What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms Podcast By Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson cover art

What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms

What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms

By: Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson
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 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.comCopyright © 2016-2023 What Fresh Hell, LLC Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Moms and Anxiety

    Moms and Anxiety
    May 14 2025
    Moms are usually low-level anxious about their kids at all times. But it's exhausting. How much of this anxiety we feel is normal and how much of it may require medical intervention? Here's how moms specifically feel anxiety and some tips for making it a little less intense. Amy and Margaret discuss: Anxiety symptoms that can be specific to moms How clinical anxiety is different from everyday anxiety necessary for human survival How to actively work against your anxiety as a mother Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Jennifer Kelly Geddes for What to Expect: 6 Types of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Calm.com: Yes, motherhood anxiety is totally normal. Here's how to cope Cleveland Clinic: Anxiety Disorders Marika Lindholm, PhD, for Psychology Today: 10 Anxiety Busters for Moms We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/⁠ mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, household equity, household equality, gender household equality, gender household equity, anxiety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • DEEP DIVE: Making the "Invisible Workload" Visible

    DEEP DIVE: Making the "Invisible Workload" Visible
    May 12 2025
    This Deep Dive series is all about why motherhood is so gosh darn hard. Turns out there are sociopolitical forces at play that make motherhood way harder than it needs to be. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify. What should we do when all the work we do to run our family's lives is done so successfully that they not only don't acknowledge it—they don't even understand it? How do we help our partners understand that saying "I left the doctor a message, but they didn't call back" does not really count as a completed task? It's all about what's called the "invisible workload." In this episode Amy and Margaret discuss: Whether "cognitive labor" (Allison Daminger) or "emotional labor" (Rose Hackman) might be even better terms for what we're talking about Pushing back on "weaponized incompetence" The difference between taking on tasks and taking on outcomes The importance of giving voice to invisible labor in front of kids Here are links to some interviews/books we mentioned in the episode: Our interview with Eve Rodsky Mac Daniel for Harvard Radcliffe Institute: "The Unseen Inequity of Cognitive Labor" FAIR PLAY by Eve Rodsky: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780525541943 EMOTIONAL LABOR by Rose Hackman: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9781250777355 THIS AMERICAN EX-WIFE by Lyz Lenz: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780593241127 We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, emotional labor, cognitive labor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Fresh Take: Susan Dominus

    Fresh Take: Susan Dominus
    May 9 2025
    What do high-achieving families have in common, and what are some good lessons from them we can replicate in our own parenting? Susan Dominus, author of the new book THE FAMILY DYNAMIC, discusses the forces at play in families with multiple successful members and how we can encourage our kids to succeed in the ways that make sense for them. Susan Dominus is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. In 2018, Susan was part of a team reporting on workplace sexual harassment that won a Pulitzer Prize for public service. Susan, Amy, and Margaret discuss: How socioeconomic status informs family dynamics The role that parent expectations play in child development Why relationships outside the family are important for kids Here's where you can find Susan: @suedominus on IG @susandominus.bsky.social on Bluesky Buy FAMILY DYNAMIC: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780593137901 We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/⁠ mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid’s behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, siblings, brothers, sisters, sibling relationship, kids age gap, sibling age gap , family dynamic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
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Featured Article: The Best Podcasts for Every Type of Parent


Parenting in the 21st century certainly comes with its own set of challenges. Fortunately, today's parents have an abundance of resources at their fingertips—including podcasts. Looking for advice on how to better raise your child? Seeking commiseration and reassurance from parents who have been through struggles similar to your own? Or maybe you simply need a quick laugh break from your parenting routine? Podcasts are the way to go.

Featured Article The Best Podcasts for Every Type of Parent
All stars
Most relevant  
the hosts are always super relatable and fun to listen too. Whether you have kids or work with kids, no matter the age, there is something to takeway from ever episode. Great content!

highly relatable

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I am so glad I stumbled on this podcast a year or so ago. It addresses real parenting issues in a non-judgmental and entertaining way. There is also a Facebook community with lots of moms interacting with great support and positivity. 100% recommend this podcast.

Great, REAL LIFE podcast for parents

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I LOVE What Fresh Hell. Amy and Margaret have the perfect blend of parenting advice and humor. Love their research, their interviews & their enthusiasm. I am definitely a Fresh Hellion!

Simply The Best!

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Such great topics, feels like I’m sitting with friends. They leave me feeling validated as a mom. Thank you Amy and Margaret! Keep up the great work!

Love these women

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If you need to support as you navigate parenthood but also want a good laugh about said parenthood, please listen to What the Fresh! It is informative and fantastic. Always relevant and always informative.

Real and funny

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