Ep. 29 – Christina Nelson: Radical Stepmoms

Ep. 29 – Christina Nelson: Radical Stepmoms

Step Stories Podcast Host Robin Breuner welcomes Christina Nelson from the Radical Stepmoms podcast to discuss the realities of step motherhood and creating a safe space to talk about the good, bad, and ugly of raising a step child. Christina explains the contradictions stepmoms face, the pressure of others’ expectations, and how stepmoms can feel conditional in their own families despite major sacrifices. She shares her story of meeting her husband when he had a three-year-old son, being in her stepson’s life for 13 years, and later having a daughter together, plus how their 50/50 parenting plan in Washington State provides structure even when it’s inconsistently followed. She highlights keeping kids out of adult conflict, the importance of communication and respect, navigating siblings across two homes, and the need for boundaries with ex-partners. As a licensed clinical social worker, she describes coaching stepmoms and couples to define the stepmom’s role, strengthen partner connection, and avoid “coming in too hot,” reminding stepmoms they have nothing to prove.   Christina Nelson Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radical-stepmoms/id1462908324 Email:            radicalstepmomspodcast [radicalstepmomspodcast@gmail.com] Website:        radicalstepmomspodcast.com [http://radicalstepmomspodcast.com] Instagram:     IG/radicalstepmomspodcast [http://www.instagram.com/radicalstepmomspodcast]   Robin Breuner  Email:  robinbreuner@gmail.com Website:  www.robinbreuner.com [http://www.robinbreuner.com/] Instagram: stepstories [https://www.instagram.com/stepstoriespodcast/]podcastIG Facebook: stepstoriespodcastFB [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582689185910] Linkedin:  RobinBreunerLinkIN [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-breuner-23a84134/] Podcast:  StepStories Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stepstories-podcast/id1846685487] Threads:  @robinbreuner [https://www.threads.com/@robinbreuner?xmt=AQF0GOVjXGjpQJa7Aphz1ZVD0-WwsL41APbphovVTHeblsU] YouTube: StepStories Podcast YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@StepStoriesPodcast] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 28 – Mallary Tenore Tarpley: Fighting Family Upheaval One Bite at a Time

In this week’s episode of the Step Stories podcast, Host Robin Breuner interviews UT Austin writing professor and journalist Mallary Tenore Tarpley about her memoir, Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery, and how losing her mother to metastatic breast cancer at 11 shaped her grief, identity, and anorexia. They discuss the “middle place” between acute illness and full recovery, why eating disorders can be driven by control, trauma, and genetic/environmental factors, and how stereotypes like “skinny white affluent girl” limit recognition and care. Mallary shares how her father dating and later remarrying intensified her disordered behaviors, her treatment experience and relapses, and how openness, storytelling, and ongoing check-ins support healing for grieving children and stepparents. They also touch on GLP-1 drugs and the need for broader resources.   Mallary Tenore Tarpley Email:           mallary.tenore@utexas.edu [mallary.tenore@utexas.edu] Website (personal): mallarytenoretarpley [https://www.mallarytenoretarpley.com/] Facebook:    fb/Mallary Tenore [https://facebook.com/mallary.tenore] Instagram:    ig/mallarytenoretarpley [https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley/] LinkedIn:      in/mallary tenore tarpley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-tarpley-6719484/] Substack:     mallary.substack [https://mallary.substack.com/] Books: SLIP (hardcover) [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Slip/Mallary-Tenore-Tarpley/9781668035016], SLIP (paperback) [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Slip/Mallary-Tenore-Tarpley/9781668035023], SLIP(spanish) [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Desliz-Spanish-language-edition-of-Slip/Mallary-Tenore-Tarpley/9781668233177]   Robin Breuner  Email:  robinbreuner@gmail.com Website:  www.robinbreuner.com [http://www.robinbreuner.com/] Instagram: stepstories [https://www.instagram.com/stepstoriespodcast/]podcastIG Facebook: stepstoriespodcastFB [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582689185910] Linkedin:  RobinBreunerLinkIN [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-breuner-23a84134/] Podcast:  StepStories Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stepstories-podcast/id1846685487] Threads:  @robinbreuner [https://www.threads.com/@robinbreuner?xmt=AQF0GOVjXGjpQJa7Aphz1ZVD0-WwsL41APbphovVTHeblsU] YouTube: StepStories Podcast YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@StepStoriesPodcast] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 27 – Kiki Goshay: Fostering Inclusivity in Family and in Caring for the World

In this week’s episode of the Step Stories podcast, Host Robin Breuner interviews filmmaker and environmental advocate Kiki Goshay about blended families, divorce, and fostering. Kiki describes being split between parents after her Irish Catholic parents’ divorce, the pain of parents who didn’t respect each other, and how her father’s new wife limited time with him. She recounts her mother’s later remarriage into a 12-child household that felt like two families under one roof, emphasizing that love and belonging take time and shouldn’t be forced. Kiki shares why she became a foster mom, the challenges of caring for children with trauma, and why she now focuses on infants. She explains how she maintains a close, inclusive extended family with her ex-husband, his partner, and their child, advocating for “adding” relationships rather than cutting people off. She also mentions her film “Empowered Energy Heroes,” streaming on Tubi and on PBS.   Kiki Goshay Email: kikitgoshay@gmail.com [kikitgoshay@gmail.com] Website: https://captainplanetfoundation.org/about/our-people/kiki-goshay/ [https://captainplanetfoundation.org/about/our-people/kiki-goshay/] Facebook: fb@kikigoshay Instagram: @Kikigosh  [https://www.instagram.com/kikigosh/]   Robin Breuner  Email:  robinbreuner@gmail.com Website:  www.robinbreuner.com [http://www.robinbreuner.com/] Instagram: stepstories [https://www.instagram.com/stepstoriespodcast/]podcastIG Facebook: stepstoriespodcastFB [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582689185910] Linkedin:  RobinBreunerLinkIN [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-breuner-23a84134/] Podcast:  StepStories Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stepstories-podcast/id1846685487] Threads:  @robinbreuner [https://www.threads.com/@robinbreuner?xmt=AQF0GOVjXGjpQJa7Aphz1ZVD0-WwsL41APbphovVTHeblsU] YouTube: StepStories Podcast YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@StepStoriesPodcast] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

BEST OF: Julia Nurse - A Mother’s Love Is Never Lost

In this week’s best of episode of the Step Stories podcast, host Robin Breuner talks with Julia Nurse, who shares her powerful story of growing up as the youngest of 12 siblings after losing her mother to breast cancer at the age of nine. Julia reflects on the chaotic yet nurturing environment of her large family, the struggles her father faced, and the invaluable support of her older siblings. Now a birth and postpartum doula in San Francisco, Julia discusses how her past has shaped her vocation in nurturing others through major life transitions. Along the way, she emphasizes the importance of finding support systems, honoring the legacy of loved ones, and engaging in personal healing practices. And thank you for supporting our sponsors:   What’s Poppin’ Penny Website: https://whatspoppinpenny.com/ [https://whatspoppinpenny.com/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BlpnEqNXgMVlBZrNK4jIs Julia Nurse Email: juliamnurse@gmail.com  [http://juliamnurse@gmail.com] Website: Sacredcyclesbirth [http://sacredcyclesbirth.com] Instagram: @sacredcyclesbirth [https://www.instagram.com/sacredcyclesbirth]   Robin Breuner  Email:  robinbreuner@gmail.com Website:  www.robinbreuner.com [http://www.robinbreuner.com/] Instagram: stepstories [https://www.instagram.com/stepstoriespodcast/]podcastIG Facebook: stepstoriespodcastFB [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582689185910] Linkedin:  RobinBreunerLinkIN [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-breuner-23a84134/] Podcast:  StepStories Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stepstories-podcast/id1846685487] Threads:  @robinbreuner [https://www.threads.com/@robinbreuner?xmt=AQF0GOVjXGjpQJa7Aphz1ZVD0-WwsL41APbphovVTHeblsU] YouTube: StepStories Podcast YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@StepStoriesPodcast] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 26 – Donna Kendrick: Widow, Wisdom and Wealth

On this week’s episode of the Step Stories Podcast, Host Robin Breuner introduces financial advisor Donna Kendrick, host of Widow Wisdom and Wealth and author of A Guide to Widowhood and The Life Stages Financial Guides. Donna recounts losing her first husband in 2013 while raising three kids after years abroad in Rome, leaving the workforce, and relying on prior planning such as estate documents and life insurance. She explains why many widows switch financial advisors and how her experience led her to build a practice serving widows and families in transition, including divorce. Donna discusses blending her family after remarrying in 2022, combining six children through the pandemic and later navigating his ex-wife’s illness. She shares practical blended-family financial steps: inventory assets and debts, clarify “mine/yours/ours,” review credit reports and beneficiaries, use prenups, update estate documents, address the family home, and consider neutral executors to help keep peace.   And thank you for supporting our sponsors:   What’s Poppin’ Penny Website: https://whatspoppinpenny.com/ [https://whatspoppinpenny.com/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BlpnEqNXgMVlBZrNK4jIs   Donna Kendrick Get your financial house in order in just 6 weeks. Each week, Donna will send you an email with video instruction on a simple task you can complete – those things you’ve been putting off but know are important. Access it here:  https://donnajeankendrick.com/6-week-challenge/ [https://donnajeankendrick.com/6-week-challenge/]   Email:     support@donnajeankendrick.com [support@donnajeankendrick.com] Website:        donnajeankendrick.com     [https://donnajeankendrick.com/] Facebook:       fb@DonnaJeanKendrick [https://www.facebook.com/DonnaJeanKendrick/] Instagram:       IG@donnajeankendrick [https://www.instagram.com/donnajeankendrick/] TikTok:    Donna Jean Kendrick [https://www.tiktok.com/@donnajeankendrick] Youtube: @donnajeankendrick [https://www.youtube.com/@donnajeankendrick] Books:    A Guide for Widowhood [https://donnajeankendrick.com/a-guide-for-widowhood/]                A Guide for Blended [https://donnajeankendrick.com/blended-families/] Famiilies [https://donnajeankendrick.com/blended-families/] The Divorce Money Map             [https://donnajeankendrick.com/the-divorce-money-map/] Podcasts: Widow & Wisdom [https://widowwisdomwealth.com/]   Robin Breuner  Email:  robinbreuner@gmail.com Website:  www.robinbreuner.com [http://www.robinbreuner.com/] Instagram: stepstories [https://www.instagram.com/stepstoriespodcast/]podcastIG Facebook: stepstoriespodcastFB [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582689185910] Linkedin:  RobinBreunerLinkIN [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-breuner-23a84134/] Podcast:  StepStories Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stepstories-podcast/id1846685487] Threads:  @robinbreuner [https://www.threads.com/@robinbreuner?xmt=AQF0GOVjXGjpQJa7Aphz1ZVD0-WwsL41APbphovVTHeblsU] YouTube: StepStories Podcast YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@StepStoriesPodcast] TikTok:   www.tiktok.com/@stepstoriespodcast/video/7569378260706938126 [https://www.tiktok.com/@stepstoriespodcast/video/7569378260706938126] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]