What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face...

When you're a parent, every day brings a "fresh hell" to deal with. In other words, there's always something. Think of us as your funny mom friends who are here to remind you: you're not alone, and it won't always be this hard.

We're Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables, both busy moms of three kids, but with completely different parenting styles. Margaret is a laid-back to the max; Amy never met a spreadsheet or an organizational system she didn't like.

In each episode of "What Fresh Hell" we offer lots of laughs, but also practical advice, parenting strategies, and tips to empower you in your role as a mom. We explore self-help techniques, as well as ways to prioritize your own needs, combat stress, and despite the invisible workload we all deal with, find joy amidst the chaos of motherhood.

If you've ever wondered "why is my kid..." then one of us has probably been there, and we're here to tell you what we've learned along the way.

We unpack the behaviors and developmental stages of toddlers, tweens, and teenagers, providing insights into their actions and equipping you with effective parenting strategies.

We offer our best parenting tips and skills we've learned. We debate the techniques and studies that are everywhere for parents these days, and get to the bottom of what works best to raise happy, healthy, fairly well-behaved kids, while fostering a positive parent-child relationship.

If you're the default parent in your household, whether you're a busy mom juggling multiple pickups and dropoffs, or a first-time parent seeking guidance, this podcast is your trusted resource. Join our community of supportive mom friends laughing in the face of motherhood!  

whatfreshhellpodcast.com

Parenting
Comedy
Kids & Family
276
Fresh Take: Jamilla Svansson-Brown on How Mothe...
How do we accept the huge changes that motherhood brings while maintaining strong relationships with our partners? Jamilla Svansson-Brown, co-creator of the Jamilla and Que YouTube channel, discusses how she and her wife have navigated these changes.
31 min
277
BEST OF: Ditching What Doesn't Matter (with the...
Whether we’re stressed perfectionists or hot messes, our homes and relationships get happier when we clarify what goes in what pile FOR US. Guest Kendra Adachi, author of THE LAZY GENIUS WAY, talks about making systems that work for us and only us.
42 min
278
Ask Margaret: My Child Is Being Ostracized
How do we help our child when their friends have cast them out without making things worse or helicopter parenting? Margaret gives some tactics for helping kids through inevitable friendship drama.
7 min
279
Fresh Take: Lara Love Hardin
What does it take to come back from absolute rock bottom? Lara Love Hardin, author of the new memoir "The Many Lives of Mama Love" discusses her journey from perfect soccer mom to incarcerated felon to reinvented woman.
30 min
280
We Forgot What Little Kids Were Like
Margaret recently took care of a 6- and 2-year-old for awhile, and Amy recently attended a family reunion with little ones running around. The results are in - constantly attending to the needs of little kids is way more exhausting than we remember!
41 min
281
Ask Amy: I've Already Got the End-of-Summer Sca...
How do we relieve ourselves of the pressure to make every summer day Pinterest-worthy for our children, especially when all we do is break up fights and tell them no? Amy helps a listener combat her end-of-summer scaries.
5 min
282
Fresh Take: Ash Brandin, The Gamer Educator
Most of us think our kids should have less screen time. At least that’s the guilt trip we’ve been sold. But what if we can take a more “value neutral” approach? Ash Brandin, @TheGamerEducator, tells us how families can make screens work for everyone.
32 min
283
Teaching Kids About Money
In a world where we walk around most days without cash or even credit cards, paying for things with our phones and watches, how can we teach our kids how money works—and that it doesn't grow on trees? Here are some ways to teach financial literacy.
41 min
284
Ask Margaret: Ground Rules for House Guests
House guests are fun. They're also overwhelming, even when they're the same people who raised you. Here's how to set ground rules that work for everyone.
5 min
285
Fresh Take: Erin Pepler
Why are mothers expected to say pregnancy is an unending forty weeks of bliss, even when their reality may very much differ? Erin Pepler author of the new book “Send Me Into the Woods Alone” talks about breaking the silence around the less-than-pretty parts of pregnancy and new motherhood.
35 min
286
Why Was This a Thing? Rules We Once Lived By
Whistling inside? No baseball caps at dinner? No showers during a lightning storm? What odd rules of life did Amy and Margaret once cling to?
40 min
287
Ask Amy: When Should Kids Stop Sharing a Room?
When siblings share a room, is there an age when it becomes better for them to have separate spaces? It depends on the kids, but here are the factors you might keep in mind.
4 min
288
Fresh Take: Raena Boston on Mom Scams
What if we thought of mom guilt and the gender pay gap as "scams" that were being run on mothers? Raena Boston, founder of the Working Momtras, explains why parenting is inherently political.
32 min
289
July Bonus TEASER: Ask Us Anything
Best infinite purse snack? How does the family feel about the podcast? When is the What Fresh Hell sitcom coming out? For the July bonus episode, it's time to ask Amy and Margaret anything!
2 min
290
Let's Stop Caring What People Think
Why do we care so much what other people think? Does anyone truly possess the magical ability to ignore the judgments of others? How do we tell the difference between whose opinions matter and whose definitely do not?
38 min
291
Ask Margaret: My Kid Is Super Slow in the Mornings
What do you do with a child who always runs late because they move at a (seemingly purposeful) glacial pace? It might be time to consider what your kid is gaining from the situation.
5 min
292
Fresh Take: Hari Kondabolu on "Vacation Baby"
What was it like being a first-time parent during the pandemic? How does having a baby change life as a standup comedian? Hari Kondabolu, whose comedy special "Vacation Baby" is available on YouTube, tells us all about it.
38 min
293
BEST OF: Setting Boundaries
Boundaries aren’t just for relationships that have already been damaged. Healthy boundaries with our partners, friends, and extended family are what make long-term relationships possible. Here’s how to set boundaries early and often.
45 min
294
Ask Amy: My Kid Loses Everything!
All kids lose stuff sometimes. Some kids lose stuff all the time. Sometimes it's ADHD or general inattention. Sometimes it's just a slower development of executive function. No matter what, it's frustrating (and expensive). What's a parent to do?
6 min
295
Fresh Take: Alexandra Robbins on the Lives of T...
Teachers are among the most vital, hardworking, and selfless members of the workforce. They are also among the most undervalued. Alexandra Robbins, author of THE TEACHERS, tells us more.
31 min
296
The Best Advice for Dealing with Teenagers
How do we support our teenagers while providing them with firm yet reasonable boundaries? We asked our listeners for their best advice on raising teens, and they had so much great advice!
40 min
297
Ask Margaret: How Can I Stop Repeating Myself?
A listener asks for advice on repeating herself; she knows she's not supposed to tell her toddler things 1,000 times, but isn't sure how to stop.
3 min
298
Fresh Take: Sara Olsher on Talking to Our Kids ...
How can we be honest with kids about the reality of hard seasons in life without "ruining" their childhood? Sara Olsher, founder of Mighty + Bright, discusses how she helped her toddler navigate both her divorce and her cancer diagnosis.
29 min
299
Is This a Midlife Crisis?
"Have I wasted my life? Should I have gotten married so young? Should I have gone to law school?" As we approach "middle age," whatever that is, can we avoid the midlife crisis? If not, how can we can put it all in perspective?
40 min
300
Ask Amy: Everything Is Fine—Except My Mom Guilt
How do we let go of mom guilt that lingers even after everything works out fine? Amy gives a listener tips for getting closure on a stressful situation.
4 min