Best Stepmums Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 62: “I Forced My Role”: The Stepmum Trap No One Warns You About 47:56

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7d ago47:56

47:56

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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#128: Too Close to Be Heard: The Real Reason Your Partner Shuts Down 19:24

22h ago19:24

19:24

Are you tired of repeating yourself and feeling like your partner just doesn’t hear you? Whether it’s dad guilt, lack of boundaries with the kids, inconsistency in parenting, or not feeling prioritized in your relationship — this episode is here to validate and support you. In this episode, Alicia breaks down why communication feels so hard in blen…

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Why You Spiral for Days After the Ex Triggers You // 30 9:41

1d ago9:41

9:41

You know that feeling when you've been triggered. She sends that text, makes that comment, or pulls something, and instantly, your heart's pounding. You feel shaky. Then you react. Maybe you snap. Maybe you say something you regret. And then the spiral starts. Hours later, you're still thinking about it. You try to focus on work – but you can't. Th…

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How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off 26:00

1d ago26:00

26:00

Dr Corrine Low says heterosexual relationships are costing women financially. And she’s got the life experience and the data to back it up. When Corrine was married to a man and a new mum, she was the main breadwinner, shouldering the domestic load...and she was FED UP. Corrine’s research has found that even though we’re doing more paid work than e…

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#127: My House, Her Hoodie, and a Whole Lotta Feelings 31:46

8d ago31:46

31:46

In this deeply honest episode, we’re getting into the emotional weeds of what happens when the ex’s belongings, photos, or influence are still showing up in your home. From hoodies and framed photos to never-ending texts between your partner and their ex, it can start to feel like you’re suffocating in someone else’s life. Especially for childless …

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How to Stop Reacting to the Ex's Manipulation // 29 10:23

8d ago10:23

10:23

Imagine the ex tries to manipulate you, and you just... don't react. Instead, you just go about your day. She has no power over you. Sounds nice, right? But that's not what's happening. What's actually happening is this – she says something and immediately you're frustrated. You start explaining. Defending. She comes back with something ridiculous.…

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Where's my village? Esther Perel on how to build community 25:00

9d ago25:00

25:00

Esther Perel is on a mission to make us feel less alone. The world renowned psychotherapist says we've lost touch with the village but she's here to help us reconnect. Esther chats to Yumi Stynes about how to foster a community and stop putting pressure on romantic partners to fulfil our needs. She shares her own story of seeing her parents build a…

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

15d 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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#126: When the Ex Still Haunts Your Blended Family: Stepmom Jealousy Explained 25:52

15d ago25:52

25:52

Is your partner’s past still taking up space in your present-day relationship? You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. Whether it's memories of the ex, old traditions, or constant reminders of “how things used to be,” retroactive jealousy and emotional triggers are real in stepmom life. In this episode, we’re unpacking the emotional weight of feelin…

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How to Know If You're Being Manipulated by the High Conflict Ex // 28 14:55

16d ago14:55

14:55

You walk away from a conversation with the ex and feel... confused. Guilty, even. You know she was in the wrong. But somehow, by the end of it, you or your partner were apologising. Did she just manipulate you? Or are you just overthinking it? Here's the truth: if you're confused, there's a good chance you're being manipulated. And the worst part i…

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Life without boobs: Meet the women staying flat after breast cancer 27:00

16d ago27:00

27:00

We’re told boobs are sexy! Bouncy! Nutritious food banks even! But what happens when they betray you? Every year in Australia, around 20,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Forty per cent of those will need a mastectomy, surgery to have the breast tissue removed. Some of those women will choose not reconstruct, to stay "flat." Yumi Stynes s…

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

22d 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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#125: When Adult Stepkids Don’t Accept You (and How to Stop Letting It Steal Your Peace) 21:30

22d ago21:30

21:30

When you thought things would finally get easier once they were grown… but your adult stepkids still make you feel like an outsider. In this episode, Alicia digs into what’s really going on when adult stepkids won’t accept you — and how to stop tying your peace to their approval. She shares the emotional layers behind this rejection, why it’s not a…

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When You Keep Doubting Yourself & Wondering If You're the Problem // 27 14:04

23d ago14:04

14:04

There's this question mark that seems to follow you everywhere. It causes you to hesitate before walking into school events. To second-guess when helping the kids with homework. "Do I even belong in this family?" You didn't used to feel this way. You came into this relationship confident. Ready to be part of the family. But now you wonder if maybe …

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Embracing imperfection was the key to Astrid’s success 22:00

23d ago22:00

22:00

When she was 16, Pub Choir's Astrid Jorgensen wanted to be a nun. So how did she end up in pubs, night after night, teaching people to sing? For years, Astrid felt like she didn't belong to the world of music. But she found her way in, on her terms. Astrid was never going to be an elite Opera singer, but in rediscovering the joy of singing for the …

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

29d 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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#124: When Kids Don’t Listen (And It’s Not Because You’re the Stepmom) 16:10

29d ago16:10

16:10

Are you a childless or childfree stepmom feeling like a broken record? Alicia gets real about the exhausting cycle of repeating yourself to your stepkids—whether it's chores, routines, or basic expectations—and feeling like it's never enough. She opens up about her own realization that forgetfulness and resistance aren’t about being a stepmom—they’…

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Should You Leave Your Partner Because of His Toxic Ex? How to Decide // 26 10:56

30d ago10:56

10:56

You've been pushing the thought away for a while now... “maybe this relationship isn't going to work.” You love him. You're trying. But the high conflict ex creates endless drama, it’s not getting better, and you're starting to wonder if the only way you'll ever feel happy again is if you leave. But you can't decide whether you should stay or go. B…

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Getting to the bottom of IBS 29:00

30d ago29:00

29:00

Up to one in five people have irritable bowel syndrome and women are three times as likely to be affected. From bloating, cramping, constipation and diarrhea, the symptoms can be debilitating, let alone make it hard to do up a pair of jeans! Even though IBS is so common, there’s no cure. But there’s increasing research about the best ways to manage…

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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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#123: Why Stepmom Resentment Sneaks In (and How to Stop It) 31:06

1M ago31:06

31:06

In this truth-telling episode, Alicia pulls back the curtain on one of the most common (but least talked about) emotions in stepfamily life: resentment. It doesn’t show up overnight—it builds quietly from all the unspoken expectations, invisible labor, and bottled-up feelings that come with being a stepmom. Alicia shares why resentment creeps in wh…

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How to Stop the Ex From Ruining Your Relationship // 25 12:29

1M ago12:29

12:29

Does it feel like your entire relationship revolves around his toxic ex? You sit down for dinner and within five minutes, you're talking about something she said. You're trying to have a quiet morning and her name comes up. You want to relax on the couch with your partner but there's this tension because of what happened earlier with her. She's not…

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Love ya guts! What to eat to feel your best 24:00

1M ago24:00

24:00

With "wellness" advice from influencers flooding our feeds, it's hard to sort fact from absolute nonsense and know what to eat to feel good. Enter Laureate Professor in nutrition and dietetics, Clare Collins. Yumi sits down with Clare to get the low down on the good stuff we should be eating on and the nasty stuff we should avoid. How much protein …

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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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#122: When Co-Parenting Isn’t Possible (Because the Ex Is a Nightmare) 18:06

1M ago18:06

18:06

If you’ve tried to co-parent with someone who thrives on drama, control, or straight-up chaos… this episode is your safe space and wake-up call. In Episode 122 of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia breaks down what to do when co-parenting feels impossible because the ex just won’t cooperate. We’re not here to sugarcoat—we’re here to speak truth. Co-p…

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How to Stop Fighting & Start Working Together With Your Partner // 24 12:04

1M ago12:04

12:04

You've had another fight about the ex. He's shut down, you're exhausted and wondering if your relationship can survive much more of this. You both need to get on the same page to protect your relationship, and in this episode, I’ll show you how. I discuss how to know if he’s ready, how to have the conversation, how to figure out what your united fr…

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Turia Pitt is a selfish woman 24:00

1M ago24:00

24:00

Turia Pitt was doing it all — working, mothering, wifeing — and she was exhausted. Being everything to everyone came at a huge cost to her mental health — she was close to burnout, and so she decided to flip the script on being a 'good woman'. Over a decade after sustaining life threatening burns to most of her body in a grassfire, Turia's become a…

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#121: Peace Over Presents: Letting Go of Comparison in Your Blended Family Christmas 31:28

2M ago31:28

31:28

When the holidays roll around, so does the pressure — to make it fair, to make it magical, and to not lose your mind when the ex goes overboard or your stepkids start comparing gifts. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia unpacks the gift-giving grief that shows up for so many stepmoms — the quiet, unspoken frustration of trying not t…

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How to Support Your Partner Through Toxic Co-Parenting Without Burning Out // 23 13:57

2M ago13:57

13:57

Another text comes through. Your partner spirals. And suddenly you're the one drafting responses at 2am and researching parental alienation strategies. You're disappearing under the weight of it. And then you feel guilty for thinking "I don't know how long I can keep doing this". But there is another way. You can be there for him and protect yourse…

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Stepmums: Why do they get such a hard time? 32:00

2M ago32:00

32:00

She's one of the great cultural villains; the evil stepmother. Stepmums are up against it. Besides fighting bad press generated by endless pop-culture references, they're chucked in the deep end of parenting without a life boat. Yumi Stynes meets stepmothers who've experienced the joy of loving their partner's child as well as the difficulty of slo…

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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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#120: Sibling Rivalry + Stepkid Drama: Holiday Edition 16:49

2M ago16:49

16:49

The holidays can feel like a ticking time bomb in blended families — forced togetherness, high expectations, and the pressure to make everything magical can lead to major tension between stepkids and bio kids. In this episode, Alicia Krasko tackles the emotional chaos of holiday dynamics: sibling rivalry, stepkid drama, and what to do when your par…

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Feel Like She's Always Winning? How to Beat the Ex By Changing the Game // 22 9:51

2M ago9:51

9:51

It feels like she's winning, doesn't it? Every time she ignores your boundaries, every time she gets away with something – it feels like she’s winning and you're losing. But what if that idea of winning versus losing is keeping you trapped in her game? The problem is that you're so focused on not letting her "get away with" it that you're accidenta…

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Mental health: Loving someone with an addiction 30:00

2M ago30:00

30:00

Standing by watching a loved one's addiction can be heartbreaking and confusing. One in ten Australian's struggle with a substance disorder and one in five experience gambling harm. For every person struggling with an addiction, there are people close to them. The wives, mothers, sisters and children watching their addictions play havoc with their …

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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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#119: Feeling Left Out as a Stepmom: Why It Happens and What to Do 15:07

2M ago15:07

15:07

Have you ever felt like an outsider in your own home? In this heartfelt and practical episode, Alicia breaks down why stepmoms often feel left out of family moments — and what you can do about it. From unspoken group texts to being excluded from decisions and traditions, Alicia shares real-life examples (including a cringe-worthy moment at Cedar Po…

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When His Family Still Includes the Ex & You Feel Like You Don’t Belong // 21 18:06

2M ago18:06

18:06

She's at family gatherings. His mum still helps her out. His sister invites her to birthday parties. And you're left wondering – why does she get to stay in, while you feel like the outsider? In this episode, I reveal why the high conflict ex still clings to his family and the manipulation tactics she uses to stay there. You'll learn why his family…

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Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it 37:00

2M ago37:00

37:00

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition facing women. One in three will be diagnosed in her lifetime. From overwhelming worry to spiralling thoughts, panic attacks to avoidance, anxiety can have a huge impact. But the good news is that we know how to treat it. In part two of this three-part mental health series, Yumi Stynes chats to Juli…

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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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#118: When Your Partner Sides With the Kids: What Every Stepmom Needs to Know 32:33

2M ago32:33

32:33

When your partner sides with the kids, it can feel like betrayal — or at the very least, like you’ve been completely shut out. This episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast digs into those moments of emotional hurt and confusion that so many stepmoms experience but few talk about openly. We explore the power dynamics at play and the often invisible loya…

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Is The Toxic Ex Turning You Into Someone You Don’t Recognise? Here's the Truth // 20 9:43

2M ago9:43

9:43

You’re stressed, reactive, angry – you don't recognise yourself anymore. And you think, "She's turning me into someone I'm not." But here's the truth – she's not turning you into anything. She’s just revealing parts of you that you didn't know were there. And that's the most powerful thing you could discover. Because when you know that about yourse…

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Mental health: Overcoming depression 33:00

2M ago33:00

33:00

One in six women will get depression in their lifetime, compared with one in ten men. So, is it hormones or circumstances or a combination of both that's makes us more susceptible? And importantly, how can we confront the black dog if it's at our door? In part one of this three-part series, Yumi Stynes sits down with women who've been in the grips …

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INTRODUCING – The mental health mini-series 2:00

3M ago2:00

2:00

One in three women in Australia will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime and one in six will experience depression. This Mental Health Month, it's time to find solutions. In this three-part series, Yumi Stynes chats to leading experts about hacking your brain, hormones, nutrition (and yes, mental load) to feel better. Yumi speak…

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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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#117: Why Peace Isn’t the Same as Perfection 20:19

3M ago20:19

20:19

By Alicia Krasko

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When the Kids Are Being Used As Her Spies & Nothing in Your Life Feels Private // 19 14:00

3M ago14:00

14:00

You start to mention weekend plans to the kids, but you stop yourself mid-sentence. Because you know what happens next – within 24 hours, she'll know. She'll have something to say about it, or she'll try to ruin it entirely. This episode tackles one of the most frustrating parts of high conflict co-parenting – when everything you say or do gets rep…

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Clare and Jessie Stephens on twinning, pregnancy and envy 34:00

3M ago34:00

34:00

By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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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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#116: What If I Don’t Like My Stepkids? The Truth No One Talks About 27:28

3M ago27:28

27:28

What if you don’t like your stepkids? It’s the question that stepmoms whisper to themselves and rarely admit out loud. In this episode, Alicia unpacks why these feelings show up, why they don’t make you a “bad stepmom,” and how to move through them without shame. You’ll learn: Why it’s normal to not always like your stepkids How societal expectatio…

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Is The Ex a Narcissist… or Something Else? Find Out What You’re Really Dealing With // 18 16:29

3M ago16:29

16:29

Ever feel like you're losing your mind trying to understand why she acts the way she does? In this episode, I break down the 5 personality patterns commonly found in high conflict people. By the end, you might finally have an explanation for behaviours that have been driving you crazy. I'll walk you through the narcissistic pattern (the 'I'm superi…