EP 74: It Wasn’t Supposed to Be This Way: Grieving and Growing as a Stepmom with Rachel Dunne episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 17, 2026 · 32 MIN

EP 74: It Wasn’t Supposed to Be This Way: Grieving and Growing as a Stepmom with Rachel Dunne

from Stepmomming Made Easy · host Kristen Skiles

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.comwww.instagram.com/spiritualstepmomReady to create a stepmom life you love? Grab my FREE GUIDE 15 Ways to Become a Happier Stepmom Overnight: https://stepmomming.com/happierLet’s work together: https://stepmomming.com/stepmom-support-coaching/Join our FREE support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepmommingainteasyGrab your free ticket for StepmomCon now, and mark your calendars for April 22-24! https://stepmomcon.com/

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 validatio...

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How long is this episode of Stepmomming Made Easy?

This episode is 32 minutes long.

When was this Stepmomming Made Easy episode published?

This episode was published on February 17, 2026.

What is this episode about?

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...

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