Strong. Healthy. Empowered.
In this episode of SHE MD, host Mary Alice Haney sits down with Emmy-nominated actress Rhea Seehorn to discuss their journey as a blended family. Mary Alice and Rhea share their experiences forming a blended family, offering insights into the complexities of divorce, remarriage, and stepparenting. They discuss the importance of communication, mutual respect, and flexibility in navigating these relationships. The episode also touches on Rhea's career as an actress, her decision not to have biological children, and the balance between work and family life. Throughout the conversation, both women emphasize the value of female friendships and supporting other women.
Rhea Seehorn is an Actress and Director. In May 2014, Seehorn was cast in the Breaking Bad spin-off prequel series Better Call Saul (2015–2022). Seehorn is widely known as Kim Wexler, a lawyer and the eventual love interest of the titular Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk). The series premiered on February 8, 2015. For her role as Kim, Seehorn has received widespread critical acclaim, won two Satellite Awards for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film, one Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television out of two nominations, and received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, two nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and two for the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama.
Rhea Seehorn grew up in Virginia Beach, and has lived in a variety of places from Arizona to Japan. She has gone by her middle name Rhea since childhood, having felt a "disassociation" with the name Debbie from an early age. Seehorn graduated with a degree in drama and visual arts, which she used to further develop her craft in Washington, D.C., where she starred in numerous productions inclusive of Arena Stage and the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, of which she remains a member. Seehorn then transitioned to Manhattan, where she performed with Playwrights Horizons and made her Broadway debut in Neil Simon’s 45 Seconds from Broadway. Shortly thereafter, she was cast as a series regular on the comedy series I’m With Her opposite Teri Polo, David Sutcliffe, and Danny Comden.
Rhea Seehorn’s 5 Key Takeaways:
1. How to co-parent without chaos: Whether biological or step-parent, your love and presence matter.
2. Making a blended family work: boundaries, respect, and lots of grace. Accept that blended families require flexibility and compromise.
3.Women need to stop apologizing for ambition: Working moms can be great role models by pursuing their passions.
4. Speak up at the doctor’s office: Push for proper medical care, especially when facing dismissive responses.
5. Open communication: Express needs and boundaries to strengthen relationships.
In This Episode:
(00:00) Introduction to blended families
(03:47) How Rhea Met Mary Alice’s Ex-Husband
(07:35) Perceptions on Dating a Divorcee
(10:00) Challenges in a Blended Family and Balancing Career
(11:00) Navigating a Biological Child-Free Life In a Blended Family
(15:35) What Does Co-Parenting in a Blended Family Look Like?
(19:40) How to Make a Blended Family Work?
(26:30) What’s it like being a Bonus Mom?
(30:02) Looking Back and Early Career Experiences
(40:15) Five pieces of advice for women
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