Season 7: Episode 20: Leading with love and understanding even in High Conflict with guest, Courtney

Welcome to Season 8! Christina kicks off with a new series that will sound a little more like a 1:1 session. Meet Victoria, a stepmom who started her role in a less traditional way that adds an interesting dynamic. She is grieving the newlywed era she never got to have, wants to disengage but doesn’t know where to start and wonders how an “ours baby” will fit into the high conflict mix. Listen in as Victoria and I talk through her experience and what tools she can start using…now!  About My Guest:  Hi! I’m Victoria, I’m 26, a Christian, Gemini, farmer wanna be, chaos coordinator, and proud North Carolinian. I love country music, conspiracy theories, and chickens. Find her on IG: victoria_smathers_ So much more than a podcast!!! Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcast Need a little more support? Schedule with me! Become a member and meet other stepmoms! www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina invites her husband on to answer your questions! Some things they cover: - how can partners support the stepmom? What challenges have they overcome? - How do Christina and Jacob handle when their son shares details about the other house? - What conversations/concerns did they have when preparing for an ours baby? - Teacher conferences with or without the ex? How do we do it? AND MORE! Sending out a special THANK YOU for another amazing season! Thank you to all my guests who have shared their heart and stories so others can feel less alone. And thank you to all of you rad mamas who listen in! Sending you so much love and gratitude; you are such a light in my own stepmom journey. Cheers and I'll be back soon for Season 8! So much more than a podcast!!! Join the Rad Community! Find me on the Gram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member! ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to my website⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my new workshop: Finding Your Role? Check it out here!

Christina welcomes Courtney to unpack the term "High Conflict", and why labeling everyone as a "Narcissist" is concerning. How do these terms help us find support? Courtney shares her experience being both a bio-mom and stepmom navigating a challenging "co-parenting" dynamic. How does she lead with love and understanding, despite false allegations and endless court dates? What are her words of wisdom? Listen In! About My Guest: Dr. Courtney is wife-mom-stepmom-doodlemom-DNP-soon to be author who also happens to be an experienced divorce and co-parenting coach. Her two decade career in the healthcare field has lent to her deep understanding of human behavior, mental health, and the importance of self-care during challenging life transitions. With her expertise in healthcare, coupled with her coaching education and personal experience dealing with a high conflict coparenting dynamic, Courtney is uniquely equipped to provide support in successfully managing stress, promoting self-care routines, and surviving the emotional impact of divorce. Courtney is dedicated to helping individuals heal and thrive despite the emotional roller coaster that often accompanies the dissolution of a marriage and subsequent co-parenting struggles. thedivorceco.orgIG - @thedivorceco So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member! ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Head to my website!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my new workshop: Finding Your Role? Check it out here!

Christina welcomes Jen to discuss her story of vulnerability, opening your heart up to your partner and kids and all the sacrifices that come with becoming a stepmom. When she wanted the full package and the official marriage certificate, things changed within her relationship and home. Jen shares her heartache in leaving the family she built and how she's evolving post-stepmotherhood. Find Jen on Instagram @Lift4Women So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member! ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Head to my website!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my new workshop: Finding Your Role? Check it out here!

Christina welcomes divorce attorney and author, Nicole Sodoma to chat how stepmoms fit into their homes and the courtroom. Over the years, Nicole has risen to prominence as a national authority on divorce, custody, and co-parenting. However, she never expected to go through a divorce herself. She is not only a bio-mom but a stepmom, and shares her insights into topics that many of us face. What should you look for in an attorney? Managing first right of refusal? Should stepparents be in the parenting plan? What about estate planning? Nicole also discusses her book ⁠PLEASE DON’T SAY YOU’RE SORRY- a raw and real description of divorce, loss and how you move forward... radically. Listen in! About My Guest: As a marriage-loving divorce attorney of 25 years, Nicole Sodoma has pioneered a way through the often- dreaded field of family law with integrity, compassion, and tenacity. Through her professional and personal learnings, Nicole authored her first book, PLEASE DON’T SAY YOU’RE SORRY in 2022. The book serves as a reminder that although the journey can be wholly overwhelming and emotionally exhausting - it also doesn’t have to be the worst thing that’s ever happened to you. Connect with Nicole! So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member! ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Head to my website!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in my new workshop: Finding Your Role? Check it out here!

Christina welcomes Sam to share her story of being the girlfriend through divorce, self-representing and even managing a restraining order. Sam also shares her experience in supporting high needs stepkids, toileting issues and the ex’s lack of support.  Also discussed in this episode:  The trauma our partner’s faced with the ex  When the ex likes to call the cops  Christina shares her update with her stepson and starting medication  Listen in!  About My Guest:  Hi I’m Sam! I’m a bonus mom to two wonderful boys. I’m an accountant with a love of reading and boating. I have been in the boys life since they were 2 and 3 and have helped my soon to be husband get the children the appropriate school services as well as helped him win joint custody as well. Find her on IG @samjbrennan  So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member? ⁠⁠⁠Head to my website!⁠⁠⁠ Want to share your story and be a guest - ⁠⁠⁠apply here⁠⁠⁠! 

Christina welcomes Renee to chat being a stepmom, growing up as a stepdaughter and how we can discuss our role with our stepkids. Renee took her own journey and made it into a children's storybook to debunk that evil stepmom trope. "The Truth About Stepmoms" is a fun and loving illustration of all the ways a stepmom can show they care - take that, Disney! What do we want our stepkids to say about us? What will they remember from their childhood? Listen In! About My Guest: Renee Bolla, a children's picture book author, seamlessly transitioned from the corporate world of fashion retail to craft enchanting literary worlds for young minds. With the release of her self-published picture books, Finding Bunny and Imagine That, in 2022, and her newest book, The Truth About Stepmoms, Renee has emerged as a storyteller who captivates hearts and sparks imaginations.As a devoted mother to three daughters, Renee weaves the magic of her personal experiences into every narrative, creating stories that resonate with the shared joys and challenges of parenthood. Writing serves as her creative sanctuary, unlocking the enchantment of literature and inviting readers into boundless realms of imagination. Connect with Renee: Website: https://www.reneebollaauthor.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/reneebollaauthor/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reneebollaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/reneebollaauthor So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member! ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Head to my website!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Christina welcomes Veronica, a seasoned stepmom and author of the book ⁠“You Can Heal Stepmom Burnout.”⁠ Veronica shares her all too familiar journey of jumping into the stepmom role and getting a little too crispy burnt out. What can you do? How can you begin to find yourself again? What is your role? Veronica gives some guidance on where to start. Also, in the spirit of Mother's Day... Christina and Veronica chat what the holiday feels like for us stepmoms and how we have the power to embrace it, or let it go. If you're needing a little pep-talk...listen in! About My Guest: Veronica Grace Andrews is an author and she has been a stepmom for 15 years. She spent nearly 10 years running a stepmother support group, and she has helped many women successfully navigate their own stepmom journeys. She is a contributing writer for StepMom Magazine and her book is titled: “You Can Heal Stepmom Burnout.” Go find her on Instagram: @healstepmomburnout So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member! ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Head to my website!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Christina welcomes Beth on to discuss high conflict in the court room. Not only is she a stepmom but also a litigation attorney! Beth is sharing her tips on preparing for court, what she did to get through the process, and must have’s she included in their parenting plan. Have you ever looked at your parenting plan and thought WTF? Are you gearing up for court and need some guidance and a pep talk? What are good reasons to adjust the Parenting Plan and what should you include or not include in your plan? Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member! ⁠⁠⁠Head to my website!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Christina chats with Amber, a stepmom who is currently in her IVF journey. For any woman navigating the hormone and the emotional and physical tolls are difficult, but being a stepmom adds a unique layer to the ride. Amber chats her difficult feelings, what has been helpful and not so helpful and what she reminds herself everyday to keep her mindset strong. If you’re a stepmom navigating fertility or the journey to an ours baby, this episode is for you. Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!! Find me on the Gram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@radicalstepmomspodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want a little more support? Schedule a 1:1 session or become a Radical Member?⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Head to my website!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to be a guest and share your story? -⁠ ⁠⁠⁠apply here⁠⁠⁠⁠!