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
401
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
402
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
403
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
404
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
405
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
406
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
407
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
408
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
409
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
410
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
411
Best of: Michaeleen Doucleff on What's Missing ...
Turns out Western parenting isn’t the way things need to be–the key to happy kids is doing less. Michaeleen Doucleff, author of "Hunt, Gather, Parent," explains what ancient cultures can teach us about helping kids thrive by being hands-off.
32 min
412
Best of: Pattern Breaking - When You Want to Do...
How do we find the strength to break harmful patterns from our own childhood with our kids? Why is it so hard? Do we truly have the ability to change?
46 min
413
Ask Margaret: Dealing with Losing a Parent Whil...
Processing our own parent’s terminal illness– while helping our own kids feel better about the approaching loss of a grandparent– can feel overwhelming. Drawing from personal experience, Margaret explains how to get through this difficult time.
6 min
414
Best Of: KC Davis of "Struggle Care"
In this “Best Of” interview KC Davis, author of HOW TO KEEP HOUSE WHILE DROWNING and host of the podcast STRUGGLE CARE, tells us how to move beyond houses full of dirty dishes, LEGOs, and overwhelm with a gentler method for home care and self-care.
46 min
415
Our Favorite Episodes of 2022
It's time for a debrief on the best interviews, comedic moments, and long-held grudges in our favorite What Fresh Hell episodes of 2022!
42 min
416
Ask Amy: My Kid Doesn't Hide "Gift Disappointme...
Do you have an in-law who tends to give your child presents that they don't necessarily love? It's not easy dealing with unwanted gifts from relatives, but with some patience and guidance, we can help our kids navigate these situations.
4 min
417
Fresh Take: Natalie Mayslich and Blessing Adesi...
Remote work is here to stay. So how to we integrate it into our lives in a healthy way? Natalie Mayslich and Blessing Adesiyan, authors of the The Modern Workplace Report, share what they've learned about the effects of remote work on employees, particularly working women.
28 min
418
The Holiday Creep
Why does it seem like the holiday season starts earlier and earlier every year? And how do we navigate the many obligations and traditions thereof without crying into our creamed white onions?
38 min
419
Ask Margaret: Splitting Time at the Holidays
Having trouble giving all sides of your family equal air-time at the holidays? Margaret explains how to plan ahead so that the season is one of peace and joy, rather than tears and guilt.
6 min
420
Fresh Take: Heather Chauvin of "Emotionally Unc...
Are you always putting your children and spouse first - to the detriment of your own health? Heather Chauvin, host of the "Emotionally Uncomfortable" podcast, explains how it took a stage-four cancer diagnosis for her to start prioritizing her own needs again.
30 min
421
Weird Things That Freak Us Out
Kneecaps? Tiny holes? Freeform jazz? We've all got something that gives us the heebie jeebies, even if no one else understands. We asked our listeners to send us their most oddly specific fears - here's what they said.
41 min
422
Ask Amy: My Child Is Slow to Warm Up With Adults
Does your child clam up when other adults try to have a conversation with them or even say hello? That's perfectly normal for young kids, but there are also ways you can help break the ice, as Amy explains.
4 min
423
Fresh Take: Leslie Forde of Mom's Hierarchy of ...
Do you feel like your health, well-being, and sanity as a mom always comes after your family’s needs– which means there’s no room left to consider such things? Guest Leslie Forde, CEO of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs, explains how to get more intentional.
30 min
424
Is This Supposed to Be More Fun?
Pinterest promised us picturesque family photos at golden hour and meaningful conversations around the dinner table every night. No one told us parenting would be easy, but is it supposed to be this hard? Here’s how to inject more fun into parenting.
32 min
425
Ask Margaret: Should I Help My Kids with Things...
Do you worry that your kids are headed towards learned helplessness if you do too many things for them on the regular? Margaret explains you can reciprocate the help your kids give you around the house without letting them off the hook too easily.
7 min