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
351
Ask Amy: How Much Micromanaging Is Too Much?
When do we lay down the law as parents and when do we let our teens make their own choices, especially when we feel the decision they're making will affect their future?
4 min
352
Fresh Take: Lisa Damour on the Emotional Lives ...
Powerful emotions in teenagers are a feature, not a bug–but when our kids are dysregulated it can feel like something parents are supposed to fix. Dr. Lisa Damour, author of THE EMOTIONAL LIVES OF TEENAGERS, tells us how to become "safe containers."
29 min
353
Minor, Life-Changing Tips
Here are our minor and yet life-changing tips for making your car, kitchen, bathroom, handbag, and day run just a little more smoothly.
36 min
354
Ask Margaret: Can We Help Kids Get Better at Lo...
What do we do when our kids throw tantrums over everything from losing a board game to striking out at the plate? Here's how to help kids put their small losses in perspective.
6 min
355
Fresh Take: Susan Linn on How “Big Tech” Target...
These days, wherever kids are, they’re not far from a screen or a smart speaker– or the brands who are using “educational” toys and games to sell them stuff. Susan Linn, author of WHO’S RAISING THE KIDS?, explains how big tech is targeting our kids.
27 min
356
Pushing Kids the Just-Right Amount
How do we know when to let our kids quit the sport they hate or skip a homework assignment? Will it be our fault they miss out on the Olympics or being president? Amy and Margaret discuss when they pushed (or didn't push) their kids and reflect on the outcomes.
37 min
357
Ask Amy: Can I Politely Decline a Playdate?
What do you do when your child and their friend are begging for a playdate– and you're not so sure it's a good idea? Here's how to redirect or politely decline playdates– plus when to consider going ahead.
5 min
358
Fresh Take: Ryan Wexelblatt, The "ADHD Dude"
Ryan Wexelblatt, aka the “ADHD Dude,” coaches both kids with ADHD and their parents. In this interview Ryan offers us helpful perspectives and useful tips for creating scaffolding for our kids with ADHD, without becoming overly accommodating.
32 min
359
When Our Kids Have Different Relationships with...
Are you adrift in the "Only Mommy" or "Only Daddy" doldrums of parenting? Here's when to accept the biological imperative of preferring one parent over the other, and when to push back on the behavior.
34 min
360
Ask Margaret: Is It Normal to Feel This Lonely?
Are you overwhelmed by life with little ones, worried that you will never feel like an actual person again? We're here from the future to tell you it gets better.
7 min
361
Fresh Take: Jen Lumanlan of "Your Parenting Mojo"
We can sometimes get so focused on correcting our kids' behavior that we neglect to consider what unmet needs are being expressed. Jen Lumanlan, host of "Your Parenting Mojo," explains how to shift our responses to parenting triggers.
29 min
362
Our 2/1 Back-to-Ones
We don’t love New Year’s resolutions. We do love resets– or as we call them, “Back To Ones”– and February is our favorite time to put them in place. Here’s how to reframe goals as resets, and why that’s not only a kindler and gentler approach, but a more effective one.
40 min
363
Ask Amy: How Do I Prepare My Kids for Leaving T...
How do you explain to your kids that going away for the weekend doesn't mean you're leaving them forever? Amy explains how to "rebrand" your trip to minimize separation anxiety and toddler tears.
5 min
364
Fresh Take: Liz Gumbinner on Ditching the Hustle
Do we have to monetize, publicize, and optimize all of our hobbies into a legit "side-hustle" that must also fulfill us? Guest Liz Gumbinner, co-host of the podcast "Spawned," talks with Margaret about the pressure to perform in every aspect of our lives.
32 min
365
Things We Weirdly Enjoy
We asked our listeners about the things that make them unreasonably happy. From petrichor to butter cubes to sausage dogs in sweaters, the weirdness certainly abounded.
33 min
366
Ask Margaret: How Do I Choose Between Conflicti...
What happens when you're faced with two conflicting performances, graduations, or other important events? Margaret shares her own experience juggling her three kids' different activities.
6 min
367
Fresh Take: Dr. Amber Thornton on Finding Real ...
=How do we find "balance" in our lives as moms– and why does that sound like such hard work? Dr. Amber Thornton, host of the podcast "Balanced Working Mama," tells us where mom guilt really comes from - and how we can counter it.
27 min
368
What Fresh Hell Is Winter?
We still have three more weeks until we find out whether we have six more weeks of winter (spoiler alert: we will). Losing your mind a little bit? You're not alone.
40 min
369
Ask Amy: My Daughter Is Suddenly Being Ostracized
Has your child ever been excluded from their friend group all of a sudden for no apparent reason? Middle-school ostracization is real, and it really hurts– and it's hard for a parent to know how much to become involved.
6 min
370
Fresh Take: Ophira Eisenberg on Why Parenting I...
What are the magical tidbits that they should teach in parenting classes but don't? We talked with comedian and writer Ophira Eisenberg about what parenting classes would include, her new podcast "Parenting Is a Joke," and why kids put their knees in pies.
37 min
371
Giving Help That Works - And Asking for the Hel...
Even when we moms DO have the courage to ask for help, we don't always know what to ask for. So we asked our listeners about the best help they've given - and received - as moms.
38 min
372
Ask Margaret: Help! I Have Mom FOMO
Worried that your kids are missing out on magical experiences you've been neglecting to provide them with? Here's how to put your "Mom FOMO" at ease.
7 min
373
Fresh Take: Cindy Muchnick of Parent Compass
Is there a happy medium between doing everything for our kids and letting them run feral? Cindy Muchnick, author of THE PARENT COMPASS, explains how setting our own intentional course as parents is the key.
32 min
374
Is Comparing Our Kids Ever Useful?
It’s hard not to compare kids to their siblings, particularly when their personalities can seem so diametrically opposed. If we notice those differences as parents– and compare our kids, implicitly or explicitly– is that a good thing or a bad thing?
39 min
375
Ask Amy: How Do I Get Over My Disappointment at...
Have you ever felt disappointed, rather than excited, at learning your baby's sex? Amy answers a question from a listener who is feeling disappointed that her third child is also a boy.
6 min