How To Handyma’am | A Home Improvement Comedy Podcast

Samantha Pearl|Lic. Builder, Emily Pearl Reist|Lic. Builder, and Arly Streed
  • 4.9 (21)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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! The Michigan-based home improvement podcast from the team at MyHandyma'am.

  1. 23H AGO · BONUS

    SideQuest 05: Q&A - Perfectionism, RTA Cabinets, and Finding Your Flaws

    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: RTA Cabinet Store: https://rtawholesalers.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorR_XVLzXF5Uy8RKvknmIfEUdz3VEfH8DgxN4JlvlljmWbU6VbcEmail Us: hthm@myhandymaam.comSocials: @HowToHandymaamLinkTree: linktr.ee/howtohandymaam

    12 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Ep 6: Flush Around and Find Out | Common Toilet Problems and Solutions

    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 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 Connect with Us! ​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed

    45 min

  3. JAN 6 · BONUS

    SideQuest 04: Collecting Mentors Like Infinity Stones (with Hannah Pearl) | Women in Engineering & Leadership

    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/howtohandymaam Blog Post⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Music by Thomas Streed

    26 min

  4. JAN 2

    Ep 5: Painting Tips and Tricks | Painting 104 | How to Pick Your Color and Our Favorite Tools

    Welcome, friends! This week our Handy Hosts Samantha, Emily, and Arly round out our painting series with a focus on choosing paint color. If staring at a display of paint swatches leaves you perplexed 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 our mission to support women in the trades. Emily teases us with her top ten favorite shades of white and we learn why, if you find yourself on a deserted island, the back of a leaf may be the best shade of green. Samantha shares why it is important to have choices when it comes to letting 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’s humanoid 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 apprenticeship academy for women in construction. You can help by tuning in each week and sharing the love for women in the trades... let’s get handy! 2:29 Tips for choosing a contractor 8:13 Lemon, the human dog in fur 17:13 Paint sheen and why it’s important 19:16 Should you do whatever you want? 26:17 Emily’s designer tip 36:15 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 Content https://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-color Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed

    55 min

  5. 12/30/2025 · BONUS

    SideQuest 03: Relationship Maintenance & Building a Crew That Lasts

    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's⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/sidequest-03-relationship-maintenance-amp-building-a-crew-that-lasts Connect with Us! ​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Music- Thomas Streed

    10 min

  6. 12/26/2025

    Ep 4: The Painting Pre-Game Show | Painting 103 | How to Properly Prep for Your Paint Job

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

    57 min

  7. 12/23/2025 · BONUS

    SideQuest 02: The Magic of Trim, Toilet Levers & Why We DIY

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

    11 min

  8. 12/19/2025

    Ep 3: Crushes on Brushes| What Paint Brush to Choose for Your Next Project

    Welcome! If this is your third week joining us, or your first, thank you for being here. The Handyma’ams use their hard-earned and field-tested expertise to entertain, educate, and help you to feel less alone when you’re “doing it yourself”—they’ve done it the hard way, so you don’t have to.               In this Brush School for Junkies, join us to receive top marks as the Handiest of ma’ams develop crushes on brushes and scribble little hearts in their notebooks next to their favorite paint products.               The Handyma’ams chitchatchitchatchitchat and weigh the mysteries of purple vegetables, and we are left to wonder, could Emily moonlight as a master chef on “Chopped”? Who knew you can pickle banana peels! (Hint: it is Handychef Emily). Samantha—the not-so-complex carbohydrate connoisseur, sugar sister, and Mountain Dew diva—questions the maternity of epicurean Emily while Arly articulates and educates us with a deep dive into the wild world of paint brushes and why the details matter.   Many thanks to our supporters, cheerleaders, and listeners for following us on this journey. Muah! We love you! 3  1:28 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 ​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 Connect with Us! ​Web:⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠ Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Editing and Music by Thomas Streed

    29 min
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4.9
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

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! The Michigan-based home improvement podcast from the team at MyHandyma'am.

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Pearl|Lic. Builder, Emily Pearl Reist|Lic. Builder, and Arly Streed
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Samantha Pearl|Lic. Builder, Emily Pearl Reist|Lic. Builder, and Arly Streed
  • Show Website
    How To Handyma’am | A Home Improvement Comedy Podcast