La Madrastra Podcast
By: Rosalba Gama-Hernandez
Language: en-us
Categories: Kids, Family, Parenting, Society, Culture, Relationships, Health
A new podcast for stepmoms, La Madrastra addresses a variety of topics including mental health, wellness, parenting styles, family dynamics, setting boundaries, and energy work. Our mission is to bring visibility to stepmom life, destigmatize our stories, and create a space for step-moms to feel seen, validated, and acknowledged. Join us as we dig into every thing Madrastra!
Episodes
LMP 13: Quitate La Máscara, Take that Mask off! or not...
Oct 25, 2025As Halloween is around the corner, this episode will be all about masks- mascaras! Masks are a symbol of boundaries, protection, hiding, and/or performance. In one way or another, we all wear a mask sometimes, or in specific setting. In this episode, we are going to ask ourselves: what are we covering up and why? And- when and where, and with who, are we willing to remove that mask, to be seen for who we really are?
Mascaras and costumes are fun, especially around these times… but also, how can they inform reflections and...
Duration: 00:27:37LMP 12: Interview with Full-Spectrum Doula and Stepmom Daisy Hamory from Monarca Birth
Oct 06, 2025Have you ever heard of the term "Doula?"
In this episode, Doula and Stepmom, Daisy Hamory, founder of Monarca Birth joins us as we discuss doula life and step-motherhood, how doulas support birthing folk, and the benefits of having a doula have your back through birth. She also shares with us, her story, her journey into step-motherhood. Join us as we chat it up!
If you're seeking birth support, or would like more information about Monarca Birth, please visit:
www.monarcabirth.com/
Questions, Comments, or W...
Duration: 00:53:32LMP en Español E11: La Vida Despues de la Deportación con Erika y Nancy de Al Otro Lado
Sep 20, 2025Y si me llegaran a deportar? Tu te has hecho esta pregunta? O tal vez, te gustaria saber que les espera a seres queridos que pudieran ser deportados?
En este episodio vamos a hablar con dos expertas en el tema, Erika y Nancy de Al Otro Lado, una organización bi-nacional que apoya a inmigrantes deportados al llegar a Mexico. Hablaremos sobre como prepararse en caso de una detención o deportación, y que servicios se les ofrecen cuando hay repatriación/rematriación.
Para aprender más de Al Otro...
Duration: 01:02:57LMP en Español E10: La Luta y el Duelo... y una Torta Cubana??
Sep 08, 2025En este episodio, vamos a hablar de la pérdida, del duelo, del miedo —en especial ese miedo a perder a la familia, y cómo todo eso se conecta con la experiencia de ser madrastra. Nos enforcaremos en entender exactamente que es el luto y el duelo despues de una gran perdida, y cuales son reacciones fisicas, mentales, y emocionales. Se compartirán algunas herramientas, consejitos y estrategias para procesar esos miedos, para procesar el duelo que pudieramos estar sintiendo, en este momento, ya sea individual y colectivamente.
Questions, Comments, or Want...
Duration: 00:53:32LMP en Español E10: La Perdida, El Luto, El Duelo... y una Torta Cubana??
Sep 07, 2025En este episodio, vamos a hablar de la pérdida, del duelo, del miedo —en especial ese miedo a perder a la familia, y cómo todo eso se conecta con la experiencia de ser madrastra. Nos enforcaremos en entender exactamente que es el luto y el duelo despues de una gran perdida, y cuales son reacciones fisicas, mentales, y emocionales. Se compartirán algunas herramientas, consejitos y estrategias para procesar esos miedos, para procesar el duelo que pudieramos estar sintiendo, en este momento, ya sea individual y colectivamente.
Questions, Comments, or Want to be a Gue...
Duration: 00:44:57LMP 10: Grief, Loss, and ... a Torta Cubana???
Aug 29, 2025In this episode we are going to dive into why so many of us are feeling a strong sense of loss, grief, and fear, specifically around losing family, and how that ties into the stepmother experience. We're gonna get historical. We're gonna get psychological. And we're gonna get practical as we review tools, tips and strategies to help us process some of these fears, the grief we may be feeling, individually and collectively.
Questions, Comments, or Want to be a Guest? Click here.
Thanks for tuning in to La Madrastra. I...
Duration: 00:44:51LMP en Español E09: El Estres Cronico- el Impacto a Nuestra Salud y Como Manejarlo
Aug 17, 2025¿Te sientes estresada y no sabes cómo manejar tanta preocupación?
En este episodio vamos a platicar del estrés crónico: qué es, el impacto en nuestra salud física, mental y emocional, cómo el cuerpo nos ayuda a asegurar nuestra sobrevivencia, y 4 estrategias para interrumpir el estrés crónico y ayudarnos a superarlo y salir adelante!
Questions, Comments, or Want to be a Guest? Click here.
Thanks for tuning in to La Madrastra. If you enjoyed what you heard in this episode, please make sure to sub...
Duration: 00:42:03LMP 09: Breaking Down Chronic Stress
Aug 08, 2025Are you feeling stressed and dont really know what to do about it?
In this episode we are going to break down chronic stress: what it is, the mental, physical, and emotional impact it can have on us, how our body attempts to protect us and ensure our survival, and 5 ways to interrupt chronic stress to help us thrive!
Questions, Comments, or Want to be a Guest? Click here.
Thanks for tuning in to La Madrastra. If you enjoyed what you heard in this episode, please ma...
Duration: 00:38:23LMP en Español E08: La Outsider- La Identidad de Forastera como Madrastra y Hija de Inmigrantes
Jul 31, 2025Para las madrastras que son hijas de inmigrantes, la identidad de “la forastera” es complicada, puede impactar nuestra salud mental y fisica, y ahorita aun más, por el clima de criminalización y rechazo a los inmigrantes. En este episodio, nos enfocamos en la realidad compartida por madrastras y inmigrantes, la identidad de forastera, y que hacer o considerar cuando nos sentimos que no pertenecemos para seguir construyendo nuestras vidas con propósito, a pesar de la realidad.
Questions, Comments, or Want to be a Guest? Click here.
Thanks for tuning in to La Ma...
Duration: 00:30:45LMP 08: Outsider Vibes- A Shared Experience Between Stepmamacitas, Immigrants, and Daughters of Immigrants
Jul 24, 2025In this episode we are going to continue discussing immigration issues, while also addressing what is part of the stepmom reality for many- the "outsider" identity. For first generation, daughter of immigrant stepmoms, the "outsider” identity may be hitting a little different these days, with the current criminalization and rejection of immigrants, as well as the daily reminders that we are not welcome here, that this is not our home.
We will build a bridge between this shared experience of stepmoms and immigrants, get a quick glimpse of immigration history and the reasons why ste...
Duration: 00:32:08LMP 07: Community Solidarity and ICE Abductions with ORALE Immigrant Rights Advocates Maribel and Khiabeth
Jul 07, 2025Life in LA… southern cali, the violence towards the people has truly been outta control. In this episode we are going to continue our conversation about immigration, and take a moment to chat it up with two leaders from ORALE (Organizing Rooted in Abolition, Liberation, and Empowerment), that are doing some amazing work to support the Long Beach immigrant community: Associate Director Maribel Cruz and Health Justice Manager Khiabeth Sanchez. We will talk about community solidarity, asking for support, and getting into the nitty gritty about what to do if you come across ice abductions. Get ready to be...
Duration: 00:40:46LMP en Español E06: El Ataque Contra los Inmigrantes y Criando Chiquillos Mientras Reviviendo Trauma
Jul 07, 2025En este episodio, vamos a tomar una pequeña pausa del tema de la madrastridad para enfocarnos en el tema mas fuerte en este momento, la inmigración, lo que está pasando en la calle, y cómo todo esto se conecta con la salud mental, la crianza de nuestros hijos, nuestras relaciones y la dinámica familiar en general.
Vamos a platicar sobre la experiencia de ser hijos de inmigrantes, de lo que es ser la hija mayor en una familia mexicana, y de mis primeros recuerdos de La Migra. También vamos a habla...
Duration: 00:45:56LMP 06: Processing the Attack on Immigrants & Angelenos while Parenting and Reliving Childhood Trauma
Jun 21, 2025In this episode we are going to step back from the stepmother experience and widen our lens to discuss immigration, current events, and justice in the streets, and how all of this relates to parenting, mental health, and action-oriented self-care.
We will get into the children of immigrants' experience, talk about being the eldest daughter in a Mexican family, and early memories of La Migra. We will review the psychological impact of recent raids and abductions, as well as discuss some ways that we can support our children, protect our communities, and process difficult em...
Duration: 00:42:33LMP 05: Daughters of Immigrants, Mental Health Professionals with Karla Peregrino, LMFT
Jun 01, 2025In this episode of La Madrastra, we explore the blended family dynamic and other mental health topics with Karla Peregrino, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. We highlight shared experiences with identifying cultural assets, resilience, and the importance of mental health, as well as patterns in stepfamilies, like chronic invalidation and attachment.
Join us as we dive into our experience growing up as children of immigrants, childhood trauma, our mental health journey as clients and professionals, the importance of culturally-relevant therapy, stepfamily dynamics, and stepmom self-care!
Questions, Comments, or Want to be a...
Duration: 00:43:51LMP en Español E04: De Fodonga a Mami Chula
May 30, 2025¿Alguna vez te has quedado estancada en modo fodonga? El estrés de la vida—como ser madrastra, el trabajo, quehacer, emociones sin procesar, problemas de salud mental y mil cosas más—pueden hacer que caigamos en la fodonguez. Pero, ¿cómo salimos de ahí?
En este episodio de La Madrastra, vamos a hablar justo de eso.
Vamos a explorar por qué a veces dejamos el auto-cuidado. También hablaremos brevemente sobre la depresión, cómo se ve, qué se siente, y cómo detectarla. Y además, vamos a compartir 9 pasos sencillos que nos pueden ay...
Duration: 00:39:35LMP E04: From Fodonga to Mami Chula
May 22, 2025Have you ever been stuck in Fodonga mode? A fodonga is someone who looks very low maintenance, low effort, messy hair, messy style, like they just rolled out of bed. Life stressors like stepmotherhood, a heavy workload, unprocessed emotions, mental health issues, and several other factors may contribute to fodonga-ness, but how do we break free? In this episode of La Madrastra, we will discuss exactly that!
We explore the reasons that may cause us to fall back on how we show up in the world. W...
Duration: 00:34:34LMP en Español E03: Feliz Día de las Madres, Neplanteras!
May 11, 2025¡Feliz Día de las Madres, Step-Mamacitas! 💐 En este episodio de La Madrastra, vamos a platicar sobre lo que significa ser madre, el arquetipo materno, asumir ese rol y todas las emociones que trae el Día de las Madres.
Exploramos la identidad de madrastra a través del marco teórico de Gloria Anzaldúa sobre el mestizaje, las fronteras y Nepantla. Vivir en estos espacios de identidad que a veces parecen opuestos, nos da la oportunidad de despertar, crear, y evolucionar. Como madrastras, tenemos no solo la oportunidad de crear...
Duration: 00:22:57LMP E03: Feliz Día de las Madres, Neplanteras!
May 10, 2025Send us a text
¡Feliz Día de las Madres, Step-Mamacitas! 💐 En este episodio de La Madrastra, vamos a platicar sobre lo que significa ser madre, el arquetipo materno, asumir ese rol y todas las emociones que trae el Día de las Madres.
Exploramos la identidad de madrastra a través del marco teórico de Gloria Anzaldúa sobre el mestizaje, las fronteras y Nepantla. Vivir en estos espacios de identidad que a veces parecen opuestos, nos da la oportunidad de despertar, crear, y evolucionar. Como madrastra...
Duration: 00:23:02LMP E03: Happy Mother's Day, Neplanteras!
May 10, 2025Happy Mother's Day, Step-Mamacitas! In this episode of La Madrastra, we will get into our understanding of what a Mother is, the Mother Archetype, assuming the mother role and Mother's Day feels.
We explore the stepmom identity through Gloria Anzaldua's theoretical framework of Mestizaje, Borderlands, and Neplantla. Straddling identities that exist in direct opposition, creates the opportunity to awaken, create, and evolve, and as stepmother's we have the opportunity not just to create our reality, but also re-write the narrative of the stepmother identity.
Questions, Comments, or Wa...
Duration: 00:25:50LMP en Español E02: Mi Historia y Como Llegue a Ser Madrastra
May 10, 2025En este episodio de La Madrastra, te cuento cómo me convertí en madrastra, incluyendo los altos y bajos de intentar alcanzar metas familiares, ser estudiante universitaria de primera generación, encontrar mi propósito a través de la escuela, cuidar mi salud mental y espiritual, las aventuras del dating en línea durante y después del COVID, salir con papás solteros y conocer al amor de mi vida... y a su hija.
Convertirme en madrastra fue un proceso rápido y caótico, que puso a prueba tod...
Duration: 00:42:12LMP E02: My Story- How I Became a Stepmom
May 10, 2025In this episode of La Madrastra, you will hear all about how I became a stepmom, including the high and lows of trying to achieve family goals, 1st generation college student life, finding my purpose through school, mental health, and spiritual practices, online dating during and post-COVID, dating single dads, and meeting the love of my life... and his daughter.
Becoming a stepmom was a fast, whirlwind of a process, that put my knowledge of mental health to. the. test! In this episode I share what helped me face the f...
Duration: 00:32:20LMP E01: Our Stories Matter w Dr. Maria Malagon
May 10, 2025In this first episode of La Madrastra, we explore the power of storytelling and shared experiences. Joined by special guest Dr. Maria Malagon, Sociologist, Oral Historian, Scholar Activist and Mother, we discuss the power of telling shared stories, in affirming identity, building resilience and most importantly, how our shared experiences connect us, validate us, and help build resilience as we navigate the complexities of stepmotherhood.
Book Mention: The Happy Stepmother by Rachelle Katz, Harlequin Books S.A.
Questions, Comments, or Want to be a Guest? Click he...
Duration: 00:33:00LMP en Español Trailer: Presentando a La Madrastra Podcast!
May 10, 2025¡Bienvenidos a La Madrastra Podcast! Un podcast semanal donde hablamos de todo lo relacionado con ser madrastra: salud mental, estilos de crianza, dinámicas de familia, como poner límites y otros temas interesantes como los cariñitos en público, sanar traumas generacionales, fortalecer el suelo pélvico, el trabajo energético y los chakras.
Conoce nuestra razon de ser: queremos dar visibilidad a las historias de madrastras, quitarle el estigma a la madrastridad, crear un espacio donde nos sintamos vistas, validadas y reconocidas, y compartir joyitas de información psicol...
Duration: 00:06:29LMP Trailer: Introducing La Madrastra Podcast!
May 10, 2025Welcome to La Madrastra Podcast- a weekly podcast that addresses a variety of issues related to step-motherhood, including mental health, parenting styles, family dynamics, setting boundaries, and other sexy topics like PDA, healing generational trauma, strengthening pelvic floors, energy work, and chakras.
Learn about our why- to bring visibility to stepmom stories, to de-stigmatize step-motherhood, for stepmoms to feel seen, validated, and acknowledged, and provide psycho-educational jewels, support, and a little bit of chisme. I'm your humble host, Rosalba Gama-Hernandez- a Marriage and Family Therapist, Counselor, Teacher, Professor, Doula, and Stepmom.