Hank's Mom Has Opinions!

Denise Moschgat
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Hank’s Mom Has Opinions is a podcast about life—the beautiful parts, the ridiculous parts, the healing parts, and the “I cannot make this shit up” parts. Hosted by Denise—a girl with a German Shorthaired Pointer named Hank and a lifetime of stories—this show blends humor, honesty, and heart in a way that feels like sitting down with your funniest, realest friend. Every episode brings a little chaos (courtesy of Hank, whose love language is mild violence), a little reflection, and a lot of truth about what it means to survive the hard stuff and still find joy.

  1. 6d ago

    The Grief Journals: Coming Out on the Other Side

    The Grief Journals concludes with a conversation about what comes after survival. In Part Two: Coming Out on the Other Side, Denise reflects on the years following the loss of her son, Ethan, and the difficult work of learning how to live with grief instead of simply enduring it. This isn't a story about "moving on" or finding a silver lining. It's about ownership, healing, and discovering that grief—while painful and deeply personal—can also become a source of purpose. In this episode, Denise explores:• The loneliness that comes after the calls, cards, and casseroles stop coming• The emotional spiral that often follows loss• Why she came to believe that her grief belonged to her—and what that realization changed• How healing leaves scars, not erasures• The ways grief expanded her capacity for compassion, service, and connection through theater, mentoring students, and the programs that fostered strong family bonds. Along the way, Hank makes his usual appearance, offering a reminder that healing doesn't require perfection and that sometimes the best support comes from simply being present. If you've ever wondered whether life can hold meaning after profound loss, this episode is for you. Because healing doesn't mean becoming who you were before. Sometimes it means becoming someone new—shaped by love, loss, resilience, and the choice to keep moving forward. Thank you for joining us for The Grief Journals. And as always... Drink your water.Do your sanity check.And give the dog an extra treat.

    9 min

  2. May 19

    The Crash Out Series - Episode 2 Midnight is a Terrible Life Coach

    Somewhere between 11 PM and 1 AM, tiny problems suddenly become life-altering catastrophes. A weird text tone means your relationship is doomed. A random stomach ache becomes medically fascinating. And somehow your exhausted brain decides midnight is the perfect time to reevaluate your entire existence. In this episode of the Crash Out Series, Hank’s Mom talks about why nighttime has a way of turning stress into emotional chaos, why morning almost always feels more manageable, and how exhaustion removes proportion from our thinking. We’re talking late-night spirals, emotional raccoons, survival kits, hydration, overanalyzing text messages like federal evidence, and the important role cheese sometimes plays in emotional stability. Also, Hank remains emotionally unbothered by punctuation… unless birds are involved.

    9 min

  3. May 6

    The Grief Journals - Episode 1 - The Moment Everything Breaks

    Part One of a deeply personal two-part series on grief. In this episode of Hank’s Mom Has Opinions, Denise talks about the immediate aftermath of losing her son, Ethan, eight years ago — the shock, disbelief, numbness, and quiet reality of learning how to survive a life you never would have chosen. This is not a story about blame.It’s not a lecture about addiction.And it’s definitely not a guide to “getting over” loss. It’s an honest conversation about grief as it actually feels: confusing, heavy, deeply personal, and different for everyone who carries it. Through reflections on survival, emotional processing, and the unexpected comfort found in small moments — including the steady presence of Hank, the world’s most emotionally persistent German Shorthaired Pointer — Denise explores what it means to keep moving when your world has fundamentally changed. If you’re grieving, loving someone through addiction, or simply trying to understand loss a little better…this episode is for you. And as always:Drink your water.Do your sanity check.And maybe let the dog convince you to go outside.

    7 min

  4. May 4

    Episode 18 - Boundaries: The Part Where People Get Uncomfortable

    Boundaries sound simple…until you actually have to set one. In this episode, we take a calm, honest look at what boundaries really are—and what they’re not. Because they’re not about controlling other people, starting conflict, or pushing others away. They’re about protecting your capacity, your peace, and your ability to stay steady in your own life. We talk about: Why boundaries feel so uncomfortable (for you and the other person)What boundaries actually look like in real life (hint: less talking, more doing)Why healthy relationships don’t break under boundaries—they get stronger because of themWhat people’s reactions to your boundaries can teach you (data over drama)And the most important boundary of all…the one you set with yourselfAnd of course, Hank makes an appearance as the world’s most enthusiastic boundary tester…who, despite his best efforts, still manages to respect a consistent “off” and “crate.” If boundaries have ever felt confusing, harsh, or overwhelming—this episode brings it back to something much simpler: Clarity. Consistency. And taking care of yourself without apology.

    6 min

  5. Apr 27

    Episode - 17 Patterns over Access

    What if the version of you that people experience…isn’t random? In this episode, I unpack a thought that hit me the second I opened my eyes: “People will get the version of me they deserve.” Okay…slightly villain-coded. We clean it up. This becomes a conversation about patterns, boundaries, and what it actually means to be both discerning and kind—anchored in a powerful line from the Gospel of Matthew: “Be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” We talk about: Why patterns—not promises—should guide your decisionsHow to notice when respect is lacking (without spiraling)The balance between staying soft and not being taken advantage ofAnd what to do when you do snap…because you’re humanPlus, Hank weighs in on snack-based trust systems and emotional recalibration. This isn’t about becoming cold.It’s about becoming clear. Patterns determine access.

    5 min

  6. Apr 25

    The Accumulation Series - Episode 3 Accumulated Patterns

    Sometimes it's not about what we expected - or even how we felt when things didn't go that way. Sometimes the real clarity comes from what keeps happening over and over again. In this episode, we break down the difference between expectations, disappointment, and patterns - and why patterns are the most honest form of data in any relationship. With Hank as the (very enthusiastic) control group, we explore how repeated behavior removes confusion, why we tend to ignore what's obvious, and the quiet power of making decisions based on what is - not what we hope could be. Because at some point...it's not confusion. It's a pattern. And patterns don't need interpretations - they need decisions.

    7 min

  7. Apr 13

    Episode 16 - Drink Your Water and Do a Sanity Check

    In this episode of Hank’s Mom Has Opinions, we explore the art of not immediately reacting to… everything. “Drink Your Water and Do a Sanity Check” is a simple, practical framework for slowing down, checking your emotional state, and responding with intention instead of impulse. Through a very unqualified control group (Hank, who hasnever paused a day in his life), we unpack why quick reactions aren’t always honest—they’re just fast—and how taking a moment to assess what’s actually happening can completely change the outcome. If you’ve ever said something too quickly, assumed too much,or reacted before you had the full picture… this one’s for you. Because not every thought deserves a microphone. Sometimes it just needs a minute.

    5 min

  8. Apr 8

    Episode 15 - The Air Chomp!

    What started as a ridiculous little habit—my dog staring atme and air chomping like a tiny, unhinged dinosaur—turned into something…surprisingly insightful. In this episode, we’re talking about Hank’s newest ritual,the unspoken invitation behind it, and how something as simple as “making the face back” might be the most honest form of connection we have. No overthinking.No decoding.No emotional algebra. Just… showing up and seeing who shows up with you. Also—Hank still has four brain cells. Three for me. One for birds. And somehow, he’s still ahead of most of us.

    4 min
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About

Hank’s Mom Has Opinions is a podcast about life—the beautiful parts, the ridiculous parts, the healing parts, and the “I cannot make this shit up” parts. Hosted by Denise—a girl with a German Shorthaired Pointer named Hank and a lifetime of stories—this show blends humor, honesty, and heart in a way that feels like sitting down with your funniest, realest friend. Every episode brings a little chaos (courtesy of Hank, whose love language is mild violence), a little reflection, and a lot of truth about what it means to survive the hard stuff and still find joy.

Information

  • Creator
    Denise Moschgat
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Denise Moschgat
  • Show Website
    Hank's Mom Has Opinions!