Season 8: Episode 19: When Blending a Family Feels More Like It’s Breaking Apart with Therapist and Stepmom Tarah and Husband EJ

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

Christina chats with Shayla about how dynamics are just different when your partner was never married to the mom. There was no wedding, no long history... what unique issues does this bring up? Shayla shares about the custody loss for 50/50, feeling protective of your partner and the frustration with “single” moms. Why do exes get more upset after you're married? How do you “love them like your own” but not too much?  Shayla also discusses her unexplained fertility journey and shares a message to the stepmoms who can relate to her journey. Listen in! About My Guest: Hi! I’m Shayla, a 28 year old wife and step mom to an amazing 7 year old boy! Being a step mom is one of my favorite roles in life, even with all of the ups and downs that come with it. My husband and I have been trying to have an “ours” baby since we got married in 2023 and are currently waiting for our second frozen embryo transfer which will hopefully be happening in April or May. I love sharing my story on social media and connecting with other women with similar stories! It’s my goal that every woman has a place to feel safe and seen.Find her on IG: @shaydempSo much more than a podcast!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastNeed some extra support? ⁠⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member of the ⁠⁠Rad Community ⁠⁠and meet other stepmoms!⁠⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina welcomes Katherine to share her story of blending into an interracial family. What happens when your mother-in-law isn’t happy you’re white? How do you find confidence in your stepmom role when it’s clear you’re not the mom? Christina and Katherine discuss positive relationships with the ex, bringing home an ours baby and so much more. Listen in! So much more than a podcast!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastNeed some extra support? ⁠⁠Schedule with Christina!⁠⁠Become a Member of the ⁠⁠Rad Community ⁠⁠and meet other stepmoms!⁠⁠www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina welcomes Nicole to chat about the dynamics of being in a queer blended family and balancing boundaries with compassion. Nicole shares when her optimism for a peace was confronted with the reality of conflict and how she remains authentic even when the other co-parent is watching. How does her stepdaughter feel about having 4 moms? What is Nicole striving for now? Listen in! About My GuestHello, I'm Nicole! I'm a wife in a queer relationship and a stepmom of 4 years to a beautiful 6 year old girl. I work in the social work field with children and families. I enjoy reading, hiking, sand volleyball and a good margarita. I take pride in myself for bringing to this stepmom journey consistency, organization and great listening skills.Instagram: jean_shorts88So much more than a podcast!!!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastNeed some extra support? Schedule with Christina!Become a Member of the Rad Community and meet other stepmoms!www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com

Christina welcomes Courtney who shares her reflections on stepmotherhood. Courtney, a BM and stepmom, discusses the red flags she didn’t see in her relationship, the thresholds of bullshit she uncovered and when she realized it was time to leave. What is a non-negotiable when it comes to blending a family? How do you forgive yourself for not seeing it sooner? Listen in!  So much more than a podcast!!!Instagram: @radicalstepmomspodcastNeed some extra support? Schedule with Christina!Want to meet other rad stepmoms, and get access to exclusive content? Become a Member!www.radicalstepmomspodcast.com