What Fresh Hell

What Fresh Hell

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 and Margaret, both busy moms of three kids, but with completely different parenting styles. Margaret is 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.

Recent episodes

April 15, 2024

DEEP DIVE: It's Not "Nagging"

When women ask repeatedly for something to be done– because it wasn’t done the last time they asked– they’re often rewarded by being told they’re “nagging.” How do we push back on the sexism of this word? And are there more …
April 12, 2024

Fresh Take: Diane Boden, "Minimalist Moms"

How can parents embrace a minimalist mindset when we've got partners or kids who aren't exactly looking to get rid of things? Diane Boden, host of the "Minimalist Moms" podcast, explains how to declutter your home when you'r…
April 10, 2024

How Involved Should We Be with Our Kids' Schools?

How do we find a balance between keeping abreast of our kids' grades and going all in on their science projects? Here's what the data says about the relationship between parent involvement in school and academic achievement.
April 8, 2024

DEEP DIVE: Matthew Fray on Strengthening Our Relationships

We’ve all left dishes by the sink. Either that, or we’ve yelled at our partner for doing so. In this episode, Matthew Fray explains how leaving dishes by the sink caused his marriage to implode—hint: it wasn’t just about the…
April 5, 2024

Fresh Take: Amy Shoenthal on "The Setback Cycle"

How can we embrace setbacks in life so that we can learn from them? Amy Shoenthal, author of the new book THE SETBACK CYCLE, explains the science of framing our setbacks to help us more than they hurt us.
April 3, 2024

Our Lowest-Stake Conspiracy Theories

We asked our listeners for their lowest-stake conspiracy theories. From suspiciously ineffective close-door elevator buttons to lip balms that make chapped lips worse, here are our favorites.
April 1, 2024

DEEP DIVE: When Our Partners Just Don't Get It

It was my husband. In the kitchen. With the dirty cup. AGAIN. Our partners do things that drive us mad. And sometimes it affects our parenting or our marriages. How do we make our partners truly understand what we need? Besi…
March 29, 2024

Fresh Take: Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Gordon Neufeld on Maintaining Healthy Connection with Our Kids

Society tells us that it's both unavoidable and appropriate for kids to shift their focus from their parents to their peers as they grow. In their newly revised book HOLD ON TO YOUR KIDS, Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Gordon Neufel…
March 27, 2024

Making the "Invisible Workload" Visible

Many of the things we take on in our family's daily lives go without notice or recognition by the people we live with. That doesn't mean it's not work. Here's how to make the "invisible workload" more visible.
March 25, 2024

DEEP DIVE: Teaching Kids Patience

If patience is a virtue, it’s not one often practiced by preschoolers. There are reasons why very small children have a hard time waiting. Sometimes very big kids as well. As in grownups. Here’s why being patient matters, an…
March 22, 2024

Fresh Take: Kelley Coleman on Parenting a Disabled Child

Kelley Coleman, author of the new book EVERYTHING NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT PARENTING A DISABLED CHILD, offers perspective and reassurance for families on this journey—1 in 6 families, according to the CDC.
March 20, 2024

When One Family Member's Moods Are Running the House

How do we cope when one family member's irritability, tantrums, or anxieties take over the household? When one person's moods become the family's weather, it's important to acknowledge what's happening.