Meet Samantha Mandell | Female Empowerment Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Mandell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Get ready for a tale of transformation, resilience, and a whole lot of heart! Our podcast, Skirts Up, didn’t just happen; it was born from the ashes of my lowest ebb. I, Samantha Mandell, began battling cluster seizures that stole my independence and made parenting on my own nearly impossible. Trapped at home, I craved connection, a creative outlet. Enter Skirts Up, a quirky little life raft in a sea of uncertainty.

Little did I know, this “hobby” was about to flip my world upside down! With every incredible guest, I pieced together more of myself. Our first two seasons were a front-row seat to my slow, beautiful recreation, and to my utter surprise, it sparked something in our listeners too! That’s when Skirts Up truly found its voice, morphing into a rallying cry for women everywhere to get curious about themselves and all the wild wonders life holds. With a big emphasis on Mental health!!

We’re not just about chit-chat; we’re about action! We teamed up with the DeKalb County DA’s office, using our platform to shine a spotlight on domestic violence and sexual assault. We even brought in an investigator to spill the tea on early warning signs and safe escape routes – because, let’s be real, leaving isn’t easy.

Then, in October 2024, our jaws hit the floor when we uncovered the heartbreaking truth about kids in foster care. Turns out, many land there simply because their working parents can’t afford basic utilities like water and electricity. And here’s the kicker: a whopping 43% of reunited kids end up back in the system because their parents lack the support to stay on their feet! This ignited a fire in our bellies. We rallied our amazing community, raising over $8,000 from local businesses to cover utilities and Christmas gifts for 20 reunited families. Talk about a powerful comeback!

We’re still brainstorming our next big mission for the holidays, but one thing’s for sure: it’ll be massive, it’ll be impactful, and it’ll be possible because of the incredible community that stands with us, skirts up and ready for anything!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Born from my deepest struggles with illness and depression, Skirts Up started as a simple idea: just Melissa and me, bantering about life topics I knew nothing about. It was a lifeline, a way to connect from home. But it quickly became so much more.

During season one we were inspired to do an episode on mental health and affordable support. That’s when a listener told us for the first time that our podcast saved her life. Still gives me goosebumps and watery eyes. Since then, countless others have shared how our show has touched and motivated them, fueling our passion to keep going.

Despite being a year and a half in with no income (thanks to my incredibly supportive husband and Melissa’s tireless work at A Crafted Cottage, her quilt shop that’s become our loudest cheer squad!), Skirts Up has become my life. My journey has taught me this: prioritizing your mental health and well-being isn’t selfish; it’s essential for making your biggest positive impact on the world. We’re not just a hobby anymore; we’re a force for good, and we’re just getting started!

Surround yourself with people who also love people. When you do, just wow. Stronger together.
“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Legit words to live by.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Confession time: I’m an introvert at heart. My perfect day with close pals? You’d find us chilling on Lake Oconee. But if you haven’t noticed by now, we’re all about shopping, visiting, and supporting local! In fact, every single piece of our awesome merchandise is made right here, thanks to the fantastic ladies of Piedmont Clothing Co. and The Teal Cricket. Big shout-out to them!

Dining out is no different. When friends pop by, I make sure my freezer is bursting with my all-time favorite ice cream flavors (banana pudding, raspberry chocolate chip, and, well, basically all of them!) from Butter’dudder in Monroe. Seriously, it’s problematically addicting – consider yourselves warned! For dinner, I whisk people away to Chops & Hops in Watkinsville, GA. I’ve never had a disappointing meal there; it’s always “chop-licking good!” If you fancy an adult beverage, their drinks are as pretty as they are potent. More of a mocktail maven like me? They’ve totally got you covered! To cap off a perfect night, we’d soak in some live music on the lawn at Wirepark, a truly wonderful hidden gem. (Actually, maybe I shouldn’t tell you about that one… it’s our secret!)

When time allows, you know I’m taking them straight to GGA Dwarf Goat Yoga to get our zen on with some adorable four legged friends. Then, it’s off to hang out with Jill and David at One Soul Boudoir Studio because why not. When you’re surrounded by such fantastic people and places, every moment is truly memorable!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We couldn’t make waves and shake things up for our community without our incredible “Skirts Up Squad”— our amazing friends, sharing our mission far and wide on social media and by word of mouth! Their belief in us fuels everything we do.

Speaking of incredible support, a HUGE thank you goes out to A Crafted Cottage, the cozy quilt shop in Flowery Branch, owned by none other than Skirts Up’s very own fabulous co-host, Melissa Matthews! Melissa is a shining light all on her own, and she’s not just a master quilter; she’s also stitched together a vibrant community in the quilting world. Seriously, no one has cheered us on louder than her crew, and it’s all thanks to this truly inspiring small business owner!

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## Shout-Out to Our Awesome Allies!

We’ve got some seriously cool friends in the small business world who deserve a massive shout-out! First up, a huge THANK YOU to GG and Sabrina, the fantastic owners of GGA Dwarf Goat Yoga! These two not only shared their incredible story and zen farm with us (and you, our lovely listeners!), but they’ve been huge supporters of the show. We even did a super fun episode getting the backstory on their little slice of peace right in the city. You can actually find it embedded on their website right now, and they’ve even featured us in their newsletter and on social media! It just goes to show: have each other’s backs, make friends with other small business owners, because we’re all in this together! And seriously, go cuddle a cow (or a goat!) at GGA Dwarf Goat Yoga—you won’t regret it!

Next on our gratitude list is One Soul Boudoir Studio in Kennesaw, led by the wonderfully welcoming David and Jill They totally get us! Their principles and mission align so perfectly with ours, and it’s always a fantastic day when we get to host an event for our “Skirts Up Squad” at their studio. It an other testament to the power of community and connection!

Last, but definitely not least, we’re sending a HUGE, aromatic thank you to The Golden Buttercup Candle Co.! I literally stumbled upon them at a little festival in Bostwick, GA, and was instantly drawn in by their warm, loving vibes. True story: I actually shed tears when I misplaced their business card and couldn’t remember their name. (Panic mode, activated!) But thank goodness, I found them! And get this: they crafted and donated a CUSTOM scent just for our charity event supporting reunited foster families! Seriously, if you’re ever on the hunt for that perfect scent, I send everyone their way. I’ll never buy a candle anywhere else – I love them to bits!

Website: https://www.theskirtsupshow.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskirtsupshow/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mandell-0b4b282b2/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555985024654

Other: – All of our episodes are found on your favorite listening app, This link can help you pull it up: https://pod.link/1732136369

– This is the best link to request to be on the show: https://www.podmatch.com/member/skirtsup

– Best way to contact in regards to collaborations or sponsorships is by email: Theskirtsupshow@gmail.com

Image Credits
Picture of me in bath tub and Melissa is the fuzzy pink coat – credits to One Soul Boudoir Studio