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Coach Naja and Christina Nelson, host of The Radical Stepmoms Podcast chat about stepparenting before an ours baby, handling a HCBM with finesse, and how to quickly get your relationship back on track post drama.  If you enjoyed this podcast, visit https://vipstepmom.com to listen as we continue the conversation and go WAY deeper! The MEMBERS-ONLY version is exclusively available at https://vipstepmom.com.  CHRISTINA NELSON, is a clinical social worker serving specialized populations in Seattle. This stepmom, mom and wife co-created the “Radical Stepmoms” podcast and says she’s committed to sharing her raw experience, letting others know they aren’t alone. Christina also provides support for stepmoms and their partners, helping them get unstuck so they can build on their love and live more happily.

We know you're not used to Kid-Friendly content at IKIC but this week I'm talking to Avery, a 17- year old who lives with her dad and stepmom. Avery gives a VERY honest interview about her true thoughts about her blended family and what she wishes could be different.

In this episode, Naja chats with Deborah Pino about her CRAZY experiences as a Family Court Attorney. The two ladies managed to turn a very serious topic into a hilariously, REAL converstaion. Grab your notepad and your tea!   Deborah is an attorney and Guardian Ad Litem in the State of Florida. She has conducted thousands of child support establishment and child support and alimony enforcement bench trials during her time with this office.  After promotion to a Senior Attorney position and serving as acting Managing Attorney in that division, Deborah was offered a position as Senior Attorney enforcing support for all of Broward County, Florida.  It was during her time with Broward County, that Deborah decided to open her own firm.  The Law Offices of Deborah Pino, P.A. was founded in February 2005 where Attorney Pino currently practices family law, which includes paternity, divorce, adoption, child support enforcement and modification.  The firm also handles personal injury matters and simple probate.  The passion Deborah has for children has steered her in the direction of providing a voice for our youth and she has been trained to serve as a Guardia Ad Litem in all Florida Courts.  Recognizing the importance of competent representation in non-traditional venues, Ms. Pino become a member of the Seminole Tribal Court. Visit Deborah online at https://dpinolaw.com/

Everyone, including Naja is finding love online. Naja chats with a few popular singles about the new trends in dating apps. Riot DaGod is the #1 Influencer on Plenty Of Fish, Natoya Matthews is a Pageant Queen, and Rox Amir has been a lucky lady in love— ALL from dating apps! This hilarious episode will thoroughly entertain you, even if you have a boo! Natoya Matthews is a native of Memphis, TN and the reigning 2021 Ms. Black Tennessee International Ambassador. With an esteemed career in finance of over 8 years, she currently serves as a Senior Financial Analyst. Her passion is her business- Miss Tennessee Beauty Pageant. A pageant that is geared toward youth, confidence, and scholarship. Riot DaGod, Sanford Florida native and Social Media Influencer, Model,Actor and Live-streamer on POF. You can find me or POF: Riot Da Ruler  Or Instagram @Riot_dagod    Rox Amir, Memphis native and IT professional who advocates for online dating as the new norm. You can find her on IG @roxthewise

This week's guest, Dr. Toyin was born in Ithaca, New York, grew up in Ibadan, Nigeria and she currently resides in Chicago. According to her personal bio: "As a clinician-researcher in Infectious diseases, I have published in the medical literature but always dreamt of writing at least one book. For the last 12 years, I have been a divorced mom of 2 amazing daughters who inspire and challenge me daily to be the best me. Our journey together inspired this book, my first. The decade after; thriving after divorce, is a labor of love and I am delighted to have you read it! While initially conceived as a model for "sharing tips" with divorced moms, this book emphasizes personal growth and empowers women of all ages, irrespective of marital status to celebrate their awesomeness." #getbetternotbitter #thrivingafterdivorce Visit Dr. Toy online at https://www.thedecadeafter.com/ and follow her on social media @drtfal

Belinda Munro stopped by IKIC to catch up with Naja and reminisce on their days as single Harlem girls. She talks glow up, marriage, stepparenting, fertility, and much much more! Belinda is a multi-talented Vocalist, Songwriter, Performance Coach, and Mentor who ignites the unspoken with her Powerful vocals, grace, poise, and dynamic stage presence.  She transcends musical borders as she brings her Soulful styling, infused with Gospel, Jazz, and Blues flavoring, to the stage. Visit Belinda online at https://www.belindamunro.com/ and follow her on Instagram at @iambelindamunro 

We chat a lot about coparenting drama BUT what about toxic siblings?! Jummy joins IKIC to help us redefine how we see familial trauma and cutting ties with problematic relatives. Jummy is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Life Coach, Speaker and Podcaster. She is also the owner of Focus Counseling, a counseling group practice in Grandview Heights, Ohio where she provides individual and couples therapy. She earned her Bachelor's in Psychology and Natural Science from Canterbury Christ Church University College, England. She also has a Master's of Arts (MA.) degree in Counseling Ministries from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. You can find Jummy online at www.focuscounselingclinic.com www.jummyolawale.com https://www.instagram.com/jummyolawale_the_therapist/channel/ https://www.facebook.com/jummyolawaletherapyandcounseling lifeloveandtherapy.libsyn.com I am a married mother of 2 lovely children, I love coffee, cooking and listening to audiobooks and podcasts in my spare time.

In Part 2 or 2, Dr. Torri shares how her relationship with her stepdaughter and her mother almost caused her to lose her marriage. After meeting her father at age 31, only to have him pass away just 2 years later, Dr. Torri was forced to redefine her identity and her life in an instant. She shared some vulnerable moments and got really REAL. Grab a pen and pad because she's dropping jewels!  

Naja has a high energy girlfriend chat with Dr. Torri. The conversation took a turn and ended up becoming a healing moment. This is a 2 part conversation fyi! Dr. Torri J. is the passionate CEO of The Fatherless Generation Foundation. She is a national speaker on the positive influence reunification of fatherless children with their biological fathers has on all parties involved and how reunification ignites the healing necessary to reduce the impact negative stigmas associated with growing up fatherless are having on our society. She is the proud recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the 44th President of The United States Barack Obama. Dr. Torri J. is a regular on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show with her segment “Father’s Day.” She is also an author, speaker, wife and bonus mom. Her personal journey of growing up in a single-parent household and then reuniting with her biological father has fueled her mission to reunite fatherless children worldwide with their fathers. Dr. Torri J. launched The Fatherless Generation Foundation (TFGF) in 2009. TFGF is a non-profit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia providing services to 98 cities within 33 states where we are reuniting fathers and their children all while providing the resources and services that strengthen, support, and elevate a commitment to fatherhood and family values. Our services include Husband & Wife Team Mentor Teams, Peer Groups hosted in The Boys & Girls Clubs across America, Tutoring through Kumon, and at the helm of the organization is the Commitment to Fatherhood Program. Since the launch, TFGF has hosted 52,000 fatherless children through their Peer Groups, mentored 216 fatherless children through our Husband & Wife Mentor Teams, Tutored 34, and reunited 3302 fatherless children with their biological fathers! Follow Dr. Torri: www.tfgf.org www.drtorrij.com @werfatherless @Iamtorrij

Naja chats with IKIC friend, Tim Watson of the Blendcredible podcast about getting caught in the middle of a stepmom/biomom battle. Naja and Tim's brands, integrity both came under siege and almost became casualties of the never-ending war between skirts. Check out this salacious, hilarious, and unbelievable episode while you're having your tea because this one is piping hot!

We buried my maternal Grandma Lillie on October 7th. My paternal Grandma passed away on July 30th. My Husband's maternal Grandpa passed July 17th. This season has taken the last of my family's elders and we all sat down for a coffee table chat over loss, love, and navigating grief. As my parents remember their mothers' and Tony and I embrace our Grandparents' deaths, we know we have a long road of healing ahead of us, but it sure felt good to talk about it. Life is but a dream.

Naja chats with Amelia Lane on convert parental alienation. Amelia Lane is a wife, mother of two and stepmom to one. She and her husband each brought a daughter into their relationship almost 10 years ago and added our “ours baby” 6 years ago. She's always had a passion for helping; previous to her current work as a certified stepfamily coach, she worked as a Personal Support Worker for 10 years in long term care as well as provided care in a variety outpatient psychiatric group homes. www.lanestepfamilycoaching.com FB & IG: lane.stepfamily.coaching

Naja chats with Belle, a Wife, Mom, Stepmom and the daughter of an alienated father about unraveling the murky waters of her parents' divorce and the years of estrangement from her father. In a turn of events, she reconnected with her father..but at a cost.

Knowing yourself, accepting your role and showing compassion in a blended family with Naja Hall Host Bree Gordon talks with Master Stepfamily and Family Life Coach, Naja Hall.  Naja hosts the popular podcast, "I Know I'm Crazy", and is the Founder of VIP Stepmom and Blended and Black.  In this episode, Naja talks about the value of self-awareness when entering in a blended family, particularly as it relates to generational and childhood trauma. Subscribe to the Mindful Mentor podcast.

The storm has cleared and Naja is ready to strike back at the Toxic Tammy's in our lives. She chats with Dr. Glenna Anderson about WHY we need to get back at toxic people and why we're afraid to set boundaries against them.  Visit Dr. Glenna online at https://www.drglenna.com/

Naja explores the lessons in the recent back-to-back deaths of her grandparents....who were in blended families! 

Naja delves into her duality as a Coach and a woman. Recently triggered by a toxic interaction with a dumdum, she gives her tried and tested tools to rid herself of an energy vampire's stench. This is a must-listen for anyone that has the misfortune of learning to silence a constant negative force or a high conflict person.

During a candid and TOTALLY impromptu chat with her Husband, Tony, Naja is challenged on her popular method of helping people align their expectations with their reality in order to kill anxiety. Tony believes that our expectations can control our reality. In the most peaceful married quarrel ever, Tony and Naja come to a happy medium that works for everyone.

Back on Episode 26, April easily became a stepmom fan favorite and she's back to give IKIC listeners some advice as only she can! This time April is dishing on her relationship with someone's baby daddy and she gives other stepmoms keen advice on how to make their lives that much more peaceful! Be sure to listen to Episode 26 before you enjoy this one. Thank me later!

Naja chats with Priscilla Appeaning, founder of The Stepmums Club of London. Cilla is responsible for the viral video produced by BBC that forged a tense conversation between biomums and stepmums. In a spirited conversation, Cilla and Naja dug deep into high-conflict coparents, getting ignored by baby mamas, and the cycle of trauma. ABOUT CILLA: At age 27, I married a man who had two children from two different women- both whom disliked me in very unique ways. I went from all hands on deck to depressed and angry with my husband, the Birth mothers, and my husband's family. Through it all, I developed a platform called The Stepmums Club to help me work out how to navigate the poo of blended families and then ended up helping other Birthmums and Stepmums become just as unapologetic as I am. I am now 32 happily married with 3 birth children and 2 stepkids. Connect with Cilla www.instagram.com/thestepmumsclub