The Stepmom Side Podcast

Trigger warning: miscarriage 
Infertility is hard. Being a stepmom is hard. Put the two together? Yeah… it’s a whole different level that no one really prepares you for.
In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia sits down with Kristen Skiles to have an honest, emotional, and empowering conversation about infertility as a stepmom—including the heartbreak of a failed IUI cycle.
They dive into the layered experience of wanting a baby while already being a parent figure, the guilt that can come with that, and the identity shifts that happen when motherhood doesn’t look the way you thought it would.
This conversation is for the stepmom who feels torn between gratitude and grief… who loves her stepkids but still deeply wants a child of her own… and who wonders if she’s allowed to feel both.
Inside this episode, you’ll hear:
What infertility feels like specifically as a stepmom
The emotional impact of a failed IUI cycle
The guilt, comparison, and identity struggles no one talks about
How infertility can affect your relationship with your partner
Mindset shifts that help you cope during the hardest moments
How to hold grief and gratitude at the same time
A new way to define motherhood beyond biology
If you’ve ever thought, “Why is this so hard for me when I already have stepkids?” or “Will I ever feel at peace with this?”—you are not alone.
This episode will help you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone in your journey.
Connect with Kristin:
www.stepmomming.com
Stepmomming Made Easy (Book on Amazon)
On Instagram
On Facebook
On Pinterest
Register here for StepmomCon 
Support the show
Register here for StepmomCon 
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.

In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia talks with Sol Kennedy, founder of the Best Interest co-parenting app, about high-conflict co-parenting, family court, co-parent communication, and how AI can help parents reduce conflict.
Sol shares how his own divorce and co-parenting experience led him to create an app that acts like a buffer between toxic messages and reactive responses. They talk about why the family court system can feel emotionally brutal, how co-parenting apps are usually built for documentation instead of actual peace, and why so many parents and stepparents feel completely drained by ongoing conflict with an ex.
If you are navigating divorce, co-parenting stress, stepparent overwhelm, custody issues, or constant conflict with an ex, this episode will help you think differently about communication, boundaries, and protecting your peace.
In this episode, Alicia and Sol discuss:
High-conflict co-parenting and emotional triggers
How AI can support calmer co-parent communication
The role of co-parenting apps in reducing conflict
How stepparents absorb stress from bio-parent conflict
Why “being the bigger person” feels exhausting
How slowing down communication can protect your peace
Connect with Sol Kennedy:
[email protected]
Use code STEPMOMSIDE - $10 off a Protect subscription
Best Interest App on iOS 
Best Interest App on Android
Follow Best Interest on Instagram
Support the show
Register here for StepmomCon 
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.

In this episode, Alicia explores why stepmoms often feel like the least supported person in their own home. She breaks down the emotional and mental load stepmoms carry, the role of over-functioning, and how relationship dynamics with partners can unintentionally reinforce feelings of isolation.
Stepmoms will gain insight into why this pattern happens and learn actionable strategies for communicating their needs, setting boundaries, and creating more support within their relationship.
This episode is for stepmoms who feel overwhelmed, unseen, and exhausted from holding everything together—and are ready to feel more supported and in control.
Join The Stepmom Side Community

1:1 Coaching

Apply for Couples Coaching

Support the show
Register here for StepmomCon 
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.

In this episode of The Stepmom Side Podcast, Alicia wraps up the Role Clarity Series by exploring what happens when expectations in blended families exceed a stepmom’s emotional and mental capacity. 
Many stepmoms feel pressure to overextend themselves in order to keep the peace, avoid conflict, or prove they are a “good” stepmom. This episode helps listeners identify expectations they may be carrying unconsciously, evaluate whether those expectations are sustainable, and begin honoring their own capacity without guilt. 
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or resentful in your stepmom role, this episode will help you reassess expectations and create healthier boundaries.

Resources mentioned:
Surface Pressure from "Encanto"
Define Your Role As A Stepmom
Support the show
Register here for StepmomCon 
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.

Alicia continues the Role Clarity Series by discussing how stepmoms can communicate their role to their partner without creating conflict or defensiveness. Many stepmoms struggle to speak up about their needs because they fear being seen as difficult or causing tension in their relationship. 
This episode explores the emotional fears that keep stepmoms silent and offers a simple conversation framework to help them express their needs with clarity and confidence. If you’ve ever felt unsupported, overwhelmed, or unsure how to talk to your partner about your role in the family, this episode provides practical tools to start the conversation in a healthy way.
Resources mentioned:
House Expectations
Define Your Role As A Stepmom
Support the show
Register here for StepmomCon 
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.