Explore every episode of the podcast How To Handyma’am | A Home Improvement Comedy Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 1: Cheap or Quality? | What Tools Every Homeowner Needs | 05 Dec 2025 | 01:30:50 | |
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
Links & Resources Mentioned
Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: Connect with Us!
Episode Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/cheap-vs-quality-tools-episode-1 Credits
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| How to Handyma'am Trailer | 02 Dec 2025 | 00:01:04 | |
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! | |||
| Bonus Ep 1: Our Why | 10 Dec 2025 | 00:19:36 | |
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
Products We Love: Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/bonus-episode-1 Connect with Us!
Credits
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| Ep 2: Let's Talk About SHEEN, Baby! Painting 101 | How to Pick the Right Paint Sheen for Your Project | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:42:48 | |
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
Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/blog-post-title-two-t5hxx Connect with Us! Credits
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| SideQuest 01: From Science Labs to Power Tools (And Why It Matters) | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:10:25 | |
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. Check out our Blog: https://howtohandymaam.com/blog/sidequest-01-from-science-labs-to-power-tools-and-why-it-matters 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 on our storefronts! Lowes: https://shoplowes.me/4i2zfaI Amazon: https://a.co/d/0crx7iyz Connect with Us! Web: myhandymaam.com Socials: @howtohandymaam https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam Credits Host -Samantha Pearl Host- Arly Streed Host - Emily Pearl Reist Music - Thomas Streed | |||
| Ep 3: Crushes on Brushes| What Paint Brush to Choose for Your Next Project | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:29:00 | |
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. Many thanks to our supporters, cheerleaders, and listeners for following us on this journey. Muah! We love you! <3 Check out our Blog! Shop our fav's on Lowe's or Amazon! 1:28 Chitchat 12:42 Kinds of Brushes 18:29 Brush Stiffness and How to Choose 23:44 Insider Handy Tips for Brush Care 24:58 How to Wash and Rinse Your Brushes Links & Resources Mentioned
Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: Connect with Us! Credits
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| SideQuest 02: The Magic of Trim, Toilet Levers & Why We DIY | 23 Dec 2025 | 00:10:42 | |
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:
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's OR Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Amazon! Connect with Us!
Credits
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| Ep 4: The Painting Pre-Game Show | Painting 103 | How to Properly Prep for Your Paint Job | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:56:44 | |
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:
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! Check out our Blog! Shop our favorite's on Lowe's! Shop our top picks on Amazon! Topic Time Stamps: 01:28 Pets, pets, and did we mention our pets? 15:22 Tips and tricks for rollers 20:20 Paint prep introduction 22:42 Washing walls is important 25:24 Wall repair 29:57 Primer 41:35 Caulking 44:28 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
Connect with Us!
Credits
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| SideQuest 03: Relationship Maintenance & Building a Crew That Lasts | 30 Dec 2025 | 00:09:48 | |
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
Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: Connect with Us!
Credits
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| SideQuest 27 | Kiss, Marry, Eliminate: POWER TOOL EDITION 🛠️ | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:11:37 | |
Welcome back to another chaotic How to Handyma'am Sidequest! Today, we are playing a legendary game with a workshop twist: Kiss, Marry, Kill: Power Tool Edition. The rules are simple: Emily gives us three common tools, and as a crew, we HAVE to agree on which one we’d marry, which one we’d give a quick kiss to, and which one is getting permanently thrown into the dumpster. Warning: Things get incredibly heated. Arly fights for her life as the only one still working daily in the field, Samantha claims she can use her bare teeth as a utility knife, and we completely roast the adjustable crescent wrench. Let us know in the comments who you think won these debates! ✨ JOIN THE COMMUNITY & SUPPORT THE MISSION: 👉 Grab all our resources in one place: https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam 👉 Visit our website: https://www.howtohandymaam.com 👉 Support our mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/howtohandymaam 👉 Join our free Facebook support group: Search "How to Handyma'am" on FB! #HowToHandymaam #KissMarryKill #PowerTools #WomenInTrades #DIYComedy #WorkshopChaos #MilwaukeeFastback #ToolReview | |||
| Saws 101 | Episode 28 | 12 Jun 2026 | 01:01:47 | |
Welcome to Episode 28 of How to Handyma'am, the podcast where we are all up in your business! This week we are tackling Saws 101—breaking down the 6 best saws for your DIY arsenal, what they actually do, and how to use them without a trip to the emergency room. But first, we’ve got some serious field chaos to catch up on. The Chaos Before the Tools:The Maddie Fan Club: This episode is dedicated to Arly's brother's girlfriend, Maddie, whom we love so much we are keeping her and ditching him if they ever break up. The Left Ass-Cheek Sandwich: Samantha’s ongoing war with Panera over a flat, greasy breakfast sandwich that definitely had a left butt cheek imprint on it. A $20,000 Fix for $70: How Arly used a patent number and Google Reverse Image Search to save a client from replacing a whole French door system. The 100mg Zoloft Club: Normalizing store-bought serotonin, the gene mutation that keeps us from processing folic acid, and why SSRIs give you terrible heat intolerance on the job site. Saws 101: The Breakdown Circular Saw ("Cucumber Slaw"): Best for straight cuts on big plywood sheets. Watch out for blade binding and kickback. Miter Saw ("Chop Saw"): Perfect for accurate, repeatable angle cuts. Do not wear gloves around this spinning blade. Table Saw: Built for long "hot dog" cuts down a board. Always stand to the side and use a push stick so you don't lose a thumb. Jigsaw ("The Sewing Machine"): Great for curves, circles, and cutting sinkholes into countertops. Just don't cut things on your lap! Reciprocating Saw ("Sawzall"): Pure demolition. Great for slicing tree roots, but check inside your walls for wires before you go wild. Multi-Tool ("The Oscillator"): The absolute hero for precise flush cuts and slicing hidden nails. Watch out, the blades get burning hot. 💖 Support the Show on Patreon!Join us at patreon.com/howtohandymaam $5 Level: Extra content, deep dives, and unedited chaos. $25 Level: Directly sponsors a spot for someone who can't afford our in-person training classes. 📬 Connect with the Crew:Email: hthm@myhandymaam.comSocials/Website: @HowToHandymaam / howtohandymaam.com | |||
| Sidequest 22: Deck Staining Secrets, Patio Permits, & Why We Hate Wood Filler 🪵🛠️ | 12 May 2026 | 00:18:32 | |
We’ve officially survived the "22-episode failure zone," and with over 43 total uploads including our Sidequests, we’re just getting started! This week, the studio door is open, and Winnie the dog joins Emily, Arly, and Samantha as we tackle a themed Q&A all about your home's exterior. In this Sidequest, we answer:
Handyma’am Golden Rule: Before you soft wash your siding, soak your foundation and nearby plants with clean water to protect them from chemical runoff! Check out our Blog HERE! Check out our Linktree for all our resources, socials, and more: #HowToHandymaam #DeckMaintenance #DIYHomeRepair #OutdoorLiving #HomeImprovement | |||
| Ep 23: Summer Hosting Part 1 — Fire Pits, Lighting, & How Not to Burn a Hole in Your Deck 🪵🔥 | 08 May 2026 | 00:39:02 | |
Winter is finally over in Michigan, and the Handyma’ams are ready to head outside! This episode kicks off a two-part summer hosting series designed to help you get your home party-ready and, most importantly, safe for your guests. In this episode, we cover:
Handyma’am Pro-Tip: Always put a plunger in the guest bathroom so nobody has to die of embarrassment. Check out our Blog HERE! Check out all our links at linktr.ee/howtohandymaam | |||
| Sidequest 21: Reddit Contractor Nightmares, The "Materials Scam," & Unpermitted Disasters 🚩 | 05 May 2026 | 00:34:12 | |
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:
Plus, we share essential Handyma'am advice:
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! Check out the Blog! | |||
| Ep 22: The Price is Right: Hardware Store Edition, Body Positivity, & A Milwaukee Giveaway! 💸🛠️ | 01 May 2026 | 00:51:32 | |
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. Check out our BLOG! 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 hthm@myhandymaam.com! | |||
| SideQuest 20: Deck Permits, Ripped-Out Handrails, & Toxic Lumber 🛠️ | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:14:10 | |
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:
Plus, a terrifying tale from the field involving tick-infested mulch, and a mind-blowing realization about where the word "windmill" comes from. Check out the Blog! Got a question for us? We want to hear it! Email us at hthm@myhandymaam.com. | |||
| Ep 21: 48-Hour Curb Appeal, Shutter Crimes, & Neglect-Proof Plants | 24 Apr 2026 | 01:01:11 | |
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:
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:
Links & Resources:
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| Sidequest 19: The Ultimate Job Interview Guide (Tips from an HR Pro!) | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:26:37 | |
This week on the Side Quest, 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 have 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 bring a pen and paper. The Absolute Don't: 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! As always, join the Handyma'am Community: Have a wild interview story or a DIY question for us? Email us at hthm@myhandymaam.com! Check out our BLOG: https://howtohandymaam.com/blog/sidequest-19-the-ultimate-job-interview-guide-tips-from-an-hr-pro ! Sign up for our newsletter: https://howtohandymaam.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">howtohandymaam.com. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @howtohandymaam | |||
| Episode 20: Decks 101 (Permits, Materials & Building It Right) | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:56:17 | |
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:
Connect with us! Got a question or a "Tale from the Field"? Email us at hthm@myhandymaam.com! Check out our blog at https://howtohandymaam.com/blog/episode-20-decks-101-permits-materials-amp-building-it-right 🔗 All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam 🏡 Check out our website: howtohandymaam.com | |||
| SideQuest 18: Deck Stain vs. Paint, Removing Cabinets, & Please Don't Touch That Wire! | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:18:08 | |
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:
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 hth@howtohandymaam.com! Check out our blog from this week HERE! 🔗 All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam🏡 Check out our website: howtohandymaam.com | |||
| Ep 19: Spring Landscaping 101 | Garden Beds, Yard Grading & Keeping Critters Out | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:56:56 | |
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:
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 Check out our Blog: https://howtohandymaam.com/blog/ep-19-spring-landscaping-101-garden-beds-yard-grading-amp-keeping-critters-out | |||
| Sidequest 26 | We Placed a Bet on Our Worst Construction Habits 🛑 | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:23:59 | |
Welcome to another unhinged edition of the How to Handyma’am Sidequest! 📻🧰 Friday to Friday is just way too long to wait, so we are back for our weekly halfway point bonus episode. We decided to give you a normal, well-organized main episode followed by complete, coo-coo-bananas chaos on the sidequest. We kick things off with a highly relatable discussion about a viral video featuring a chicken wearing a bra, which transitions seamlessly into Samantha’s wild medical stress test story. Find out why you can't wear an underwire bra on a cardiology treadmill, and how two nurses used two entire rolls of 8-inch self-adhering tape to manually construct an emergency sports bra. Plus, Arly recounts the traumatic childhood moment when she was shot off the back of a fast treadmill and got road rash on her face. Then, the girls jump into a high-stakes round of "Who Is Most Likely To... (Job-Site & Shop Edition)" to settle their worst workspace habits once and for all. ⏱️ The Chaos Goblin Docket: The Pencil Vanishing Act: Who loses their pencil 5 seconds after putting it behind their ear? (Samantha Pearl takes the win, even though she hides them in her hair bun). Tool Carnage: Who is most likely to accidentally slice right through a live extension cord? (Emily owns this one completely). And who drops brand-new impact drivers off 10-foot ladders? The Meat Tenderizer: Why Arly's confident new framing hammer swing results in broken fingernails, blood blisters, and bruises from her textured waffle-head hammer. The Nail Gun Hoard: How the team accidentally ended up owning four separate nail guns simply because they keep burying them in the truck and buying replacements. Workspace Disasters: Ripping into who leaves the workbench a complete disaster zone on Friday afternoons, plus a translation of why an Arly "nudge" means exactly 1/8 of an inch in the field. Drywall Dust & Power Turns: The time Arly sanded a bathroom ceiling looking like a sweaty, red-faced monster, and why Samantha is legally a hazard when navigating construction zones in the company vehicle. 👩🔧 JOIN THE HANDYMA'AM MOVEMENT: Contributing to our Patreon allows us to bring trade, tool safety, and home maintenance education directly to women! Join our $5 Apprentice Tier to support our mission and unlock our super mega, totally uncut, and highly unhinged monthly bonus episodes! ✨ Sign up for the newsletter, and check upcoming class registration at: HowToHandymaam.com 📩 Email us your burning trade questions directly at: hthm@handyman.comPatreon: patreon.com/howtohandymaam Check out our Blog! | |||
| SideQuest 17: The Ugly Truth About Building a Business (80-Hour Weeks & Therapy) | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:21:16 | |
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:
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! Check out our Blog: https://howtohandymaam.com/blog/sidequest-17-the-ugly-truth-about-building-a-business-80-hour-weeks-amp-therapy 🔗 All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam 🏡 Check out our brand new ecosystem: howtohandymaam.com | |||
| Episode 18: Spring Has Sprung: 10 Exterior Maintenance Tips | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:58:18 | |
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:
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 •Check out our Blog from this week: https://howtohandymaam.com/blog/episode-18-spring-has-sprung-10-exterior-maintenance-tips •Follow us on social media: @howtohandymaam •All our links in one place: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam | |||
| SideQuest 16: Concrete Walls, Keypad Codes, & The Stud Finder Mystery | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:10:12 | |
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!
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| Episode 17: You Just Bought a House! Now What? (The New Homeowner Checklist) | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:41:56 | |
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!
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| SideQuest 15: Pushing Through the DIY Wall, Four Seasons Gardening, & Secret Command Strips | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:14:14 | |
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!
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| Ep 16: What to Expect When You’re Expecting a (DIY) Project | 20 Mar 2026 | 01:05:50 | |
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!
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| SideQuest 14: Vault Release - Kissing Raccoons, Ankle Monitors, & F*ck Politeness! | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:09:00 | |
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:
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!
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| Ep 15: To Fix or Not to Fix | When to DIY vs. Replace 6 Common Home Repairs | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:50:50 | |
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:
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!
Join The Community!
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| SideQuest 13: Q&A | Prying Off Paneling, Swollen Shed Doors, & Tub Caulk Talk | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:13:07 | |
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:
Join The Village!
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| Ep 14: Feeling Safe in Your Own Home: Your DIY Security Checklist | 06 Mar 2026 | 01:03:17 | |
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:
Join The Village!
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| Episode 27 | DIY Judgment Day: The Internet Hacks That Are Accidentally Ruining Your House | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:54:10 | |
Welcome to Episode 27 of How to Handyma’am! ☀️🪚 We missed you all so much, and today the trio is back with an incredibly packed episode dedicated to one of our day-one supporters, Pam! We kick things off with a chaotic late-night studio session featuring emergency mac and cheese, blue slushies, and a complete breakdown of our very first in-person workshop class. We also celebrate a massive milestone—hitting 1,000 Instagram followers!—and dive into a necessary soapbox moment about local elections and why exercising your right to vote shapes your day-to-day community safety and zoning laws. Then, it’s time for the main event: DIY Judgment Day. Samantha, Arly, and Emily act as judge and jury for 11 common internet home improvement trends, sorting the brilliant budget-savers from the absolute house-destroying crimes.
🗳️ LINKS & RESOURCES: Want early bird access to our highly anticipated August workshop classes? Head over to howtohandymaam.com and sign up for our newsletter to get a 2-day head start on registration before slots open to the public! You can also email us your burning trade questions directly at hthm@myhandymaam.com to be featured on next month’s Q&A sidequest. And don't forget to check out our Blog! | |||
| SideQuest 12: Tales from the Field: Home Depot Audacity & 911 Calls | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:11:41 | |
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:
Join The Village!
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| Ep 13: The Secret Life of Drywall | Basic Drywall Diagnosis | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:53:43 | |
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:
Join The Village!We are licensed builders teaching you everything we learned the hard way so you don't have to.
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| SideQuest 11: The One Where We Just Chat (A Lot) and the Tighty Whitey Incident | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:20:09 | |
🚨 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:
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.
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| Ep 12: The Homeowner's Guide to Maintenance Nobody Told You About | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:52:01 | |
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:
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! | |||
| SideQuest 10: Skunk Battles & Sewer Scopes: The Art of Diagnosis | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:28:40 | |
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:
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| Ep 11: Cheap or Quality | Home Edition | When to Save on Your Materials | 13 Feb 2026 | 01:06:23 | |
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:
Resources & Mentions:
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| SideQuest 9: Q&A | Sticky Situations: Fixing Floor Gaps & Yellow Wall Drips | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:24:04 | |
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.
Featured Tips & Tricks
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| Ep 10: Contractor Red and Green Flags | How to Find the Right Contractor for Your Project | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:43:40 | |
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:
Resources Mentioned: Join the Village:Have a contractor horror story? Or a "Red Flag" we missed? Tell us in the Facebook Group!
Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: Check out the blog post here! Join the Village!
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| SideQuest 08: Who the Heck Are We? (The Origin Story) | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:18:22 | |
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:
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:
Check out the Blog: https://howtohandymaam.com/blog/sidequest-08-who-the-heck-are-we-the-origin-story Find us everywhere: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam | |||
| Ep 9: Power Tools or Power Through? | DIY for Beginners | 30 Jan 2026 | 01:01:53 | |
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:
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| SideQuest 25: The Bondo Debate, Ceiling Fan Struggles, & Legal Fence Drama | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:20:04 | |
Welcome back to the How to Handyma’am Sidequest! 📻🧰 We are switching things up and moving to a once-a-month, rapid-fire Q&A format so we can dive deep into your burning home improvement questions . Recording late on a Tuesday night from Samantha’s house (aka Emily’s mom!)—complete with an angry, trapped dog downstairs acting like a disgruntled Pixar character—the trio gets straight to the point . In this sidequest, Samantha, Emily, and Arly tackle everything from cosmetic fixes to serious structural liabilities. They break down the legalities of property lines, walk you through the literal colors of electrical wiring, and save you from making a massive material mistake on your outdoor deck. 🛠️ Questions Answered in This Sidequest:
💜 JOIN OUR PATREON & NEWSLETTER:Want a super mega, totally uncut, and highly unhinged bonus episode every single month? Join our $5 Apprentice Tier on Patreon to support our mission of making the trades accessible to women ! Plus, our Patreon crew and newsletter subscribers get absolute first dibs on registration for our upcoming summer classes. Check out our Blog! linktr.ee/howtohandymaam | |||
| SideQuest 07: Exploding Toilets, Budget Hacks, and "Doing It In The Dark" (with Isabel Bowen) | DIY Renovations and Creative Entrepreneurship | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:32:00 | |
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:
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| Ep 8: Help We've Fallen and We Can Get Up | Introduction to Aging in Place | 23 Jan 2026 | 00:50:33 | |
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:
Resources Mentioned:
Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: Check out the blog post here! Join the Village!
Credits Host -Samantha Pearl Host- Arly Streed Host - Emily Pearl Reist Editing and Music - Thomas Streed | |||
| SideQuest 06: Q&A | Shellac, Hidden Valves & Mining Closets | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:14:14 | |
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:
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| Ep 7: Talking About Caulking | How to Choose the Right Caulk | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:47:03 | |
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
Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: Connect with Us! Credits
Editing and Music by Thomas Streed | |||
| SideQuest 05: Q&A - Perfectionism, RTA Cabinets, and Finding Your Flaws | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:12:28 | |
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:
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| Ep 6: Flush Around and Find Out | Common Toilet Problems and Solutions | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:44:58 | |
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 Dedication 01:04 Our Favorite Movies and Musicals 11:36 Let’s Talk about Toilets 16:54 Types of Toilets 17:19 Anatomy of a Toilet 20:20 Running Toilet and Solutions 22:55 Leaky Toilet and Solutions 30:57 Caulking Around the Toilet 34:33 Bad Flush and the Solutions 39:02 Wobbly Toilet or Tank and Solutions 42:50 Seperating the Tank and the Bowl for Easier Moving 43:44 Where to Find Us
Products We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront: Connect with Us!
Credits
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