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Artwork for What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood

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

Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson
ADHD
Parenting
Mental Health
Child Anxiety
Parenting Styles
Child Development
Neurodiversity
Independence Theory
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Over-Parenting
Nervous System Dysregulation
Time Blindness
Emotional Dysregulation
Visual Timeline
Scaffolding
Family Dynamics
Nonverbal Working Memory
Prompt Dependence
Self-Help
Executive Function

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 sprea... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1019Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingComedyKids & Family

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Artwork for What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood

Latest Episodes

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In honor of Women's History Month, this "Deep Dive" series highlights some of our past interview episodes about raising daughters.

Why are stereotypes of teenage girls rarely flattering? And even worse, what important traits are we not acknowledging... more

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Recent Guests

Jamilah Lemieux
Author of Black Single Mother, editor and cultural critic
Penguin Random House (publisher)
Episode: Fresh Take: Jamilah Lemieux, BLACK. SINGLE. MOTHER.
Dr. Lisa Damour
New York Times bestselling author, clinical psychologist, director of the Center for Research on Girls at the Laurel School
Laurel School; author of Under Pressure
Episode: DEEP DIVE: Dr. Lisa Damour on Helping Kids Manage Anxiety
Susan Sutton
Founder of the Ember Project, nonprofit supporting teen and early mothers
The Ember Project
Episode: Fresh Take: Susan Sutton, The Ember Project
Gabrielle Blair
Founder of designmom.com and author; discussed as guest
designmom.com / New book with Ben Blair
Episode: DEEP DIVE: Gabrielle Blair, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Catherine Price
Author and co-author of The Amazing Generation
Author, The Amazing Generation; co-author of The Anxious Generation
Episode: Fresh Take: Catherine Price, THE AMAZING GENERATION
Dr. Allison Alford
Communication scholar, researcher, and author of the book Good Daughtering
Episode: Fresh Take: Dr. Allison Alford, GOOD DAUGHTERING
Julie Lythcott-Haims
Author, speaker, and activist focusing on human potential and development.
Episode: DEEP DIVE: Julie Lythcott-Haims on Becoming An Adult
Dannah Eve
A trusted safety expert and digital creator, known for her engaging content that empowers women to navigate life with confidence.
Author of Street Smarts
Episode: Fresh Take: Dannah Eve, STREET SMARTS
Erin Cox
Family counselor and mental health expert
Episode: How Do We Talk About What's Happening in Minnesota? (with Erin Cox)

Hosts

Margaret Ables
Co-host and parent who shares insights on humorous and relatable parenting experiences while providing practical advice.
Amy Wilson
Co-host and advocate for organizational and supportive parenting strategies, sharing personal anecdotes and research insights.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Years of listening and still my favorite

    Best podcast for new and not new parents, curious people, engaged thinkers, people who are in process, or if you just love to laugh.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trufflesalt5000
    United States2 months ago
  • Long time listener, first time reviewer

    I’ve been listening for years and never felt the need to write a review, but when I heard the episode on How to talk to kids about Minneapolis, I had to thank you for taking a leap and writing about really hard stuff. Your guest gave some great practical tips. You two are gems and I love the balance of seriousness and levity in What Fresh Hell.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bubsy1529
    United States2 months ago
  • Favorite parenting podcast

    This podcast gives wonderful information to help with parenting but never in a judgmental way. I love that they understand neurodivergence and how that takes parenting to a whole different level, so their advice is always practical, not impossible.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MamaTigerLily
    United States2 months ago
  • always look forward to this every week!

    I have been listening to Margaret and Amy for years now since my kids were toddlers and they are now tweens 😩. they are so funny and cover all sorts of interesting topics and I love the research they do and the comedy sketches that are usually towards the end of the episodes. Highly highly recommend— they really do feel like awesome friends that keep you company amidst the stresses (and humorous moments) of parenting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Folding Smith
    United States2 months ago
  • The BEST!

    What Fresh Hell in the podcast that I most look forward to listening to. No matter what stage of parenting I’m in, Amy and Margaret always talk about a topic that hits home and I learn so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mo_slp
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners feel seen and understood, particularly regarding the struggles of motherhood, making it a staple for many.
Critics point out occasional preference for more structured episodes, but the overall reception remains positive.
The comedic approach is often highlighted as a key factor that sets this podcast apart from more serious parenting content.
Reviews mention the comforting community aspect of the podcast, as many find camaraderie in shared parenting experiences.
Listeners appreciate the blend of humor and practicality, often stating that it feels like listening to friends.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

DEEP DIVE: Dr. Lisa Damour on Helping Kids Manage Anxiety
Q: What are the four pillars for helping adolescents manage anxiety?
Sleep, physical activity, social interaction, and structure (planning and a written schedule) help older kids manage anxiety and stay organized, with ongoing effort from parents to seed these habits from a young age.
Fresh Take: Catherine Price, THE AMAZING GENERATION
Q: Catherine, what inspired you to target kids with this message and how did your collaboration with Jonathan Haidt shape The Amazing Generation?
The collaboration began from a long-standing interest in helping kids understand what's happening with technology, not just telling them to back away. Working with Haidt brought a deep, psychological framework—the two modes, defend and discover—and a path to translate adult research into engaging, kid-friendly guidance that still respects their intelligence and agency.
DEEP DIVE: Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, "The Disengaged Teen"
Q: How do you define engagement for teens in practical terms?
Engagement is a blend of behavior, emotion, and cognition, with students activating their learning, feeling connected, and thinking deeply about the material, rather than passively receiving information.
DEEP DIVE: Gabrielle Blair, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Q: Gabrielle, how did you come to write The Kids Are All Right and what is the core message you want to convey?
The core message is that there is no single path to a successful, fulfilling life for a child. By recognizing the diverse trajectories that kids take—whether through traditional schooling or alternative experiences—parents can reduce unnecessary stress, tailor support to each child, and design a home life that supports autonomy, connection, and wellbeing.
Fresh Take: Dannah Eve, STREET SMARTS
Q: What would you suggest as one actionable step that would make this feel empowering rather than more scary?
It's as simple as being aware of who and what's around you.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content emphasizes the everyday challenges faced by parents, particularly mothers, presenting them with humorous insights and practical advice. Listeners can expect a mix of lighthearted conversation and serious discussions surrounding significant topics in parenting, including the emotional and developmental complexities of children, from toddlers to teenagers. Episodes often feature expert guests, who contribute knowledge on various aspects of child-rearing and mental health, while the hosts share their personal experiences and differing parenting styles to resonate with a broad audience.

This unique blend of comedy and expert guidance provides both a comforting and informative listening experience, making it especially relatable for ... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Girl Next Door Podcast
2. Best of Both Worlds Podcast
3. Edit Your Life | Simplify + Declutter Your Home, Time, and Mental Space
4. The Lazy Genius Podcast
5. Best Laid Plans

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 1019 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jamilah Lemieux
2. Dr. Lisa Damour
3. Susan Sutton
4. Gabrielle Blair
5. Catherine Price
6. Dr. Allison Alford
7. Julie Lythcott-Haims
8. Dannah Eve

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