How To Handyma’am | A Home Improvement Comedy Podcast

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: hthm@myhandymaam.com

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: hthm@myhandymaam.com

🚨 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 hthm@myhandymam.com!

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 hthm@myhandymam.com 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 hthm@myhandymam.com 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 hthm@myhandymam.com 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: HTHM@myhandymaam.comLeave 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: hthm@myhandymaam.comSocials: @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: hthm@myhandymaam.comSocials: @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