Stepmom Circles Podcast

Thousands of listeners have discovered my FREE Stepmom Circles podcast. The show includes interviews of authors, experts, and stepfamily members. 

A podcast is a downloadable MP3 file that you can download through the links below or search for Stepmom Circles at www.itunes.com. You can listen to the file on your MP3 player, iPod, or computer. Enjoy! And if you have comments, send them to me or join the Stepmom Circles group on FaceBook.

“I almost cried the first time I listened to your podcast. Thanks for making this stepmom feel like I finally have someone looking out for ‘us.’” –iTunes Review

Click on the show titles below to tune in.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 1: Guest Wednesday Martin, Ph.D. talks about the challenges women with stepchildren experience. Her book Stepmonster was published this year and has received glowing reports by stepmothers and stepfamily professionals. This show is sponsored by A Career Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Stepmom, the award-winning book by Jacquelyn B. Fletcher, published by HarperCollins.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 2: Host Jacquelyn Fletcher talks with author and stepmother blogger Izzy Rose about her book The Package Deal and the upcoming BlogHer conference in Chicago July 24 and 25. This show is sponsored by A Career Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Stepmom, the award-winning book by Jacquelyn B. Fletcher, published by HarperCollins.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 3 Future Meditation: Host Jacquelyn Fletcher leads you through a guided meditation to help you create the stepfamily life you desire.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 4:  I talk about the impact that fantasies and expectations can have on stepfamily life. Plus I lead you in an exercise to help you uncover some of your own fantasies. Though it can be painful to admit you think your family life should be a certain way, it’s critical to understand where your expectations are coming from if you want to build a strong stepfamily. You’ll need a notebook to answer the prompts I give you at the end of the podcast. And by the way, doing this exercise with your partner can help you better understand each other.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 5: Listen to my discussion with Brenda Ockun the founder of Stepmom Magazine as we share advice, stories, and laughs. We’re two stepmoms who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is! This show is sponsored by Meditations for Stepmoms, an 8-part audio program of guided meditations to help stepmothers visualize and create a more peaceful life.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 6: Host Jacquelyn B. Fletcher interviews stepfamily law expert Margaret M. Mahoney, professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and the author of Stepfamilies and the Law. In the eyes of the law, stepparents have no legal relationship with stepchildren. Find out what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 7: Host Jacquelyn B. Fletcher talks about self-care for stepmoms with Pilar Gerasimo, the editor of Experience Life magazine, a whole life health and wellness magazine.

You all know how important it is to take care of yourselves. I do, too. But I had no clue how bad it is for our bodies when we don’t do things we love to do! You’ll learn how important it is to increase the pleasurable experiences in your life. And if you’re living in a high-stress stepfamily situation, then you really need to listen to this and put the advice you’ll hear into practice right away!

During the interview we discuss a few articles that ran in Experience Life. Here they are for your reference: Take Care of Yourself and A Real Pleasure. A big thanks to the sponsor of this episode of Becoming a Stepmom: Stepchicks, an online community for stepmothers who are debunking the wicked myth one woman at a time. The community includes forums and blogs where soon-to-be, new or veteran stepmoms from around the world can go for support, camaraderie, and valuable advice.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 8: Host Jacquelyn B. Fletcher talks with Christy Borgeld, the founder of National Stepfamily Day. Hear about ways you can celebrate with your family on September 15 and win a trip to Jamaica courtesy of Remarriage Magazine.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 9:  Host Jacquelyn B. Fletcher discusses infidelity prevention and recovery with Dave Carder, the author of Close Calls: What Adulterers Want You to Know about Potecting your Marriage and Torn Asunder: Recovering from Extramarital Affairs. Dave currently serves as the Pastor responsible for Counseling Ministries at the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton in California. He’s a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and runs premarital education classes for stepfamilies.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 10:  Host Jacquelyn B. Fletcher talks with stepmom blogger Peggy Nolan of The Stepmom’s Tool Box about stepparenting special needs children. Visit The Stepmom’s Tool Box during the month of October 2009 to meet the authors of several oustanding steparenting books and to win fun giveaways.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 11:  Jacquelyn Fletcher talks with Paula Bisacre, the publisher of Remarriage Magazine  about the importance of marriage education. Plus, don’t miss a chance to win a trip to Jamaica! Listen in for details.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 12 – Ex Wives:  Tune in to hear Jacquelyn Fletcher interview Joanie Winberg, a divorced mom of two and the founder of The National Association of Divorce for Women and Children. Joanie is also the host of the Blog Talk Radio Show, Single Again! Now What?

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 13 – Adult Children of Divorce:  Jacquelyn Fletcher interviews Carolyn Grona, the author of the popular blog The Grown Up Child. Carolyn is an adult child of divorce and she shares her advice on stepparenting. Jacquelyn and Carolyn also talk about dads, moms, half-siblings, and much more. You won’t want to miss this important episode.

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 14 – Dads!:  Listen to host Jacquelyn Fletcher interview Joel Schwartzberg, the author of The 40-Year Old Version: Humoirs of a Divorced Dad. They discuss how dads can make a stepmom’s life so much easier!

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 15-Teen Stepchildren: Join Jacquelyn B. Fletcher as she discusses raising teenaged stepkids with Stepfamily coach Emily Bouchard. Emily is the founder of www.blended-families.com. Check out her site for free articles and stepfamily information. Tune in to find out how she handled it when one of her stepdaughters stole her car and went for a joyride!

Stepmom Circles, Vol. 16-The Smart Stepmom:  Tune in to Jacquelyn Fletcher’s conversation with Ron Deal and Laura Petherbridge, the authors of The Smart Stepmom, a wonderful christian-based resource for stepmothers that is filled with practical information that can help your stepfamily thrive. The book includes prayers for stepmoms as well as research-based strategies for new stepmoms. During our talk we discuss disengaged dads, how to deal with ex wives, and the realities of stepfamily life.

I’ll be adding shows regularly. If you like them, please consider donating to the cause. I don’t receive a paycheck for my blog or podcast for stepmoms. I do this work because I feel it’s important. So if you want to make sure I can keep paying my electricity bills, I would be grateful for a contribution whether it’s $5 or $500! If you decide to donate, you’ll see the name of my company Gold House Enterprises when you click on the button below. (I live in a gold-colored house.) Thank you so much!