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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
Child Development
Parenting Styles
Neurodiversity
Independence Theory
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Over-Parenting
Nervous System Dysregulation
Nonverbal Working Memory
Scaffolding
Emotional Dysregulation
Time Blindness
Prompt Dependence
Visual Timeline
Family Dynamics
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
ComedyKids & FamilyParenting

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

Latest Episodes

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 stress. Sometimes it’s even usef... more

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 early mothers through mentorship, fi... more

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?

In this episode, we discuss:

... more

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 pressure on how we have to give ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Dr. Lisa Damour
Psychologist, author, and co-host of Ask Lisa podcast
Episode: DEEP DIVE: Lisa Damour on the Emotional Lives of Teenagers
Dr. Roberta Golinkoff
Director of the Child's Play, Learning and Development Lab at the University of Delaware.
University of Delaware
Episode: Fresh Take: Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Golinkoff
Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
Professor in the psychology department at Temple University, director of the Temple Infant and Child Laboratory.
Temple University
Episode: Fresh Take: Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Golinkoff
Dr. Meredith Elkins
Clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety and related disorders.
Harvard Medical School
Episode: Fresh Take: Meredith Elkins, PARENTING ANXIETY
Dr. Greg Hammer
Retired professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, pediatric intensive care physician, and author
Stanford University
Episode: Fresh Take: Dr. Greg Hammer on the Winter Blues—and How Mindfulness Can Help

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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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.

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.
Fresh Take: Dannah Eve, STREET SMARTS
Q: Can you just explain those four reactions: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn?
Knowing how you react in situations can be very empowering.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Lazy Genius Podcast
2. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
3. Happier with Gretchen Rubin
4. Raising Good Humans
5. Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

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. Catherine Price
2. Dr. Allison Alford
3. Julie Lythcott-Haims
4. Dannah Eve
5. Dr. Lisa Damour
6. Dr. Roberta Golinkoff
7. Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
8. Dr. Meredith Elkins

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