Fresh Take: Gillian Goddard on How Hormones Affect Our Health At All Ages
2026/06/05 | 40 mins.
What do hormones actually do—and why are they often misunderstood? We talk with Dr. Gillian Goddard, an endocrinologist and author of The Hormone Loop: An Empowering Guide to Restoring Hormonal Harmony from Puberty to Menopause. Dr. Goddard explains how hormones affect far more than reproduction, influencing everything from metabolism and sleep to mood, stress responses, and cardiovascular health.
She breaks down the concept of the "hormone loop" and explains the four major hormonal systems that work together to keep our bodies functioning: reproductive, thyroid, growth hormone, and adrenal (stress) loops. The conversation explores how hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can affect the entire body—not just reproductive health.
We also discuss why women's symptoms are so often dismissed, how cultural attitudes about hormones can prevent women from seeking care, and why tracking symptoms can help patients advocate for themselves more effectively.
Other topics include:
The relationship between estrogen, the immune system, and thyroid disorders
Hormone replacement therapy: benefits, misconceptions, and current research
The role of GLP-1 medications in midlife health and weight management
Here's where you can find Dr. Goddard:
@thesavvypatient on IG
https://savvypatient.substack.com
Buy THE HORMONE LOOP: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780063455047
What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Do You Know Your Gen Z Slang?
2026/06/03 | 44 mins.
What does it mean to get “mogged,” to be “chalant,” or to “put the fries in the bag”? In this episode we attempt to decode the latest Gen Z slang. (Although now that we've cracked the code, all these words are so nerfed.)
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What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
DEEP DIVE: Giving Help That Works– And Asking for the Help We Need
2026/06/01 | 41 mins.
This Deep Dive series revisits some of our past episodes on discerning what we need as moms, and then asking for it confidently.
Do you hate feeling unable to help people in crisis, or do you worry about getting too involved and stepping on toes? There are ways to give help to people in need that are productive and considerate, and our listeners wrote in with some excellent examples.
Amy and Margaret discuss:
How to avoid the "let me know if you need anything" trap
The "comfort in, dump out" model of caretaking
The perils of too many lasagnas
The best help you can give may be something that feels inconsequential to you but is actually a huge help to the people in need. Whatever your role ends up being during a crisis, accept it graciously, and don't expect a hero's fanfare for your efforts.
Links!
Anne Helen Petersen: A Shortcut for Caring for Others (and Being Cared for Yourself)
Susan Silk and Barry Goldman for the LA Times: "How not to say the wrong thing"
What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fresh Take: The Custody Queens on What Parents Need to Know About Divorce and Separation
2026/05/29 | 45 mins.
What should parents know if they're considering divorce? Margaret talks with family law attorneys Kristen Holstrom and Samantha McBride—the hosts of the "Custody Queens" podcast—about custody disputes, co-parenting conflict, child support, digital footprints, and the biggest mistakes people make during separation.
Drawing from years of experience in high-conflict custody and divorce cases, Kristen and Samantha explain how family court actually works, why “amicable” divorces can still require strong boundaries, and how parents can protect themselves and their children emotionally, financially, and legally.
The conversation covers:
Why every custody case is unique—and why Facebook advice can backfire
The difference between staying amicable and giving up your rights
How courts evaluate custody arrangements and parenting concerns
Child support myths, enforcement, and financial responsibility
The long-term consequences of social media posts, texts, and digital evidence
Why courts care more about safety concerns than personal betrayal
Co-parenting with a difficult ex or a new romantic partner in the picture
How therapy, documentation, and realistic expectations can reduce conflict
Here's where you can find Samantha and Kristen:
https://custodyqueens.com/
@custodyqueens and @custodyqueensonair on IG
@custodyqueens on TikTok
@custodyqueenson-air on YT
Listen to "Custody Queens" wherever you listen to podcasts
Custody Queens Off the Clock, Kristen and Sam's true crime pod
What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why Do We Love Looking Back?
2026/05/27 | 45 mins.
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How does the powerful emotional pull of nostalgia connect to that midlife feeling of "how did I get here?" Why do we love looking back?
In this episode, we discuss:
Why nostalgia increases during periods of transition and uncertainty (aging parents, growing children, career reckonings)
The psychology and science behind nostalgia and memory
Why parents often romanticize the baby and toddler years
How nostalgia can deepen meaning, connection, and self-understanding
Healthy ways to honor memories without getting stuck in the past
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:
University of Florida Medical Physiology Online: The Psychology of Nostalgia
Emily Reynolds for The British Psychological Society: We feel more nostalgic as we get older
Clay Routledge for the Institute for Family Studies: Nostalgia Reveals the Importance of Family and Close Relationships
Joe Keohane for the Boston Globe: Why Does Parenthood Make Us Nostalgic?
Hannah Seligson for the NYT: Being a Mother Is Hard Work. Is It Actually Harder on Millennial Moms?
"The House That Built Me" by Miranda Lambert
What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:
https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
About What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms
About What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms
About What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny Moms
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 techniques and studies that are everywhere for parents these days, and get to the bottom of what works best to raise happy, healthy, fairly well-behaved kids, while fostering a positive parent-child relationship.
If you're the default parent in your household, whether you're a busy mom juggling multiple pickups and dropoffs, or a first-time parent seeking guidance, this podcast is your trusted resource. Join our community of supportive mom friends laughing in the face of motherhood!
whatfreshhellpodcast.com
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