Best What Fresh Hell Laughing In The Face Of Motherhood Podcasts (2025)

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DEEP DIVE: Ericka Sóuter on How to Have a Kid and a Life 36:26

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15h ago36:26

36:26

Ericka Sóuter has over 20 years of journalism experience and is a regular contributor on Good Morning America and other national broadcast outlets. Ericka speaks to parents across the country about the issues, controversies, and trends most affecting families today. She's also the author of ⁠How to Have a Kid and Life: a Survival Guide.⁠ In this ep…

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Fresh Take: Allison Daminger, WHAT'S ON HER MIND- The Mental Workload of Family Life 38:43

4d ago38:43

38:43

Amy and Margaret sit down with sociologist and author Allison Daminger to unpack the cognitive labor many of us fail to recognize in our families' daily lives— what's come to be known as the "mental load." In her new book WHAT'S ON HER MIND: The Mental Workload of Family Life, Allison unpacks her years of research to explain how cognitive labor—ant…

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Oops! My Kid Hates Me 44:48

6d ago44:48

44:48

Right now your kid doesn't like you. At all. What is really going on? And how can we respond without losing our cool, even when our feelings are genuinely hurt? In this episode Amy and Margaret discuss: Why kids say “I hate you” (and why it’s rarely about you) How to handle boundary-testing without escalating conflict The importance of letting kids…

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BEST OF: How Involved Should We Be With Our Kids' Schools? 46:57

8d ago46:57

46:57

How do we help our kids succeed in school without becoming the dreaded "snowplow" parents? Here are some parenting tips for advocating for your child at school when necessary, while also empowering our kids to navigate their own learning. Amy and Margaret discuss: How school environments have changed in the last few decades Best practices for helpi…

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BEST OF: What Kind of Monster? Family Vacation Edition 47:07

11d ago47:07

47:07

Toddler meltdowns, stroller mayhem, ear infections. Doesn't that sound so relaxing? In this listener-sourced episode, moms everywhere unleash frustration over the "monsters" who have made their vacations difficult - nay, impossible. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our cu…

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Radical Acceptance—What It Is, and How It Can Help Our Parenting 40:40

13d ago40:40

40:40

Amy and Margaret dive deep into the concept of radical acceptance—what it is, what it isn’t, and how it can transform your approach to parenting, relationships, and life’s toughest moments. From the wisdom of the Serenity Prayer to Buddhist teachings about the “second arrow,” the hosts unpack how accepting reality (without judgment or resistance) c…

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BEST OF: What Fresh Hell Is Back to School? 38:55

15d ago38:55

38:55

It's back-to-school season, and even if that means you have a few more hours to yourself each day, there are still plenty of fresh hells in store, from preseason sports to parent portals to an unholy invention called "ready confetti". Amy and Margaret share their own stories of times when back-to-school meant drive-me-mad. Here are links to some of…

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Fresh Take: Jyoti Chand, FITTING INDIAN 39:28

18d ago39:28

39:28

Margaret talks to author and mental health advocate Jyoti Chand (aka @mamajotes) about her debut graphic novel FITTING INDIAN. Jyoti shares how the novel integrates details from her own childhood, including the weight of cultural expectations in Indian families and the power of storytelling in healing generational trauma. Jyoti Chand is an author, …

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How to Make the Back-to-School Transition a Little Easier 40:37

20d ago40:37

40:37

Back-to-school season doesn’t have to be a chaotic scramble. In this episode, Margaret and Amy share practical tips to help parents make the transition smoother—without getting caught up in the “back-to-school industrial complex.” From resetting sleep schedules to planning meals and snacks, they break down what really matters for your child’s succe…

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DEEP DIVE: Kelly Corrigan on Letting Big Kids Go 43:04

22d ago43:04

43:04

What does it mean to parent grown children? How can we embrace those changing relationships? ⁠Kelly Corrigan⁠, host of ⁠"Kelly Corrigan Wonders"⁠, four-time New York Times bestselling author, and the host of PBS’ long-form interview show ⁠Tell Me More⁠, talks with Amy about the process of letting our big kids go. Kelly and Amy discuss: why the thin…

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Fresh Take: Mike de la Rocha, SACRED LESSONS 42:04

25d ago42:04

42:04

Margaret talks with visionary strategist, artist, and activist Mike de la Rocha, author of Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How to Love. Together, they dive into masculinity, grief, intergenerational trauma, and how breaking cycles of emotional silence can transform families. Mike shares vulnerable insights into his father’s legacy, how ritual an…

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More Husband Crimes (Part One) 43:59

27d ago43:59

43:59

Margaret and Amy return to the courtroom of minor domestic infractions committed by the people we live with—our partners. Listeners shared their biggest household grievances—and the hosts delivered judgment. No offense is too petty when it comes to the everyday annoyances that drive us all a little bit bonkers. Margaret and Amy discuss: Thermostat …

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DEEP DIVE: Vanessa Kroll Bennett and Dr. Cara Natterson on Puberty 40:08

29d ago40:08

40:08

These days, early is normal for puberty onset—and early is REALLY early. That means kids whose brains might not match the way they look, and parents who are freaking out about how to bring these delicate matters up in conversation. Help is here! ⁠Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett⁠, co-hosts of ⁠The Puberty Podcast⁠ and co-authors of ⁠Thi…

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Fresh Take: Amy Larocca, HOW TO BE WELL 40:13

1M ago40:13

40:13

Margaret and Amy talk with award-winning journalist and author Amy Larocca, whose new book HOW TO BE WELL takes a deeply researched look at the trillion-dollar wellness industry. From supplements to concierge doctors to SoulCycle-as-religion, Larocca exposes how much of modern “self-care” is really about chasing youth, thinness, and unattainable pe…

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Why Kids Lie: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and What to Do 48:27

1M ago48:27

48:27

Margaret and Amy discuss the surprisingly normal reasons kids lie—and why it’s not always a sign of bad behavior. From toddlers covered in cake who swear they didn’t eat it, to teens who “forget” to mention that party in the woods, we unpack how lying is often a developmental milestone, not a moral failure. We discuss: When kids first start lying—a…

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DEEP DIVE: Your Tween, Explained 46:06

1M ago46:06

46:06

When our kids reach a certain age—as young as eight, some experts say, and definitely well before thirteen— they suddenly don't think their parents are as great as they once did. Congratulations, you're officially the parent of a tween! This week we're talking about what tweens are going through emotionally and psychologically... and how we can giv…

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Fresh Take: Rebecca Bloom, WHEN WOMEN GET SICK 33:51

1M ago33:51

33:51

Amy talks with women's health advocate and author Rebecca Bloom about her new book When Women Get Sick: An Empowering Approach for Getting the Support You Need. Rebecca shares her personal and professional journey from caregiver to expert advocate, offering practical advice for navigating a complex healthcare system that often fails women. This con…

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Is It Normal to Feel Jealous of Other Moms? 43:32

1M ago43:32

43:32

Margaret and Amy explore the messy truths about jealousy—why moms feel it, how shame adds fuel to the fire, and what we can actually do about it. From parenting pressures to social comparisons, they discuss how jealousy is normal, but how we respond to feelings of envy can make all the difference. Margaret and Amy discuss: 😬 Why jealousy feels so s…

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DEEP DIVE: Best Advice for Dealing with Teenagers 42:58

1M ago42:58

42:58

How do we raise healthy, loving, polite, and appreciative teens? Is it humanly possible? From remaining "passively available" to taking our adolescents' seemingly trivial problems seriously, our listeners had great advice for bringing up teenagers. Amy and Margaret discuss: The blessing of nerd-dom How to keep your face in check when talking to you…

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Fresh Take: Shannon Watts, FIRED UP 40:38

2M ago40:38

40:38

Amy and Margaret sit down with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, to discuss her transformative new book: Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age. Shannon shares the personal story behind her midlife awakening, how she built the largest grassroots movement to fight gun violence in America, and the life-cha…

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Fresh Take: Genevieve Kingston, DID I EVER TELL YOU? 30:08

2M ago30:08

30:08

A note from Margaret: My family was visiting Kerrville, TX when the flood occurred. Having seen the devastation to the Hill Country first hand, it is impossible to put into words the scope of the disaster. These losses are close to home for my family and I know they have touched so many of you as well. Please join us in donating to the relief effor…

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BEST OF: Kids with Big Imaginations 53:40

2M ago53:40

53:40

Is there such a thing as a too-imaginative kid? Parenting experts say no. Dr. Paul Harris, professor of education at Harvard and author of ⁠The Work of the Imagination⁠, says that kids’ active imaginations are “essentially positive” and represent cognitive work, the way that children make sense of the world. But if you’ve got a kid who prefers her …

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What to Say to Our Kids When Bad Things Happen 40:02

2M ago40:02

40:02

In light of the recent floods in Kerrville, Texas, Margaret and Amy discuss how we can talk to kids about scary, sad, or tragic events—especially when we don’t know what to say. Topics include: 🧠 How children process grief, tragedy, and fear at different ages 🛡️ The limits of “protecting” kids from the world—and when it's important 💬 Letting kids l…

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When One of Our Kids Takes Up All of Our Bandwidth 37:28

2M ago37:28

37:28

In this episode, Margaret and Amy tackle a commonplace parenting issue: when one child consumes the majority of your bandwidth—whether that's your time, your energy, or your attention. Some bandwidth-hogging situations are temporary, some are more this-is-how-it-is. Some are for positive reasons, some distinctly less so. Whatever the cause, when on…

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BEST OF: Dumb Things We Thought When We Were Kids 42:09

2M ago42:09

42:09

Amy thought The Love Boat was filmed in real time, at sea. Margaret's grandfather had all the kids convinced his dining room light switch controlled the Tappan Zee Bridge. We asked our listeners for all the silliest things they fully believed as children, and in this episode, we highlight all of the absolute dumbest. We got all of these answers fro…

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Fresh Take: Danielle Bettmann on Positive Discipline 39:58

2M ago39:58

39:58

Amy and Margaret talk with parenting coach Danielle Bettmann, host of the Failing Motherhood podcast. Danielle specializes in helping parents of strong-willed and neurodivergent kids implement positive discipline—a proven, research-based approach that’s both kind and firm. Danielle breaks down: What “positive discipline” really means (and what it’s…

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5 Conversations to Have with Your Kids This Summer 41:55

2M ago41:55

41:55

In this episode, we break down five essential conversations parents should be having with their kids this summer. From online safety and media limits to emotional health and growth mindset, Amy and Margaret offer practical ways to open meaningful dialogue with your kids—without cornering them for awkward lectures. You'll learn how to talk about: 📱 …

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BEST OF: Best Mom Lies Ever 44:53

2M ago44:53

44:53

Some people say parents should never lie to their kids. We are not those people. We asked our listeners to tell us all the lies that totally worked for their kids– or worked on them when they were kids. Whether it's the ice cream truck's jingle indicating they're fresh out, the goldfish who was "just sleeping," or the unfortunate catastrophic fire …

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Best of: Dr. Ibram X. Kendi on Raising Antiracists 30:16

2M ago30:16

30:16

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi⁠ is the author of many highly acclaimed books including STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction. In 2020, Time magazine named Dr. Kendi one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Dr. Kendi was awarded a 2021 MacArthur Fellowship, pop…

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BEST OF: Grudges Held, Grudges Kept 45:19

2M ago45:19

45:19

Is it rational to still be mad about that time in second grade when the kid right in front of you took the last sprinkles at the ice cream social? Is it reasonable to think just a little less of your childhood friend for serving Chex Mix at his wedding? Ours is not to reason why. This episode isn't here to tell you whether you all should be maintai…

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DEEP DIVE: Francesca Royster on "Choosing Family" 36:17

2M ago36:17

36:17

How do we find support when our family of origin is no longer around or has otherwise rejected us? Francesca Royster, author of the new memoir ⁠Choosing Family: A Memoir of Queer Motherhood and Black Resistance⁠, explains the concepts of chosen family, finding joy in the everyday, and the resistance that is part of telling hard stories. Margaret an…

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Fresh Take: Ramit Sethi, "Money for Couples" 44:21

2M ago44:21

44:21

How do we start a conversation about finances with our partners, especially when each of our households of origin might have thought about money quite differently? Ramit Sethi, host of Netflix’s hit show, How to Get Rich, and author of MONEY FOR COUPLES, offers practical tips for productively discussing money with your partner. Ramit and Margaret d…

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Things Most People Think Are Hard (But Aren't) 46:20

3M ago46:20

46:20

There are plenty of things that seem intimidating but are actually not that hard to do! From power hedge trimmers to cooking a whole fish, we (and our listeners) are here with the things that most people seem to think are hard—but actually aren't. View the full list of things our listeners said are actually pretty simple. Plus, the two things we pr…

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DEEP DIVE: Ellen Kahn On Supporting Our LGBTQ Kids 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

Ellen Kahn⁠ is the Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Human Rights Campaign. In her role, Ellen provides national leadership and expertise in public education and advocacy efforts on behalf of LGBTQ youth and families. Ellen is nationally recognized as an expert on LGBTQ family life and LGBTQ youth. She's also a proud mom of two te…

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Fresh Take: Dr. Morgan Cutlip on Redistributing the Mental Load 40:11

3M ago40:11

40:11

Amy chats with Dr. Morgan Cutlip about her new book A Better Share, which offers practical, research-based strategies for managing the mental load in relationships. They discuss how default parenting, gender socialization, and communication missteps can create resentment—and how couples can reconnect through clarity and shared responsibility. You’l…

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Trad Moms and Trad Wives 42:30

3M ago42:30

42:30

We dive into the world of #tradwives and trad moms—mothers who embrace their traditional gender roles and showcase homemaking all over social media, usually with a heavy dose of curated perfection, aspiring to a bygone ideal that may never exactly have actually existed. Amy and Margaret discuss: what actually defines a trad wife the influence of so…

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Fresh Take: Jessica Zucker on Normalizing Miscarriage 40:37

3M ago40:37

40:37

Why is there still so much shame and silence surrounding women's experiences with miscarriage in the modern age? Jessica Zucker, author of the new book NORMALIZE IT, discusses her personal experience with miscarriage and its profound impact on her life and career. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive healt…

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Fresh Take: Meagan Francis, THE LAST PARENTING BOOK YOU'LL EVER READ 40:11

3M ago40:11

40:11

Amy chats with parenting writer and The Mom Hour podcaster Meagan Francis about her new book, The Last Parenting Book You'll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s Next. Together, they reflect on the identity shift that comes with parenting an emptying nest, the emotional complexity of "lasts," and why transitioning out of the "hands-…

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There's a New Study on Moms' Mental Health...and It's Not Great 43:53

3M ago43:53

43:53

A study released this month examined the state of mothers' mental health in the U.S. from 2016 to 2023. Using data from 200,000 mothers, the study reveals a "significant decline" in emotional and physical well-being for mothers in all age groups and demographics. Margaret and Amy break down the data, the implications, and the causes—which certainly…

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DEEP DIVE: Amber Briggle on Supporting Trans Kids 36:33

3M ago36:33

36:33

This episode was originally recorded in 2022. For more about the Briggle family, watch the 2024 New Yorker short documentary "Love to the Max." Amber Briggle and her family live in Texas. Amber is the mom of two kids, Max and Lulu, and on her website "Love To The Max," Amber shares the family's real stories and experiences as a trans-inclusive fami…

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Fresh Take: Melinda Wenner Moyer on "Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times" 42:44

3M ago42:44

42:44

How do we raise compassionate and well-adjusted kids when their anxiety is at an all-time high, and so is ours? Melinda Wenner Moyer, author of the new book HELLO CRUEL WORLD, discusses actionable and easy-to-implement steps we can take to prepare our children for the realities of today's complicated world while acknowledging our own uncertainty. M…

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Creating Systems That Work 48:12

3M ago48:12

48:12

Can better systems make running our households easier? There's only so much work a whiteboard can do, but in this episode, Margaret and Amy discuss how they have set up effective systems to manage their kids' lives, their homes, and their work. Amy and Margaret discuss: Creating a central source of "parenting truth" The importance of touching base …

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DEEP DIVE: Can We Be More Inclusive Parents? 38:20

3M ago38:20

38:20

Can we become more inclusive as parents? Inclusivity has great benefits for everyone involved. We loved this explanation from Bright Horizons: "Too often, inclusiveness is described as something we should do to benefit others. Being inclusive is more than a moral obligation—although this alone is enough reason to practice it. When we are inclusive …

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Fresh Take: Loryn Brantz on Finding Joy in Parenting Through Poetry 33:49

3M ago33:49

33:49

How can we find time to be creative as busy moms of young kids? Loryn Brantz, author of the new poetry collection POEMS OF PARENTING, discusses how her creative practice informs her parenting and vice versa. Loryn is the creator of the bestselling Feminist Baby board book series and has worked as a director and illustrator for Sesame Street and Ms.…

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Traveling as a Family 45:53

3M ago45:53

45:53

We asked our listeners what advice they have for harmonious family traveling. Here are our favorite tips they shared, plus a few of our own, from how early to get to the airport to hitting the top kid-friendly site in Paris! Amy and Margaret discuss: How to communicate effectively with your spouse before traveling Useful packing tips - here's the c…

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DEEP DIVE: Do We Need to Lower Our Standards? 44:05

4M ago44:05

44:05

This Deep Dive series is all about why motherhood is so gosh darn hard. Turns out there are sociopolitical forces at play that make motherhood way harder than it needs to be. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify. When we explain to our partners and families that we need them to pitch in around the house, we sometimes hear back that the real probl…

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Fresh Take: Gretchen Rubin on Life's Simple Truths 34:29

4M ago34:29

34:29

If we impart the life lessons we've learned to our children, does that mean they won't make the same mistakes? Gretchen Rubin, author of the new book SECRETS OF ADULTHOOD, discusses how aphorisms provide us with a particular kind of wisdom that stays with us, often forever. Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential observers of happiness an…

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How Parenting Advice Has Changed Over the Last 125 Years 40:16

4M ago40:16

40:16

Is parenting today genuinely more difficult—or are we just overthinking it? Amy and Margaret explore the evolution of parenting over the last 125 years, tracing shifts from the rigid, hierarchical households of the early 1900s to today’s emotionally intense, overanalyzed parenting culture. These trends beg the question: What’s the real cost of tryi…

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DEEP DIVE: Decision Fatigue—And Why It's Especially Bad For Moms 47:06

4M ago47:06

47:06

This Deep Dive series is all about why motherhood is so gosh darn hard. Turns out there are sociopolitical forces at play that make motherhood way harder than it needs to be. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify. The average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day. The average "default parent" makes a lot more than that. No wonder we suffer from decis…

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Fresh Take: Anna Fader and Amelia Eigerman 38:10

4M ago38:10

38:10

How can we get buy-in from our kids when we go on vacation, whether it's a half-hour down the road or the other side of the world? Anna Fader and Amelia Eigerman, the mother-daughter team behind the MOMMY POPPINS TRAVEL JOURNAL AND ACTIVITY BOOK, have devised practical tips for really including our kids on family adventures. Anna Fader and Amelia E…