{"podcast":{"title":"What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms","slug":"what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259","podcast_index_feed_id":853259,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/WFH1568989392","website_url":"https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/9fea9dc2-09d5-11e9-9ed5-83a605bddc55/image/062bd7012d95aeb7f1e32ca782c767d4.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood","episode_count":1043,"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 techni…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-20T12:18:32.951166+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259"},"episode":{"title":"Meredith Schwartz on Building a Reading Life You Actually Love","slug":"meredith-schwartz-on-building-a-reading-life-you-actually-love","published_at":"2026-04-03T05:30:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259/meredith-schwartz-on-building-a-reading-life-you-actually-love","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259","url":"https://pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/JhoQDAATtO1l0y8tdKNa/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL9354182756.mp3?updated=1775072534","audio_url":"https://pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/JhoQDAATtO1l0y8tdKNa/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL9354182756.mp3?updated=1775072534","summary":"Why is it so hard to read more—even when we want to, even when we have stacks of books awaiting us on our bedside tables? We sit down with Meredith Monday Schwartz—co-host of the The Currently Reading Podcast—to talk about how to reconnect with reading in a way that feels joyful, flexible, and realistic. If you’ve ever felt obliged to finish a book you hated, or berate yourself for the time you spend scrolling instead of reading, this conversation is for you. It’s not that there aren’t good books out there. It’s that our phones are designed to win. Picking up a book requires focus and intention—two things that feel increasingly scarce. But reading offers a deeper kind of satisfaction than screens. Books can provide immersion, rest, perspective, and even emotional connection. Meredith argues that reading isn’t just a habit. It's a form of meaningful self-care. Stepping away—even briefly—can leave you more refreshed, focused, and able to engage with the world when you return. Meredith also argues for “delicious reads” over \"should reads.\" Forcing yourself through something that doesn’t work for you can lead to burnout—and even stop you from reading altogether. Reader, Know Thyself A central theme of the conversation is learning what kind of reader you are. (Take the \"What Kind of Reader Are You?\" quiz here!) Understanding your preferences helps you: Choose books you’ll actually finish Avoid common “deal breakers” Create a reading routine that fits your life Permission to Not Finish (DNF) Books If you’ve ever forced yourself to finish a book you weren’t enjoying, this is your official permission slip to stop. Meredith is a strong advocate for DNF (“Did Not Finish”), with a twist: sometimes it’s not a “no,” it’s a “not right now.” A book that doesn’t resonate today might b…","meta_description":"Why is it so hard to read more—even when we want to, even when we have stacks of books awaiting us on our bedside tables? We sit down with Meredith Monday…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2295,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259/episodes/meredith-schwartz-on-building-a-reading-life-you-actually-love/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259/meredith-schwartz-on-building-a-reading-life-you-actually-love.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}