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
51
BEST OF: What We're Taking Into The New Year (w...
How can we enter the new year with a confidence in what we already have and do well, rather than a list of things we have to fix? Life coach Ann Imig shares strategies for discovering and cultivating our existing personality strengths.
41 min
52
DEEP DIVE: The Most Useful Parenting Tips We Le...
Here are some of our favorite parenting tips and takeaways we learned in 2023, from experts and listeners and mom friends everywhere.
42 min
53
BEST OF: Fresh Take: Erin and Stephen Mitchell,...
Why are we so bad at asking for what we need? How do small disagreements somehow turn into big blowouts? Erin and Stephen Mitchell, authors of TOO TIRED TO FIGHT, offer practical tips for communicating with your partner without escalating conflict.
40 min
54
BEST OF: When Typical Parenting Advice Just Doe...
Parenting advice is often deemed to be universal. When it's not, we tend to question ourselves—but what we should be questioning is why parenting was ever thought to be one-size-fits-all.
40 min
55
HOLIDAY BEST OF: Holiday Fails
We asked our listeners to tell us their holiday worsts, and in this episode we discuss them all, plus a few of our own. Think your holiday season has been a little crazy? Hold our eggnog.
46 min
56
Fresh Take: Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop...
Can we get bored teens excited about school—or anything at all? Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, authors of the new book THE DISENGAGED TEEN, explain how we can encourage our kids' enthusiasm.
43 min
57
How To Yell Less
Yelling. We all do it. We all hate ourselves for doing it afterward. Here’s why we yell, why it doesn’t usually even work that well, and why we still say the goal should still be LESS yelling (not none).
42 min
58
HOLIDAY BEST OF: It's the Most Everything Time ...
According to a recent study, 41% of men strongly agreed that they can relax during the holidays. Only 27% of women felt the same. It’s the most everything time of the year, and we’re doing– and feeling– all the things.
41 min
59
Fresh Take: Emily and Jason Morrow, "Really Ver...
What does it mean to live a "crunchy" lifestyle, and does it have to entail beets in piñatas and homemade soap? Emily and Jason Morrow, creators of Really Very Crunchy, discuss how they embrace the crunchy lifestyle with humor and self-awareness.
38 min
60
Should Kids Do Chores?
We all want our kids to grow up to be people who naturally help around the house. But how do we foster that in them from a young age, and is the onus of teaching kids chores only adding to the default parent's mental load?
40 min
61
DEEP DIVE: Are You the 'Good Parent' or the 'Ba...
Are you the “bad parent” in your home? The enforcer of bedtimes, the stern shusher in the church pew? Or are you the “good parent,” more likely to agree that time is a construct and that ice cream not only can, but should, be what’s for dinner?
40 min
62
Fresh Take: Vanessa Cornell on Putting Ourselve...
How can we care for our families when we are so burned out ourselves? Vanessa Cornell, founder of NUSHU, tells us how to reject the mom guilt and stay true to our authentic selves.
40 min
63
Holiday Goals: Less Doing, More Magic
It's mostly on us default parents to make Christmas bright (or whatever holiday our family may celebrate, including all of them). How do we also maintain our sanity?
45 min
64
DEEP DIVE: Two Kinds of People: Family Debates
When you're making a bed, which side is up for the flat sheet? Is it ever acceptable to call someone after 8 pm? What is the correct pronunciation of "Reese's Pieces”? We battle to the death over the answers to your most consistent family debates.

42 min
65
Fresh Take: Charles Bock on Parenting Through Loss
How do we parent effectively when coping with the death of our partner? Charles Bock, author of the memoir I WILL DO BETTER, shares his extraordinary journey through love, loss, and an unwavering commitment to family.
34 min
66
The Psychological "Effects" That Shape Our Thin...
We love talking about WHY we think the way we think. In this episode we discuss the "effects" that shape our thinking, from the Dunning-Kruger Effect to the Zeigarnik Effect.
42 min
67
DEEP DIVE: Taking Care Of Our Parents (And Our ...
Half of adults in their 30s and 40s say they handle some of their parents’ caregiving, even if it’s mostly logistical or financial. When you’re also taking care of your kids, it’s a lot. We talk “sandwich generation” stress and how to get more help.
43 min
68
Fresh Take: Chip Leighton, "What Time Is Noon?"
Teenagers love to tell their parents they're doing things wrong. Then they ask their mothers how much quarters cost. Chip Leighton, author of the new book WHAT TIME IS NOON, is here to prove that teens of every stripe find their parents "cringe."
37 min
69
Why Women Have Less Free Time
October’s "Free-Time Gender Gap Report" found that women spend twice as much time on household labor as men do, even when controlling for marital/parental/socioeconomic status, race, and age. So why are women of all stripes working harder in the home?
41 min
70
We Think You'll Love: "What It's Like To Be" Po...
Hear a sample episode of the podcast “What It’s Like to Be…” from New York Times bestselling business book author Dan Heath. In every episode, Dan interviews someone from a different profession.
34 min
71
DEEP DIVE: Introverts vs. Extroverts (and Makin...
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Turns out, you can enjoy socializing but still be an introvert— or require some alone time but still be an extrovert. And there are times your kids will be the opposite of what you are.
40 min
72
Fresh Take: Dr. Dan Siegel
How can we parent with our child's developing brain in mind? Dr. Dan Siegel, author of THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD, explains how children's brains work and how we can help them integrate their everyday experiences in order to mature.
39 min
73
We Regret to Inform You...This Totally Works
We asked our listeners: what are the things you do that, regrettably, work perfectly well to keep you healthy, sane, and organized? And all you have to do is DO them?
44 min
74
DEEP DIVE: 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
75
Fresh Take: Emily Rubin Persons of Skip Coaching
Getting our kids ready to thrive independently is about more than academics or extracurricular achievements. Emily Rubin Persons, founder of Skip Coaching, explains how to help kids develop the skills they'll need.
40 min