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Podcasts · Kids & Family · Comedy

What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms

Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson

300 episodes

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

Episodes page 3 of 6

  1. How Not to Live Through Our Kids

    · 46 min · Episode 460

    First, we’re setting aside our own hopes and dreams to have (and raise) our kids. Then, we’re relentlessly mocked (perhaps correctly) for being overinvested in the fourth-grade luau. Are we living through our kids? And…

  2. DEEP DIVE: Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein on Raising Resilient Girls

    · 31 min

    In honor of Women's History Month, this "Deep Dive" series highlights some of our past interview episodes about raising daughters. How do we raise our daughters to feel empowered, rather than helpless, in the face of…

  3. Fresh Take: Jamilah Lemieux, BLACK. SINGLE. MOTHER.

    · 39 min

    What does it really mean to be a Black single mother in America? Why are the stories we hear and tell about that experience so often incomplete? Margaret talks with cultural critic, writer, and editor Jamilah Lemieux,…

  4. Parenting Panics Through the Ages

    · 45 min · Episode 459

    Are screens ruining our kids' childhoods? Is AI going to rot our brains in the next thirty days? Or are these the latest examples of a very human tendency: the catastrophizing of change? From the dawn of the printing…

  5. DEEP DIVE: Dr. Lisa Damour on Helping Kids Manage Anxiety

    · 55 min

    Based on a recent listener question about letting go as your kids get older and gain more independence, we're highlighting some of our past interview episodes that address this topic. Anxiety is a natural response to…

  6. Fresh Take: Susan Sutton, The Ember Project

    · 42 min

    What do we misunderstand about teen mothers? How does stigma contribute to the difficulties teen mothers face? This week we're talking to Susan Sutton about her nonprofit The Ember Project, which supports teen and…

  7. When *You're* the One Who's Dysregulated

    · 40 min · Episode 458

    We talk a lot about how to manage kids when they are being impossible. But it's supposed to be the terrible twos, not the terrible forty-somethings. What do we do when we're the one in the family who's dysregulated?…

  8. DEEP DIVE: Gabrielle Blair, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

    · 36 min

    Based on a recent listener question about how to start to let go as our kids get older, this "Deep Dive" series highlights some of our past interview episodes on the topic. As moms, we're often given tons of societal…

  9. Fresh Take: Catherine Price, THE AMAZING GENERATION

    · 42 min

    How do we get kids to *want* to put their phones down? This week we're talking to bestselling author Catherine Price about her latest book, The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled…

  10. Do Siblings Need to Get Along?

    · 44 min · Episode 457

    Do siblings really need to get along as children to have healthy relationships as adults? We challenge one of parenting’s most deeply held assumptions: that sibling closeness is the ultimate goal. We explain why…

  11. DEEP DIVE: Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, "The Disengaged Teen"

    · 46 min

    Based on a recent listener question about how to start to let go as our kids get older, this "Deep Dive" series highlights some of our past interview episodes on the topic. Are teenagers destined to be "over"…

  12. Fresh Take: Dr. Allison Alford, GOOD DAUGHTERING

    · 44 min

    Amy and Margaret talk with Dr. Allison Alford, communication scholar and author of the new book Good Daughtering: The Work You’ve Always Done, the Credit You’ve Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough. Dr.…

  13. Why Are Some Kids Shy?

    · 43 min · Episode 456

    Why are some kids shy? Is there harm in giving a kid's personality that label? In this episode, we explore the differences between shyness, introversion, and behavioral inhibition, and why fear—not preference—is often…

  14. DEEP DIVE: Julie Lythcott-Haims on Becoming An Adult

    · 42 min

    Based on a recent listener question about how to start to let go as our kids get older, this "Deep Dive" series highlights some of our past interview episodes on the topic. Julie Lythcott-Haims is the author of the…

  15. Fresh Take: Dannah Eve, STREET SMARTS

    · 33 min

    Margaret and Amy talk with safety expert and digital creator Dannah Eve, author of the new book STREET SMARTS, about the steps women can take to be safer in our daily lives—and how to teach age-appropriate techniques…

  16. Our Moms Were Totally Right About This

    · 44 min · Episode 455

    It's time to confront one of life’s most uncomfortable truths: how our moms were often right—especially when we were convinced they were totally wrong. From dead-end relationships to to coat-free winters, Amy and…

  17. DEEP DIVE: Lisa Damour on the Emotional Lives of Teenagers

    · 33 min

    Based on a recent listener question about how to start to let go as our kids get older, this "Deep Dive" series highlights some of our past interview episodes on the topic. There's a mental health crisis among teens.…

  18. How Do We Talk About What's Happening in Minnesota? (with Erin Cox)

    · 41 min

    We welcome back family counselor Erin Cox to talk about how we talk about the immigration raids and ICE detentions taking place in the United States, the children who are being detained, and the fear all children are…

  19. February Is the New January!

    · 40 min · Episode 454

    Still not feeling that new-year excitement? That's because forcing productivity during the darkest months is a losing battle. Would it make you feel better to learn that January and February were once considered such…

  20. DEEP DIVE: Peer Pressure

    · 40 min

    When we imagine peer pressure, we imagine coming to the rescue by slapping drugs and alcohol out of our kids' hands after their friends undoubtedly tell them they should definitely try some. But peer pressure--who…

  21. Fresh Take: Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Golinkoff

    · 40 min

    Amy talks with developmental psychologists Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Golinkoff, authors of the newly revised parenting classic EINSTEIN NEVER USED FLASHCARDS, about why today’s parents feel more pressured…

  22. Watch Your Story: Becoming Aware of the Narratives We Live By

    · 48 min · Episode 453

    Why do some moments feel enormous while others vanish from memory? Why do two people experience the same event and walk away with completely different interpretations? And why do we so often repeat stories about…

  23. DEEP DIVE: Helping Kids Manage Their Friendships

    · 47 min

    What do we do as parents when our kids aren't great at making friends, or their friends are outgrowing them, or we feel that their friends are a bad influence? Sometimes, we're not supposed to do anything at all.…

  24. Fresh Take: Meredith Elkins, PARENTING ANXIETY

    · 44 min

    Margaret talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Meredith Elkins, author of the new book PARENTING ANXIETY, about how anxiety really works—and how parents can stop unintentionally reinforcing it in themselves and their…

  25. Tween and Teen Crimes

    · 44 min · Episode 452

    From socks-and-slides footwear to mysteriously disappearing spoons and phone chargers, teens and tweens can really rack up the infractions. In this episode, Amy and Margaret break down the baffling behaviors that…

  26. DEEP DIVE: When Our Kids Are Bad at Making Friends

    · 45 min

    When we have a kid who just doesn't seem to fit in—or who is a loner, if a fairly content one—it can be hard for parents. But putting our own anxiety about it aside, and getting clear on the lagging skills and social…

  27. Fresh Take: Dr. Greg Hammer on the Winter Blues—and How Mindfulness Can Help

    · 31 min

    Why does winter affect our mood—and why are teens especially vulnerable? Amy talks with Dr. Greg Hammer, author of the book A MINDFUL TEEN, about the science behind the winter blues, teen mental health, and how simple…

  28. How to Make Better Decisions (And Stress Less About Them)

    · 44 min · Episode 451

    Why does deciding what’s for dinner every night feel way harder than making major decisions at work? Here's why decision-making can feel so overwhelming—and what actually helps. You'll learn the psychology behind…

  29. DEEP DIVE: When Your Kid is Being Bullied

    · 46 min

    Most of us hear “bullying” and picture a sand-kicking, lunch-money-stealing menace. But today’s bullying can take other forms. Research by Dr. Charisse Nixon shows that about 7% of kids report experiencing physical…

  30. Fresh Take: Amil Niazi, LIFE AFTER AMBITION

    · 39 min

    What happens when the ambition that once fueled your identity no longer fits your life? Margaret talks with writer and producer Amil Niazi about her new book, LIFE AFTER AMBITION, and the complicated relationship…

  31. Why Kids Act Differently at School Than at Home

    · 44 min · Episode 447

    Why do kids often act so differently at school than they do at home? In this episode, you'll learn how skills like adaptability and “theory of mind” develop over time, why younger kids struggle more with behavior…

  32. DEEP DIVE: Things We Weirdly Enjoy

    · 36 min

    To accompany us on our holiday road trips, here's one of our favorite funny family-friendly episodes: Things We Weirdly Enjoy. What oddities do you love that others might look askance at? Is it your magical singing…

  33. Best of 2025: Shannon Watts, FIRED UP

    · 41 min

    To wrap up 2025, we’re re-running some of our favorite guest episodes from this year—including this interview with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, discussing her book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into…

  34. BEST OF: Wait, Didn't Everyone's Family Do This?

    · 46 min · Episode 448

    For the holidays, we’re re-running some of our favorite episodes. See you in 2026! Did you grow up thinking everyone's family has a tooth fairy that leaves tin foil behind instead of coins? Said "padiddle" whenever a…

  35. DEEP DIVE: What Kind of Mom-ster?

    · 46 min

    What's your scariest mom-ster story? Do you leave half-empty cups everywhere like Margaret? Do you leave hairs on the shower wall like Amy? We asked our listeners when they were the mom-sters, and some of the answers…

  36. Best of 2025: Jessica N. Turner on Rising from Grief and Disappointment

    · 37 min

    To wrap up 2025, we’re re-running some of our favorite guest episodes from this year. When we're faced with difficulties, how can we put them into perspective and move forward? Jessica N. Turner, author of the new…

  37. Best of: How to Be in "High Magic, Low Effort" Mode This Holiday Season

    · 48 min

    For the holidays, we’re re-running some of our very favorite holiday-themed episodes! It's hard not to feel like we've got to be doing ALL the things at the holidays, especially when social media tells us we should be.…

  38. DEEP DIVE: Why Is This a Thing?

    · 46 min

    In this best-of, listener-driven episode, we talk about all the things that our listeners say should not be things, like: • prairie dresses • thank you cards • school theme days • Dinosaurs ...and so many more! What…

  39. Fresh Take: Sophie Kihm of Nameberry on the Baby Names We'll Be Seeing in 2026

    · 38 min

    Amy talks with Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of Nameberry (the world’s largest baby name website!) about the top baby name trends predicted for 2026, and why naming a child feels more complicated—and more…

  40. Why Kids Melt Down During the Holidays—And How to Handle It

    · 43 min · Episode 447

    Why is the "most wonderful time of the year" also the time, all too often, when our kids are at their worst? Drawing on research from child psychologists, developmental experts, and real-life family dynamics, Amy and…

  41. DEEP DIVE: Better Then? Or Better Now?

    · 44 min

    This week we're discussing whether these parts of our lives (then as children, now as parents) are better then or better now: • Halloween costumes • holidays at school • jeans • what's for lunch • cleaning the house…

  42. Fresh Take: Sophie Lucido Johnson, KIN

    · 40 min

    This week, we sit down with writer, illustrator, and community-builder Sophie Lucido Johnson, author of KIN: THE FUTURE OF FAMILY, to explore how adults can create deeper, more fulfilling friendship networks. Sophie…

  43. The Parables That Stick With Us

    · 40 min · Episode 466

    In this episode, we discuss some of our favorite parables— and what they can teach us about the meaning we attach to everyday frustrations with modern parenting, stress, and family dynamics. Stories are sticky for our…

  44. DEEP DIVE: Why Kids Need More Time To Play

    · 44 min

    Kids have a less time for unsupervised, unstructured play than they did 40-50 years ago. Kids are also a lot less happy then they were back then. But has one actually caused the other? A new study says it has.…

  45. Fresh Take: Erin Cox on Navigating Family Drama, Guilt, and Stress at the Holidays

    · 38 min

    The holidays are the time of year we're most likely to spend time with our extended families— visits which can also bring guilt, frustration, and overwhelming expectations. In this episode, Amy and family counselor…

  46. Saying "No" Is Also Work

    · 42 min

    Amy and Margaret tackle one of women's most exhausting challenges: the nonstop onslaught of small asks, random requests, invisible labor, and mental load that quietly drains them. They break down why saying "no” to…

  47. DEEP DIVE: Are We Helping or Are We Helicoptering?

    · 41 min

    Is "helicopter parenting" actually a definable thing? Or is it just what we call parents who are being annoying? Overparenting is something that it's easy to be judgey about in other people, and a lot harder to…

  48. Fresh Take: Glen Henry, FATHER YOURSELF FIRST

    · 35 min

    Trigger warning: this episode contains mention of child abuse and suicidal ideation. Amy and Margaret talk with Glen Henry—creator of Beleaf in Fatherhood and author of the new book Father Yourself First—about…

  49. BEST OF: I Love My Family, But They Need To Stop Doing This

    · 46 min · Episode 444

    What words, phrases, or annoying habits do you wish your family would just quit once and for all? Here's what our funny mom friends had to say. Amy and Margaret discuss: • What rules work in Margaret's house • What…

  50. DEEP DIVE: Lynn Lyons and Robin Hutson of "Flusterclux"

    · 42 min

    Anxiety expert Lynn Lyons and co-host Robin Hutson created the podcast FLUSTERCLUX to help anxious kids and anxious families, which are usually one and the same. Lynn Lyons has trained hundreds of teachers, school…

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