Call Me Stepmom

Rebecca Call Taylor | Stepmoms and Blended Families

Call Me Stepmom Podcast is an unfiltered space for stepmoms navigating blended families. It explores emotional truth: love, loyalty battles, boundaries, guilt, and the unseen parts of stepmotherhood. From tough co-parenting dynamics to finding your place in a family that didn’t start with you, nothing is off limits. Each episode shares honest conversations, relatable stories, and practical insight for stepmoms protecting their peace while showing up with love. Whether new or years in, you’re not alone and you’re not crazy for feeling it.

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13 episodes
weekly
Avg 39 min
English

Episodes 13

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S1 · E13
November 3 · 59 min
The Grief of the Kids Who Stay with Morgan & Amanda
What happens to the kids who stay behind when their brothers and sisters go to their other home? This week I’m joined by Morgan Lindahl and Amanda Gonzales, the creators of How Many More Days, a children’s book written for ours babies and the weekly goodbyes they live through. Morgan is a stepmom of two and mom of three ours babies. Amanda is a child and family therapist, a bio mom who co-parents, and a former stepmom of eight years. Between the two of them, they’ve seen this from every side. We get real about: Telling your stepkids you’re pregnant (and what happens when it doesn’t go to plan) Hospital day chaos and why you need to lower your expectations The postpartum grief no one talks about: never getting that newborn bubble with just you and your spouse The visible and invisible ways ours babies show grief on transition days Why “behavior is communication,” and how to respond when your little one melts down at drop-off Listener questions: Is an ours baby worth it? And will dad love the ours baby the same? If you’ve ever cried behind your sunglasses after a handoff, this one’s for you. For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/ Pateron stepmom community | Join us Connect with Morgan & Amanda on Instagram | @forthekidswho.stay Use code BECCA10 | Click here to see their shop
S1 · E11
October 27 · 12 min
Stepmom, It’s Not You: It’s the Loyalty Bind
You had the best day with your stepkid, laughing and finally connecting. Then the next morning, they act like you don’t even exist. If you’ve ever lain awake wondering “What did I do wrong?”, this episode is for you. Today I’m breaking down loyalty binds: what they are, why they happen even in supportive, low-conflict homes, and the sneaky ways they show up, from “You’re not my mom” to “It was fine” after a day you know they loved. We’re also talking about the part nobody says out loud: what it feels like to be a ghost in your own home, the guilt of feeling resentful toward a kid, and why your feelings deserve space too. In this episode: What a loyalty bind actually is, and why it’s not a sign your family is broken The signs that it might be happening in your home Why it hits harder when old wounds or insecurities are involved 4 simple tools to use this week, without chasing or proving your worth Kids don’t feel guilty about people they don’t care about. And your job isn’t to make them love you. It’s to be a safe adult they can come back to. For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/ Need people who actually get it? Join me in The Stepmom Space on Patreon for private group chats, The Stepmom Toolkit and The Stepmom Library. Founding Stepmom spots are waitlist-only, so grab yours before doors open to everyone. | Join us Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM
S1 · E10
October 20 · 51 min
Stepmoms, Stepkids & the Teenage Years with Dr. Todd Jensen
Does your teenage stepkid walk past you without saying a word, disappear into their room, give you one-word answers, or act like they couldn't care less whether you're there? And have you ever caught yourself wondering: Do they actually dislike me or is this just being a teenager? In this episode , I sit down with Dr. Todd Jensen, a professor at UNC–Chapel Hill who researches stepfamilies and family relationships, to talk about what the research actually tells us about stepmoms and teenage stepkids. We get into why teenagers may become distant, why entering a child's life when they're older can make stepfamily relationships more complicated, and why stepmoms can easily interpret normal adolescent behavior as rejection. We also talk about the reality that sometimes a close relationship simply doesn't develop and why a peaceful, respectful relationship can still be enough. Dr. Jensen breaks down what his research suggests actually helps build trust with teenage stepkids including tone, giving teens agency, timing, and allowing the relationship to develop naturally instead of forcing connection. We also talk about discipline, loyalty binds, difficult stepkids, stepmom-stepdaughter tension, the biological parent's role, and one of the biggest mistakes well-meaning stepmoms make: Taking their stepkid's resistance personally. If you've ever felt rejected, disrespected, or like a stranger in your own home because of your teenage stepkid, this conversation is for you. Connect with Dr. Todd Jensen on Instagram | @drtoddjensen 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
S1 · E9
October 13 · 49 min
When the Exes Team Up: High-Conflict Co-Parenting with Amanda Keith
What happens when you understand blended family life from both sides? This week, I’m sitting down with Amanda Keith, wife of Present Father Randy, who has the unique perspective of being both the bio mom navigating co-parenting AND the stepmom navigating a high-conflict bio mom. And trust me, we get into it. Amanda opens up about leaving her previous marriage, blending five kids, becoming a full-time bonus mom, supporting her husband through high-conflict co-parenting, and what happened when their two exes actually started communicating with each other. We also talk about the part stepmoms know all too well: how do you protect your marriage, your peace, and your relationship with your stepkids when there is constant conflict happening outside your home? Amanda shares how she separates her feelings about the other household from her stepkids’ feelings, why she refuses to speak negatively about their parents in front of them, and the lesson she keeps coming back to: be confident in who you are and stop letting the outside noise define your role. This one is for every stepmom who has ever thought, “How am I supposed to stay out of the drama when the drama keeps showing up at my front door?” Connect with Amanda on Instagram: @afinley_1 | TikTok: @amandacauthen5 | Facebook: Adam.Sandler.Mom 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
S1 · E8
October 6 · 21 min
The Invisible Mental Load of Being a Stepmom
Being a stepmom can be exhausting and sometimes it’s not because of everything you’re doing. It’s because of everything you’re thinking about: the schedules, transitions, the other household, your stepkids’ feelings, your husband’s feelings and whether you should speak up or stay quiet. Whether you’re doing too much, not enough, overstepping, or somehow responsible for fixing a problem that wasn’t yours to begin with. In this solo episode, I’m talking about the invisible mental load that can come with being a stepmom and how I’ve learned to stop carrying every problem, emotion, and responsibility like it belongs to me. I’m sharing some of my own very real moments (including a laundry basket situation that had me questioning why I didn’t just speak up), the resentment that can build when we constantly put everyone else’s feelings first, and one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in almost a decade of stepmom life: Noticing something doesn’t automatically make it your responsibility to fix it. If stepmom life has been feeling mentally exhausting lately, this episode is for you. 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
S1 · E8
September 29 · 56 min
Dad Guilt, Stepmoms & the Things Men Don’t Talk About with the Better Baby Daddy Club
What happens when we stop talking about the dads in blended families and actually ask them what’s going on in their heads? This week, I’m joined by Kelly and John from the Better Baby Daddy Club for a refreshingly honest conversation about divorce, dad guilt, custody, co-parenting, stepmoms, and the mistakes they wish they could go back and change. Both men get real about their own role in past relationships and how maturity, boundaries, faith, therapy, and a whole lot of growth changed the way they show up as fathers and co-parents. We also get into something SO many stepmoms struggle with: why divorced dads sometimes parent differently out of guilt, what happens when a new woman enters an already-established family, and why a husband may not even notice the behaviors that are driving his wife crazy. And Kelly shares what he learned after being married to stepmoms, including why making his marriage a priority required him to be much more intentional about making his wife feel like she belonged. Plus, we talk about kids moving between homes, sibling relationships, discipline across households, boundaries with an ex, “ours babies,” and what these dads wish stepmoms understood about the men trying to navigate all of it. It’s honest. It’s funny. And it might just make you look at your husband’s side of the blended-family experience a little differently. For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/ Pateron stepmom community | Join us Connect with the Better Baby Daddy Club on Instagram | @betterbabydaddyclub Or their website | https://betterbabydaddyclub.com/ Get Out | www.getout.com and use code CALLMESTEPMOM
S1 · E6
September 22 · 56 min
Why Being Too Nice to Your Ex Can Destroy Your New Marriage with Bryan Wood
When a divorced dad keeps letting his ex control the emotional temperature of his life, the new relationship pays the price. In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Wood who reveals why "being nice" to an ex often turns into chaos, how to set boundaries without escalating conflict, and what it actually takes to build a stable home for a new partner and child.Bryan speaks from hard-won experience: military injury, early retirement, divorce, financial devastation, and then a full rebuild into an emotionally and financially independent life. He and Rebecca get real about the pressure stepmoms feel when they’re unknowingly pulled into a marriage with the husband and the ex, and why that dynamic can quietly destroy trust if it isn’t handled early. You'll discover: What it really means for a man to emotionally move on from his ex Why "professional relationship" is the right mindset for co-parenting How over-accommodating an ex can backfire and create more conflict What a divorced dad owes his new partner before the relationship gets serious Why stepmoms should not be responsible for managing the ex's boundaries Bryan shares the exact shift that changed everything: stop reacting, stop arguing, and stop handing over emotional control. Instead of feeding the conflict, he shows how consistent boundaries and calm non-engagement can change the entire dynamic over time.If you’re a stepmom, a divorced dad, or someone trying to blend a family without losing your sanity, this conversation gives you the language, framework, and clarity to do it better. Essential listening if you’re tired of drama masquerading as co-parenting. Connect with Bryan Wood on Instagram | @the.divorce.warrior 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
S1 · E5
September 15 · 36 min
The Resentment No Stepmom Wants to Admit
Resentment is one of those feelings stepmoms experience but rarely want to admit out loud. In this episode, we’re talking about what resentment actually looks like in stepmom life, why the smallest things can suddenly feel HUGE, and who we’re really angry with when it starts to build. From resentment toward your husband, your stepkids, the other parent, and even yourself, we’re getting honest about the feelings we usually try to push down. I’ll also share some of my own experiences with resentment and walk you through the questions I use to figure out what’s really underneath it and what we can actually do about it. Because sometimes “just let it go” is the least helpful advice ever. You may not be able to change the person or situation that hurt you, but you can decide how much of your peace it gets to take from you. Episode sponsor | Get Out | ⁠www.getout.com⁠ and use code CALLMESTEPMOM For more Call Me Stepmom, follow along at: Instagram | ⁠⁠@callmestepmompodcast Website | https://www.callmestepmompodcast.com/ Pateron stepmom community & membership | Join us
S1 · E4
September 8 · 53 min
High Conflict, Hard Boundaries & the Stepmom Caught in the Middle with Livi North
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
S1 · E2
September 1 · 56 min
When You Want a Baby, But He Already Has Kids with Jen, the Sober Stepmom
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
S1 · E3
September 1 · 47 min
When “High Conflict” Is Actually Control: Coercive Control, Kids & Stepmoms with Dr. Christine Cocchiola
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
S1 · E1
September 1 · 11 min
Welcome to Call Me Stepmom: We’re Done Pretending This Is Easy
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
August 18 · 37 sec
Intro
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.

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