Season 7: Episode 17: Rising Above the Past & Fighting for Your Future with guest, Sam

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! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

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!  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

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!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

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!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

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!⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

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! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

Christina welcomes Lori, a coach, speaker and author to discuss the unpaid labor of women, mothers and stepmoms. Lori is an advocate for amplifying the value of unpaid labor and influencing how families share the workloads in their homes. Through her children's book, " Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family" Lori breaks down the invisible labor that occurs in our homes and encourages children to take notice, appreciation and action into contributing to their family flow. Christina shares the stepmom perspective of how hard it is to carry the family load, especially when you don't always know "your role". How can the tasks and duties in the home be shifted? How can the kids become more involved? To the stepmoms who carry the invisible load and need some validation and conversation starters... listen in! Mentioned in the Episode: Season 4: Episode 21: When stepmoms carry the mental and emotional load of the home with guest, Laura Danger Fair Play Method About My Guest: Lori Sugarman-Li believes deeply in the power of families and is a passionate voice in the cultural shift aiming to articulate the value and visibility of unpaid work. Her career as a Communications Strategist, combined with a decade devoted to full-time care of her family, community, and children's charities worldwide, served as the inspirational backdrop for her professional relaunch as a Coach, Speaker, and Author. She is dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations within families, encouraging them to contemplate how they care for one another and their shared space. Lori, her husband, and two sons are Canadian-born and live steps from Lake Michigan in Chicago. https://ourhomeourpride.com/ 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!⁠⁠⁠⁠ I am excited for another amazing season! If you would like to be a guest -⁠apply here⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

We talk about high conflict exes, but what do you do when your stepkids are the source of the drama? Christina welcomes Ava to discuss her stepmom journey, how she's navigating the teen years, parallel parenting and when it feels like the ex runs the show. Ava opens up about the complicated relationship she has with her stepdaughter and the confusion around her parenting role. Where's the balance between the compassion for the kids, and boundaries for yourself? How do you not lose your relationship in the hurt and conflict? 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!⁠⁠⁠⁠ I am excited for another amazing season! If you would like to be a guest -⁠⁠⁠⁠apply here⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

What would you do if the ex just called and gave up custody? Christina welcomes Emily to chat her experience of raising teens while transitioning to full-time step parenting. Emily shares how she has helped her kids manage their expectations of their mother, and how she jumped into full-time parenting without really knowing what is and isn't "my place". How do you manage first jobs, driving, and all of the things that come with being a teen? For the fulltime stepmoms, the teen raising stepmoms and any stepmom who's said "wtf?", this is for you. Listen in! Topics Discussed: - When the ex is managing her mental health - Long Distance stepmomming to full-time stepmomming - Finding what is "your place" as a full-time stepmom - Helping your stepkids mourn the relationship with their mom - Raising teens and all that comes with it 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!⁠⁠⁠⁠ I am excited for another amazing season! If you would like to be a guest -⁠ ⁠⁠⁠apply here⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message

Christina welcomes Chanda to offer her experience in being both a biomom AND a stepmom. Chanda shares what's it's been like to accept a stepmom into her kids' lives and how she's found her own footing in the stepmom role. Should stepmoms and biomoms have an official first meeting? What if the stepmom is the high conflict one? What do we ALL have in common, and what's required to bring the peace? Whatever hat you wear, this one 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!⁠⁠⁠⁠ I am excited for another amazing season! If you would like to be a guest -⁠ ⁠⁠⁠apply here⁠⁠⁠⁠! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radicalstepmoms/message