What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms cover art
Podcast · 197 episodes

What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms, page 5

by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson · English

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

All episodes, page 5

Why Are Some Kids Shy?In this episode of "What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood," co-hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables delve into the complexities of child shyness.18 Feb 2026 · 43 min · 22 chapters
DEEP DIVE: Julie Lythcott-Haims on Becoming An AdultIn this episode, co-hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables discuss the transition from parenting to letting children become independent adults, featuring insights from Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of…16 Feb 2026 · 42 min · 17 chapters
Fresh Take: Dannah Eve, STREET SMARTS"What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood" is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables and aims to provide humor and practical advice for parents navigating the challenges of motherhood.13 Feb 2026 · 33 min · 13 chapters
Our Moms Were Totally Right About ThisIn this episode, co-hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables reflect on the poignant truth that their mothers were often right about various life lessons.11 Feb 2026 · 44 min · 27 chapters
DEEP DIVE: Lisa Damour on the Emotional Lives of TeenagersLaughing in the Face of Motherhood9 Feb 2026 · 33 min · 11 chapters
How Do We Talk About What's Happening in Minnesota? (with Erin Cox)In this episode of *What Fresh Hell*, hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables are joined by family counselor Erin Cox to discuss the pressing and sensitive issue of immigration raids and ICE detentions…6 Feb 2026 · 41 min · 17 chapters
February Is the New January!In the episode titled "February Is the New January," co-hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables explore the notion that January isn't the ideal time for new beginnings.4 Feb 2026 · 40 min · 17 chapters
DEEP DIVE: Peer PressureIn this episode, co-hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables discuss the concept of peer pressure among adolescents, exploring its complexities, biological underpinnings, and the implications for…2 Feb 2026 · 40 min · 12 chapters
Fresh Take: Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta GolinkoffIn this episode, hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables speak with developmental psychologists Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr.30 Jan 2026 · 40 min · 15 chapters
Watch Your Story: Becoming Aware of the Narratives We Live ByIn this episode, hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables delve into the concept of narrative identity, exploring how the stories we tell ourselves shape our identities, interpretations of events, and…28 Jan 2026 · 48 min · 20 chapters
DEEP DIVE: Helping Kids Manage Their FriendshipsParenting experiences, challenges, and humor26 Jan 2026 · 47 min · 23 chapters
Fresh Take: Meredith Elkins, PARENTING ANXIETYProviding laughs and practical advice for parents navigating the challenges of motherhood.23 Jan 2026 · 44 min · 15 chapters
Tween and Teen CrimesIn this episode, co-hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables discuss the humorous and frustrating behaviors of tweens and teens, referred to as "crimes" reported by parents.21 Jan 2026 · 44 min · 19 chapters
DEEP DIVE: When Our Kids Are Bad at Making FriendsParenting advice on why kids struggle to make (or keep) friends, how to distinguish bullying from skill gaps, and how to coach social skills using “unwritten social rules.”19 Jan 2026 · 45 min · 12 chapters
Fresh Take: Dr. Greg Hammer on the Winter Blues—and How Mindfulness Can HelpWinter blues causes and remedies, with a focus on mindfulness and Dr.16 Jan 2026 · 31 min · 11 chapters
How to Make Better Decisions (And Stress Less About Them) How decision-making becomes stressful for parents and how to make choices easier and less anxiety-provoking, using concepts like choice overload, decision fatigue, defaulting, regret aversion, and…14 Jan 2026 · 44 min · 17 chapters
DEEP DIVE: When Your Kid is Being BulliedWhat Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood12 Jan 2026 · 46 min · 21 chapters
Fresh Take: Amil Niazi, LIFE AFTER AMBITIONEmile Niazi discusses her book Life After Ambition and how “ambition” shaped her life—especially the belief that success requires endless sacrifice, never an “enough.” She connects this to…9 Jan 2026 · 39 min · 12 chapters
Why Kids Act Differently at School Than at HomeWhy kids behave differently at school vs. home, framed as a developing adaptation skill (linked to theory of mind), plus “restraint collapse” after school and how home is a safer place to release…7 Jan 2026 · 44 min · 18 chapters
DEEP DIVE: Things We Weirdly EnjoyThe “What Fresh Hell” episode “Things We Weirdly Enjoy” is a parenting-comedy chat where hosts Amy and Margaret and their “Hellions” share small, oddly specific things that make them unreasonably…5 Jan 2026 · 36 min · 12 chapters
Best of 2025: Shannon Watts, FIRED UPParents, particularly mothers, looking for humor and practical advice in parenting.2 Jan 2026 · 41 min · 18 chapters
BEST OF: Wait, Didn't Everyone's Family Do This?“Best of” episode where Amy Wilson and Margaret Aples (What Fresh Hell) and listener submissions compare family “normal” traditions that turn out to be unique—especially around holidays, food, and…31 Dec 2025 · 46 min · 23 chapters
DEEP DIVE: What Kind of Mom-ster?In this Halloween-themed episode of "What Fresh Hell," co-hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables explore the lighter side of motherhood by discussing their own "momster" moments and sharing funny and…29 Dec 2025 · 46 min · 25 chapters
Best of 2025: Jessica N. Turner on Rising from Grief and DisappointmentJessica N. Turner discusses her book I Thought It Would Be Better Than This: Rise From Disappointment, Regain Control, and Rebuild a Life You Love—how to recover when a major disappointment shatters…26 Dec 2025 · 37 min · 17 chapters