In today's episode, I sit down with life coach Michelle Zunter to talk about what it really looks like to go from part-time to full-time stepmom, overnight and without warning. We explore the resentment, survival mode, and identity loss that can come with suddenly holding the bag, and why finding something that's just yours is the key to staying afloat. If you've ever felt unseen, exhausted, or like you're playing whack-a-mole with your stepmom challenges, this honest and validating conversation will remind you that the struggle is real. And so is the growth on the other side.

Michelle Zunter is a California-based writer who brings over 15 years of stepmom experience to her work. Michelle has written countless articles on the topic of stepparenting for multiple publications, with a strong emphasis on self-reflection, compassion, and personal growth. Michelle's complete collection of articles is archived at The Pondering Nook on Substack, where she currently writes about stepparenting, parenting, relationships, marriage, divorce, aging, and self-improvement. Michelle created "The Pondering Stepmom Podcast," available on Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, and authored No Little Girl Ever Dreams of Becoming a Stepmom: A Companion Guide for the Stepmom Journey. More recently, Michelle has launched her coaching business as a certified mindset and life coach for women.

Links Mentioned:

The Pondering Nook on Substack: https://ponderingnook.substack.com/

Michelle's Book (affiliate): https://amzn.to/471GMCx

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let's work together: https://stepmomming.com/stepmom-support-coaching/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Head over to StepMomMagazine.com and use code Podcast20 to save 20 percent.

In today's episode, I sit down with internationally recognized anxiety expert, author, and 16-year stepmom Wendy Tamis Robbins to talk about the evolving journey of stepfamily relationships. We explore why stepfamily life triggers our fight-or-flight response, how to stop playing the victim and start showing up with agency and healthy boundaries, and why less is often more when it comes to connecting with your stepkids. If you've ever felt like you're navigating a minefield trying to figure out your role, this episode will remind you that the connection you're building is worth every season of growth.

Wendy Tamis Robbins is an internationally recognized anxiety expert, master coach, speaker, digital course creator, podcaster, author and founder of CAVE Club - her coaching community exclusively for professional women. After 26 years in Big Law as a corporate attorney and a battle with colon cancer, Wendy left to pursue her passion in coaching high-achieving women on how to live their best life unapologetically. Her bestselling book The Box: An Invitation to Freedom from Anxiety chronicled her journey to finding freedom from 40 years of mental illness. She speaks regularly at academic institutions like Harvard Law School, has been featured by Boston Magazine, BBC Studios, NBC and Fox News. And she is a frequent contributor to Thrive Global, Law360 and Stepmom Magazine. She has been a stepmom of two for over 16 years. Learn more at .

Links Mentioned:

wendytamisrobbins.com/stepmom

Wendy's Book (affiliate): https://amzn.to/47jjSXm

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/stepmom-support-coaching/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Head over to StepMomMagazine.com and use code Podcast20 to save 20 percent.

In this episode of Stepmomming Made Easy, I sit down with Todd Jensen, PhD, MSW to unpack what research really says about building strong stepfamily relationships—especially when pre-teen and teen stepchildren are involved. We talk about why authenticity matters more than perfection, why discipline may not be your domain, and how to create connection without forcing it. If you’ve ever wondered how to show up as your true self and still build meaningful relationships with your stepkids, this episode offers validation and science-backed guidance you can use right away.

Todd Jensen, PhD, MSW is the Gary Stuck Faculty Scholar in Education and an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science in the School of Education and a Faculty Fellow of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His scholarship focuses on understanding how to leverage youths’ connection to stepparents as a unique developmental asset and identifying factors that promote high-quality stepparent-child relationships, particularly those involving adolescent children.

Links Mentioned:

https://www.instagram.com/drtoddjensen/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddjensenphd/

Research Article: https://doi.org/10.1080/28375300.2025.2530241

Ready to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happier

Let’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/stepmom-support-coaching/

Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasy

Head over to StepMomMagazine.com and use code Podcast20 to save 20 percent.