Best Stepchildren Podcasts (2026)

Christmas is when stepfamily pressure peaks — and for many Stepmums, it’s when the “perfect blended family” myth hurts the most. In this episode, I’m joined by Courtney, a stepmum in Australia navigating 50/50 care with two stepkids (14 and 12). Courtney shares a raw, honest account of what happened when the other household’s new partner became hig…

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Episode 61: Parallel Parenting With a High-Conflict Ex: What Really Makes a Stepfamily Work 41:55

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16d ago41:55

41:55

If you’re juggling a high-conflict ex, 50/50 schedules or loyalty binds, this one’s for you. Katie talks to Lauren, a Scottish stepmum who reconnected with her high-school love—now a dad of three with two exes—and built a calm, child-centred blended family through clear boundaries, parallel parenting and a truly united couple stance. We cover: meet…

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Rewind: Body Weight and Romance 34:11

24d ago34:11

34:11

This episode was originally released on August 19, 2017.It’s never easy to talk to our romantic partners about their bodies, especially when it’s about weight. The Sugars, along with writer Ashley C. Ford, answer letters from people questioning their relationships because of major changes in their partners’ bodies.…

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Episode 60: Stepmum Survival: Court, Trauma & Keeping Your Relationship Strong 42:59

27d ago42:59

42:59

(Trigger warning: miscarriage, domestic violence) What happens to a stepmum when the whole family system is in survival mode? When there’s court, withheld contact, trauma, ASD needs, transition day meltdowns, and a partner trying to hold everything together with guilt-soaked hands? In today’s episode, Jean (not her real name) shares her raw, comple…

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Episode 59: Hostile Exes, Clashing House Rules — and an Ours Baby 48:33

30d ago48:33

48:33

High-conflict exes, clashing house rules and an ours baby — today’s episode goes deep into the reality of stepfamily life. If you’re a stepmum feeling overwhelmed, anxious or alone, this one will speak straight to you. Katie talks with Jane (name changed), a stepmum navigating secrecy for safety, court cases, three stepchildren, and a new baby, all…

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Episodes We Love: Love In Doubt (Rapid Fire) 41:48

1M ago41:48

41:48

How many times have you heard this: "I love him, we're great together, but..."? There's always room for doubt, even in the happiest of relationships. So this week, the Sugars take on some of those doubts in rapid-fire fashion. This episode was originally published on January 5th, 2017.By WBUR

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Episode 58: When Loving the Kids Is Easy… But Everything Else Is Hard 58:16

1M ago58:16

58:16

Book your place on The Stepmum Reset now: https://stepmumspace.com Episode Summary In this episode, Katie talks to Claire — an independent woman who fell deeply in love with her partner… and his three children. While Claire adores the kids, navigating the dynamic with their mum and the emotional load of stepfamily life has been far harder than she …

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Episode 57: When the Ex Won’t Communicate: A Stepmum’s Story of Silence, Blame, and Holding It All Together 45:12

1M ago45:12

45:12

If you’re searching for stepmum help, stepmum support, or a real conversation about stepmum struggles and stepmum problems, this episode will speak straight to your heart. In this emotional conversation, Katie talks with Nicole, a mum of two and stepmum of one, about the heartbreak of trying to co-parent when her stepson’s mum refuses to communicat…

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Rewind: The Other Half of Sexless Relationships 24:11

2M ago24:11

24:11

This episode was originally released on October 28th, 2017. Sex-starved, meet sex-hounded. Recently, the Dear Sugars inbox was flooded with responses to the two-part episode “Sexless Relationships” with Esther Perel. In those episodes, the Sugars answered letters from people who were longing for sexual intimacy with their partners. But many readers…

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Episode 56: Redefining Stepmotherhood: Boundaries and Burnout 50:31

2M ago50:31

50:31

In this episode of Stepmum Space, we’re joined by Madison — a woman in her twenties who stepped into a relationship with an older man, three daughters, and two exes. Madison shares her honest journey of navigating stepfamily dynamics, building relationships with children close to her own age, and learning how to protect her peace. We dive into: The…

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Rewind: Make the Call 39:31

2M ago39:31

39:31

In this encore "rapid fire" episode, the Sugars give brief answers to a handful of letters. This time, they challenge each other to make the call -- one way or the other -- on the questions they're discussing, rather than offer open-ended guidance. This episode was originally released on September 30, 2016.…

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Episode 55: Trying for the Fairytale: When Nothing You Do Is Enough 51:52

2M ago51:52

51:52

In this episode of Stepmum Space, Katie sits down with Tess — a woman living the complexities of stepfamily life from both sides. She’s a stepmum to three children, and her own child also has a stepmum, giving her a rare and deeply layered perspective. Tess opens up about the emotional toll of trying to create the perfect blended family — the fairy…

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Episode 54: When love comes with kids, and an Ex who ignores you! 41:37

2M ago41:37

41:37

In this heartfelt episode of Stepmum Space, I’m joined by Rosie—a woman who had her solo life beautifully sorted. The career, the home, the financial freedom… everything in place. But when love arrived, so did a whole new reality—one that included children she hadn’t planned for. Rosie opens up about the emotional, practical, and relational shifts …

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Rewind: Buyer's Remorse 24:00

3M ago24:00

24:00

This episode was originally published on April 14th, 2018. Buzz Bissinger owns more than 100 pairs of leather pants and over 200 pairs of leather gloves, having spent more than $600,000 on leather goods in the span of three years. Mr. Bissinger has a spending addiction, but when he published his confessional in GQ magazine he was labeled an “obsess…

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S03 E18 - The Lights of Zetar 51:14

3M ago51:14

51:14

LT. Mira Romaine is attacked by some blinking lights. Scotty is in love with her and we're sure we'll see her again....right? X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.

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Episode 53: Parental Alienation, Court Battles & Loving Kids You Can’t Always See 1:03:35

3M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

In this episode, we hear from Katy—a stepmum whose journey began when she met a father of five through work. What followed was a life-changing experience filled with love, loyalty, and heartbreak. Katy opens up about the emotional toll of parental alienation, the reality of family court proceedings, and the pain of being separated from stepchildren…

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Episode 52: False Allegations and Fragile Bonds 57:03

3M ago57:03

57:03

For stepmum support, tools, workshops and coaching, visit: https://stepmumspace.com In this episode, Katie is joined by Nicholle, whose story reflects one of the hardest and least-spoken-about realities in stepfamily life: the impact of false allegations and the emotional fallout that follows. Nicholle opens up about the moment everything changed, …

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Episode 51: There were pictures of his late wife EVERYWHERE! 57:51

3M ago57:51

57:51

For stepmum support, workshops and coaching, visit: https://stepmumspace.com In this episode, Katie sits down with writer Sheena Wilkinson to explore the real and often unspoken experience of marrying a widower and becoming a stepmum — after choosing not to have children herself. Sheena shares what it was like to move into her husband’s former mari…

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Episode 50: “I thought I was doing it all wrong” 1:05:35

3M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

For workshops, coaching and stepmum support, visit: https://stepmumspace.com Episode Summary In this heartfelt and refreshingly honest episode, Katie is joined by Grace — a warm, witty, and wonderfully open stepmum who shares what it was really like to go from living freely and independently to becoming a full-time stepmum of two almost overnight. …

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S03 E17 - That Which Survives 56:42

4M ago56:42

56:42

Kirk, Sulu, McCoy, and....D'Amato...get stranded on a planet while Spock reverts into trying to be a living computer. A woman destroys the crews cells until her cube is broken by the most competent security member we've ever seen. X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.

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Episode 49: “I Threw a Tantrum Worse Than a Five-Year-Old!”: Sarah’s Stepmum Story 45:48

4M ago45:48

45:48

For stepmum support, tools, workshops and coaching, visit: https://stepmumspace.com Episode Summary Welcome back! In this episode, Katie talks to Sarah — a stepmum to one boy — about the emotional reality of navigating different rules in different homes, the exhaustion of being the “steady one,” and her very relatable “worse than a five-year-old” m…

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Rewind: Sex & Aging 36:30

4M ago36:30

36:30

This episode was originally released on May 25th, 2018. When two women in their sixties start losing interest in sex, their sex-starved partners become increasingly frustrated. Both women blame old age for their waning libidos. But is their diminished sex drive because of age or something else? The erotic lives of senior citizens are typically made…

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Rewind: Talking About Privilege 50:21

5M ago50:21

50:21

This episode was originally published on August 11th, 2018. Privilege comes in many forms: socio-economic privilege, gender privilege, heterosexual privilege, to name a few. In this episode, the Sugars reply to two letter writers who are facing different forms of privilege. They discuss with Catrice M. Jackson, a leading voice for racial justice.…

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S03 E16 - The Mark of Gideon 49:40

5M ago49:40

49:40

Kirk gets used to commit genocide. Spock is kinda spicy. Bureaucrats are useless. X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.

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Introducing Say More’s “The C-Word: Stories of Cancer” 28:14

6M ago28:14

28:14

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from the new miniseries “The C-Word: Stories of Cancer” from Say More, a podcast from The Boston Globe Opinion. In the first part of this series, host and award-winning columnist Shirley Leung talks for the first time about her breast cancer diagnosis. She opens up about the personal and professional impact of…

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S03 E15 - Let That Be Your Last Battlefield 57:42

6M ago57:42

57:42

It's racism on the Enterprise as two men with a similar, yet different skin tone battle it out while Kirk mostly does nothing. X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.

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Rewind: Career Vs. Love 33:42

6M ago33:42

33:42

This episode was originally released on April 13th, 2017. You love your partner, you love your career... but they're pulling you in different directions. What do you do? Is it foolish to put your career on hold for the sake of your relationship? Or is it more foolish to give up a great relationship for the sake of your career? Or, is there a way to…

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Introducing Other People’s Problems from CBC Podcasts 41:58

7M ago41:58

41:58

Hi, Dear Sugars listeners, this is Amory Sivertson.. Host of WBUR's Beyond All Repair and co-host of Endless Thread. I'm here to share something special with you this week. It’s an episode of Other People’s Problems, from our friends at CBC. Normally, therapy sessions are totally confidential, but this podcast opens the doors. On this season, the h…

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S03 E14 - Whom Gods Destroy 53:42

7M ago53:42

53:42

Kirk and Spock visit a poisonous planet that houses an asylum for the last remaining criminally insane. Kirk meets his hero. He's not impressed. X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.

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Rewind: The Great Reckoning 51:32

7M ago51:32

51:32

This episode was originally published on July 28th, 2018. Dear Sugars returned to Portland, Oregon, for an epic live show. Special guests Mitchell S. Jackson and Rebecca Skloot shared the stage with the Sugars to tell stories of personal reckoning and answer letters from the audience. To some extent, every letter the Sugars receive is a kind of rec…

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Rewind: Haunted By Ghosting 36:50

8M ago36:50

36:50

This episode was originally published on March 16th, 2017. The term "ghosting" may be relatively new, but the concept -- someone suddenly and inexplicably disappearing from your life -- is not. In the past, a total halt to communication with a friend might leave you feeling concerned that something bad happened to him/her. But in a time where our d…

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Rewind: I Divorced My Spouse, And My Child Divorced Me 30:54

8M ago30:54

30:54

This episode was originally released October 14th, 2016. Divorce is always a painful process, but it's especially so when there are children in the middle. In this favorite episode from the archives, the Sugars discuss situations of parental alienation caused by divorce. They answer letters from a mother and a father whose daughters have cut off al…

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Rewind: Emotional Labor 44:16

9M ago44:16

44:16

This episode was originally published on May 5th, 2018. Remembering the grocery list, coordinating with the babysitter, making food for the potluck, scheduling a get-together with the in-laws: These are some of the invisible tasks that (most) women exclusively do in their romantic relationships — and the list goes on and on. Like a modern-day Greek…

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Redux: Trust Your Body 41:51

9M ago41:51

41:51

This episode was originally released on June 11, 2018. Her doctor categorized her as overweight when she was 5 years old. Her grandmother always introduced her as the “chubby one.” As an adult, she vacillates between moderation and binge-eating, restricting food some weeks, and gorging on cake and ice cream during others. “It’s only when my pants a…

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S03 E13 - Elaan of Troyius 50:35

10M ago50:35

50:35

Kirk does his best to destroy the potential peace between two planets. There's not really a sub plot in this one. X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.

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Setting Boundaries with an Ex: How to Keep the Peace in Your Blended Family 36:18

10M ago36:18

36:18

Have you ever felt like no matter how clear you make your boundaries, your ex just won’t respect them? Co-parenting in a blended family can be tough—especially when an ex constantly oversteps, ignores agreements, or stirs up conflict. In this episode of Blended by Design, Daun and Travis Hall dive deep into the challenges of setting and enforcing b…

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Redux: Sex & Aging 36:42

10M ago36:42

36:42

This episode was originally released on May 25th, 2018. When two women in their sixties start losing interest in sex, their sex-starved partners become increasingly frustrated. Both women blame old age for their waning libidos. But is their diminished sex drive because of age or something else? The erotic lives of senior citizens are typically made…

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Embracing the Role of a Stepparent: Finding Your Place in a New Family 40:54

10M ago40:54

40:54

Have you ever felt like an outsider in your own home? Being a stepparent in a blended family can bring unique challenges, and sometimes it feels like no matter what you do, you're always on the outside looking in. In this episode of Blended by Design, Daun and Travis Hall explore what it really means to feel like an outsider as a stepparent and sha…

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Blending Isn't Always Beautiful: Real Talk on Navigating Family Dynamics 32:08

10M ago32:08

32:08

Blending families presents a formidable set of challenges that can be daunting to navigate. In our discussion, we share candid reflections on our personal journeys, underscoring that we have traversed similar difficulties in our quest to foster a harmonious family environment. Our podcast serves as a conduit through which we extend our support to o…

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Episodes We Love: Rapid Fire — Love & Money 44:20

10M ago44:20

44:20

This episode was originally released on July 21st, 2018. When it comes to love, money is supposed to be no object. But there’s no disentangling love from anything in our lives, and income is no exception. So how do you assess the role money should play in a relationship, and what happens when your desires and means change over time? In this episode…

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Episodes We Love: Do I Follow My Head Or My Heart? 25:39

11M ago25:39

25:39

Cheryl and Steve are no longer dishing out new advice, but we're listening back to episodes we love every week. This episode was originally released November 6, 2015. ____ The Sugars get a letter from a young woman who has fallen head over heels in love. She and her boyfriend only met a month ago, but they are already in deep. Everything seems perf…

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Redux: Rapid Fire Letters 32:10

11M ago32:10

32:10

This episode was originally released July 29th, 2017. ____ In a heated moment, a mother reveals a dark chapter from her childhood to her daughter, then immediately regrets it. What now? In this week’s episode, the Sugars tackle this and several other questions, including how to handle a brother-in-law who treats your vacation as his own free childc…

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Rewind Rapid Fire: Love In Doubt 44:29

12M ago44:29

44:29

This episode was originally released on January 5, 2017. How many times have you heard this: "I love him, we're great together, but..."? There's always room for doubt, even in the happiest of relationships. So in this episode, the Sugars take on some of those doubts in rapid-fire fashion.By WBUR

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S03 E12 - The Empath 1:05:00

12M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

Kirk, Spock and McCoy are teleported to an empty studio to participate in some sort of nonsensical experiment. X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.

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Rewind: How Do I Find The Courage To Be My Own Guide? 26:50

12M ago26:50

26:50

This episode was originally released September 23rd, 2016. The Sugars often discuss letters dealing with very specific problems or struggles. In this encore episode, they take on a broader, more existential question: how to follow your heart. The Sugars discuss with the GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter India Arie, who shares how she learned to be h…

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S03 E11 - Wink of an Eye 55:52

1y ago55:52

55:52

Kirk is super fast! A wanna-be overly attached girlfriend really wants him....or anyone, really. X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.

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S2 Episode 28 ALL Options and Choices 22:52

1y ago22:52

22:52

The motivation for this topic comes from Gil and Brenda’s clients. Many of them feel stuck in life, like they feel like they have no options or choices. The Stuarts break down the differences between options and choices, which leads to actions. And that can change your life! Listen for the action steps at the end and then apply them. Contact Gil an…

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From the archives: The Great Reckoning 51:35

1y ago51:35

51:35

This episode was originally published on July 28th, 2018. Special guests Mitchell S. Jackson and Rebecca Skloot share the stage with the Sugars to tell stories of personal reckoning and answer letters from the audience. To some extent, every letter the Sugars receive is a kind of reckoning, as it’s often the letter writer’s first attempt at taking …

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S03 E10 - Plato's Stepchildren 1:17:29

1y ago1:17:29

1:17:29

Kirk and crew go to a planet fashioned after ancient Greece. Kirk is a horse. Spock sings. They get powers. It makes sense within the confines of the show. X @WWST_PodcastBy Brandon Fought, Aaron S.