Skirts Up!

Samantha Mandell

Get ready to hike up your confidence and kick societal expectations to the curb with Skirts Up, the hilariously honest podcast hosted by the dynamic duo, Samantha Mandell and Melissa Matthews! Tired of the flawless facade? Sam and Mel are here to spill the tea on their own epic fails, proving that imperfection is not only normal but the breeding ground for growth and laughter. More than just relatable mishaps, Skirts Up is a vibrant space dedicated to empowering women to fearlessly explore their curiosities and discover the endless possibilities life has to offer. This phenomenal pair tackles touchy topics often whispered about with a refreshing blend of lighthearted humor and insightful awareness. Join Sam and Mel as they welcome a diverse range of captivating guests, each bringing extensive and enlightening expertise to the table. From spiritual awakenings and navigating the complexities of sexuality to actionable steps for personal empowerment, Skirts Up leaves listeners with tangible takeaways to ignite their own journeys. Prepare for conversations that are spiritual, sexual, empowering, and yes, sometimes a little bit uncomfortable – because that's where the real growth happens. Tune in to Skirts Up and join the movement of embracing imperfection and boldly stepping into your full potential! Head to our website to learn more about us! https://theskirtsupshow.com/

  1. 2d ago

    Never Underestimate The Value Of Transferable Skills

    What if building a successful business isn’t about becoming more “professional” — but becoming more you? Of course it depends what you're building. BUT In this episode of The Skirts Up Show, I sit down with Charlie Birch, creator of Brand IDQ and founder of Humanized Collective, to talk about brand identity, authenticity, transferable skills and what happens when we build businesses from the outside in instead of trusting what already feels natural to us. This conversation hit home for me. When I started my RTT practice, I suddenly thought I needed to look, talk and show up differently because this was “serious” work. Meanwhile, the bold, welcoming, slightly unfiltered personality I love about Skirts Up was already showing me exactly how I wanted people to feel around me. Charlie’s reminder? Professionalism doesn’t have to mean a blazer and a personality transplant. And maybe my favorite takeaway: never underestimate transferable skills. Charlie’s path through dance, movement therapy, psychology, website development and entrepreneurship didn’t lead her away from what she studied — eventually, it all came together. Nothing was wasted. So if your interests look random, your career path looks messy, or people don’t understand how all your ideas connect yet? Keep going. Stay true to how you naturally show up. Those seemingly unrelated pieces might be exactly what makes your work yours. Check Out Charlie and take her Free Business Personality AssessmentSee If Sweet Soul Wellness is right for youPLEASE Rate, Review, And Share us with a friend, Skirts Up Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Soul Wellness- Gift to the SQUAD

  2. Sep 24

    Leaving Crazy Town With Dr. Sarah Michaud

    Have you ever thought, “If they would just understand me… change… listen… THEN I could finally feel okay”? Yeah. That might be codependency. In this episode of The Skirts Up Show, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Michaud — addiction and codependency psychologist, author of Co-Crazy, and co-host of Leaving Crazy Town — to unpack what codependency actually looks like in relationships, addiction recovery, parenting, people-pleasing and everyday life. Spoiler: it’s a hell of a lot sneakier than I thought. Sarah explains how fears of being misunderstood, rejected, abandoned or not being “enough” can quietly shape the way we communicate, over-function, control, rescue and build resentment. We talk about emotional triggers, childhood wounds, boundaries, relapse, addiction, marriage and the exhausting habit of making somebody else responsible for our happiness. And yes, I had several “oh shit… I do that” moments. One of the biggest came when Sarah described codependency as focusing all your energy on changing someone else instead of deciding what YOU need and what YOU are responsible for. That immediately took me back to a difficult season in my own marriage, when I was desperate to make my husband understand me instead of asking myself what I needed to feel fulfilled. We also get into codependency in parenting — including the uncomfortable ways our own fears and past experiences can become rules we place on our kids — plus why unprocessed anger, grief, fear and resentment can build long before unhealthy behaviors or relapse show up. The bottom line? You are responsible for your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Other people are responsible for theirs. Simple? Yep. Easy? Absolutely not. If you’ve ever struggled with codependency, people-pleasing, boundaries, relationships, addiction recovery, emotional triggers or wondering, “Am I the crazy one here?” — this conversation might be for you. Check out Leaving Crazy TownCurious Hypnosis or Rapid Transformation Therapy (RTT)? Check out Sweet Soul WellnessPlease Please Rate and Share Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Soul Wellness- Gift to the SQUAD

  3. Sep 10

    Between The Sheets With Dr. Stephanie

    Sex, shame, hormones, jealousy, lube, clitorises, boundaries, non-traditional relationships… yep. We’re going there. In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Zwanitzer, a urology and sexual medicine nurse practitioner, host of the Between the Sheets podcast, and founder of the Revive Institute of Sexual Health — and holy hell, did I learn some things. We talk about what sexual empowerment actually looks like when you strip away the shame, expectations, and idea that there’s one “right” way to have a relationship or experience pleasure. Stephanie breaks down why knowing your own body is the foundation for creating boundaries, why conversations about sex should happen outside the bedroom, how stress and hormones can completely change desire, and why needing lube, more stimulation, or a different kind of intimacy does NOT mean something is wrong with you or your relationship. And then we get into the stuff that had me saying, “WAIT… WHAT?!” — female sexual anatomy, the actual size of the clitoris, arousal and blood flow, perimenopause, hormone care, and why so many women have spent years being told to basically drink some wine, use some lube, and deal with it. Whether you’re monogamous, non-traditional, somewhere in between, wildly sexually confident, or still figuring out what the hell you even like… there’s something in this conversation for you. Because pleasure, communication, curiosity, and understanding your own damn body shouldn’t be taboo. Note Worthy Links: Connect with Stephanie through ReviveEpisode was brought to you by Sweet Soul WellnessSkirts Up has a fun blog now after each episode! And as always… if this episode made you laugh, taught you something, made your jaw hit the floor, or had you texting your girlfriend, “DID YOU KNOW THIS?!” — send it to her. Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Soul Wellness- Gift to the SQUAD

  4. Aug 27

    We're Unmuted and Wigging Out About The Unspoken Rules Of Entrepreneurship

    ...(There are none) Starting a business often feels like walking an upward trail—one step forward, two slides back. In this candid episode of Skirts Up, Samantha Mandell and Erin Snow pull back the curtain on the raw, uncurated realities of small business ownership. Moving past polished social media personas and quick-fix formulas, they explore what it actually takes to build an authentic brand without losing your mind in the process. From navigating social media paralysis to filtering ourselves to stay "likeable," Samantha and Erin unpack the trap of listening to too many conflicting opinions. Erin breaks down how abandoning her fun, creative content (like "Wigging Out Wednesdays") for strictly "educational" posts caused burnout—and why leaning into what feels authentic is the ultimate client magnet. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: The Trap of Social Media Filtering: How second-guessing your voice to sound "professional" leads to content burnout and total social media paralysis. Reframing Business Coaching & Mentorship: Why real growth comes from shifting limiting beliefs rather than quick-fix financial promises, and how to utilize free mentorship programs like SCORE. Navigating Identity Loss & Self-Doubt: Transitioning from a highly respected professional reputation to starting over as an unknown business owner. Maintaining Self-Care & Giving Yourself Grace: Recognizing that slipping up on daily routines or business goals doesn't send you all the way back to square one. Fail of the Week Stories: A chaotic 5-acre, 8-person baby pig pursuit, alongside a rogue folding massage chair mishap that ended in urgent care and splints at a Zac Brown concert. Whether you're struggling with imposter syndrome, trying to find your voice on social media, or just needing a reminder to give yourself grace on the hard days, this episode delivers equal parts actionable mindset tools and unfiltered humor. Tune in to learn why staying true to your authentic self is the best business strategy you'll ever deploy. Links Worth Exploring: Catch Erin Snow in the Unmuted RoomSee how Sweet Soul Wellness can help youFind more ways to enjoy Skirts UpLIKE, REVIEW, SHARE Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Soul Wellness- Gift to the SQUAD

  5. Aug 20

    No F*Cks Era With Sam Squared

    What if the secret to fixing your burnt-out brain, your angry jaw, and your exhaustion isn’t another productivity hack or a green juice, but learning how to stop living from the neck up? Samanatha Mandell sits down with clinical herbalist, author, and operational strategist Samantha Jones for an unfiltered "Sam Squared" session that feels less like a traditional interview and more like eavesdropping on two best friends sipping tea (or mocktails) in the kitchen. From surviving a life-altering trauma at 19 to navigating 34 years in the high-pressure pressure cooker of corporate dentistry, Sam Jones reveals how a life built on perfectionism and endless KPIs almost cost her her health—and how she reclaimed it from the roots up. Together, they tear down the lie that you can simply "positive-think" or "stretch" your way out of deeply stored somatic trauma. Instead, they dive into: Why "calm and well-nourished" is the ultimate middle finger to hustle culture—and the most effective performance strategy you’ll ever use.The art of sneaky kitchen herbalism (including tea-soaked meatballs and using your bathtub as a giant cup of tea).Why taking a steam shower and rubbing down with custom magnesium oil isn't just self-care—it’s a non-negotiable daily ritual to check in with the only body you’ve got. Equal parts deeply soulful and laugh-out-loud relatable, this conversation is an invitation to step into your own "no-f***s era," assemble your healing team, and remember that real recovery starts when you finally get back inside your body. (Oh, and stay tuned... because a Sam Squared lakefront retreat might just be in the works.) Links to All the things: Samantha Jones- Stirred By EarthSweet Soul Wellness - Your Rapid Transformation awaitsSkirts Up- All the ThingsFind all episodes on your favorite listening app PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SKIRTS UP SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE AN IMPACT And follow us on Instagram! Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Soul Wellness- Gift to the SQUAD

  6. Aug 13

    My Human Experience

    In this episode, I’m getting raw and unfiltered about what’s been happening in my life lately—from navigating another wild car accident to adopting a brand-new family member (yes, a baby pig!). More importantly, I’m pulling back the curtain on something so many of us go through but rarely talk about openly: slipping into a deep depressive funk when life gets heavy, and how small, baby steps are helping me find my way back. We’re also diving into what I discover to be true about my own cyclical living after learning all about it from Lauren and Kori—how paying attention to my internal seasons, hormonal shifts, and the moon’s phases helped me truly understand my needs but most importantly speak up for myself to keep my life harmonious. What We Cover in This Episode:Life Update & Chaos: Navigating Simon’s ongoing recovery, my brand new car getting totaled ( 1-in-a-billion odds), a radiant new hair transformation, and the wild story of hunting down my new baby pig, Lenny, across 5 acres with 8 people.The Reality of Depressive Funks: What happens when low-demand tasks feel exhausting, how slipping out of simple routines (journaling, stretching, afternoon walks) happens gradually, and why feeling down doesn't make you broken or unqualified to lead.Baby-Stepping Back to You: Why I’m bringing my daily journaling journey over to Instagram and how getting thoughts out of your head creates space to heal.Cyclical Living & The Moon Phases: How reflecting on guest episodes with Lauren and Kori helped me map out my monthly "internal seasons"—from luteal phase overthinking to spring/summer bursts of creativity and social energy.Red Moon vs. White Moon Cycles: Discovering my 30-day rhythm, navigating the "lies" of the luteal phase, and using oracle cards as a tool for personal reflection and healing. Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Soul Wellness- Gift to the SQUAD

  7. Jul 30

    A Year Of Seasons in 28 Days

    Grab your iced coffee and secure your underwear, because today’s episode is a wild, hilarious, and deeply spiritual ride. Your host Samantha is joined by a badass soul sister she literally internet-stalked into being her best friend: Kori Rae Kovacs, nurse, body intuitive, and host of The Phoenix Perspective podcast! We kick off the episode with the ultimate icebreaker—Sam recounts the exact moment she realized there was a massive lump in her pants leg during their first video call, only to reach down and pull out a stray pair of underwear. But because this is Skirts Up, we slide seamlessly from laundry mishaps straight into the deep stuff: religious cult trauma, body intuition, and the literal life-changing technology of cyclical living. In this laugh-out-loud, goosebump-inducing episode, we explore: The Magic of Direct Messages: How being unapologetically yourself on social media acts as a beacon for your true tribe (and why you should never be afraid to slide into someone's DMs to say, "Can we be friends?").Surviving Hellfire & Brimstone: Kori Rae opens up about growing up in a terrifying, evangelical church environment, giving God the middle finger in her 20s because "sex was too great," and eventually finding her way back to a nature-based, pagan spirituality.The Mind-Body Manifestation: Kori Rae breaks down how the body is a physical reflection of the internal world (referencing mind-body pioneers like Louise Hay and Dr. Joe Dispenza). Sam opens up about how her own historical habit of "stonewalling" and rejecting her internal world ultimately manifested physically as functional seizures.Living a Whole Year of Seasons in 28 Days: Kori Rae delivers a masterclass on cyclical living, explaining how women experience a full rotation of winter, spring, summer, and fall every single month.The Energetics of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome): Kori Rae shares her mind-blowing personal realization that her PCOS was tied to an energetic block. As a kid, adults loved her bubbly, first-half-of-the-cycle energy but rejected her direct, bossy, boundary-setting second-half energy. By hiding her luteal phase to please others, her ovaries literally stopped wanting to ovulate. Once she integrated both sides? At 41, her cycles are healthier than they were in her 20s!A Proving Ground for Personal Growth: How to stop forcing linear growth and start using your cycle phases practically. Need to practice patience? Try doing it during your luteal phase! Plus, the power of documenting your shifts using tools like the Cycles Journal so you can look back and actually see your evolution. If you are ready to stop taking life so seriously, map out your body's personal blueprint, and learn how to use your natural rhythms as a tool for subconscious healing, this episode is your ultimate permission slip. Tune in, open your heart, and remember—keep your panties on (unless they’re static-clinged to your jeans)! Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Connect with Kori Rae: Listen to The Phoenix Perspective podcast on Apple and Spotify, and check out her upcoming season, Rising in Real Life.Join the Community: Learn how to cycle track alongside a tribe of beautiful babes at the Red Tent Society on Patreon.Recommended Reading: Heal Your Body by Louise Hay and the Cycles Journal (Kori Rae’s absolute favorite tracking tool since 2022).Upgrade Your Subconscious: Ready to shift out of survival mode and step into alignment? Head over to Sweet Soul Wellness to claim your free personalized audio recording and start rewriting your internal baseline today! Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Soul Wellness- Gift to the SQUAD

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Get ready to hike up your confidence and kick societal expectations to the curb with Skirts Up, the hilariously honest podcast hosted by the dynamic duo, Samantha Mandell and Melissa Matthews! Tired of the flawless facade? Sam and Mel are here to spill the tea on their own epic fails, proving that imperfection is not only normal but the breeding ground for growth and laughter. More than just relatable mishaps, Skirts Up is a vibrant space dedicated to empowering women to fearlessly explore their curiosities and discover the endless possibilities life has to offer. This phenomenal pair tackles touchy topics often whispered about with a refreshing blend of lighthearted humor and insightful awareness. Join Sam and Mel as they welcome a diverse range of captivating guests, each bringing extensive and enlightening expertise to the table. From spiritual awakenings and navigating the complexities of sexuality to actionable steps for personal empowerment, Skirts Up leaves listeners with tangible takeaways to ignite their own journeys. Prepare for conversations that are spiritual, sexual, empowering, and yes, sometimes a little bit uncomfortable – because that's where the real growth happens. Tune in to Skirts Up and join the movement of embracing imperfection and boldly stepping into your full potential! Head to our website to learn more about us! https://theskirtsupshow.com/