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Stepmums Podcasts

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Send us a text 👉 Book your place on The Stepmum Reset now: https://stepmumspace.com 💛 Episode Summary In today’s episode of the Stepmum Space Podcast, Katie talks to Claire — an independent woman who fell quickly and deeply in love with her partner… and his three children. While Claire adores the kids, navigating the dynamic with their mum, the emo…
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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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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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Does it feel like your entire relationship revolves around her? 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 even the…
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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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Ladies, we want to hear your sex disasters stories for an upcoming episode! Have you queefed at the worst possible moment? Maybe you screamed out your ex's name in the throes of passion? Reached for the toothpaste instead of the lube? If you've got an awkward, embarrassing or hilarious sexual encounter that didn't go to plan, now is the time to sha…
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Send us a text 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 refuse…
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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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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 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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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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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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Send us a text 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…
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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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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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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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Send us a text 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 fam…
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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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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 break down why the high conflict ex clings to his family and the manipulation tactics she uses to stay there. You'll learn why his family a…
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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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Hey ladies, we are working on an episode about women who’ve taken a break from their long-term relationship, to follow their own path for a little while. If you’ve hit pause on your relationship in the hopes of getting back together stronger than before, we want to hear from you (whether it worked out in the end or not!) If this is you, or a woman …
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Send us a text 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 rel…
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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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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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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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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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Send us a text 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 fr…
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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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Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Nicholle—a beautiful soul whose story reflects a heartbreaking reality many stepmums face. Nicholle opens up about the false allegations made against her, the emotional toll they took, and the ripple effect on her relationship with her stepchildren. We talk about: The moment everything changed Navigatin…
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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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Ever feel like you're losing your mind trying to understand why she acts the way she does? In this episode, I break down five specific 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'…
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Married mum Deepa Paul didn’t have ‘sleeping with strangers’ on her bingo card. She grew up in the Catholic and conservative Philippines and married her college sweetheart. But underneath, Deepa yearned for more. Deepa wanted to open up her marriage, but convincing her husband took time and tears. Eventually, they settled on boundaries and set up t…
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This is a guided meditation to help with chronic pain. Endometriosis hurts. It can be a gnarling, twisting, stabbing, relentless source of pain. Finding a way through that pain can be overwhelming at times. Meditation can help. Gynaecological surgeon and endometriosis specialist Dr Pav Nanayakkara guides you through a series of breathing exercises …
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Send us a text In this episode, Katie sits down with writer Sheena Wilkinson to talk about what it’s really like to marry a widower and become a stepmum — after choosing not to have children herself. Sheena shares her experience of moving into her husband’s former marital home, navigating the emotional weight of a space filled with memories, and ad…
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Being the “strict” house isn’t easy — especially when you’re parenting a teenager who has unlimited freedom at their other home. In this episode, Alicia dives into a real stepmom story from Erica, who’s been a stepmom for 11 years and is now facing the challenges of raising a 13-year-old stepdaughter in two very different households. At Erica’s hou…
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Another "emergency" text at 9 PM. Another crisis that somehow requires immediate attention. You're exhausted from fighting with her about everything she throws at you. Today, I'm breaking down exactly how to choose your battles with a high conflict ex without burning yourself out in the process. You'll discover why she creates endless conflicts, an…
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Around one million Australian women live with endometriosis. That's around one in seven, so chances are you know someone dealing with debilitating pain, medical misogyny and fertility issues because of the disease. Awareness about endometriosis has expanded in the last few years, but there's still a long way to go. Yumi Stynes meets women who've sp…
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Send us a text In this heartfelt and refreshingly honest episode, Katie is joined by Grace—a witty, warm, and wonderfully open guest who shares her journey into stepmotherhood. From living footloose and fancy-free to becoming a full-time stepmum of two, Grace opens up about the emotional shifts, identity changes, and unexpected challenges that come…
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In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia Krasko opens up about her why—the real reason she started coaching stepmoms, built The Stepmom Side Community, and launched this very podcast. She shares her raw, unfiltered story of hitting rock bottom as a stepmom, googling “how to get divorced,” and feeling like an outsider in her own home. Ali…
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You rehearse the perfect request – polite, reasonable, with plenty of notice. But you already know what's coming. The automatic "no" from the high conflict ex. If you've been there, you'll know that crushing frustration of trying to negotiate with someone who seems to enjoy refusing everything. And every time she refuses something reasonable that w…
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Artificial Intelligence is supercharging a new era of misogyny. There are more weapons than ever for men to use against women to silence and shame us, chief among them deepfakes (AI generated images and videos). And tech companies and regulators are not doing enough to fight this abuse, which is affecting everyone from schoolgirls to prime minister…
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Do you ever catch yourself spiraling with intrusive thoughts about not being “enough” as a stepmom? Maybe you wonder if you’ll ever feel as important as your partner’s kids’ mom. Or you feel that rush of pressure to have a baby of your own—just so you can finally feel “equal.” If that’s you, you are not alone. In this episode of The Stepmom Side Po…
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Trying to find a life partner on a dating app who's not a gun toting, fish wielding weirdo can be like trying to find a needle in the haystack. But according to Professor Jennie Young, there's a much more empowering way of sorting through all that hay. She's come up with a technique to hack the apps called 'The Burnt Haystack Method' to help women …
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Send us a text 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 f…
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You're constantly frustrated. She won't respect boundaries. He won't stand up to her. Nobody does what they should do, and you're stuck feeling angry, disappointed, and resentful about it all. In this episode, I reveal the surprising reason you feel so frustrated – and it's not what you think. While you've been focused on the ex's toxic behaviour, …
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Dating apps are a drag. And women are ditching them in droves. Beyond the swiping, more of us are daring to date in real life. Yumi Stynes chats to women moving away from the apps and towards in-person singles events. From post-divorce blind dates to queer speed dating, dinners with strangers and exercise classes, all in the name of finding love. O…
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As part of Women's Health Week we're bringing back our episode on Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and the difficulty of getting a diagnosis. Weight gain, bristly hairs, no period. Welcome to Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility worldwide and it can cause debilitating physical and psychological symptoms. 1 i…
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In this candid episode, Alicia gets real about something most stepmoms won’t say out loud: you want to be over your partner’s past… but reminders keep ambushing you—kids’ faces, old photos, in-law stories, even the house you live in. She explains why your brain grabs the past when you don’t feel safe, the hidden cost of re-hashing old wounds, and a…
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