What is emotional intelligence, exactly? Is it the yin to IQ's yang? Is it equally crucial to our success and well-being?
In this episode we talk about what EQ (or EI, depending on who you're asking) actually means, why it matters, and whether it can be taught to both adults and kids.
We discuss:
The four core components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship skills (plus what's been taken off the list)
Why emotional intelligence is morally neutral
Why neurodivergent kids may experience emotional intelligence differently
Practical ways to help kids build emotional intelligence
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:
Suzanne Ross for The Explainer: What is emotional intelligence and why do you need it?
Crystal Ott for Ohio University Extension: What is Emotional Intelligence?
Daniel Goleman on LinkedIn: The Four Domains of Emotional Intelligence
Adam Grant for Medium: The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence
Peg Rosen for Understood.org: Emotional intelligence: What it means for kids
Brigham Young University: Study visually captures hard truth: Walking home at night is not the same for women
University of Cambridge Judge Business School: The psychologist who reminds us that emotions affect our working lives
Find all of our guests' books, as well as books we personally recommend: https://bookshop.org/shop/whatfreshhellcast
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: Kate Swenson of "Finding Cooper's Voice" on Parenting Autism
20/04/2026 | 32 min
This Deep Dive series revisits some of our past episodes about the joys and the challenges that come with raising kids with differences and disabilities.
Kate Swenson writes and creates videos about her life as a mother of four and and an autism advocate for "Finding Cooper's Voice," a living, thriving community of people who not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families.
We discuss Kate's book Forever Boy: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy and her nonprofit The More Than Project, which supports the needs of special needs families that go beyond the needs of their special needs child.
Kate tells us about:
Kate's journey to finding the correct diagnosis for her child
what led her to put her story out into the world
the sometimes-loneliness of special needs parenting, and how the Finding Cooper's Voice community offers insight, support, and fellowship
Get FOREVER BOY in our Bookshop store: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780778311997
and follow @findingcoopersvoice on Facebook and Instagram.
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: Fortesa Latifi on the Truth About Kids in Influencer Families
17/04/2026 | 43 min
What happens when childhood becomes content? Journalist Fortesa Latifi, author of the new book LIKE, FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE, discusses the rise of influencer families and the growing world of kid influencers. We explore how parenting content has evolved from "mommy blogs" to today’s visual and monetized social media landscape, where children are often at the center of viral content.
Fortesa explains why family vlogging is so compelling, and the powerful parasocial relationships audiences form with influencer families. She also breaks down the ethical gray areas of sharing kids online, including issues of privacy, consent, and the long-term digital footprint created for children who cannot fully understand or agree to their online presence.
Fortesa discusses the role of viewers in driving demand for this content and the emerging legal efforts to regulate earnings and protect influencer kids. She offers a nuanced look at family vlogging, encouraging parents and audiences alike to think more critically about what it means to share children’s lives online.
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
Little-Known Parenting Milestones
15/04/2026 | 44 min
What are the parenting milestones no one tells you about—but that completely change your daily life? We asked our listeners about the little wins of parenting that make a huge difference in reducing the day-to-day chaos, from kids pouring their own cereal to finally being able to leave them home alone.
Listen to our interview with Christina Martin here
Subscribe to our YouTube channel!
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: Meg Zucker on Empowering Kids with Differences and Disabilities
13/04/2026 | 30 min
This Deep Dive series is about embracing the joys and acknowledging the challenges that come with raising kids with differences and disabilities.
How do we celebrate and encourage kids with disabilities and differences, without letting our fears and preconceptions dictate what we think they can do?
How do parents of kids with less understanding of differences and disabilities allow for children's natural curiosity?
Meg Zucker, author of the book Born Extraordinary: Empowering Children with Differences & Disabilities, was born with a genetic condition called ectrodactyly. She is also the mother of three children, two of whom share this difference.
Meg is also the founder and president of Don’t Hide It, Flaunt It, a non-profit with the mission of advancing understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect for people's differences.
In this episode Meg and Amy discuss:
"Disability" versus "difference," and how people choose the words that feel right for them
How Meg's experience growing up different made her parenting kids with differences a little easier—though maybe not as much as someone outside that experience might expect
the well-meaning "thrusting of help" that we might reconsider
À propos de 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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