The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver

In this heartfelt episode, Lori talks with California Stepmom, who shares her decade-long journey as a stepmom in a blend with no biological or "ours" kids of her own, but with plenty of lessons learned and emotional ups and downs. California Stepmom discusses her initial excitement entering stepfamily life, the unexpected challenges she faced, particularly from toxic ex-spouse dynamics and loyalty binds, and the heartbreak of estrangement when her stepdaughter chose to leave their home at 17. She details the difficult court battles, emotional toll, and the invaluable role that the Nacho Kids Podcast, Academy, and one-on-one coaching with Lori played in helping her set boundaries, heal, and strengthen her marriage. The episode offers practical tools and hope for anyone navigating the complexities of stepfamily life, emphasizing the importance of self-care, patience, and the "long game" mindset.

In this episode:
Entering a blended family: initial hopes and realities of becoming a stepmom

Navigating relationships with stepchildren and building trust

The complexities of being a childless stepmom and feelings of being an outsider

Managing the dynamic with the ex-wife, including toxic behaviors and parental alienation

Loyalty binds and the influence of parents' actions on stepchildren

Challenges of co-parenting, custody arrangements, and transition difficulties for kids

Guilty parent syndrome and its impact on discipline and household dynamics

Practical struggles: household boundaries, such as food and cleanliness issues

Dealing with teen estrangement and the emotional aftermath

The legal challenges of child support, child custody, and importance of court documentation

Experiences with ineffective family therapy and the necessity of vetting professionals

Emotional coping strategies: seeking community, therapy, and supportive resources

Tools and language learned through the Nacho Kids Podcast and Academy

Repairing and redefining the relationship with estranged stepchildren

Ongoing growth, hope for the future, and building resilience as a stepfamily

In this heartfelt episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, David Sims and Lori Sims are joined by Erin and Jason Mencer to share their remarkable journey as a blended family. Married, divorced, and then remarried, Erin and Jason open up about the realities of stepfamily life, including challenges, personal growth, and what it truly takes to make a blended family work.
Hear how expectations, family dynamics, and personal struggles led to their separation, and how faith, self-reflection, and the Nacho Kids method helped them rebuild, heal, and ultimately reunite. Their story is a testament to hope, resilience, and the power of second chances, offering inspiration and practical advice to anyone navigating the complexities of stepfamily life.
Topics Discussed
Jumping headfirst into the stepmom role and unrealistic nuclear family expectations

Early struggles and searching for support/resources in blended families

The impact of personal backgrounds and opposite personalities on the relationship

The importance of personal growth and learning to "pick your battles"

Applying (and sometimes struggling to apply) the Nacho Kids method

Navigating discipline, boundaries, and the "step-back" approach

The challenges of blending families with multiple children of varying ages

Financial stress, family interference, and the weight of outside opinion

Effects of living with extended family and oversharing with friends

The process and emotional impact of separation and divorce

Personal growth journeys, faith, and rediscovering oneself during time apart

Rebuilding trust and repairing relationships after divorce

Parenting agreements, custody changes, and relocation challenges

Improving step-parent and stepchild relationships over time

The renewed commitment after remarriage - setting God and teamwork at the center

Advice for others: having patience, letting go of control, and embracing change

The lasting importance of hope, forgiveness, and fighting for your marriage

Listen and be inspired by a true story of growth, redemption, and what it means to Nacho!

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori talks with Katt Johnston, a mental health professional, educator, and content creator focused on family estrangement, emotional systems, and the impact of mental health culture on relationships. Kat shares her journey of becoming a leading voice in estrangement after a viral TikTok video, and dives deep into how therapy and societal trends can sometimes harm family relationships by over-validating discomfort rather than building resilience.
Topics discussed:
Nuances between genuine and manufactured discomfort leading to estrangement
The devastating effects of parental alienation in stepfamilies
The roles validation and social media play in conflict
Advice for estranged parents and stepparents on how to cope, maintain boundaries, and support each other.
The importance of pre-planning for blended family events
Handling unequal treatment
The need for better mental health ethics and court education on alienation.
Listeners will gain insights on the importance of self-care for estranged parents, strategies to avoid further damage to family relationships, and how society and therapy culture may need to shift towards more balanced support and accountability. The episode concludes with information on Katt's coalition for ethical mental health standards and a reminder that stepfamily life, while challenging, can still be good when you nacho.

** Disclaimer:
This episode includes discussion of addiction, overdosing, and alleged inappropriate touching between a stepparent and stepchild **

In this episode of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori sits down with longtime friend Tabatha Hartman to discuss her challenging journey through grief, blending families, addiction, and parental alienation. Tabatha shares how her life changed after the loss of her ex-husband, the struggles her daughter endured, and the tough choices she faced as a mother and stepmom. The conversation delves into issues such as therapy for grieving children, navigating false allegations, maintaining boundaries, and building resilience amid chaos. Tabatha Hartman also talks about her memoir, "How Did We Get Here?", written to help others facing similar struggles. The episode offers raw, honest insight into coping with loss, healing family relationships, and the ongoing impact of addiction.
In this episode, we discuss:
Coping with the death of a co-parent and its effects on blended families

Parenting through grief and supporting children after loss

Legal battles and parental alienation within stepfamilies

The impact of addiction and relapse on families

Setting boundaries and making difficult decisions as a parent

The journey of repairing and rebuilding fractured parent-child relationships

The reality of false allegations and how to navigate them

Writing as a tool for processing grief and trauma

The ongoing effects of addiction and generational cycles

How open communication and resilience can help families move forward

Comparisons are the Thief of Joy—But What About in Blended Families?
In episode NKP362 of the Nacho Kids Podcast, Lori and David dive deep into the pitfalls of comparison, especially when it comes to blended families, kids, and relationships.
Listeners will hear personal stories from Lori about her son Jackson's academic achievements and the emotions that arise when comparing him to David's children. Together, Lori and David candidly discuss how easy it is to compare kids, relationships, and even possessions, leading to unnecessary feelings of inadequacy and frustration. They reveal their distinct perspectives on academic success, parenting expectations, and why it's crucial to focus on each person's unique strengths instead of measuring up to others.
In this episode:
Why comparison in blended families can be harmful

How Lori and David navigate differences in their children's achievements

The importance of recognizing individual strengths and backgrounds

Why it's better to compare yourself only to the person you were yesterday

If you'd like to be a guest on our podcast, email us at contactsus@nachokids.com.
If you are struggling in your blend, or just want to better your blended relationships (including your relationship with your partner), join the Nacho Kids Academy at nachokidsacademy.com today!

We offer one-on-one coaching and couples coaching. If you are interested, email us at contactus@nachokids.com to check our availability.