Stepmomming Made Easy

In this episode, I sit down with stepfamily coach and licensed counselor Rachel Dunne to talk about grief, loss, and healing as a stepmom. We dive into how stepfamily life is built on loss and why acknowledging that truth is the first step toward peace. Rachel shares how to process grief, release shame, and give yourself permission to feel all the emotions that come with stepmom life. If you’ve ever felt the weight of "It wasn’t supposed to be this way," this conversation will bring validation, hope, and healing.

Rachel Dunne is a wife, mom, stepmom, stepfamily coach, and licensed counselor with a passion for helping stepmoms find peace and purpose in the chaos of blended family life. She has been coaching stepmoms all over the world for the past five years, and in 2023 became a licensed mental health counselor to strengthen and expand her ability to serve stepfamilies with both professional expertise and personal understanding.

For the past two years, Rachel has been helping train professionals to become certified stepfamily coaches with the StepFamily Foundation. She is also a strong advocate for the mental health of stepmoms and is currently pursuing her PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision, with a focus on stepfamily dynamics and the well-being of women in blended families.

Known for her honest yet compassionate approach, Rachel brings a faith-based perspective to her work, offering stepmoms a safe place to be real about their struggles while pointing them toward hope, healing, and practical strategies for daily life.

Links Mentioned: 
www.Racheldunnecoaching.com
www.instagram.com/spiritualstepmom

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.

So many stepmoms I meet feel underappreciated. In this episode, I kick off season four by naming and unpacking the invisible load so many stepmoms carry behind the scenes. I explore the mental and emotional labor of keeping everyone and everything together, and how unspoken expectations and a desire for appreciation can lead to resentment and burnout. I’ll help you check your motivations, set healthier boundaries, and remember that your worth isn’t measured by how much you do, but by who you are.

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 powerful episode, I dive deep into a critical challenge for stepmoms: living life beyond the custody schedule. Drawing from a chapter in my upcoming book Stepmomming Made Easy, I share personal insights on how custody arrangements shouldn't dictate your entire life. 
I explore how constantly planning around your stepchild's schedule can lead to burnout, resentment, and missed opportunities. The key message? Live your life 100% of the time, not just 50%. By maintaining a full, balanced life, you actually model healthier relationships for your stepchildren and protect your own mental well-being. 
This episode offers validation and practical strategies for stepmoms feeling trapped by rigid custody schedules, empowering them to make intentional choices that support their happiness and family dynamics.

Links Mentioned: 
Pre-order Stepmomming Made Easy and receive 3 value-packed bonuses: https://stepmomming.com/book/

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

In this powerful episode, Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout, dives deep into the unique challenges stepmoms face. She explores critical concepts like human giver syndrome, the stress response cycle, and how stepmoms can prevent burnout. 
Amelia shares her personal stepmom journey, offering compassionate, science-backed strategies to help stepmoms navigate complex family dynamics while maintaining their mental and emotional well-being. Whether you're struggling with burnout or seeking practical tools for self-preservation, this episode provides invaluable guidance for stepmoms.
Amelia Nagoski, D.M.A. (it stands for Doctorate of Musical Arts) is the co-author, with her sister Emily, of the New York Times bestselling Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle and the Burnout workbook. Her job is to run around waving her arms and making funny noises and generally doing whatever it takes to help singers get in touch with their internal experience.
She lives in New England with her husband and two rescue dogs.

Links Mentioned: 
Burnout Book: https://www.amazon.com/Burnout-Secret-Unlocking-Stress-Cycle/dp/1984818325/
Burnout Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Burnout-Workbook-Advice-Exercises-Unlock/dp/0593578376/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burnoutbookgroup

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

Hi, sweet stepmom! I'm back! I accidentally took a hiatus from the podcast because I've had some exciting things happening behind the scenes.
I'm so excited to share that my book, Stepmoming Made Easy, is now available for pre-order and launches on October 6. I've poured my heart into this book that offers tools and validation for stepmoms navigating complex family dynamics. I'm really proud of it and know it's going to change the lives of so many stepmoms. As if writing a book wasn't enough, I'm also pregnant with my second baby boy - what a year! 
But let's finish this season strong! I've got two amazing podcast episodes coming up: an interview with Amelia Nagoski from Burnout and a deep dive into living beyond the constraints of custody schedules. I can't wait for you to hear them and grab a copy of the book. It's everything I needed when I first became a stepmom, and I hope it helps you too. 
Stay tuned for details about our upcoming free event for stepmoms!
Pre-order Stepmomming Made Easy and receive 3 incredible bonuses: https://stepmomming.com/book/