Call Me Stepmom

What happens when co-parenting conflict doesn’t stay between the co-parents and starts creeping into your marriage, your home, and your relationship with your stepkids? In this episode of Call Me Stepmom , I sit down with Livi North, founder of Unfuck Your Co-Parenting , to talk about navigating high-conflict co-parenting from both the biological parent and stepparent perspective. We get into what actually makes someone “high conflict,” why a new partner can sometimes pour gasoline on an already difficult dynamic, parental alienation, kids becoming messengers between homes, and the complicated line between supporting your partner and getting pulled too far into their battle. We also talk about the boundaries that can protect your marriage and your home and why stepmoms don't need anyone's permission to love, support, and show up for their stepkids. If you've ever felt like someone else's conflict has taken up way too much space in your home, this conversation is for you. Connect with Livi North On Instagram | @unfuckyourcoparenting Her website | https://unfuckyourcoparenting.com/ For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/ Pateron stepmom community | Join us Episode sponsor: Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

Welcome to the very first episode of Call Me Stepmom. I’m Becca, a wife, mom, and stepmom to three, and I’m starting this podcast because stepmoms deserve a space where we can talk about how this role actually feels, not just how we’re told we should feel. In this first episode, I’m sharing how I became a stepmom, the honeymoon phase when I jumped headfirst into doing all the things no one asked me to do, and the reality check that came when I realized just how complicated blended-family life can be. I also share what happened when my teenage stepson moved in full-time and I suddenly found myself questioning everything about what my role was supposed to be. We’re talking overcompensating, wanting everyone to like you, complicated feelings, different relationships with different stepkids, and why there is no one right way to be a stepmom. This show will absolutely be a place to vent but we’re not stopping there. We’re going to ask, Okay, this is hard… now what? Around here, you don't need to be the perfect stepmom. We just want you to be an honest one. Welcome to Call Me Stepmom. For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/ Pateron stepmom community | Join us Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

We use the term “high conflict” a lot in the blended family worldbut what happens when what you’re experiencing is actually something more? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Christine Cocchiola, coercive control expert, clinician, researcher, and author, to unpack what coercive control can look like after separation and how it can continue through co-parenting. We talk about the difference between a difficult ex and a pattern of coercive control, how children and the family court system can become part of the dynamic, and what happens when a new partner or stepmom gets pulled into it. Most importantly, we talk about why recognizing the pattern matters and what families need to understand when “just co-parent better” isn’t the answer. Connect with Dr. Cocchiola on Instagram | @dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol Her website | https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/ For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/ Pateron stepmom community | Join us Episode sponsor: Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

Being a stepmom while trying for a baby of your own can turn even the sweetest moments into grief triggers. Rebecca sits down with Jen, known online as The Sober Stepmom, for a raw, honest conversation about infertility, IVF, sobriety, and what it really feels like to want an "ours baby" in a blended family. Jen shares how she met her husband on Hinge, became a stepmom to his two young sons, and then found herself unexpectedly pulled toward motherhood after watching him show up as a devoted dad. From there, the conversation gets deeply personal as she opens up about trying to conceive naturally, tracking cycles, exploring acupuncture and holistic support, and eventually moving into IVF after learning that time, age, and bloodwork made a more aggressive path make sense. You'll discover: Why IVF can feel like an emotional rollercoaster long before the pregnancy test How daily hormone shots, egg retrievals, and embryo attrition affect both body and mind The way infertility grief can show up in stepmotherhood, from loud households to affectionate father moments that suddenly sting What "childless stepmom" really means, and why Jen breaks it into very different lived experiences Practical regulation tools like solo hotel or Airbnb stays, noise-canceling headphones, movement, journaling, and intentional one-on-one time with your partner Jen also explains how sobriety became part of her stepmom journey. She gets candid about why alcohol no longer fit the version of herself she wanted to be for two little boys, and how the tools she learned in sobriety now shape the way she coaches other women toward steadier, more authentic stepmotherhood. This episode is for stepmoms, childless stepmoms, women navigating IVF, and anyone who has ever been told to just be grateful for what they already have. It is a conversation about grief, identity, boundaries, and the fierce work of staying grounded when family, fertility, and your nervous system all collide.If you've ever needed someone to say, "yes, this is hard, and no, you are not crazy," this one will feel like exhale-worthy company. Perfect for anyone who wants real talk, practical support, and a reminder that you can love your stepkids deeply while still wanting more. Connect with Jen on Instagram - @the_sober_stepmom For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/ Pateron stepmom community | Join us Episode sponsor: Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM

Welcome to Call Me Stepmom the podcast where we say the things about stepmotherhood that everyone else is thinking but no one wants to say out loud. New episodes coming soon. Hit Follow so you don’t miss what’s next. 🤍 ✨ Pateron private stepmom membership: Join us ✨ Follow along on Instagram for more stepmom content and to stay connected for future episodes ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast ✨ Leave a review if this episode resonated with you, this helps reach more stepmoms.