What Fresh Hell Podcast

10/11/2025

Contrary to what social media would have us believe, not every hobby has to turn into a madly successful side-hustle that takes the world by storm. Margaret talks with Liz Gumbinner, co-host of the podcast ⁠"Spawned with Kristen and Liz⁠," about why it's okay to just make really delicious cookies.

⁠Liz Gumbinner⁠ is a writer, award-winning ad agency creative director, and mom of teens. Online she’s better known as the publisher of ⁠coolmompicks.com⁠ and the author of the OG mom blog Mom-101. Her Substack newsletter, ⁠I’m Walking Here⁠, looks at media, politics, and culture through a witty parenting lens.

Liz and Margaret discuss why parenting itself has become another thing to "hustle" around, as well as the difference between ambition and "the hustle."

It's great to spend a night with your family or friends without taking/posting any pics at all and just being present, says Liz. It gives you perspective on what's important in life and helps you refocus how you want to spend more of your time.

https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/deep-dive-liz-gumbinner-on-ditching-the-hustle/

10/11/2025

“If women collectively decided to break from systems that were never built for us… those systems would crumble.”

Jen Hatmaker, author of the new book AWAKE, joins us to talk about waking up at midlife. About realizing how much of women's compliance is conditioning, and how freeing it feels to finally opt out.

Listen to our full interview with Jen here: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/fresh-take-jen-hatmaker-awake/

09/11/2025

Caregiving for an aging parent can be emotionally brutal—especially when the parent you’re caring for doesn’t even recognize you anymore.

This kind of work—lifting, bathing, comforting, remembering—rarely gets seen or celebrated. But it is profound, difficult, and deeply human.

In this episode, we talk about the invisible labor of caregiving and how caregivers can work to put their own health first.

Listen to the full episode "Caregiving" here: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/caregiving/

08/11/2025

07/11/2025

Amy and Margaret talk with bestselling author and "For the Love" podcaster Jen Hatmaker about her new memoir AWAKE.

Jen's book begins with the moment she knew her marriage was over, and goes on to tell the story of the midlife reckoning that followed—and how her life up until that point had left her, in some ways, particularly unprepared.

In this interview, Jen shares:
How women are taught to ignore their instincts and prioritize belonging
Why midlife brings inevitable upheaval — and opportunity
How to meet your past self with compassion, not shame

https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/fresh-take-jen-hatmaker-awake/

06/11/2025

Our November bonus episode, inspired by the film Sliding Doors, is about the small decisions we make that can change the rest of our lives afterwards.

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Go to whatfreshhell.supportingcast.fm to subscribe in two taps for just $4.99 a month, or $39.99 a year.

05/11/2025

Amy and Margaret honor National Caregiving Month with an honest, compassionate look at the realities of caregiving. From raising kids to caring for aging parents—or both at once—they explore the invisible labor, emotional toll, and financial strain that caregivers face every day.
They share personal stories, research-backed insights, and practical advice for managing burnout, compassion fatigue, and family dynamics. Whether you’re part of the “sandwich generation” or just beginning to navigate caregiving, this conversation offers solidarity and tools to help you find support and protect your own well-being.

https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/caregiving

03/11/2025

We all know someone who causes chaos—both lawful and otherwise—wherever they go. Those people are sometimes called "crazymakers," a term first coined by Julia Cameron and which perfectly describes the unwelcome disruption they bring to our own peace of mind. Here's how to spot the crazymakers in your life, and how to avoid getting caught up in their mischief.

Margaret and Amy discuss:
The true definition of a crazymaker and the three top types
Why crazymakers use low-power strategies of dominance
How maintaining your own self worth helps deter crazymakers

https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/deep-dive-crazymakers/

02/11/2025

Staying home with your kids is real work — and it has huge value. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be protected, too.

Corinne Low, Phd, author of the new book HAVING IT ALL, says: Think of your career or degree as a money machine in the closet — you may not use it now, but you want it there if life changes. Divorce, death, illness… or even just wanting to reenter the workforce one day.

You can be an amazing mom and keep your future options open. Invest in your kids — yes. But make sure you invest in your own human capital, too.

Your value doesn’t disappear because you paused your career — and your safety and security shouldn’t, either. 💛

Listen to our full interview with Corinne Low here: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/fresh-take-corinne-low-having-it-all/

01/11/2025

Ever lived with a kid who knows every shark species or collects every soy sauce packet? 😄Those intense interests aren’t just adorable — they’re developmentally typical and often a sign of curiosity, skill-building, and growing individuality.

Most kids expand their interests by middle school… and some don’t — and BOTH are totally okay. 💛Lean into the joy. Cheer on the passion. This is how they learn to love learning.

Listen to the full episode "Why Kids Get Obsessed—And Why It's a Good Thing" here: https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/why-kids-get-obsessed-and-why-its-a-good-thing/