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On this episode of Can I Be Honest, Valentina sits down with Christina from the Radical Stepmoms podcast for a raw and revealing conversation about what it really means to be a stepmom.

Navigating discipline and household rules, dealing with tricky dynamics with the bio-mom, they cover the real-life challenges (and joys) of blending families.

They dive into questions like:
— Does it matter how old the kids are when you join a blended family?
— How do you bond with step-kids in a way that feels natural and respectful?
— What pressures and double standards do stepmoms face compared to stepdads?

Valentina also opens up about her personal journey as a stepmom to an 8-year-old and a 13-year-old and how she’s learning to define her role on her own terms.

Whether you're a seasoned stepmom, new to the role, or just curious about the modern dynamics of blended families, this episode is full of insight, validation, and a lot of heart.

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In this episode, our friend Lena talks about how the pandemic changed everything for her in terms of her son's education and how she pursued a homeschool route for him. She also wanted to pursue an education style that allowed her to spend more time with her son. Now at 13, she describes what her relationship is like with her son after homeschooling for the last few years.

Lina shares her personal experience being homeschooled during middle school and how it shaped her views on learning, independence, and socialization. Valentina opens up about the complexities of being in a blended family, where her step-kids are in public school and making a different choice for her daughter isn’t so simple.

We unpack the pros and cons of public school, homeschooling, and alternative education styles especially when it comes to kids with learning differences. We get honest about IEPs and flexible (or not so flexible) schedules, parent guilt to peer pressure, we explore what it really means to choose the “right” education path for your child… and how sometimes, there isn’t just one right answer.

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In this deeply emotional episode, we sit down with Michelle Thornton—a former teacher whose world was turned upside down by the devastating loss of her daughter.

What followed wasn’t just grief, it was a complete spiritual awakening. Michelle shares how that unimaginable pain cracked her open, igniting a journey that led her to leave the classroom and step fully into her purpose as a Life Path Mentor and Spiritual Teacher.

We talk about what it means to surrender to the unknown, how to find light in the darkest moments, and why grief can be the portal to the most profound transformation.

This conversation is raw, real, and a powerful reminder that even the deepest heartbreak can become a sacred turning point.

Learn more about Michelle's coaching sessions, 1:1 mentorship, group coaching program, and more here.