Season 9: Episode 1: A Dad’s story of high-conflict, fighting for his kids and lessons learned with guest, Erik

Welcome to Season 9! Christina kicks it off with a candid conversation with an ex-stepdad turned dad. Erik tells his story of diving head first into stepdad life, and when he realized his wife was high conflict. What happened when he initiated the divorce? Listen in as Erick shares how he regained custody (Netflix worthy story) how he’s protected his kids, and what advice he gives to stepmoms supporting dads through chaos. Meet My Guest:Eric Kaltz is a single dad of two who advocates for calm, intentional parenting through high-conflict divorce. His perspective centers on emotional control, accountability, and maintaining stability for children in difficult co-parenting dynamics.Instagram @erickaltzofficialTikTok @erickaltzSo much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes Dee to chat about her Netflix-Documentary-worthy tale of stepmotherhood. Dee strived for a peaceful co-parenting dynamic complete with joint birthdays and friendly banter with the ex…but what happened when the ex wasn’t even interested in meeting her? What happened when Dee was getting a weird vibe from the stepdad and started to do some digging on him? What do you do when you find out he’s not who he says he is? Grab your popcorn and listen in!So much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes Shanae, a woman who fell in love, admittedly ignored all the red flags and decided the high conflict life was not for her. Shanae shares how she fell into the role of “fixer” and how she realized her partner was the one stealing her peace. Now that she’s a biomom on the other side, what would she tell her younger self? As a stepmom, we ask ourselves “is it worth it”? When did Shanae know it wasn’t and knew it was time to walk away?  Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes back special guest Michelle to chat stepmoms during the holidays. Stepmoms are vulnerable to feeling invisible on any day, but the holiday season adds a special zing. How do we handle the emotions of grief, comparison and guilt? How do we protect ourselves from burnout when it feels like all the magic depends on us? How do we advocate to feel seen in our families? Listen in! About My Guest: Coach Michelle is a high conflict resolution coach, an attorney, and a badass single mom. She helps parents disengage from high conflict relationships, getting them out of court, and stepping back into their lives. Her unique combination as a certified Martha Beck life coach, a lawyer for almost 20 years, her field of study in Psychology, and her own personal family law experience, makes Michelle a well-rounded coach, capable of helping parents learn how to disengage from a challenging and protracted co-parenting relationship.Find her on IG: coachmichellesdWebsite: www.coachmichelle.clubSo much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes stepmom Tarah and her husband EJ to discuss their transitions into blending. The three discuss why resentment builds in blended families and how to address it before it causes emotional distance. Where and why do many couples get stuck and what can they do to prepare and heal? Tarah and EJ offer their professional and personal experience in assisting couples out of the trenches - Listen in! About My GuestTarah Kerwin is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and co-founder of Relationship Renovation, a thriving therapy practice in Tucson, AZ, dedicated to transforming couples’ lives through authentic connection and empowerment. With a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, she leads the innovative Relationship Renovation @ Home Program, designed to support couples on a national and global level with essential tools to strengthen their relationships from anywhere. As the co-host of the popular Relationship Renovation Podcast, Tarah delves into the complexities of love, helping listeners navigate real-life challenges with empathy and insight.Find them on IGhttps://relationshiprenovation.com/So much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠Need some support? ⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member⁠ and hang with other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes Lisa, a mom who divorced and is currently dating a man with kids. Many of them adults. Lisa shares her story of divorce, protecting and respecting her kids, and how she's had to grow so she doesn't fall into that high conflict category. Even when her kids are grown, how are they impacted by her new relationship? Christina also shares her personal experience of being the stepkid, and now wearing both mom and stepmom hats. Listen in!Meet Our Guest!Lisa Sander is a 24-year veteran nurse turned coach, speaker, and co-host of Our Healer, Our Protector. She’s known for something she calls The Healing Chair Talk,  a space where people naturally open up and experience emotional breakthroughs. After decades of supporting patients and peers within the hospital system, Lisa felt a calling to help people reconnect with themselves, with one another, and with God. Today, she works with individuals, couples, and families seeking transformation, especially during times of deep transition.Find her on IGSo much more than a podcast!!!Follow along on InstagramNeed some support? Schedule with Christina!Become a Member and hang with other stepmoms!www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina welcomes Cynthia and Mackenzie to discuss how becoming a stepmom can impact our relationships with our family and friends. As our lives evolve into parenthood, how do our own parents embrace our new identities? What happens if our friends don’t support us? Do your parents takes on the step-grandparent role? What do you do when you want to be seen in your role, but your closest loved ones don’t understand? Listen in! So much more than a podcast!!!Want to meet other stepmoms? ⁠Become a Member ⁠!Need that extra support? ⁠Schedule a session with Christina!⁠Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcast⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes Amy who shares what it took to create her stepmom identity. In the beginning of our relationships, we’re just putting the pieces together. We’re learning about the ex, experiencing how society views stepmoms, and figuring out what parts of parenting we’re “allowed” to do. How do we form our identity without losing ourselves? Listen in as Amy shares how she survives…out of spite. About My Guest: Amy Marie Ayres is a wife, stepmom, mother, author, and a passionate advocate for embracing life’s complexities with creativity and authenticity. Navigating the challenges of blended family dynamics, she brings humor, adaptability, and a deep understanding of resilience to her parenting journey. As someone who thrives on exploration—both personally and creatively—Amy believes in the power of honest conversations, and breaking free from societal expectations. Whether supporting neurodivergent voices, balancing motherhood with personal growth, or redefining what it means to be a stepmom, she approaches every aspect of life with openness and individuality.www.amymarieayres.comSo much more than a podcast!!!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcast⁠Schedule a session with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member ⁠and meet other stepmoms!⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com⁠

Christina welcomes back Michelle to talk about real and tactical tips for navigating the chaos of summer—when there’s no school or camp buffer, exchanges get messy, routines fall apart, and stepmoms often end up managing more than they expected. Michelle and Christiina talk about boundaries, managing expectations with partners, and keeping your sanity when everything feels unpredictable. What can you do now to protect your peace this summer?  Listen in! About My Guest: Coach Michelle is a high conflict resolution coach, an attorney, and a badass single mom. She helps parents disengage from high conflict relationships, getting them out of court, and stepping back into their lives. Her unique combination as a certified Martha Beck life coach, a lawyer for almost 20 years, her field of study in Psychology, and her own personal family law experience, makes Michelle a well-rounded coach, capable of helping parents learn how to disengage from a challenging and protracted co-parenting relationship.Find her on IG: coachmichellesdWebsite: www.coachmichelle.clubSo much more than a podcast!!!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastSchedule with Christina: https://chatwithchristina.as.me/Become a Member: https://www.patreon.com/radicalstepmomspodcastwww.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina welcomes Aimee to chat about her long-term decision to not have children, and then falling in love with a man who has 2 kids. PLOT TWIST! Aimee shares how she jumped right in, then needed to find her boundaries before she lost herself. How do you manage the guilt while disengaging? How do you find your role when you never wanted to “mother”? Christina and Aimee discuss parenting with intent, communication as a stepmom and more! Listen in! About My Guest:Aimee is almost 3 years into her stepmom role, helping raise 2 pretty amazing kids. Before meeting their dad, she had made the decision to be childless by choice. Although it has been one of the most difficult roles for her to navigate (because this can get messy,) it has been the most rewarding.Instagram: @aimeestocktonSo much more than a podcast!Did you know there are exclusive Bonus Episodes? Become a Member of the⁠ ⁠⁠Rad Community ⁠⁠⁠and get access!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastNeed some extra support? ⁠⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠⁠⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com