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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
Parenting
Motherhood
Mental Health
Child Development
Parenting Strategies
Anxiety
Family Dynamics
Work-Life Balance
Emotional Intelligence
ADHD
Social Media
Mental Load
Self-Care
Attachment Theory
Time Management
Communication
Childhood Experiences
Decision Fatigue
Friendship
Community Support

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1019Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingComedyKids & Family

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

Latest Episodes

This Deep Dive series revisits some of our past episodes on discerning what we need as moms, and then asking for it confidently.

Most of us know about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the pyramid pattern through which human needs and motivations general... more

Is social media a good thing for isolated mothers? Or does it just give us more to worry about? Margaret talks with Rachael Shepard-Ohta and Caitlin Wilder, hosts of the podcast You’re So Right, about parenting in the age of Instagram, postpartum me... more

We're often told that the American style of parenting is inferior—that we're doing it all wrong compared to, say, a laissez-faire Parisian whose kids eat whatever is served.

But is it our too intense/ too lax/ too snack-heavy parenting style that is... more

This Deep Dive series revisits some of our past episodes about the joys and the challenges that come with raising kids with differences and disabilities.

Olivia Martinez-Hauge is a marriage and family therapist specializing in the treatment of famil... more

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Preston
Science journalist; author of The Creatures' Guide to Caring
New York Times (contributor); author
Episode: Fresh Take: Elizabeth Preston on What Animals Have to Teach Us About Parenting
Lynn Koegel
Co-author of Hidden Brilliance, Unlocking the Intelligence of Autism
Stanford School of Medicine
Episode: DEEP DIVE: Dr. Lynn Koegel on the Hidden Brilliance of Autism
Leah Ruppanner
Professor of Sociology at the University of Melbourne; author of Drained
University of Melbourne
Episode: Fresh Take: Leah Ruppanner on "DRAINED" and What the 'Mental Load' Really Means
Fortesa Latifi
Journalist focused on influencers, kidfluencers, and reality TV families; author of Like, Follow, Subscribe, Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online
Freelance journalist/Author
Episode: Fresh Take: Fortesa Latifi on the Truth About Kids in Influencer Families
Meg Zucker
Founder and president of Don't Hide It, Flaunt It; author of Born Extraordinary
Don't Hide It, Flaunt It / Book: Born Extraordinary
Episode: DEEP DIVE: Meg Zucker on Empowering Kids with Differences and Disabilities
Christina Geist
Writer, entrepreneur, and brand strategist; author of Before You Fly Away
Author, Christina Geist Books
Episode: Preparing Our Kids (and Ourselves) as They Leave the Nest, with Christina Geist
Dr. Janice Johnson Dias
Professor of Sociology at John Jay College; co-founder and president of Grassroots Community Foundation; author of Parent Like It Matters
John Jay College; Grassroots Community Foundation
Episode: DEEP DIVE: Janice Johnson Dias on Raising Joyful, Change-Making Kids
Meredith Schwartz
Co-host of the Currently Reading Podcast, author/reader advocate
Currently Reading (podcast)
Episode: Meredith Schwartz on Building a Reading Life You Actually Love
Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Author and science journalist focusing on neuroscience, immunology, and emotion
Author of Girls on the Brink
Episode: DEEP DIVE: Donna Jackson Nakazawa on Helping Our Daughters Thrive

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
  • Judgey and Uneducated

    Judgey and I feel far less intelligent having listening to an episode. Horrible.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    GabrielleJosephine
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States3 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 States3 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 States3 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 States3 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.

Fresh Take: Elizabeth Preston on What Animals Have to Teach Us About Parenting
Q: What are the practical takeaways for listeners who feel overwhelmed by parenting today?
Recognize that much of what you feel is part of a biological imperative and a normal brain response. Build a supportive network of alloparents—teachers, babysitters, or extended family—and lean into the idea that caring for children is a collective responsibility rather than a solo burden.
Fresh Take: Fortesa Latifi on the Truth About Kids in Influencer Families
Q: Where can listeners find the book and learn more about your work?
The book is widely available wherever books are sold and releases on April 7th; Fortesa's identity and work are shared at HiFortesa across platforms, inviting listeners to explore more about influencer kids and the research behind it.
Fresh Take: Fortesa Latifi on the Truth About Kids in Influencer Families
Q: So you quote in the book, Bridie Hamilton, talking about the eight dangers of family vlogging for lack of a better term, for putting kids online, is that right?
Yes, that section outlines risks like unwanted attention, loss of control over personal information, stigma, reputational damage, and unknowable harms, emphasizing that you can't predict where online content will end up or how it will impact kids in the long term.
Fresh Take: Leah Ruppanner on "DRAINED" and What the 'Mental Load' Really Means
Q: How can listeners begin to address social norms and partner dynamics that contribute to the load?
Acknowledge that norms and judgments exist, advocate for shared responsibilities, openly discuss gaps with partners, and create a plan to distribute the eight types of mental load. Recognize that recovery time and deliberate rest are essential to sustaining any effort to change.
Fresh Take: Leah Ruppanner on "DRAINED" and What the 'Mental Load' Really Means
Q: What exactly is the mental load audit and how does it help someone start making changes in their daily life?
The audit asks you to quantify where your mental load energy is being spent, who it's allocated to, and where you want to invest it. It includes dreaming again, identifying top five people who carry that load, and planning steps to delegate and protect rest to prevent burnout.

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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this podcast launched 10 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. Elizabeth Preston
2. Lynn Koegel
3. Leah Ruppanner
4. Fortesa Latifi
5. Meg Zucker
6. Christina Geist
7. Dr. Janice Johnson Dias
8. Meredith Schwartz

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