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
726
Super-Secret Amazing Things We Want You To Know...
Things that make life easier, things that keep kids improbably happily occupied, things you didn’t know you want but absolutely need to have: these are some super-secret awesome things that we (and our listeners) want to tell the world about.
42 min
727
Ask Margaret - My Child is Terrified of the Doc...
A listener asks how to help her preschooler be less frightened of trips to see the pediatrician.
6 min
728
Fresh Take: Ali Wentworth on Pandemic Family Su...
We talk to Ali Wentworth, host of the "Go Ask Ali" podcast, all about raising teens during a pandemic. Ali tells us about having Covid, how she and spouse George Stephanopoulos split the lockdown workload, and how she’s giving her kids room to grow.
41 min
729
Parenting as a Team
Parenting as a team is an ongoing challenge even when your relationship is pretty harmonious. But constantly matching headspaces with your co-parent isn’t the goal– for us, parenting as a team has often meant taking turns. Here’s how that works.
41 min
730
Ask Amy- My Toddler Is Waking Up Way Too Early
A listener asks how to get her early-rising toddler to sleep later in the mornings.
7 min
731
Fresh Take: Calysta Watson on "Food Memories" a...
Is there a path for reluctant home cooks to become joyful ones? How do we create “food memories” with our children and encourage healthy eating, even when dealing with food allergies and restrictions? Guest: Calysta Watson of Epicurean Therapy.
34 min
732
Actually, We've Changed Our Minds About That
There are quite a few things we’ve changed our minds about over our years as parents. From minivans to Minecraft, moms on phones to kindergarten dress codes, focus meds to front-yard holiday inflatables, in this episode we talk about them all.
43 min
733
Ask Margaret - All I Hear is "Me First!"
A listener has two little boys who clamor to be "first" in all things, from juice boxes to car-seat-buckling.
6 min
734
When To Be 'That Mom'
What does it mean to be ‘that mom’? How should we pick our battles? How do we enter tough conversations prepared for combat but ready to listen? Here’s when that we (and our listeners) went full mama bear, how we advocated, and why it was worth it.
43 min
735
Ask Amy - What's The Right Age To Get a Cell Ph...
A listener wonders if her 13-year-old son is old enough for a cell phone and the constant internet access it would grant him.
6 min
736
Oh No, It's Fall! (With Guest Biz Ellis from On...
Do you love crunchy leaves and chunky sweaters? Or do shortening, darkening days fill you with nothing but pumpkin-spiced dread- especially this year? We talk about our Halloween and Thanksgiving plans- and how we can use them to fight off pandemic doom and gloom- with Biz Ellis of One Bad Mother.
47 min
737
Ask Margaret - How Can I Keep My Kid Safe While...
A listener who has very little familiarity with gaming wonders how to keep kids safe while playing online.
7 min
738
Bonus Episode: Ask Us Anything!
Bonus Episode! We told you to ask us anything. You kept it PG (thank you) and we’re giving you the answers: What shows are we binging? What gets us dancing in our kitchens? What do our kids think of this show?
45 min
739
Never Thought I'd Say This (Pandemic Edition)
“Don’t you dare hug Grandma.” “Stop playing on the floor and get on screen.” “Yes, we can go to the playground, but you may not play with the other children.” We discuss all the things we (and our listeners) never thought we’d say– and now are.
46 min
740
Ask Amy- My First-Grader is Giving Me Homework ...
A listener's first-grader is already totally burned out on homework. Amy offers tips on motivation (and a little pandemic compassion).
4 min
741
Fresh Take: Dr. Jill Stoddard Tells Us How To M...
Dr. Jill Stoddard is the author of BE MIGHTY: A Woman's Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry & Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance. Jill explains why trying to suppress anxiety is counterproductive and how getting clear about our values helps.
37 min
742
Getting Better At Saying 'No'
Saying ‘no’ doesn’t come easily to a lot of us. (The world likes it that way.) But when you’re seething with resentment because you’re running the school auction by yourself, AGAIN, might there be a better way? Here’s how to get better at saying no.
46 min
743
Fresh Take: Jessica Lahey on "The Gift of Failu...
We interview Jessica Lahey, author of the bestseller THE GIFT OF FAILURE: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. Jess tells us how to apply the book’s ideas to pandemic life, at-home learning, and living together 24/7.
45 min
744
Why The Pandemic is So Hard On Moms
A recent study showed 80% of people who stopped working during this pandemic are women. There's so much more to do right now, and while the work is less invisible now that everyone’s home to see it, moms are still doing a lot more than their share.
47 min
745
Ask Amy- How Can I Get My Kid To Take Her Medic...
A listener wonders how to get a 4-year-old to take a truly disgusting medicine without spitting it out.
5 min
746
How Mad Should I Be About This?
Sometimes you’re bothered by a friend or loved one’s carelessness, but then think: is it me? In this episode we consider “crimes” committed by various spouses, children, and mothers-in-law against our listeners and decide just how mad they should be.
45 min
747
Ask Margaret - My Husband is a Bad Disciplinarian
Margaret answers a question from a listener frustrated that her husband has such a hard time disciplining their 5-year-old.
6 min
748
Fresh Take: Meredith Masony of "That's Inapprop...
Amy and Margaret interview Meredith Masony, creator of That’s Inappropriate, an online community of 3 million strong-minded moms. Meredith’s new book (09/01/20) is ASK ME WHAT’S FOR DINNER ONE MORE TIME: Inappropriate Thoughts on Motherhood.
36 min
749
Things We Can't Live Without (Fall 2020)
Here are the snacks, shows, accessories, and blankets that get us through the days right now. Some for our kids; most are just for us. Have something you can’t live without? Tell us in the FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatfreshhellcast
45 min
750
Ask Amy: My Tween Has Suddenly Stopped Speaking...
A listener wonders how to deal with her own hurt feelings now that her 12-year-old daughter has suddenly stopped speaking to her. Should she say something to her daughter? Submit your parenting questions: questions@whatfreshhellpodcast.com.
6 min