because you don’t need permission to matter in your home. And you don’t have to keep feeling invisible. 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.

    21 min

  8. Apr 14

    #144: Stepfamily Myths That Damage Marriages and How to Fix the Disconnect with Monica Tanner

    In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia is joined by Monica Tanner to talk about how to reignite connection and intimacy in blended families, why stepfamily myths can damage marriages, and what couples can do to create a stronger, healthier relationship. They dive into one of the most controversial but important ideas in blended family life: why the couple relationship has to be the priority. Monica explains what that actually looks like in real life, how to support your partner without making it a competition with the kids, and why children benefit from seeing a healthy relationship modeled in the home. One of the most powerful parts of this episode is Monica’s explanation of repair in relationships. She breaks down what repair means, how couples can come back together after conflict, and why healthy relationships are not conflict-free—they are built through harmony, disharmony, and repair. If you are a stepmom feeling disconnected in your marriage, exhausted by blended family stress, or unsure how to rebuild closeness with your partner, this episode will remind you that healthy relationships are built, not found. In this episode: How to rebuild connection and intimacy in blended familiesThe myth that kids should always come before the marriageWhat it means to make the relationship the priority without neglecting the childrenWhy stepfamily structure and united parenting matterConnect with Monica: www.monicatanner.com On Instagram On YouTube 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.

    57 min
See All (151)

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
    151
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Stepmom Side Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Stepmom Side Podcast

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