What Fresh Hell

episodes

Jan. 9, 2023

Ask Margaret: Help! I Have Mom FOMO

Worried that your kids are missing out on magical experiences you've been neglecting to provide them with? Here's how to put your "Mom FOMO" at ease.

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Jan. 6, 2023

Fresh Take: Cindy Muchnick of Parent Compass

Is there a happy medium between doing everything for our kids and letting them run feral? Cindy Muchnick, author of THE PARENT COMPASS, explains how setting our own intentional course as parents is the key.

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Jan. 4, 2023

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 good thing or a bad thing?

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Jan. 2, 2023

Ask Amy: How Do I Get Over My Disappointment at Not Having a Girl?

Have you ever felt disappointed, rather than excited, at learning your baby's sex? Amy answers a question from a listener who is feeling disappointed that her third child is also a boy.

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Dec. 30, 2022

Best of: Michaeleen Doucleff on What's Missing in Western Parenting

Turns out Western parenting isn’t the way things need to be–the key to happy kids is doing less. Michaeleen Doucleff, author of "Hunt, Gather, Parent," explains what ancient cultures can teach us about helping kids thrive by being hands-off.

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Dec. 28, 2022

Best of: Pattern Breaking - When You Want to Do Things Differently

How do we find the strength to break harmful patterns from our own childhood with our kids? Why is it so hard? Do we truly have the ability to change?

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Dec. 26, 2022

Ask Margaret: Dealing with Losing a Parent While You're Raising Kids

Processing our own parent’s terminal illness– while helping our own kids feel better about the approaching loss of a grandparent– can feel overwhelming. Drawing from personal experience, Margaret explains how to get through this difficult time.

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Dec. 23, 2022

Best Of: KC Davis of "Struggle Care"

In this “Best Of” interview KC Davis, author of HOW TO KEEP HOUSE WHILE DROWNING and host of the podcast STRUGGLE CARE, tells us how to move beyond houses full of dirty dishes, LEGOs, and overwhelm with a gentler method for home care and self-care.

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Dec. 21, 2022

Our Favorite Episodes of 2022

It's time for a debrief on the best interviews, comedic moments, and long-held grudges in our favorite What Fresh Hell episodes of 2022!

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Dec. 19, 2022

Ask Amy: My Kid Doesn't Hide "Gift Disappointment" Well

Do you have an in-law who tends to give your child presents that they don't necessarily love? It's not easy dealing with unwanted gifts from relatives, but with some patience and guidance, we can help our kids navigate these situations.

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Dec. 16, 2022

Fresh Take: Natalie Mayslich and Blessing Adesiyan on the Future of R…

Remote work is here to stay. So how to we integrate it into our lives in a healthy way? Natalie Mayslich and Blessing Adesiyan, authors of the The Modern Workplace Report, share what they've learned about the effects of remote work on employees, particularly working women.

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Dec. 14, 2022

The Holiday Creep

Why does it seem like the holiday season starts earlier and earlier every year? And how do we navigate the many obligations and traditions thereof without crying into our creamed white onions?

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Dec. 12, 2022

Ask Margaret: Splitting Time at the Holidays

Having trouble giving all sides of your family equal air-time at the holidays? Margaret explains how to plan ahead so that the season is one of peace and joy, rather than tears and guilt.

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Dec. 9, 2022

Fresh Take: Heather Chauvin of "Emotionally Uncomfortable"

Are you always putting your children and spouse first - to the detriment of your own health? Heather Chauvin, host of the "Emotionally Uncomfortable" podcast, explains how it took a stage-four cancer diagnosis for her to start prioritizing her own needs again.

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Dec. 7, 2022

Weird Things That Freak Us Out

Kneecaps? Tiny holes? Freeform jazz? We've all got something that gives us the heebie jeebies, even if no one else understands. We asked our listeners to send us their most oddly specific fears - here's what they said.

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Dec. 5, 2022

Ask Amy: My Child Is Slow to Warm Up With Adults

Does your child clam up when other adults try to have a conversation with them or even say hello? That's perfectly normal for young kids, but there are also ways you can help break the ice, as Amy explains.

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Dec. 2, 2022

Fresh Take: Leslie Forde of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs

Do you feel like your health, well-being, and sanity as a mom always comes after your family’s needs– which means there’s no room left to consider such things? Guest Leslie Forde, CEO of Mom's Hierarchy of Needs, explains how to get more intentional.

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Nov. 30, 2022

Is This Supposed to Be More Fun?

Pinterest promised us picturesque family photos at golden hour and meaningful conversations around the dinner table every night. No one told us parenting would be easy, but is it supposed to be this hard? Here’s how to inject more fun into parenting.

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Nov. 28, 2022

Ask Margaret: Should I Help My Kids with Things I Know They Can Do Th…

Do you worry that your kids are headed towards learned helplessness if you do too many things for them on the regular? Margaret explains you can reciprocate the help your kids give you around the house without letting them off the hook too easily.

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Nov. 25, 2022

Fresh Take: Yael Schonbrun on "Work, Parent, Thrive"

Do you feel guilty that you're not at work when you're parenting and not parenting when you're at work? Dr. Yael Schonbrun, author of the new book WORK, PARENT, THRIVE, tells us how we can view work and family as connected rather than in competition.

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Nov. 23, 2022

When The World Moves Too Fast For Our Kids

Are our kids growing up more slowly than we did? Is that necessarily a bad thing? Can we encourage our late bloomers to pick up the pace?

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Nov. 21, 2022

Ask Amy: My Kid Asks for Help - and Then Gets Mad at Me

Does your kid ask for your help with homework, then snarl at you? Does your kid procrastinate and then panic, blaming you while he spirals? Is there a middle ground between letting a kid like this fail, or continuing the fight about doing the work?

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Nov. 18, 2022

Fresh Take: Wendi Aarons on Growing Older, Wiser, and Louder

Think there’s an expiration date on dream-chasing? Think you’re too old to make bold choices? Wendi Aarons, author of I’M WEARING TUNICS NOW, tells us about second acts, self-acceptance, and celebrating what happens when we get older and wiser.

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Nov. 16, 2022

I Really Thought This Would Be a Bigger Part of My Life

What did you grow up believing would be a consistent presence in your adult life? Quicksand? Dinner parties? The Bermuda Triangle? Movies, TV, and certain bubble bath ads definitely led us astray when it came to the realities of adult life.

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