get tickets for our live shows!
What Fresh Hell

episodes

June 25, 2021

Fresh Take: Dawn Huebner on Sibling Rivalry (And What Parents Usually…

Dr. Dawn Huebner’s latest book is The Sibling Survival Guide: Surefire Ways to Solve Conflicts, Reduce Rivalry, and Have More Fun with Your Brothers and Sisters, which gives kids the power to "stop feeling so bothered and start having more …

Episode page
June 23, 2021

Can We Be More Inclusive Parents?

Can we become more inclusive as parents? We discuss how to get more intentionally welcoming in our family lives and communities, how to bring our kids into that conversation, and how inclusivity benefits us just as much as the one …

Episode page
June 21, 2021

Ask Amy - Is Childhood Stuttering Something To Be Concerned About?

Stuttering occurs when a child's speech development lags behind what they want to say. It's best not to finish their sentences or focus on it. But "ignore it" doesn't necessarily mean "never get a professional opinion or seek therapeutic support."

Episode page
June 18, 2021

Fresh Take: You're Doing It Wrong! (with Bethany Johnson and Margaret…

Margaret Quinlan and Bethany Johnson are co-authors of You’re Doing it Wrong! Mothering, Media and Medical Expertise. which investigates the history of mothering advice from the 1800s to now. Turns out, perfectionism in motherhood is an old dictate.

Episode page
June 16, 2021

Admitting Things Aren't Perfect

It's hard to admit things aren't perfect.It's especially hard for moms. "Socially mediated" perfectionism happens when a culture has unrealistic demands for a person or group, then punishes them when they falls short.Sound familiar?Here’s what to do.

Episode page
June 14, 2021

Ask Margaret - When Grandparents Undermine Your Parenting

As long as there have been grandparents there have been grandparents who say "I would love to give you this brownie but your mom won't let me". How much does this undermining hurt our parenting? If we address this behavior …

Episode page
June 11, 2021

Fresh Take: Ellen Kahn On Supporting Our LGBTQ Kids

Ellen Kahn is an expert on LGBTQ youth and family life. She tells us how parents can create a home environment that affirms and accepts LGBTQ children, and how we can advocate for LGBTQ kids in the larger world, whether …

Episode page
June 9, 2021

Our Parental Achilles Heels

An "Achilles Heel" is a weakness in spite of overall strength that when exploited by our enemies can lead to our tragic downfalls. From whistling to growth spurts to the constant, constant talking, here are our greatest weaknesses as moms …

Episode page
June 7, 2021

Ask Amy: How Do I Protect My Newborn in a Post-Pandemic World?

How can a mom feel okay about protecting her newborn in a post-pandemic world? Take advantage of warmer weather to do things outside; keep masks on if that makes you more comfortable; and don't accept the burden of Other People's …

Episode page
June 4, 2021

Fresh Take: Future Focused Parenting With Kira Dorrian and Deana Thay…

Kira Dorrian and Deana Thayer are the co-founders of Future Focused Parenting, the philosophy that starts with the end in mind. They explain how future-focused parenting can make daily parenting decisions clearer, both for ourselves and for our kids.

Episode page
June 2, 2021

Reestablishing Friendships After This Weird Time

These days we're both alternating periods of social-butterfly celebration with times we’re still hiding under the covers. Reemergence is a process. Here's how we’re getting more intentional about reestablishing the friendships we’ve missed the most.

Episode page
May 31, 2021

Ask Margaret: How Do I Talk to My Kids About Consent?

When do we begin difficult conversations with our kids about consent? We can do it early and often, when it’s in an age-appropriate manner. Here’s how to introduce the topic of consent to kids and how to keep those conversations …

Episode page
May 28, 2021

Fresh Take: Radha Agrawal on Creating Community

Feeling disconnected from your community after this hard year? Never had a great support system in the first place? Radha Agrawal explains how to build a joy practice, and the possibilities that exist to get intentional about finding our people.

Episode page
May 26, 2021

So What Are We Doing This Summer?

Our kids’ summer plans keep evolving, for the better and the more confusing. We’re excited by the possibilities for a real summer this year, but figuring out the new rules seems to be once again kind of up to us. …

Episode page
May 24, 2021

Ask Margaret - My Kid Wants All the Things

Whether it's Pokémon cards, LEGOs or LOL Surprise Dolls, kids want stuff. It doesn't help that some collectibles are designed and marketed to make our kids crave more and more. Here’s how to help our kids control their urges to …

Episode page
May 21, 2021

Fresh Take: Carla Naumburg Tells Us How To Stop Losing It With Our Ki…

Kids are hardwired to push our buttons. We’re hardwired to freak out when they do. Carla Naumburg, social worker, mother, and author of HOW TO STOP LOSING YOUR SH*T WITH YOUR KIDS, explains how managing our triggers can help us …

Episode page
May 19, 2021

Useless Metrics For Life

Behaviorist James Clear says one should "measure to see if you're actually spending time on the things that are important to you." We agree– as long as we remember that 9,000 steps is great, inbox 1000 is totally fine, and …

Episode page
May 18, 2021

BONUS: Toddler Purgatory

On this first episode of our sister podcast, Toddler Purgatory, Blaire and Molly discuss the challenges of life with their tiny, ruthlessly honest, tantrum-having, often stinky carbon copies.Subscribe/follow TODDLER PURGATORY where you listen or at toddlerpurgatory.com.

Episode page
May 17, 2021

Ask Amy- I Can't Take The Noise!

Some of us are more affected by our environments. We don't habituate to noise exposure like others do. And when our nervous systems are already amped up for other reasons, the noise can just be too much. Here’s how to …

Episode page
May 14, 2021

Fresh Take: Ilyse DiMarco on "Mom Brain"

Dr. Ilyse DiMarco’s new book MOM BRAIN explores the profound cognitive and emotional changes that occur when we become mothers, the anxiety that can often result, and the evidence-based strategies that work best to keep us present-moment-focused.

Episode page
May 12, 2021

Let It Go? Or No?

Still mad about that thing from that time? This week we're reviewing listener grudges large and small and deciding once and for all if those listeners should let it go or no. Which is not the same question as whether …

Episode page
May 10, 2021

Ask Amy- Company's Coming. How Am I Going To Feed Everyone?

Find yourself stuck in the kitchen 24/7 when family comes to visit? You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed and even a little resentful, even if you’re really happy they came. Here’s how to reset expectations so you can truly enjoy your …

Episode page
May 7, 2021

Fresh Take: Judith Warner on What Grownups Get Wrong About Middle Sch…

Judith Warner’s book AND THEN THEY STOPPED TALKING TO ME: MAKING SENSE OF MIDDLE SCHOOL investigates what can be a truly painful period. Our parenting of tweens can also be affected by our memories of that time, and Warner explains …

Episode page
May 5, 2021

When Your Kid Doesn't Fit The Mold

When kids don’t fit the mold, it can be even harder on us than it is on them. While they’re lying down on second base instead of paying attention, we’re up at night worrying about the year 2035. The good …

Episode page