What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms Podcast By Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson cover art

What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms

What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms

By: Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson
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Summary
 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.comCopyright © 2016-2023 What Fresh Hell, LLC Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • How to Do a Reset When Your Household Has Gone Off the Rails

    How to Do a Reset When Your Household Has Gone Off the Rails
    Nov 4 2026
    When family routines fall apart, it can feel overwhelming to attempt a reset. But getting things "back to one" is possible. In this episode, we answer a listener’s question about how to get routines and household expectations back to normal after a chaotic stretch. We discuss: Why family systems can break down gradually or all at once The questions to ask yourself before actually trying to fix anything How clear expectations when things are calm can make it easier to know what you're returning to How to respond to the pushback you will probably encounter Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Sege, R. D., and Siegel, B. S. for Pediatrics: Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children CDC's Essential Tips for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers: Tips for Relying on Routines and Rules CDC's Essential Tips for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers: Tips for Responding to Behavior Harvard University Center on the Developing Child: A Guide to Executive Function Amy Sutherland for the NYT: What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage Our episode Creating Systems That Work Our episode How to Make the Back-to-School Transition a Little Easier Our episode When Kids Hate Transitions What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Deep Dive: Does Having Kids Ruin Your Marriage Forever?

    Deep Dive: Does Having Kids Ruin Your Marriage Forever?
    Nov 2 2026
    This Deep Dive series revisits some of our previous episodes about dynamics with our parenting partners. Have you and your spouse slipped into "angry partners at the 24/7 daycare" mode since your baby was born? Here's why relationships change after kids, and some real solutions that can help us get through it. Amy and Margaret discuss: The number-one reason relationships change after a baby is born Helpful perspectives for maintaining sanity during early parenthood Small steps for building back connection with your partner Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Jessica Grose for the NYT: ⁠Fighting Constantly after Baby? Read This⁠ Doss BD, et al. ⁠The Effect of the Transition to Parenthood on Relationship Quality: An Eight-Year Prospective Study⁠. Alex Vance for Verywell Family: ⁠4 Ways To Focus On Your Relationship When the Kids Keep You Busy⁠ Jessica Grose for the NYT: ⁠Bickering More After Kids? Learn how to avoid the four horsemen of the relationship apocalypse.⁠ Christina Caron for the NYT: ⁠How to Reconnect with Your Partner After Kids⁠ ⁠Judd Apatow: "Who Slept Worse?"⁠ What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Fresh Take: Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley of "I Mom So Hard" on Surviving Middle School Parenting

    Fresh Take: Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley of "I Mom So Hard" on Surviving Middle School Parenting
    Oct 30 2026
    How do we parent middle schoolers while simultaneously experiencing the PTSD of our own middle school years? Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley , co-hosts of "I Mom So Hard," join Margaret to talk about their how new book, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MOM'S SURVIVAL GUIDE, approaches puberty, changing friendships, and the increasingly high stakes of parenting tweens and teens with plenty of humor. Margaret, Kristin, and Jen discuss: How our own middle school experiences can color the way we parent Why kids need room to make mistakes and figure things out for themselves. Why being bored makes a kid more interesting Parenting middle schoolers while navigating perimenopause, menopause, and aging parents Here's where you can find Kristin and Jen: https://imomsohard.com Listen to the "I Mom So Hard" podcast @imomsohard on FB, IG, YouTube, and Threads @realimomsohard on TikTok Buy THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MOM'S SURVIVAL GUIDE: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9781668201916 What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
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Featured Article: The Best Podcasts for Moms on Parenting, Lifestyle, and Beyond


If you've been searching for a podcast that speaks to your particular experience of motherhood, these listens reflect a wide range of circumstances and identities. Featuring a beautiful diversity of mothers, families, and experiences of parenthood, these podcasts range in theme, including those hosted by and for single moms, queer moms, mothers dealing with loss, Black moms, working moms, homeschooling moms, and more.

Featured Article The Best Podcasts for Moms on Parenting Lifestyle and Beyond
All stars
Most relevant
the hosts are always super relatable and fun to listen too. Whether you have kids or work with kids, no matter the age, there is something to takeway from ever episode. Great content!

highly relatable

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I am so glad I stumbled on this podcast a year or so ago. It addresses real parenting issues in a non-judgmental and entertaining way. There is also a Facebook community with lots of moms interacting with great support and positivity. 100% recommend this podcast.

Great, REAL LIFE podcast for parents

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I LOVE What Fresh Hell. Amy and Margaret have the perfect blend of parenting advice and humor. Love their research, their interviews & their enthusiasm. I am definitely a Fresh Hellion!

Simply The Best!

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Such great topics, feels like I’m sitting with friends. They leave me feeling validated as a mom. Thank you Amy and Margaret! Keep up the great work!

Love these women

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If you need to support as you navigate parenthood but also want a good laugh about said parenthood, please listen to What the Fresh! It is informative and fantastic. Always relevant and always informative.

Real and funny

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