Jill Smokler
Jill Smokler was the author and Scary Mommy founder whose candid, funny writing helped parents feel less alone, later opening conversations about midlife and living with brain cancer.
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Jill’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
PodcastOverview
- Known for
- Founding Scary Mommy
- Started
- March 21, 2008: her first Scary Mommy post
- Work
- Author, blogger, entrepreneur and podcast creator
- Died
- June 22, 2026, aged 48
Mini bio
How it started.
Jill began Scary Mommy in 2008 while at home with her three children. What started as a record of family life grew into a community where parents could talk openly about imperfect days. Her first post appeared on March 21, 2008.
Finding her readers.
Her 2012 book Confessions of a Scary Mommy combined personal essays with anonymous contributions from the community and became a New York Times bestseller. Motherhood Comes Naturally (and Other Vicious Lies) followed, taking on familiar parenting myths with her characteristic sarcasm.
The next chapter.
She sold Scary Mommy in 2015, stayed on as chief content officer, and left in 2018. She later founded She’s Got Issues, a magazine and podcast for Gen X women, carrying her conversations into midlife.
Writing through change.
After a glioblastoma diagnosis, Jill continued sharing personal updates and launched a podcast trailer and Substack essays. She died on June 22, 2026. Scary Mommy’s tribute honored the community and permission to be honest that her work gave other parents.
Creditschronological, newest first
Digital publishing and audio
- 2025It Is What It Is And It’s Not GreatCreator; released introductory trailer
- 2025–2026Jill Smokler on SubstackWriter
- 2023She’s Got IssuesFounder and podcast host
- 2008–2018Scary MommyFounder; later chief content officer
Books
- 2013Motherhood Comes Naturally (and Other Vicious Lies)Author
- 2012Confessions of a Scary MommyAuthor
Awards
Quotes
I have way too much to live for.Jill Smokler, Living In the In-Between
In her July 18, 2025 essay, Jill reflected on finding a balance between practical planning and being present after a terminal diagnosis.
Trivia
- Her son Ben’s habit of calling everything “scary,” including his mother, inspired the name Scary Mommy.
- Her 2011 Thanksgiving appeal raised more than $20,000 to help 412 families afford dinner.
- Dear Nina host Nina Badzin knew Jill from college.
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Explore Jill’s writing and the communities she built.
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