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

March 18, 2024

DEEP DIVE: Getting Your Kids To Talk To You

Getting your kid to talk to you is never easy (unless you're 15 minutes late for an appointment, car keys in hand). Since “How was school today?” is apparently the worst thing parents can ask, here are some parenting strateg…
March 15, 2024

Fresh Take: Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike on the Montessori Child

How can we raise independent and empowered kids? Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike, authors of THE MONTESSORI CHILD, discuss the core principles of the Montessori parenting style and how it fosters independence in children.
March 13, 2024

Getting Unstuck (with Blaire and Molly from "Unsticking It")

When we're overwhelmed with the busyness of life, how do we find space to reclaim our creative joy? Blaire Brooks and Molly Lloyd, hosts of the new podcast "Unsticking It," tell us how to get unstuck and reignite our creativ…
March 11, 2024

DEEP DIVE: Getting Kids to Cooperate

Getting kids to cooperate is a challenge at all ages and stages. Here are some parenting strategies for determining when kids are old enough to pitch in and for asking for help in a kid-friendly way.
March 8, 2024

Fresh Take: Gwenna Laithland, "Momma Cusses"

Gwenna Laithland, creator of @mommacusses and author of MOMMA CUSSES, explains how responsive parenting works for her.
March 6, 2024

Two Things Can Be True

When we are in a disagreement, it feels like only one person can be in the right (and it's definitely you). But two things can be true. Here's how understanding that can change your partnership and your parenting.
March 4, 2024

DEEP DIVE: Is Comparing Our Kids Ever Useful?

It’s hard not to compare kids to their siblings, particularly when their personalities can seem so diametrically opposed. If we notice those differences as parents– and compare our kids, implicitly or explicitly– is that a g…
March 1, 2024

Fresh Take: Ginny Yurich of "1000 Hours Outside"

Ginny Yurich, founder of the 1000 Hours Outside movement, tells us how prioritizing unstructured outdoor play for her entire family has actually made parenting easier.
Feb. 28, 2024

The Parents Had a Point

Have you ever gone back to watch your favorite TV shows and movies from when you were a kid, only to discover that they hit pretty differently? Here are some pop culture touchstones that, upon rewatching, make us think the …
Feb. 26, 2024

DEEP DIVE: Why Are Our Kids Such Total Opposites?

It’s not your imagination: kids raised in the same family push in opposite directions. Why do siblings, especially closely-spaced or same-sex ones, deidentify? We discuss the three theories out there, and whether parents nee…
Feb. 23, 2024

Fresh Take: Charles Duhigg on Supercommunicators

Why do we sometimes feel like people have heard what we've said but they haven't really listened? Charles Duhigg, author of the new book SUPERCOMMUNICATORS, explains how parents can have truly productive and meaningful conve…
Feb. 21, 2024

The Power of "Not Yet"

If our children don't reach milestones at the "correct" time, are we failing as parents? Here's how the power of "not yet" can transform our outlook and empower our kids.