Samantha and Melissa open the floor to a candid discussion that takes a humorous turn as they tackle the often taboo subject of of certain health procedures. The conversation shifts to the normalization of medical procedures, the unexpected humor that can arise in discussing bodily functions, and the importance of taking time off for self-care—even when it feels undeserved. With playful banter, they highlight how societal pressures can lead to embarrassment over health issues, and how sharing these stories can foster a sense of community and understanding among friends.

The episode evolves into a light-hearted exploration of Thanksgiving traditions, where they touch on the challenges of accommodating dietary preferences and familial expectations during the holidays.

The hosts dive into a particularly contentious Thanksgiving situation involving a family member who insists on a completely vegan meal, leading to a broader conversation about family dynamics, expectations, and the importance of compromise in maintaining relationships. Listeners are treated to a lively debate on the need for open communication around holiday gatherings, especially when it comes to food. Samantha and Melissa encourage listeners to embrace diversity in traditions and recipes while maintaining a spirit of inclusivity. They also emphasize the importance of boundaries in familial relationships, particularly when it comes to respecting one another's choices and values, all while keeping the tone light and relatable.

The hosts remind listeners of the importance of love and acceptance in dealing with life’s awkward moments, whether it’s a medical procedure or a family gathering. They encourage their audience to share their own Thanksgiving stories, opening the door for a dialogue that extends beyond the podcast. With a blend of sincerity and playful wit, Samantha and Melissa create a space where listeners can feel seen and heard, inviting them to reflect on their own experiences and the humorous side of life’s challenges. As they navigate through serious topics with a light-hearted touch, they embody the essence of friendship and support, making this episode a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of health and family during the holiday season.

Takeaways:

• Samantha shares her embarrassment about a medical procedure, but finds comfort in knowing others have experienced it too.
• The podcast discusses the challenges of family dynamics during Thanksgiving, especially with differing moral values.
• A dilemma about accommodating vegan family members highlights the complexities of holiday meals.
• Samantha and Melissa emphasize the importance of family acceptance, regardless of biological ties or dietary choices.
• The hosts reflect on the significance of creating space for everyone's traditions during holiday gatherings.
• Humor and lightheartedness play a central role in discussing serious topics like health and family issues.

Jill Wright, speaker, coach, and author of Happy, Healthy Wealthy, and Wise joins the Skirts Up Squad today! Jill helps us understand what our superhuman powers are, and how to make them work for us. She shares the phrase "Eat your frog first" which leaves a lasting impact on Samantha and Melissa. Get all the tangible tricks you need to have the healthiest work/ life balance you could ever imagine.

• Find out what your superhuman power is by taking the quiz created by Jill Wright
• It's not too late! Sponsor a family and get you tickets now! Skirts UP

Mentioned in this episode:

Sugar Plum Fairies Dancing For Charity

Join us for our first ever charity event on behalf of The Five Hive to raise awareness and provide Christmas to over 25 families this holiday season.

Welcome to the first episode ever where we are joined by Samantha's husband, Simon Mandell. Simon gets the opportunity to set the records straight. Who really is the better driver? What really happened when he hit that deer earlier in the month? he may or may not even confess to wearing no seat belt!

Simon was not expecting to be on the air so everything is 100% unscripted. Samantha and Simon ask each other deep, insightful questions about their 7 years together such as "What is our weakest and strongest aspect of marriage?"

The conversation changes directions when Samantha asks Simon how he feels about co-parenting with another man and what that entails. He recounts the steps taken to build a very healthy relationship with his step-children's father and parting advice on how to navigate this kind of situation to a friend. Put your ego aside.

• Find more information and ticket sales on our website at The Skirts Up Show
• Learn about our friend, psychic medium Kelly Palmatier, of Channeling White Light. She WILL be at the charity event!!
• Don't forget to sign up for the Love Run taking place in February 2025. Register under the Skirts Up team and use code: SKIRTS10 for 10% off registration. Lets end domestic violence together! Register NOW.

The girls shake things up a bit by skipping their traditional intro and "skirting" into the meat of today's show. Samantha and Melissa welcome Megan Ward, a Georgia Clarke county foster parent and creator of The Five Hive on to show to share the ugly truths within the foster care system.

The Five Hive was created when Megan and her business partner, Kim realized that there was a shortage of foster parents. After evaluating past foster parents, it became clear that most parents felt alone in the process and had little to no connections to others in the same boat.

Megan has been a foster parent to over 110 children within 7 years and loves to share what she's learned along the way while spreading resources to all families on this difficult journey. To Megan there are two reasons why people become a foster parent; To build their family or reunite families. Both honorable reasons. The Five Hive strives to spread the awareness and importance of reuniting families. Many of us don't realize that families within our community are separated because they simply can't provide basic needs.

Hear an inspiring story of how a biological father did hard work with the help of Megan and The Five Hive to be his best self and get to become reunited with his children.

This Holiday Season Skirts Up is hosting a charity event, Sugar Plum Fairies Dancing for Charity. Proceeds of this event will go to The Five Hive and provide Christmas to 25 newly reunited families! This is unlike any party you've been to. Dress in your best Sugar Plum inspired attire and prepare to feast with us in the Land of Sweets.

• Find more information and ticket sales on our website at The Skirts Up Show
• Meet our friend, Psychic Medium Kelly Palmatier at our event OR schedule a personal appointment with her at Channeling White Light
• Don't forget to sign up for the Love Run taking place in February 2025. Register under the Skirts Up team and use code: SKIRTS10 for 10% off registration. Lets end domestic violence together! Register NOW.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sugar Plum Fairies Dancing For Charity

Join us for our first ever charity event on behalf of The Five Hive to raise awareness and provide Christmas to over 25 families this holiday season.

Today, Samantha tells the story of her husband hitting a deer with her car which leads him to being stranded on the highway despite Sam's plea of having the car towed to the mechanic shop. Melissa shares how her previous fail of not making any bowls in her first pottery class has changed to having several completed items that are meticulously decorated by hand! Goes to show perseverance after a fail is how you turn it into success.

Did you hear about the exclusive charity event we are hosting? Skirts Up has chosen to host an event in honor of The Five Hive nonprofit which is an organization that brings equitable resources to all families in region five. Their passion is to do what they can to reunite families and set them up for success. Join us on our mission to provide Christmas to 25 newly reunited families because these are the kids in our foster care system that get forgotten. Follow the link below for details and tickets to the first annual Sugar Plum Fairies Dancing for Charity.

A fellow member of the Skirts Up Squad writes in about how they recently found out that for the last three years, their husband has been telling everyone at his office that she is his sister. Not wife. After finding messages and confronting her husband, he lies to her face about the whole situation resulting in her leaving the house. She wonders what next move is. Find out what Lottie has to say about that!

• Information and tickets for Sugar Plum Fairies Dancing for Charity
• Don't forget to check out our friend, Kelly Palmatier, to see what to expect from our special guest at Sugar Plum Fairies Dancing For Charity.
• Next time you are in Asheville, book your stay at our favorite place, Asheville Windsor Boutique Hotel.

Mentioned in this episode:

Asheville Windsor Boutique Hotel

Our favorite place to stat in Asheville, NC.

Samantha shares the story of stocking her husbands biological father (Who is a high ranking police officer) while intoxicated, after midnight. Then proceeds to share a fail about how she busted her face on the dance floor. Melissa tells the NOT traumatizing story of cutting the tip of her finger off late at night.

The Skirts Up Show thanks their friend, Aria, a domestic violence and sexual assault investigator with the Dekalb County District Attorney Office for joining us and sharing shocking statistics on domestic violence. Aria shares everything from red flags, key factors of a healthy relationship, and who is most susceptible to becoming a victim of domestic violence. Be sure to listen till the for information on what we can do in our community to put a end to domestic violence.

• Register to join the Skirts Up team for the 10th annual Love Run to end Domestic Violence on February 22, 2025 in Decatur, Ga. Lets get a team over 10 together!

• If you or someone you know needs more information and resources to safely leave a domestically violent relationship, visit National Domestic Violence Hotline and/or the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence

• Remember you can see what we have coming up, including fun new merch and apply to be on the show by visit our website, The Skirts Up Show.

• Book your next stay in Asheville at The Windsor Boutique Hotel. Mention Skirts Up when you call!

Mentioned in this episode:

Asheville Windsor Boutique Hotel

Samantha and Melissa share their experience in the beautiful Asheville Windsor Hotel. From the attentive team to the locally sourced touches, this is the location to be!

Welcome to the first official recording of Lottie Don't Lie.

Today Samantha and Melissa acknowledge the devastation endured by Georgia in and around Augusta through Asheville and several surrounding cities. Dear friend, Kelly Palmatier of Channeling White Light was significantly impacted by hurricane Helene's mass destruction. Luckily her family, including 3 fur babies, were able to safely evacuate. The Skirts Up Squad wants to support as many communities as possible and has listed reputable resources below.

On the Episode, the ladies remanence on their enlightening conversation with creator of Channeling White Light, Kelly Palmatier. It's been three in a half months since their mini psychic and mediumship readings and they are able to pin point the accuracy from their psychic readings. Including big changes for Melissa's Quilt Shop, A Crafted Cottage!

Lottie tackles the first question of " Should I keep my dog or rehome her." The original poster explains recent hardships including a cross country relocation to the struggles of finding rentals that allow German Shepherds. You all know how Samantha loves her shepherds and how tightly connected Melissa feels to pet relationships. You don't want to miss what Lottie advises.

RATE and REVIEW us on your favorite listening platform and check out all the upcoming details on our site- The Skirts Up Show

Disaster Relief Organizations we've supported post Hurricane Helene :

Operation Air Drop

Red Cross

Welcome back to Season Two, Episode One! The anticipation of this has been building up for three long months and the day is finally here! Samantha's mind is blown by Kelly Palmatier of Channeling White Light while she shares with us a fascinating look on life.

-Rate and review the show to help us grow!

• Schedule a meeting with Kelly at Channeling White Light
• Apply to record with us from our Website, The Skirts Up Show
• Connect with us on Facebook, Skirts Up!
• Follow us on Instagram @theskirtsupshow