How To Handyma’am | A Home Improvement Comedy Podcast

Grab your concert tees and get ready to rock, because this is the Sidequest of the 90s! This week, Emily went rogue in the basement office and dug into the depths of Reddit to find some truly unhinged contractor horror stories. Samantha, Arly, and Emily read through four different nightmares and provide their professional commentary on the massive red flags these homeowners missed. In this Sidequest, we react to:A custom window disaster where 3.5-meter tall glass panels were secured with small screws and blew right into the house. A $9,999 defamation lawsuit over a bad review. The all-too-common "Materials Scam," where sketchy crews over-order insulation and lumber to stash for their side gigs. A "somewhat simple" kitchen and double-bathroom remodel that was handed off to an unlicensed subcontractor from Lowe's. Plus, we share essential Handyma'am advice:The Box Store Secret: Why you should never assume a contractor referred by Lowe's, Menards, or Home Depot is vetted or qualified. (Home Depot literally ranks their Pros by how much money they spend on materials! ). License Verification: Step-by-step instructions on how to look up your contractor's license through your state's regulatory affairs website (like LARA in Michigan). The Discount Red Flag: Why a legit business with workers comp and overhead cannot afford to offer you a $5,000 "act today" discount. Did you love this Reddit episode? Search for the How To Handyma'am group on Facebook and let us know if we should make this a regular series!

Welcome back to How To Handyma'am! This week, Arly survived a brutal bout of food poisoning to bring you an episode packed with chaotic energy, essential life advice, and a hardware store game show. Before we talk tools, Samantha celebrates finding a great new therapist , and then Emily takes the mic for an important soapbox moment about body neutrality, diet culture, and dealing with internet trolls. The ethos of How To Handyma'am is simple: come exactly as you are. Your body is the least interesting thing about you, and we are here to build cool things, not conform to impossible standards! Then, it is time to play The Price is Right: Big Box Store Edition! Arly quizzes Emily and Samantha on the retail prices of everyday DIY materials. We are covering everything from LVP flooring and exterior doors to why a gallon of Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane will cause some serious sticker shock. 🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉We are giving away a Milwaukee Drill Kit (M18 Drill, two batteries, a charger, and a bag)! To enter, follow us on Instagram (@howtohandymaam) and join our email list before May 8th, 2026 at 12:00 AM. Got a question? Want to join the community? Search for the "How To Handyma'am" group on Facebook, visit howtohandymaam.com, or email us at [email protected]!

Welcome to another Side Quest! ⚔️ Today, Samantha, Arley, and Emily are tackling your listener questions. We’re covering everything from the legalities of deck building to why poorly installed safety equipment is the absolute worst. In this episode, we answer:Do you need a permit to replace your deck boards? (And why you should never pull a permit for your contractor!) . Can you put mulch over a weed barrier, or will it invite a swarm of cockroaches? 🪳. How to fix a stair handrail that ripped right out of the drywall. Is pressure-treated lumber poisoning your vegetable garden? 🍅. Plus, a terrifying tale from the field involving tick-infested mulch, and a mind-blowing realization about where the word "windmill" comes from. Got a question for us? We want to hear it! Email us at [email protected].

Welcome back to How to Handyma'am, besties! We missed you. In this episode, we are wrapping up our four-part "Spring is Sprung" series with the ultimate guide to beautifying the outside of your home in 48 hours or less.We are giving you beginner-friendly DIY tips for:Diagnosing your house style: Why you need to lean into the house you have (stop making ranches look like farmhouses!) and the rules for Craftsman, Mid-Century, and Colonial aesthetics.Committing Shutter Crimes: Why undersized, non-functional-looking shutters are a federal crime in our book, and how to remove them and fix the holes.Exterior Paint Prep: Can you paint vinyl siding? (Yes, but you have to use the right stuff so it doesn't melt!) Plus, wood siding prep and when to use a "Paint Eater."Sneaky Exterior Repairs: Using "Siding Band-Aids" (patches) for holes and swapping rotted wood trim for PVC/composite.Landscaping for Real People: How to pick plants based on the person you actually are, not who you wish you were. Hint: Hostas are your friends.This episode is proudly dedicated to Emily’s fierce, intelligent, and effervescent cousin-in-law, LaTonya! Be like LaTonya.Plus, we have your three (nine?) minutes of controlled chaos, featuring:Live otter cameras as stress relief.Florida sunshine as a cure for depression (and laying in it like a lizard).A medium amount of investigation into a tiled shower room that was totally missing waterproofing.A truly horrifying "Tale from the Field" involving contaminated drywall, fecal matter, and handcuffs attached to bolts in the floor. 😱Links & Resources:🌐 Check out our storefront for tools mentioned in this episode: https://shoplowes.me/4i2zfaI•Linktree: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam📸 Follow us on Instagram (help us get to 1,000!): @howtohandymaam💌 Got a DIY question? Email us at [email protected] in the Mitten, Singly Married, Marci Talks Money (podcasts mentioned).

This week on the Sidequest, we are putting down the power tools and picking up our resumes! If you are job hunting, switching careers, or just struggling to land an offer, this is the episode for you.Before we started How to Handyma'am, our very own Samantha Pearl had a long career in Human Resources and conducted hundreds of interviews. Inspired by the absolute trauma of some recent chaotic interviews we've held, we are sharing the ultimate guide to getting hired.In this episode, we cover:Resume Red Flags: Why you aren't getting callbacks, how to fix your AI-generated resume, and why your voicemail greeting might be costing you the job.The Do's of Interviewing: How to prep behavioral stories, what to research before you arrive, and why you should always bring a pen and paper.The Absolute Don'ts: Why you should never ask about pay in the first interview, why badmouthing your toxic ex-boss makes you look bad, and the "Forbidden Three" topics you can never bring up.The Handyma'am Reality Check: Why not getting hired is actually a "you" problem—and how to fix it by treating your interview like an audition!Join the Handyma'am Community:Have a wild interview story or a DIY question for us? Email us at [email protected]!Sign up for our newsletter at howtohandymaam.com.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @howtohandymaam

If you are planning on building, replacing, or resurfacing a deck this summer, you cannot afford to skip this episode! Today, we are starting from the ground up to give you the ultimate Deck 101 survival guide.We talk through the dreaded permitting process and explain exactly when you can legally skip the paperwork. Then, we break down the pros, cons, and hidden costs of the three most common decking materials: pressure-treated lumber, cedar, and composite. Whether you want the cheapest option or a deck that will outlive you, we have the installation secrets you need to know.In this episode, we cover:Why your deck's substructure must always be ground-contact pressure-treated lumber.The 6-to-12-month waiting rule for sealing a pressure-treated deck.Why you need to wear a mask when cutting cedar.The hidden costs of composite decking, including special fasteners and structural framing requirements.A major safety warning about modern cable railings.Connect with us!Got a question or a "Tale from the Field"? Email us at [email protected]!🔗 All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam🏡 Check out our website: howtohandymaam.com

Welcome back to the Sidequest! This is where we drop the script, embrace the chaos, and answer your emails. Today, we are tackling three listener questions that cover everything from electrical safety to heavy lifting in the kitchen.In this episode, we answer questions from:Marguerite: Looking for tips on rewiring a house? We share why you need to make friends with your local electrical inspector, the absolute necessity of voltage testers, and the one wire you should never, ever touch if you want to stay alive.Cindy: We settle the great deck debate: stain vs. paint. We explain why painting a horizontal wood deck is a terrible idea, why we swear by Australian Timber Oil for low-maintenance longevity, and the strict rules you cannot cheat on when waiting for your pressure-washed deck to dry.Lola: How do you safely remove old kitchen cabinets? We break down the reverse-engineering method, why you must remove the doors and shelves first, where to find the hidden face-frame screws, and the sneaky ways new flooring can trap your base cabinets.Plus, Minutes of Chaos: We're talking about whispering toddlers, horrifying OSHA training videos, and the slippery dangers of using the wrong water seal on your walking paths.Got a question for the Handyma'ams? Email us at [email protected]!🔗 All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam🏡 Check out our website: howtohandymaam.com

Welcome back to How to Handyma'am! In this episode, we are continuing our Spring Series by teaching you everything you need to know to grow things outside your house this spring. We are also dedicating this episode to Arly's mother-in-law, Johanna, who is retiring after 20 years of working night shifts—congratulations!In this episode, we cover the Do's and Don'ts of:Grading Your Yard: Why you need to slope the dirt away from your foundation (1 inch per foot!), use proper fill dirt instead of topsoil, and use downspout extenders to keep water out of your basement.Mulching: How 3 to 5 inches of organic mulch can save you from weeding and watering, why you should never "volcano" mulch around your trees, and how to get free mulch using Chip Drop.Gardening on Your Deck: Why heavy ceramic pots and regular dirt will cause "fast rot" on your wood deck, and why you should switch to light plastic pots with fast-draining potting soil.DIY Garden Beds: Emily breaks down how to build cheap, safe beds using cedar fence pickets instead of toxic pressure-treated wood. Plus, we explain the "lasagna method" for filling them so you don't go broke buying topsoil!Critter Control: Why your bird feeder is actually attracting raccoons to rip off your siding, natural ways to deter pests, and why you should never, ever plant bamboo or mint directly in the ground.Plus, Minutes of Chaos: We're talking about eating Mr. Leslie's Cheesecake, Samantha getting her lizard-on in the Florida sun, happy sci-fi movies, and doing an ASMR review of the Enviro Brush (a reusable paintbrush helping reduce construction waste!).🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: In-Person Training! 🚨We are hosting our first in-person training this June! Head to our website and put your email in on the events page to get registration access two days earlier than everyone else.🔗 All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam🏡 Check out our website: howtohandymaam.com

Welcome back to the Sidequest! This week, Samantha poses a deeply personal question to the group: How do you handle the stress and long hours when you're trying to create something incredibly important, but circumstances make it difficult?If you are currently pouring your heart into a passion project, a small business, or just trying to survive a chaotic season of life, this episode is your official hype squad.In this Sidequest, we cover:Coping Mechanisms & Avoiding Spreadsheets: We share how we actually get things done. From Emily’s hyper-focusing (and literally trading TikTok video creation to get out of building a spreadsheet) to Samantha’s "all the way on or all the way off" lifestyle that requires long, decompression baths.The Importance of Support Systems: We are destigmatizing therapy and talking about why having a solid support system is non-negotiable. Huge shoutout to the partners picking up the laundry and dog-walking slack during 80-hour work weeks!Reframing Disappointment: What happens when your big plan fails? We talk about pivoting our original November podcast launch and reframing that "failure" into building a massive online ecosystem instead.The Ultimate Mission: Why quitting is never an option for us. We are building this community to give women the autonomy, knowledge, and agency to make choices about their own homes.When a project is this important, you aren't just the person who can make it happen—you are the person who cannot not make it happen.Join the Handyma'am Community!🔗 All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam🏡 Check out our brand new ecosystem: howtohandymaam.com

Welcome back to How to Handyma'am! It is finally spring, and we are kicking off a four-part series dedicated to all things spring maintenance and landscaping.But first, 3 Minutes of Chaos! We also take a moment to talk about leaning into who you really are and accepting your unique quirks. We also give a shoutout to our favorite med student, Hannah MacArthur!Then, we dive into the Spring Handyma'am Showdown! We go head-to-head to list the top 10 things you need to check outside your house as the weather warms up.Our top 10 spring maintenance tips include:Check doors and windows: Ensure they open, close, and seal properly, and watch for sticky spots.Turn on the power: Find your breaker box and flip the switch to test your outdoor outlets.Test smoke detectors: Make sure you have working batteries (and a carbon monoxide detector!).Change your furnace filter: Get ready for AC season.Inspect the siding: Look for holes, damage, or missing pieces, and fill any gaps.Check for water leaks: Check under sinks, around toilets, and make sure your sump pump is working.Inspect your porch/deck: Look for rotting wood, peeling paint, or loose boards.Check the mailbox: Ensure it's secure, not rotting, and firmly attached to the post.Examine exterior trim: Look for peeling paint or wood rot, which can lead to water and pest issues.Test the outdoor spigot: Turn the water on, attach a hose, and check for leaks.We've got you covered with tips, tricks, and a little bit of chaos along the way. Be sure to check out our website for a printable spring checklist!Join The Community!•Sign up for the newsletter & submit listener questions: howtohandymaam.com•Follow us on social media: @howtohandymaam•All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

Welcome back to the Side Quest! We kick things off with a truly chaotic (and somewhat mournful) rendition of our theme song, and then dive right into some excellent listener questions.First up, a listener asks a question we've all been wondering: what happens to the painted exterior doors of a house that's been stripped down to the studs and abandoned for years? We break down a few ways to tackle chipping, lifting exterior paint, whether you choose to scrape, use a heat gun, or replace the doors entirely.Next, we address the mystery of the missing studs. What do you do when your stud finder refuses to beep, even after dragging it across an entire wall? We share our favorite tips for finding studs manually (hello, rare earth magnets!) and how to make sure you're using your tools correctly.Finally, we share a major tip from our time working on the VFW: how to hang things on solid concrete walls. We explain what "wall plugs" are, how to use them, and why they are the absolute best way to hang everything from TVs to artwork on concrete.Join The Community!Sign up for the newsletter & submit listener questions: howtohandymaam.comFollow us on social media: @howtohandymaam

Welcome back to How to Handyma'am! We are kicking off today's episode with 3 Minutes of Chaos, featuring Samantha's Victorian romance tv show recommendations, a quick menopause update, and the hilarious story of her cartoon-style wipeout on a loose rug while chasing Winnie the Golden Retriever. (Spoiler: Winnie's response was to sit directly on Samantha to tell her to calm down!)But we're also getting down to business for all of our new homeowners out there! If you just got the keys to your new house, do not move in yet. We are playing a game of "Must Do, Should Do, Nice To Do" to help you prioritize the most important tasks before you start unpacking boxes.We explain why you must change your locks and test your smoke detectors, why you should figure out where your main water shut-off valve is, and why deep-cleaning the fridge is a nice to do before you move your stuff in. We also share a sweet client story featuring Hellboy the rescue Greyhound, and give you professional advice on how to deal with contractors who charge too much (and why it's totally okay to ghost them).Join The Community!Sign up for the newsletter & submit listener questions: howtohandymaam.comFollow us on social media: @howtohandymaam

Welcome back to the Side Quest! Today, we are skipping the intro and diving straight into some listener questions, ranging from the highly technical to the completely chaotic.We start by helping Sherry F. figure out how to restore the water-damaged fronts of her sink cabinets without totally replacing them. (And yes, we may have gotten a little distracted by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons along the way...). Then, Julie D. asks a great question: why is her grout cracking, and what can she do to fix it? We break down the structural reasons why you can never use grout where there is a change of plane (like where the wall meets the counter), and what you need to buy to fix it.Finally, Tess M. wants to know if Musselbound is actually a legitimate product. We give our honest, professional review of this "giant double-sided sticky tape" and when you should (and shouldn't) use it in your home.Plus, we share our best tips for what to do when you hit the dreaded "DIY Wall" and feel like abandoning your project entirely.Join The Community!Sign up for the newsletter & submit listener questions: howtohandymaam.comFollow us on social media: @howtohandymaam

Welcome to How to Handyma'am! We are kicking off Episode 16 with a little singing, a sweet dedication to Samantha's sister, Sandy, and a recap of our live TV debut on New Day Cleveland! Fun fact: Samantha and Sandy both have golden retrievers (including Samantha's dog, Winnie the Pearl) and the dogs are actually sisters! We also got to teach an amazing troop of Girl Scouts how to build their own toolboxes this week.For our main topic, we are talking about exactly what to expect when you take on a new DIY project. Whether you are a "Type A" planner who maps out every single screw, or a "Type B" chaos gremlin who just starts ripping things apart (looking at you, Arly), we are sharing our professional process for getting things done. We cover how to define your project scope, why you need to watch tutorial videos just to build your materials list, and why you should always add a buffer to your budget.Plus, we answer a listener question about how to properly repair torn drywall paper from a Command Strip!Join The Community!Sign up for early event access & submit listener questions: howtohandymaam.comAll our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

Welcome back to a very special Side Quest! We are officially recovering from a wild weekend at the Lansing Home and Garden Show, so we are opening up the vault and giving everyone early access to an episode originally recorded just for our Patreon.This week, we are taking a break from home repair to share our ultimate "horror stories from the field". Warning: this episode is essentially a mother's (and husband's) worst nightmare.In this episode, we confess to:Thinking we have the magical ability to hug wild bears.Picking up a rescued street raccoon and giving it a kiss on the head.Following a man wearing an ankle monitor into the deepest, darkest corner of a basement for an estimate.Picking up a hitchhiker and driving him all the way to Sturgis.Ultimately, we are talking about why women need to embrace the phrase "F*ck Politeness". We put ourselves in dangerous situations because we don't want to be perceived as rude, but remember: you can always apologize later if you were wrong, but you can't fix being murdered!Join The Village!Submit a Listener Question: howtohandymaam.comAll our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaamEmail us: [email protected]

Welcome to How to Handyma'am! This week, we are consulting Shakespeare for our home repairs and asking the ultimate DIY question: To fix, or not to fix? But first, we kick things off with a sweet dedication to Arly's grandma, the "OG Handyma'am," and spill the tea on the products we are absolutely loving right now.From navigating the tragedy of dragging a refrigerator across your sheet vinyl floor, to deciding whether you should repair a hollow-core door or just buy a new one, we are giving you the ultimate cost-benefit analysis on common home damage.Episode Timestamps:0:00 - Welcome back! A dedication to Grandma Arlene.3:55 - Product Reviews! We are fangirling over RTA Wholesalers out of Carson, California.9:30 - Our review of Gorilla Glue Two-Part Epoxy (and why you shouldn't set construction adhesive on fire).11:20 - Go-to bonding primer: Valspar Signature.13:00 - The Main Event: To Fix or Not To Fix?15:00 - Ripped linoleum/sheet vinyl floors.21:50 - Punching a hole in a hollow core door.26:00 - Sputtering sinks and cleaning your faucet aerator.28:40 - Broken window panes (Single pane vs. Double pane).31:20 - Broken PVC plumbing pipes.34:30 - Splintered door jambs.Products Mentioned in this Episode:Heads up! Some of the product links below are affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to support the podcast!RTA Wholesalers: https://rtawholesalers.comGorilla Glue Two-Part Epoxy: https://shoplowes.me/4lqUmoMValspar Signature: https://shoplowes.me/4bi1C1KJoin The Community!Submit a Listener Question: howtohandymaam.comAll our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

Welcome back to another Side Quest! This week, we are answering three of your most pressing DIY questions from the community. If you have a question you want us to tackle on a future Side Quest, you can now submit it directly on our new website: howtohandymaam.com!In this episode, we answer:Amanda's Question: How hard is it to take down old living room paneling, and what do I have to do to the walls underneath? We share the mid-century "plaster board" warning you need to hear before you start prying!Julie's Question: My painted shed door is so swollen it won't shut. How do I fix it? We break down how to trim a swollen door, and why painting the bottom edge is the secret to preventing it from happening again.Maureen's Question: A plumber just replaced my tub faucet, but there is no caulk around it where it meets the tile. Should there be? We settle the debate on whether you need 100% silicone or just a squeeze tube.Join The Village!Submit a Listener Question: howtohandymaam.comAll our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

Welcome back to How to Handymaam! 🛠️ This week, we are introducing a brand new segment called "Three Minutes of Chaos" before diving into a highly practical checklist for securing your home. Whether you live alone or just want some extra peace of mind, we are breaking down the easiest, most effective security upgrades you can tackle this weekend.In this episode, we cover:Three Minutes of Chaos: Arly rants about period products, Emily gets excited for spring and the Lansing Home & Garden Show, and Samantha talks about her favorite heavy-duty outdoor builds.Listener Question: Marybeth asks how to paint baseboards without ruining her wood floors. We explain why painter's tape is actually a terrible idea for old hardwood, and share the "plastic sleeve" trick instead.Practical Home Security Checklist: * Doors: Why you need to swap out your tiny latch plate screws for 3-inch screws immediately, and how to reinforce your deadbolts.Windows & Sliders: The simple "dowel in the track" trick for sliding doors, and using privacy window film to keep out prying eyes without losing natural light.Tech & Tools: Integrating motion-sensor floodlights, basic cameras, and exactly what tools you need to get the job done (plus how to borrow them if you don't have a drill!).Big Announcements: Come see us at the Lansing Home & Garden Show, and get ready for our upcoming weekend intensive workshops in June, August, and October!Join The Village!All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

Welcome back to the Side Quest! 🎧 This week, we are off the leash and bringing you a brand new edition of "Tales from the Field".If you've ever dealt with unwarranted comments in the hardware store or accidentally become the star of your own true-crime podcast, this episode is for you. We are sharing three highly chaotic stories from our day-to-day lives as female contractors.In this episode, we cover:The "What Do You Do With Those?" Incident: Arly’s trip to Home Depot to buy prizes, where a man couldn't fathom that a woman would know how to use pens and measuring tapes.The Concrete Critique: Samantha gets told by a male shopper that "women shouldn't be carrying" 50lb bags of concrete—only for him to immediately walk away without actually offering to help her carry them.A "Tumultuous Tuesday": Emily arrives at a home estimate for a senior grab-bar program, only to find herself in the middle of a neighborhood screaming match. She breaks down the agonizing 911 call, trying to stealthily flee in a branded "How to Handyma'am" vehicle, and ultimately faceplanting into an unplowed snowbank right as the police arrive.Join The Village!All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam•howtohandymaam.comFollow us on Instagram & Facebook: @HowToHandymaamEmail us your stories and questions: [email protected]

Welcome back to How to Handyma'am! This week, we are dedicating the episode to the ultimate hype-woman: Grandma Chris. She embodies the true Handyma'am spirit of loving support and "of course you can do that" energy.Before we get into the heavy lifting, we have a very chaotic catch-up session. We’re talking about a "menty b" over a DoorDash order missing its emotional support tater tots, and we reveal our go-to karaoke anthems (from Queen to Hamilton).Then, it’s time for the main event: Drywall 101. Are you committing drywall crimes in your home? We break down the most common drywall issues, how to diagnose the underlying problems, and the exact steps to fix them the right way.In this episode, we cover:Soft Spots & Bubbling Paint: Why this is almost always a water leak, and why you must fix the leak before you fix the wall.Cracks by Doors & Windows: Why caulking or spackling a crack won't work, and how to properly use drywall tape and mud to handle house settling.Nail Pops: The structural reason your drywall screws are popping out, and the simple trick of driving a new screw an inch away to re-secure the board.Peeling Drywall Paper: The absolute golden rule of sealing torn brown drywall paper with a shellac or oil-based primer before applying water-based mud.Patching Holes: From tiny nail holes to the "California Patch" for doorknobs, all the way up to cutting out sections and adding wood backing for massive holes.Join The Village!We are licensed builders teaching you everything we learned the hard way so you don't have to.Visit our new website: howtohandymaam.comFind our socials on our linktree! Linktr.ee/howtohandymaamEmail us your stories and questions: [email protected]

🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: We have a brand new, dedicated website! Go check out howtohandymaam.com! We officially separated it from our construction page, and we are SO excited for you to see it!Welcome to the official "off-topic" podcast episode! In this highly conversational and chaotic Side Quest, we are running entirely on Sparkling Ice +Caffeine and good vibes.We're taking a break from the heavy maintenance guides to just chat, catch up, and share some hilarious stories from our week. Grab a snack and join the conversation!In this episode, we cover:The Great Candy Debate: From the superiority of unwrapped mini Kit Kats and 100 Grand bars to the absolute crime that is Lemonheads and Hot Tamales.The "Menty B": We talk about Emily's recent "menty b" (mental breakdown) and how the team had to forcefully remove items from her chart to help her out.The Tighty Whitey Incident: We launch into "Tales from the Field" with a story you have to hear to believe—Samantha shares the traumatic experience of showing up to a home estimate only to have the customer answer the door in his tighty whities. (Spoiler: She turned right around and left!)Experiencing the "Female Contractor" Treatment: Arly shares a story about her boyfriend, Jayce, experiencing what it feels like to have your expertise second-guessed when a customer bypassed him to ask a female coworker the exact same question.Next Week's Teaser: Make sure you tune in next week for more "Tales from the Field," where we will find out why Arly had to call 911 and how she got verbally assaulted in a Home Depot!Join The Village! 🛠️✨We are licensed builders teaching you everything we learned "the hard way" so you don't have to. Subscribe to the podcast to help us fund trade education for women.Website: howtohandymaam.comFollow us on Socials: @HowToHandymamContact Us: Have a wild contractor story of your own? Email us at [email protected]!

We’re kicking off a brand-new series to help you stop being a "reactive" homeowner and start being a proactive Handyma’am. This episode moves past the basics to cover the high-priority safety and maintenance tasks that most people ignore until something goes wrong.Inside the Episode:The Recommendation Engine: We dive into our current obsessions, from Bridgerton (Season 3) to the high-stakes reality TV of The Traitors.Podcast Hall of Fame: A massive list of recommendations including Malice in the Mitten (Michigan true crime), Singly Married (the "guy version" of our vibe), and Marcy Talks Money.The #1 Fire Risk: Why the dryer vent is the most dangerous thing in your house. We discuss the "accordion" ducting trap and the Handyma’am Leaf Blower Hack for cleaning vents.The Tissue Test: How to verify if your bathroom exhaust fan is actually removing moisture or just making noise.The Water Heater Trap: Why you should flush your heater yearly, but also why you should never start flushing an 8-year-old heater if it’s never been done before.Fire Science: The difference between Ionization (detecting flames) and Photoelectric (detecting smoldering smoke) detectors, and where you absolutely need them.Winky Face Outlets: Understanding 15-amp vs. 20-amp outlets and why you shouldn’t just swap a plug to make it fit.GFCI for Older Homes: How to use GFCIs to provide safety in ungrounded houses with two-prong outlets.Maintenance Mindset: We wrap up with the concept of Habit Stacking—how to add one small maintenance task to your routine every month to keep your house (and bank account) healthy.Join the Village!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

In this milestone 10th SideQuest, Samantha, Emily, and Arly discuss why the "why" is just as important as the "how." From Emily’s late-night war against a neighborhood skunk to a listener’s four-year battle with a mysterious sewer smell, we’re breaking down how to diagnose the root cause of your home’s biggest headaches.Inside the Episode:The "Moby Dick" Moment: Emily recounts her descent into madness trying to outsmart a skunk living under her porch and the low-tech lightbulb solution that finally won the war.The $6,000 Smell: We walk through a FaceTime consultation with a listener who spent thousands on professionals who couldn’t find the source of a sewer smell. Spoiler: Nobody thought to use a camera.Sewer Scope 101: Why you should always ask for the video proof (and a thumb drive) when a contractor scopes your lines. If they won't show you the crack, don't pay for the fix.Settling Houses & Sinkholes: A fascinating (and slightly terrifying) look at how a house settling near an active sinkhole can create a "stinky burger" situation for your next backyard BBQ.The "Handyma’am" Mindset: Why looking at a diagram and understanding how a system should work is the first step to figuring out why it isn’t.The Village ResourcesGot a question? Email us at [email protected] or find us on social media linktr.ee/howtohandymaamJoin the Community: We are nearly at 800 members in our private Facebook group! Join the "Village" to get advice from Samantha, Emily, Arly, and hundreds of other DIY-capable women.​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics.Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the Journey: Catch our older SideQuests now moving to YouTube with full video!

We are coming full circle! Our very first episode was a deep dive into Cheap vs. Quality tools, and today we are returning to that concept to tackle home products and DIY materials. From the "science" of top-shelf paint to the nightmare of peel-and-stick wallpaper, we’re breaking down where to invest and where you can actually afford to save.The reno industry is flooded with "beginner-friendly" products that are actually designed to fail. We discuss why your "bargain" flooring might be unclicking itself as you speak and why Arly almost lost a finger trying to use a miter saw as a handheld tool.Episode Highlights:The Big Win: We officially won the Saint Johns Business Incubator Challenge! We’re sharing the "Shark Tank" style presentation experience and how this win is funding our upcoming in-person DIY classes.Paint Science: Why Sherwin Williams is the "top-shelf vodka" of the paint world and why cheap "barn paint" requires 12 coats just to look decent.Flooring & Levelers: A stern warning on why "liquid floor leveler" is a marketing gimmick that can end up leaking into your basement if you aren't careful.Wallpaper Wisdom: Why we emphatically say NO to peel-and-stick or pre-pasted wallpaper. If it doesn't feel like a heavy placemat, don't put it on your walls.Lumber 101: The difference between "wet" and "dry" lumber and why you should carry a moisture meter to the hardware store to avoid buying a "pretzel" board.The "Cheek Test": How to pick a quality paintbrush by testing it against your face—if it's soft enough for foundation, it’s good enough for your trim.Village Vision: We are officially partnering with a local Girl Scout troop to teach young girls how to build, and we're dreaming up a weekend-long "Handyma’am Intensive" for this fall.Resources & Mentions:Podcast Rec: The Marvelous Middle Age with Nicole Studt.The "Weird" Rec: Tooth and Claw (Animal attack stories for the brave).Dedicated to: Emily’s mother-in-law, Jeanne, a badass cancer survivor who reminds us all to lead with "vulnerable badassery".Get in Touch: Email us at [email protected] to suggest future "Cheap vs. Quality" topics.Join the Village!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

In this SideQuest, Samantha, Emily, and Arly dive into the mailbag to solve some common homeowner headaches. From the mysteries of "clicking" floors that have stopped clicking to the science of why your laundry room walls might be "sweating" syrup, the ladies break down how to fix it without calling in a pro (or burning the house down in frustration).Is your click-and-lock flooring starting to show its teeth? We discuss the "Organized Chaos" approach to gaps in vinyl and laminate, including why a block of wood and some duct tape might be your new best friends.Mind the Gap: Why click-and-lock floors separate and how to "kick" them back into place—literally.The Glue Debate: Arly and Samantha face off on whether wood glue belongs on vinyl (Spoiler: Things get heated).Yellow Drips & Sticky Walls: If your walls look like a smoker lives there but they don't, it’s likely "surfactant leaching." We explain how high humidity and latex paint create this "syrup" and how to cure it for good.Wall Sweats: Condensation on your walls (not just the windows) is a major red flag for missing insulation. We talk about the "Breezeway Effect" and how to stop the moisture.The Anchor Struggle: How to remove plastic drywall anchors without leaving a crater in your wall—including the "hammer it in" trick.Featured Tips & TricksThe Duct Tape Block: Wrap a 2x4 in duct tape (sticky side out) to create a high-grip tool for sliding floor planks back together.The Suction Cup Hack: Mention of the "Dumbbell" suction tool seen on TikTok for closing floor gaps.The Paint Cure: Don't steam up your bathroom for at least 3 days after painting to prevent the surfactant from leaching out.The Village ResourcesGot a question? Email us at [email protected] or find us on social media linktr.ee/howtohandymaamJoin the Community: We are nearly at 800 members in our private Facebook group! Join the "Village" to get advice from Samantha, Emily, Arly, and hundreds of other DIY-capable women.​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics.Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the Journey: Catch our older SideQuests now moving to YouTube with full video!

This week’s episode is dedicated to our favorite sister/DIY-er, Isabel Bowen (of Bowen’s Builds)!In this episode, we play a game of "Red Flag, Green Flag, Yellow Flag" to help you navigate the stressful world of hiring contractors. If you are planning a renovation or need a repair, knowing these warning signs can save you thousands of dollars (and a lot of headaches).We discuss:🚩 Cash Discounts: Is it a deal or a liability? We explain why paying cash often means you have zero recourse if the job goes wrong.🚩 100% Payment Upfront: Why you should never pay in full before the work starts, and what a reasonable deposit actually looks like.🚩 Trash Talking: Why a contractor who badmouths the previous worker is usually a major red flag for their own professionalism.🟢 Change Orders: Why a contractor asking for more money mid-project might actually be a green flag (if they communicate it correctly!).🟡 Lump Sum vs. Itemized Estimates: How to read a quote and know exactly what you are paying for.Resources Mentioned:Join the Village:Have a contractor horror story? Or a "Red Flag" we missed? Tell us in the Facebook Group!​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics.Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the blog post ⁠⁠here!⁠⁠Join the Village!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠

We realized we’ve been hanging out in your earbuds for a few weeks now, but we haven't properly introduced ourselves!In this SideQuest, we’re hitting pause on the tutorials to tell you who we actually are and how "My Handyma'am" started. Spoiler: It began with an accidental renovation, a biology major who never left, and a lot of plaster dust.In this episode, we cover:The "Accidental" Beginning: How Samantha and her husband bought a historic house, and Emily (fresh out of art school) came home for spring break and accidentally started a demolition by looking for a brick wall behind the plaster.The "Master Class": How Samantha and Emily spent 9 months renovating a flip house together—teaching themselves everything from tiling to making custom trim—which eventually launched their business.Arly’s Entry: How Arly went from a biology major to "Employee #1" (and basically an adopted family member) who joined the chaos and just never left.Why We Do This: We aren't just here to show off projects. We are here to build a community large enough to fund affordable, accessible trade education for women.The Tools We Started With: (Hint: It wasn't much). Proof that you don't need a fancy workshop or a contractor's license to start fixing your own home—sometimes you just need a hammer and some audacity.Join the Village:Whether you are here to learn how to fix a leaky faucet or just need permission to pick up a hammer for the first time, you are in the right place.Connect with us:Instagram/TikTok: @HowToHandymaamEmail: [email protected] a Review: If you love what we’re doing, rating and reviewing the podcast on Apple Podcasts helps us reach more people (and convince sponsors to help us teach more women!).Find us everywhere: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

We are taking a little trip back in time to right after Christmas! 🎄 In this episode, we are recapping the gifts we received (including a pink bucket that almost made Arly cry), sharing the moment Emily got recognized from the podcast while sitting in her car looking like a "Gremlin," and answering the ultimate beginner question: Do you really need power tools to DIY?We break down the most common home renovation projects—from installing trim to tiling a backsplash—and decide whether you need to invest in the expensive power tool or if you can just "power through" with a hand tool.In this episode, we discuss:Christmas Recap: Arly’s pink bucket saga, Samantha’s label maker obsession, and the Hamilton experience.The "Gremlin" Incident: Emily tells the story of eating Dunkin’ Donuts in her car (filled with trash) when a stranger knocked on her window because they recognized her from the podcast!Boob Lights vs. Titty Lights: A very important debate on ceiling fixture terminology.Power Tools vs. Hand Tools: We go project-by-project to tell you what you actually need:Trim & Baseboards: Can you use a miter box instead of a miter saw? (Yes, but get ready to sweat).Flooring: Do you need a wet saw for tile or a jigsaw for laminate?Drywall Repair: The magic of "California Patches" vs. cutting a new hole.Hanging Heavy Stuff: Why you might not need a drill if you have a stud magnet.Resources Mentioned:​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics.Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the blog post ⁠here!⁠Join the Village!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl Host- Arly Streed Host - Emily Pearl Reist Editing and Music - Thomas Streed

Welcome to a very special Side Quest! Today, we are keeping it in the family—Arly’s sister, Isabel Bowen, joins the chat!Isabel is the ultimate "double threat": she plans luxury South Asian and multicultural weddings by day, and by night (literally), she runs Bowen’s Builds, a DIY renovation brand she built with her husband, Jacob.In this episode, we talk about the messy reality of starting a business, why "perfect" is the enemy of "done," and how to renovate a house when you work a full-time job.In this episode, we discuss:The "Toilet Incident": The chaotic origin story of Bowen's Builds involving an exploded toilet, a flooded dining room, and a smoke detector going off in the middle of the disaster."Doing It In The Dark": The reality of renovating after your 9-5 job. Isabel shares how they tackle projects one hour at a time—often with no sunlight!Budgeting 101: How to navigate the gap between your "Champagne Dreams" and your actual budget (including painting kiddie pools to look like brass vessels!).Type A vs. Chaos: A hilarious look at the difference between Isabel (who plans everything) and Arly (who starts 10 projects and finishes none).The "Daily Grievance" List: Isabel’s top tip for deciding what to renovate first—fix the thing that annoys you every single day.Connect with Isabel:📸 DIY & Renovation: Follow @bowens.builds💍 Wedding Planning: https://theyellowroseweddings.com/Resources Mentioned:​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics.Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Village!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

Welcome back to How to Handyma’am! In this episode, we are celebrating some huge wins: we hit the Apple Education (How-To) Charts (Top 30!), went viral on TikTok, and are officially building the best village on the internet.We dedicate this episode to our favorite villager, Kayleigh (our “guinea pig numero uno”), who proves you don’t need to be handy to be essential to the crew.Then, Emily takes the lead (because she is a certified specialist!) to guide us through Aging in Place. We break down the 5 levels of home accessibility—from "Universal Design" to "Non-Functional"—and put Samantha and Arly to the test to see how their own homes stack up. (Spoiler: Samantha fails the zero-step entry test).In this episode, we discuss:​The "Good Villager" Theory: Why you need friends who will drop off soup, text you daily, and bring you a neck fan at hot yoga.​What is Aging in Place? It’s not just for the elderly. It’s about making your home safe and functional for any stage of life (or temporary injury).​The 5 Levels of Home Design:​Universal: Accessible for everyone (the gold standard).​Livable: You can live on the main floor comfortably.​Visitable: A friend with a disability can come for dinner and use the bathroom.​Adaptable: It’s not ready now, but it has the bones (like blocking in the walls) for future upgrades.​Non-Functional: Good luck getting in without a Sherpa.​Quick Fixes vs. Renovations: From installing offset door hinges (to widen a doorway without construction) to adding blocking for grab bars before you tile.​The "Forever Home" Test: We grade our own houses on accessibility. (Samantha’s 175-year-old house gets a solid "D").Resources Mentioned:​Free Download: Emily’s "Aging in Place Guide & Home Grading System” https://www.myhandymaam.com/free-resources-and-downloads/aging-in-place-magazine​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics.Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠Check out the blog post here!Join the Village!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaamCredits Host -Samantha Pearl Host- Arly Streed Host - Emily Pearl Reist Editing and Music - Thomas Streed

The squirrels in our brains are running wild today (Gerald says hello), but we are staying on track to answer your questions!In this episode, the crew discusses:Sticky Situations: Can you use Shellac primer over sticky window cling residue? (Yes, but sand the texture off first!)The "Oogity Oogity" Debate: The difference between antique shellac furniture finishes and modern shellac-based primer.Sanding Hacks: Why it’s totally fine to fold a power-sanding disc in half to clean your tools by hand.Plumbing Access: Why you should NEVER drywall over a shut-off valve, and how to install an access panel instead.Flooring Fixes: How to patch a missing subfloor and "mine" your own closets to find matching hardwood planks.Resources & Links:Email Us: [email protected]: @HowToHandymaamLinkTree: ⁠linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠Blog Post

We are back! In this episode, we are dedicating the show to Arly's new niece (Welcome, GooGoo! 🎀) and recapping Samantha’s 50th Birthday trip to NYC with her husband Jim and daughters Emily and Hannah.We talk about the emotional rollercoaster of seeing Hamilton, surviving the city, and the insane story of how Samantha got so excited at the airport that she literally kicked Emily. 🍎🦶Then, Arly hosts the first-ever "Talk About Caulk" Game Show! 🎙️ We break down exactly which tube to buy for which project so you stop staring blankly at the aisle in Home Depot.In this episode, we cover:100% Silicone: Why you use it for showers/sinks, why it smells like vinegar, and why you can NEVER paint it.Siliconized Latex (The "Paintable" One): The holy grail for trim, baseboards, and molding.Sanded Caulk: The secret weapon for matching grout lines in tile and tubs.Exterior Repairs: Why you should use wood filler or epoxy instead of Bondo (sorry, Bondo).Concrete & Mortar Repair: The textured gray stuff for your driveway cracks.Products Mentioned:For Kitchen/Bath: GE 100% Silicone (Waterproof, not paintable).For Trim/Paint: DAP Alex Flex or Alex Plus (Paintable).For Tile: Sanded Ceramic Tile Caulk (Matches grout texture).Grab your caulking gun (and maybe some lemon candy) and join the crew! 🦁🔨Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaamBlog Post⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed

Welcome to the SideQuest! This week, the trio opens up the mailbag to answer your questions. We tackle the paralyzing fear of perfectionism (and why "making it exist" is better than making it perfect), react to a truly horrified listener who got a quote for $204,000 for kitchen cabinets, and share a cautionary tale about why you should never mix red food coloring into your drywall mud.Plus, we issue a formal correction regarding Emerald Urethane paint (oops!) and share our "Flashlight Trick" for finding imperfections on your walls.Resources & Links:Blog PostRTA Cabinet Store: https://rtawholesalers.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorR_XVLzXF5Uy8RKvknmIfEUdz3VEfH8DgxN4JlvlljmWbU6VbcEmail Us: [email protected]: @HowToHandymaamLinkTree: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

Nobody wants to talk about the "throne"… until it starts leaking on the bathroom floor.In this episode, the trio dives into the unglamorous but essential world of Toilet Troubleshooting. Samantha, Emily, and Arly break down the anatomy of your toilet (it’s simpler than you think) and explain why a "running" toilet is essentially flushing your money down the drain.We cover the difference between gravity-fed and pressure-assisted toilets, how to diagnose a leak using a piece of paper towel, and the mysterious "Wax Ring" that keeps your floor safe.Plus: We kick things off with a chaotic debate about our favorite movies—from Pride and Prejudice to Clash of the Titans—and reveal why the Hamilton soundtrack lives rent-free in our heads.Whether you have a wobbly tank or a "ghost flush," this episode is your guide to fixing it yourself.00:00 Welcome and Dedication01:04 Our Favorite Movies and Musicals11:36 Let’s Talk about Toilets16:54 Types of Toilets17:19 Anatomy of a Toilet20:20 Running Toilet and Solutions22:55 Leaky Toilet and Solutions30:57 Caulking Around the Toilet34:33 Bad Flush and the Solutions39:02 Wobbly Toilet or Tank and Solutions42:50 Seperating the Tank and the Bowl for Easier Moving43:44 Where to Find UsLinks & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog Post⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed

Episode Summary:What happens when you take the "Handyma’am Spirit" out of construction and drop it onto a 1-million-square-foot factory floor?In this SideQuest, Samantha, Emily, and Arly sit down with a very special guest: Hannah Pearl. She’s Emily’s twin sister, Samantha’s daughter, and—along with dad, Jim—one of the few members of the family who chooses not to pick up the power tools.But don’t let that fool you. Hannah is an award-winning Engineering Manager at Denso Manufacturing and a trailblazer for women in the automotive industry. We discuss navigating male-dominated fields (whether it’s a job site or a factory), the difference between equity and equality in leadership, and why you should treat your mentors like "Infinity Stones."In this episode, we cover:👯‍♀️ The Twin Dynamic: Growing up with (and without) the "Handy" gene.🏭 Women in Industry: What it’s really like managing a team in a field where women make up less than 30% of the workforce.⚖️ Equity vs. Equality: Why treating everyone the "same" isn't the best way to lead, and how to create safe spaces for diverse teams.💎 The Mentor Strategy: Why Hannah collects mentors like "Infinity Stones" and why you need a personal "Board of Directors" for your life.🗺️ Career Mapping: How to use SMART goals and tools like CliftonStrengths to find your "Why"—even if you feel stuck.Resources Mentioned:CliftonStrengths (Gallup): A tool for discovering your top talents.Five Clues to Talent: A framework to uncover what you naturally do best.SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaamBlog Post⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Music by Thomas Streed

Welcome, friends! This week our Handy Hosts Samantha, Emily, and Arly round out our paintingseries with a focus on choosing paint color. If staring at a display of paint swatches leaves youperplexed and standing on the precipice, this episode is for you!We kick off with a special dedication to Arly’s mom Barbara Streed, a cheerleader in ourmission to support women in the trades. Emily teases us with her top ten favorite shades ofwhite and we learn why, if you find yourself on a deserted island, the back of a leaf may be thebest shade of green. Samantha shares why it is important to have choices when it comes toletting contractors in your home and to always advocate for yourself in tough moments…because you matter and you are loved.If nothing else, we can take inspiration from the other “Panera Ninja” in the family, Emily’shumanoid dog Lemon, who lives her colorful life “loudly, proudly, and insanely”.Join us as we work toward our goal of funding future in-person classes and an apprenticeshipacademy for women in construction. You can help by tuning in each week and sharing the lovefor women in the trades... let’s get handy!2:29 Tips for choosing a contractor8:13 Lemon, the human dog in fur17:13 Paint sheen and why it’s important19:16 Should you do whatever you want?26:17 Emily’s designer tip36:15 It’s Game time, friends!43:33 Our favorite tips (besides “the brush”)Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe'sLemon Contenthttps://www.instagram.com/p/DTA_c2_gICn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/ep-5-safety-first-desert-island-tools-and-how-to-pick-a-paint-colorCredits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed

 It’s never the big things that build trust and deeply bonded relationships…it’s always the small things.  Sharing in the joy is the reward you get for sharing in life’s daily indignities.  In this week’s episode, Emily, Samantha, and Arly talk about how building a culture of joy, support, and grace is about action – it’s bringing the problems into the light, talking about the hard things, and approaching every single conversation with preservation of the relationship as the end goal.    Join us here to learn how we keep our crew together through all the difficult days inherent in any high-service, high-performance industry.Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/sidequest-03-relationship-maintenance-amp-building-a-crew-that-lastsConnect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Music- Thomas Streed

Hey there, Handyma'ams!Welcome to the How to Handyma'am podcast, where hosts Samantha, Emily, and Arly from MyHandyma'am are diving into the most critical (and least glamorous) step of any painting project: Paint Prep!Before you even pop a can of paint, you need to know the starting steps. In this episode, we're talking about everything from getting the "floof" off your rollers to using joint compound for wall repair.You'll learn:Why washing your walls is a non-negotiable step (especially in the kitchen!).The secret to flawless paint patches with the right primer, and the specific, powerful jobs of shellac (oil-based) primer.The final, seamless step: caulking like a pro.The great debate: "Cutting In" Freehand vs. Painter's Tape—and the one time you absolutely must use tape. Plus, some clever painting hacks like the "paintbrush on a stick" for high places.This one is for all the DIYers—and for our matriarch and first customer, Sue T. We also drop in with an update on our pets, Winnie, Lemon, Satchmo, and Patches! Our goal is to eventually fund in-person classes and an apprenticeship academy for women in construction, so tune in and let's get handy!01:28 Pets, pets, and did we mention our pets? 15:22 Tips and tricks for rollers20:20 Paint prep introduction22:42 Washing walls is important 25:24 Wall repair 29:57 Primer 41:35 Caulking44:28 Painters tape vs Cutting in 50:14 Paint brush on a stick 52:48 Why a podcast? 55:21 Where to find us! Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/ep-4-the-painting-pre-game-show-painting-103-how-to-properly-prep-for-your-paint-jobProducts We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed

Welcome back to the Sidequest! In these bonus episodes, we step away from the classroom curriculum to share stories from the field, chat about what drives us, and get to know the How to Handyma’am crew a little better.In this episode, Samantha, Arly, and Emily dive into the "why" behind home repair. We talk about breaking the cycle of "inherited male skills" and the power of choice—like knowing how to swap a $5 wax ring on your toilet so you can save your budget for the things you actually want to pay for (like a house cleaner!).Plus, we reveal our personal favorite projects. Arly geeks out on the satisfying magic of trim carpentry—specifically that moment when caulk and paint make all the imperfections disappear. Meanwhile, Emily shares the success of her first full design project and drops a massive design secret: it’s all about the toilet lever.Tune in for a dose of motivation to tackle that one nagging task in your house, and learn why "making it beautiful" is just as important as making it work.In this Sidequest, we cover:The "Nagging Task" Rule: How to pick your first project to get that dopamine hit.The Power of Choice: Why DIY isn't just about saving money; it's about not getting taken advantage of.Arly’s Trim Obsession: Why painting, caulking, and wood filler are the ultimate magic tricks for a professional finish.Emily’s Design Sense: How to "see things that don't exist" and the tiny details (like matching hardware) that elevate a room.Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/sidequest-02-the-magic-of-trim-toilet-levers-amp-why-we-diyProducts We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Music- Thomas Streed

 Welcome! If this is your third week joining us, or your first, thank you for being here. The Handyma’ams use their hard-earned and field-tested expertise to entertain, educate, and help you to feel less alone when you’re “doing it yourself”—they’ve done it the hard way, so you don’t have to.              In this Brush School for Junkies, join us to receive top marks as the Handiest of ma’ams develop crushes on brushes and scribble little hearts in their notebooks next to their favorite paint products.              The Handyma’ams chitchatchitchatchitchat and weigh the mysteries of purple vegetables, and we are left to wonder, could Emily moonlight as a master chef on “Chopped”? Who knew you can pickle banana peels! (Hint: it is Handychef Emily). Samantha—the not-so-complex carbohydrate connoisseur, sugar sister, and Mountain Dew diva—questions the maternity of epicurean Emily while Arly articulates and educates us with a deep dive into the wild world of paint brushes and why the details matter.  Many thanks to our supporters, cheerleaders, and listeners for following us on this journey. Muah! We love you! <3 1:28 Chitchat12:42 Kinds of Brushes18:29 Brush Stiffness and How to Choose23:44 Insider Handy Tips for Brush Care  24:58 How to Wash and Rinse Your Brushes Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed  

Welcome to our very first SideQuest! These mini-episodes are "bonus snippets from the field" where we share the stories, challenges, and crazy moments that don't make it into our main episodes.To kick off this series, we go behind the scenes of MyHandyma'am to answer the question: How did we all get here?Arly shares how she went from a biology student to becoming our first full-time employee, and Emily explains how an artist’s brain is the perfect match for home renovation. Plus, we discuss the "Villager Mentality" and the powerful moment at a domestic violence shelter that clarified our mission: helping women feel safe in their own homes.Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1EKq23JThH/Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: https://shoplowes.me/4i2zfaI​⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠​Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/sidequest-01-from-science-labs-to-power-tools-and-why-it-mattersSocials:⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed Host - Emily Pearl ReistMusic - Thomas Streed

In our second-ever episode, The Handyma’ams surprise, delight, and sometimes scare us with their tales from the field. Will they self-sabotage with food poisoning at a questionable lunch location or buck up with “stick-to-it-ive-ness” and keep going despite their setbacks?  Join us this week and find out why Arly nearly walked off the job, Samantha was left sobbing over a piece of trim, and Emily entered in the 7th circle of hell while removing wallpaper.  The Handiest of ma’ams also debate the merit and mediocrity of paint sheens in this week’s game “Rate-a-data-doo” with Arly. Find out the paint sheen rated “11,000” out of 5 stars by Emily and which ones Samantha gives a sideways thumb… the equivalent of 3 out of 5 stars, in case you’re curious.     They also clarify which paints are made out of water, which ones are definitely not made out of spaghetti but could be, and which ones they recommend using in your home.  Whether this is your second week joining us or your first, thank you for being here as The Handyma’ams use their hard-earned and field-tested expertise to entertain, educate, and help you to feel less alone while you’re “doing it yourself”. Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe'sBlog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/blog-post-title-two-t5hxx⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠​Socials:⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed   

Tune in for a special bonus episode of "How to Handyma'am"! Before launching our first official episode, we recorded several sessions. These initial recordings were full of fun and productive chaos, helping us nail down our format and find our rhythm. While we aren't releasing those full episodes, they contain some fantastic moments! This bonus content is pulled from our very first recording session and offers insight into a part of our "why" and our overall vision.Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Products We Love:​⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe'sBlog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/bonus-episode-1⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠​Socials:⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠CreditsHost -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed​Host - Emily Pearl ReistCommentator- Cher MillerTheme music - Thomas Streed

Join us for the first-ever episode of “How to Handyma’am”, where our project-loving hosts and occasional murder-enthusiasts discuss the best starter tool kit for homeowners and DIY’ers alike, with Arly’s special “Cheap or Quality” game. Samantha and Emily battle it out for points and bragging rights over what tools to thrift, barter, and splurge on.  Their cheerful and quirky anecdotes, real-life tales of murder, Panera wins, mini-celebrations, and tool tips will help you on your way to being as handy as these Handyma’ams. They even have tool recommendations from the actual baby of the family.  We welcome you on this journey, where the Handiest of ma’ams share their hard-earned and field-tested expertise to entertain, educate, and help you to feel less alone when you’re “doing it yourself”.  Timestamps​00:00 – Intro & The Panera Ninja Story​02:41 – Sex and the City Personality Traits​05:04 – Murder Pods & Things We Love​12:22 – The “Cheap or Quality” Game: Essentials for Homeowners​1:15:11 – The 3 Essentials for the Ambitious DIY’er​1:30:00 – ClosingLinks & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the How to Handyma’am Facebook Group to ask questions and post your project pics!​Estate Sales: EstateSales.net (Great for finding cheap hand tools).​Podcast Recommendations: My Favorite Murder, Buried Bones, MorbidProducts We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe'sConnect with Us!​Web: myhandymaam.com​Socials: @howtohandymaamhttps://linktr.ee/howtohandymaamEpisode Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/cheap-vs-quality-tools-episode-1Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Producer -Thomas Streed

Welcome to “How to Handyma’am”, where we educate and entertain with our experience as three women in the home remodeling business. We’ve learned everything the hardest possible way – so you don’t have to!We envision a community of women who are empowered to take care of the daily needs of their lives independently, with confidence and knowledge. That goes for how you care for your home, what you do with your career, and who you trust to provide services in your home!