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. 3d ago

    The Last One

    How do you know when something you love has done exactly what it was supposed to do? After five seasons, three years, a whole lot of oversharing, incredible guests, failures, growth… this is the final episode of The Skirts Up Show. And saying that out loud is harder than she expected. Samantha looks back at the version of herself who started this podcast during a health crisis, stuck at home, unsure of who she was or what came next. Skirts Up began as two friends talking, learning, laughing, and hoping that maybe someone listening would feel a little less alone. But somewhere along the way, it became much more than that. In this final conversation, Samantha gets honest about the dreams she once had for the show, the ones that never happened, and the realization that maybe she was measuring its success by the completely wrong things. Her husband Simon joins her to look back at what Skirts Up changed — in Samantha, in their marriage, in the people who listened, and ultimately in the direction of her entire life. Because what if the thing you thought was supposed to become the destination… was actually the thing leading you there? They talk about failure, perfectionism, uncomfortable growth, the impact of past episodes, the people Samantha and Melissa was able to reach, and why walking away from something doesn’t necessarily mean it failed. Sometimes the pivot is the success. And maybe Skirts Up did exactly what it came here to do. This episode is for anyone standing at the end of one chapter wondering whether it was enough — or terrified that choosing something new means giving up on everything that came before it. Five seasons later, Samantha has one final reminder: Life is messy. It’s meant to be felt. And sometimes you have to follow the breadcrumbs without knowing where the hell they’re taking you. Continue along with Samantha and get in touch at Sweet Soul Wellness

  2. Oct 15

    Ancient Secrets in Sacred Ireland

    What happens when a hypnotist and women’s rite-of-passage guide from Ireland comes on The Skirts Up Show? Apparently we talk about ancient ceremonies, subconscious transformation, feminine energy, sacred stone circles, Irish fairies, psychedelics, sheep… and whether touching someone’s wrist is getting a little too spicy. This episode is a RIDE. I sit down with Niels Vantzuriel. Niels is a Rite of Passage facilitator and the co-architect of The Arrival Method. For over 10 years, he has guided highly successful women into Ireland’s wild landscapes and to forgotten sacred sites to resolve their private ache of self-abandonment. We start with a question: What if some seasons of life aren’t problems to fix, but identities we’ve outgrown? Niels explains how ancient cultures intentionally marked transitions — marriage, motherhood, aging, becoming an elder, stepping into a new role — because becoming someone new often means allowing an old version of yourself to end first. From there, we get wonderfully woo-woo. We talk about women who have spent their lives succeeding, achieving and taking care of everyone while carrying a quiet inner knowing that they’re meant for something more. We explore feminine receptivity, synchronicities, hypnosis, and Niels’ concept of “growth through pleasure” — using positive emotional states to help reinforce the person you’re choosing to become. Then we head into the mountains of southwest Ireland. Ancient stone circles. Fairy trees. Irish mythology. The belief that land itself can have relationship, personality and energy. Which naturally leads me to asking whether the tree in my backyard that I swear I have a relationship with is weird. Apparently, in Ireland? Not really. This conversation is funny, mystical, thoughtful, weird in the BEST way, and one giant invitation to consider: What if becoming your next version deserves more intention than simply deciding to change? Learn More about Niels and the The Arrival MethodCheck out Sweet Soul Wellness Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Soul Wellness- Gift to the SQUAD

  3. Oct 1

    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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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
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/