

What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms
Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 10, 2018 • 51min
What is Up With Toddlers?
Have you a short fat dictator in your home? Do you cower before a 24-pound child demanding pizza– no, not THAT kind of pizza! the other kind, the kind she likes NOW, which apparently has neither sauce nor cheese? What is *UP* with toddlers? In this episode we discuss * why toddlers’ tantrums may have, at least at one time, been biologically necessary why taking your toddler’s french toast sticks away makes him feel like he’s suddenly swimming alone in open ocean how expecting a toddler to be “magically cute” is extremely problematic why, if you really must ice-skate with a toddler, you must always, always take your own skates off first And here’s links to some fascinating research, helpful tips, and funny toddler stuff we reference: Kate Gammon for Popular Science: Birth Of Memory: Why Kids Forget What Happened Before Age 7Patrick Sauer for Fatherly: What’s Going On Inside A Toddler’s Brain, According To ScienceAlison Gopnik’s TED talk: What Do Babies Think? Mo Willems and his perfect description of how a toddler goes “boneless”Toddlerography with James Corden and Jennifer Lopez…and from England’s First Steps Research, a study indicating that a toddler’s daily caloric output is the equivalent of going 83 rounds in a boxing ring.This episode also features our interview with Heather Spohr, co-author of the new book The Toddler Survival Guide: Complete Protection From the Whiny Unfed. Spohr’s book is hilarious *and* has practical advice (our favorite combo) for surviving the inevitable onslaught of the Toddler Apocalypse in your own household. Take heart, and plan ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 3, 2018 • 55min
We’re Feeling Goal-y (Our Resolutions for the New Year)
It’s a new year, and we’ve got goals. Some of them are perhaps the same as last year, but Margaret says that 2018 is all about Widening the Window of Acceptability. Isn’t that a lovely notion? If redefined to include regular ambulatory activity, “get in shape” might indeed be something we accomplish this year.Either way, we are here to *win 2018*, whether through Amy’s Word For the Year (“Clarify”) or Margaret’s Phrase For These Times (“Say Yes to Less”). In this episode we both agree to avoid the Cookie Committee, or whatever it is we really don’t want to get roped into this year, by taking Brené Brown’s advice of choosing discomfort over resentment.Here’s what else one or both of us hereby swears to do on the record in this episode:* read more books (Margaret says she’ll read 30 in 2018)* drink two glasses of water with lemon every morning (okay this one might be just Amy)* meditate* organize kid-free time* soften into with-kids time* dock our phones in the kitchen at nightHere’s links to some other sources of inspiration discussed in this episode:for stuck creatives: Jon Acuff’s book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Donefor those in a tough moment: David Foster Wallace’s “This is Water”for those of us who tend to conflate busy-ness with worthiness: this clip of Joan Rivers from “A Piece of Work” to make meditation easier: the Headspace appto read more articles instead of your Facebook feed: the Pocket appWhat are your 2018 goals? We want to hear from you! Tell us in the comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 1, 2018 • 56sec
New to What Fresh Hell? Start Here
“What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood” is a hilarious podcast exploring the joys and challenges of parenthood and adulting in general. Join hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables as they navigate motherhood, careers, relationships, and the ever-changing landscape of women’s lives with a little research, a big dose of relatable stories, and a whole lot of laughter.
“What Fresh Hell” is a Webby-honored podcast with 12 million downloads and hundreds of episodes. Use the search function in the upper-right corner to find the topics you want to hear more about. From toddlers to teens, from toxic positivity to rejoining the workforce, we’ve talked about it.
Listen to "What Fresh Hell" wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 13, 2017 • 53min
BONUS! What Fresh Hell Live
This week’s *bonus* episode is a recording of our first live show! On December 1st, more than four hundred of you showed up at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center for “What Fresh Hell LIVE!” A few brave husbands were also in attendance; they were moved to the safety of the “Men Pen” for their own protection. (Scotch was served.)The show was such a hit that we can’t wait to do it again. So we are now booking dates for 2018! We’re talking local theaters, school groups, PTAs, fundraisers, moms’ nights out. If you’d like to talk to us about bringing What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood to come to your hometown in 2018, drop us an email at info@whatfreshhellpodcast.com.Special thanks to SheBee Jewelry, the sponsor of our very first What Fresh Hell LIVE! SheBee jewelry adds a touch of chic to elevate the everyday. Get a little something for your mom, your sister, your babysitter– or get some ideas for your own letter to Santa– at shebee.com and get 15% off with code FRESH.Thank you to Chad David Kraus Photography for the fabulous photos! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


