Podcast · Learning

Handy Ma'am Hotline

by Mercury Stardust · English · Learning

Mercury is a #1 NY Times Bestselling author of (Safe & Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair) Known widely as The Trans Handy Ma'am, Mercury shares information geared towards renters who need help fixing their homes, moving into their first apartments, and navigating the complexities of

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 51 min
Latest: 20 Feb 2024
Language: English

Latest episode

20 Feb 2024 · 1 hr 1 min

Maintenance Is A Drag Podcast Preview

This is an episode preview of our new podcast, Maintenance is a Drag! Watch the video version on youtube or find the audio podcast wherever you get your podcasts! It's time to paint the town in glitter and fix those squeaky hinges! Join Mercury Stardust, the queen of sawdust, and the illustrious drag king, Landon Cider, as they embark on a hilarious journey through the world of home maintenance. In this extraordinary episode, the dynamic duo dives headfirst into the most peculiar and specific home repair dilemmas you could imagine. From patching up ceiling holes caused by rogue stripper…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E52 · 21 Dec 2023 · 3 hr 19 min
Pageboy
Mercury and Basil have something special for you! They have been running a Book Club! #BasilsBookBugs is a weekly livestream podcast on the Stardust Nebula Discord server ( https://discord.gg/mABbzAbRR3 ). The whole community contributes to the conversation, and it's a lot of fun! Please enjoy the complete three episode discussion of Pageboy by Elliot Page. Patreon Subscribers at all levels will automatically receive an invite to the Discord server with access to the exclusive book club chat and forum, but if you’re not on Patreon you can gain access through a Stardust Nebula server…
S1 · E51 · 14 Dec 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
Missing Electricity, Christmas Tree Rehabilitation, A Desktop Makeover, & Mold Mold Mold!
Mercury and Basil have something new for you! Mercury calls listeners directly to help them with missing electricity, Christmas tree rehabilitation, a desktop makeover, and mold! Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. (Please send high resolution pictures of the issue if you can!) Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Find extended versions of the podcast on…
S1 · E50 · 9 Dec 2023 · 1 hr 12 min
Hairy Harrisons, Difficult And Beautiful Conversations, Cat Psychology, & A Sink That Defies Physics
Mercury and Basil have something new for you! Mercury calls listeners directly to help them with clogged drains, chronic pain, parenting, cat psychology, and a magic sink. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. (Please send high resolution pictures of the issue if you can!) Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Find extended versions of the podcast on Patreon:…
S1 · E49 · 18 Nov 2023 · 1 hr 11 min
The Best of the After-Show Pre-Show Volume IV
Did you know we have an After-Show Pre-Show on Patreon? Every week we before we record an episode, Mercury and Maggie chat about life, politics, the trans experience, mom-hood, and so much more. It's truly the unfiltered Mercury Half Hour! It plays each week after the full episode on Patreon. Hence, the After-Show Pre-Show! Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here:…
S1 · E48 · 9 Nov 2023 · 47 min
Basement Drains, Nasty Caulk, A Crumbly Tub, & Vinyl Scratching
Mercury and Basil have something new for you! Mercury calls listeners directly to help them with basement drains, nasty caulk, a crumbly tub, & vinyl scratching. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. (Please send high resolution pictures of the issue if you can!) Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Find extended versions of the podcast on Patreon:…
S1 · E47 · 2 Nov 2023 · 34 min
Flat-Head Screws, Toilet Straws, Teaching Tenants, Bubbling Paint, & A Leaky Faucet Stem
Mercury and Basil check in from the road. Together they help listeners with flat-head screws, toilet straws, teaching tenants, bubbling paint, & a leaky faucet stem. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. (Please send high resolution pictures of the issue if you can!) Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Find extended versions of the podcast on Patreon:…
S1 · E46 · 26 Oct 2023 · 40 min
Bidet Installation Issues, Temperature Sensors, Heavy Topics, Noisy Neighbors, & Creaky Doors
Mercury and Basil check in from the road. Together they help listeners with bidet installation issues, temperature sensors, heavy topics, noisy neighbors, & creaky doors. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. (Please send high resolution pictures of the issue if you can!) Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Find extended versions of the podcast on…
S1 · E45 · 5 Oct 2023 · 30 min
An Ominous Drywall Seam, Latex Cleanup, & How To Tell If You're Being Taken Advantage Of
Mercury and Basil sat down for one more podcast before hitting the road again. Together they help listeners with an ominous drywall seam, how to clean up after painting, and how to tell if you're being taken advantage of. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. (Please send high resolution pictures of the issue if you can!) Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here:…
S1 · E44 · 28 Sep 2023 · 1 hr 3 min
Bi-Fold Doors, A Floppy Handle, Old Floors, Older Windows, & Everything You Need To Know About Painting
Maggie returns! We really hit this one out of the park. Mercury and the gang help with bi-fold doors, a floppy toilet handle 100+ year old windows, refinishing hard wood floors and everything you need to know about painting. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. (Please send high resolution pictures of the issue if you can!) Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here:…
26 Sep 2023 · 1 min
Announcement!
Mercury and Basil (@ChangelingBrat) are starting a Book Club! #BasilsBookBugs will be a weekly livestream podcast to discuss a book we all read together! The club will take place on Discord so the whole community can join the conversation. Patreon Subscribers at all levels will automatically receive an invite to the Discord server with access to the exclusive book club chat and forum, but if you’re not on Patreon you can gain access through a Stardust Nebula server subscription on Discord. Head over to the server for more details here: https://discord.gg/mABbzAbRR3 The first book we’re…
S1 · E43 · 21 Sep 2023 · 1 hr
Landlords, Drywall Tape, An Icy Freezer, A Mousy Stove, Hardwood Floors, Tool Kits, & A Bath Tub With Issues
Mercury is joined by sound engineer Matt to discuss how not to be one of "those" landlords, drywall tape, an icy freezer, a mousy stove, restoring hardwood floors, building your first tool kit, & a bath tub with lots of issues. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. (Please send high resolution pictures of the issue if you can!) Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here:…
S1 · E42 · 14 Sep 2023 · 58 min
Stories From the Book Tour! (and The Best of the After-Show Pre-Show Volume III)
Mercury tells us stories from the first leg of her book tour! Did you know we have an After-Show Pre-Show on Patreon? Every week we before we record an episode, Mercury and Maggie chat about life, politics, the trans experience, mom-hood, and so much more. It's truly the unfiltered Mercury Half Hour! It plays each week after the full episode on Patreon. Hence, the After-Show Pre-Show! Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair:…
S1 · E41 · 24 Aug 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
Washers, Gaskets, Luxury Toilet Paper, A Cold Shower, & Weather/Polution Proofing
Here at the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury kicked off her book tour! Listen to Mercury and Basil help with questions about washer drains, freezer gaskets, what to do if you can't give up luxurious toilet paper that's sold by bears, a shower that wont get hot, and drafty doors and windows. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here:…
S1 · E40 · 17 Aug 2023 · 43 min
Sink Stoppers, Vinyl Floors, Car Ports, & Getting into Maintenance!
Here at the Handy Ma'am Hotline, listen to our final in-studio podcast before Mercury goes on her book tour! She got a question about how to unstick a stuck sink stopper, how to use peel and stick vinyl flooring on subfloor, what to do with car port beams that are rotted and split (and how to remedy the water damage that may be causing the issues!), and advice on how to get into maintenance as a queer person. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide…
S1 · E39 · 10 Aug 2023 · 43 min
Peel & Stick Tiles, Bathtub Clogs, Replacing a Door, and "Fix It" Mentalities
Welcome back to the Handy Ma'am Hotline! This week Mercury talks about which project is more pressing: peeling paint or peeling laminate floors. Mercury and Maggie have mixed thoughts on which should come first, what do you think? Mercury also tackles a slow draining bathtub with an unresponsive landlord, a door and frame that needs to be replaced, and how to cultivate a positive "Fix It" mentality when home maintenance can feel so daunting. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe…
S1 · E38 · 3 Aug 2023 · 42 min
Door Frames, Cement Board, & Window Screens
This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury helps callers with mismatched door frames, cement board in the bathroom, and window screen replacement, repair, and re-cat-proofing. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair: https://sites.prh.com/safe-and-sound Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Find extended versions of the podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/mercurystardust Watch longer DIY…
S1 · E37 · 27 Jul 2023 · 58 min
Smelly Drains, Toilets, Rusty Metal, & Old Houses
This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury helps callers with a sink drain that just won't stop stinking up the place, a toilet not flushing and figuring out what can be done for a non-vented toilet, dogs peeing all over a metal frame to a screened in porch, a 120 year old house whose pipes aren't underground and freeze during the winter, and testing for lead paint when removing old trim in another 100 year old house. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter…
S1 · E36 · 20 Jul 2023 · 58 min
Skylights, Broken Joists, Bathroom Holes, Caulk Tape, & Stuck Faucets
Welcome back to the Handy Ma'am Hotline! This week Mercury helps a listener with a leaky skylight. She also discusses broken ceiling joists, how to repair a bathroom hole, caulking tape, and the "farm girl" way to swivel a stuck faucet! Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of advocating for fair repair laws. Start your own repair projects and show us what you're fixing by tagging @ifixit in your DIY projects! Don't forget to check out ifixit.com before you get started. They've got…
S1 · E35 · 13 Jul 2023 · 1 hr 1 min
History Lesson: Phillips Head Screwdrivers
Mercury loves her history lessons! Learn about the history of the Phillips Head screwdriver, like who invented it (not who you think), why it was great for automobile assembly lines, and how it became the most popular screw in the world! She also answers questions about hanging LED lights without damaging walls, and removing paint after a landlord special. Be careful not to let your bits slip out, this is a wild one! Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. Find some Mercury Stardust goodies here: Pre-Order her book Safe & Sound, A renter…
S1 · E34 · 6 Jul 2023 · 43 min
The Best of the After-Show Pre-Show Volume II
Did you know we have an After-Show Pre-Show on Patreon? Every week we before we record an episode, Mercury and Maggie chat about life, politics, the trans experience, mom-hood, and so much more. It's truly the unfiltered Mercury Half Hour! It plays each week after the full episode on Patreon. Hence, the After-Show Pre-Show! Due to the 'merican holiday falling on our recording day, Mercury gave everyone the day off and is sharing with you the best of our Pre-Show After-Show (volume II). You'll get to hear our favorite snippets: 90s music cats and dogs stud pop innuendos boobs, butts, or Tori…
S1 · E33 · 29 Jun 2023 · 48 min
Wonky Hinges, Mystery Putty, Loose Toilet Seats, & Bashed in Bath Tubs
Welcome back to the Handy Ma'am Hotline! This week Mercury helps a listener with one of her most famous fixes: the toothpick trick for loose hinges. She also discusses why someone may have put putty all around a window frame, how to keep a toilet seat tight when you're a little heaftier, what to do about a tub that likely needs to be replaced, and we get an update from a previous caller who shares how Mercury's advice helped them! Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of advocating for…
S1 · E32 · 21 Jun 2023 · 51 min
Water Pressure, Peeling Paint, and Landlords Charging for Fixes
This week on Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury helps answer questions about low water pressure after changing out a shower handle, layers and layers and layers of paint peeling off a bathroom wall, fixing a wonky front door that won't latch properly, landlords charging for fixes in the unit (should they or shouldn't they?), and fixing a toilet that is leaking but the caller can't get the nuts tightened to fix it! Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of advocating for fair repair laws.…
S1 · E31 · 15 Jun 2023 · 51 min
Window Units, Faucets, Gas Stoves, and Smelly Toilets
This week on Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury discusses how to remove mold from a window AC unit, how to troubleshoot an issue with a gas stove (and make your landlord actually fix it), putting in a new faucet when you feel overwhelmed, what to do about a smelly toilet and how to change a wax ring, and how to get rid of candle soot from a caller who has a candle burning addiction! Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of advocating for fair repair laws. Start your own repair projects and…
S1 · E30 · 8 Jun 2023 · 50 min
Stripped Screw, Mean Maintenance Techs, and Cat Snot!
This week on Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury tackles a stripped set screw on a tub handle, a mean maintenance tech who makes tenants feel uncomfortable, cat snot on the walls (meow!), how to hang something on a wall that has the electrical box on the other side, and what to do when a toilet refuses to flush. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of advocating for fair repair laws. Start your own repair projects and show us what you're fixing by tagging @ifixit in your DIY projects! Don't…
S1 · E29 · 1 Jun 2023 · 35 min
Storm Doors, Paint Samples, Deadbolts, and Cracked Ceilings
In this episode of Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury and Maggie debate on what a caller means by a "storm door", and Mercury works to solve the problem for both cases. Mercury also discusses the best way to get an accurate paint sample for matching, different ways to loosen a deadbolt that seems to not want to turn, a renter with a landlord that refuses to fix a cracked ceiling AND REMOVE BATS FROM THE ATTIC! And she gives tips for filling in small holes on wood paneling. Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Don't forget to call in or text with your…
S1 · E28 · 25 May 2023 · 47 min
Concrete, Clogs, and Cracks!
This week on Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury talks about safely drilling into concrete walls, why she doesn't use chemicals to clear clogged sinks, cracks in the wall, installing rain barrels on old homes, and what to do with a funky sh*there, haha! Watch Mercury's full Drywall Repair YouTube video here for more tips and tricks: https://youtu.be/P8lMl98zj5I Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of advocating for…
S1 · E27 · 18 May 2023 · 57 min
Bathroom Renos, Missing Keys, Tape Removal, Holes in Walls
This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury tackles a bathroom reno that's outside of her comfort zone, replacing an exterior door handle (and garage door safety), shares an apartment maintenance checklist for long-term renters, removing tape off of a door, and fixing a hole in a wall. Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of advocating for fair repair laws. Start your own repair projects and show us what…
S1 · E26 · 11 May 2023 · 52 min
Curtains, Ladders, Nails, & Scuff Marks
This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline Mercury tackles questions about repairing a wall after the curtain rod was used as a swing by a kiddo, how to get over the fear of ladders so you can do DIY projects up high, what to do when your plastic drain cleaner breaks in the pipe, how to fill nail holes in hardwood after removing carpet, and how to remove scuff marks off walls without repainting! Watch Mercury's full Drywall Repair YouTube video here for more tips and tricks: https://youtu.be/P8lMl98zj5I Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Don't forget to…
S1 · E25 · 4 May 2023 · 42 min
Attic Insulation, Splattered Paint Wall, Concrete Floors, and Falling Fences
This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury tackles how to finish an attic that has blown insulation, a wall that was painted with splatter like an art project, painting a cement floor in the basement, and fixing a cedar fence that is falling over. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of advocating for fair repair laws. Start your own repair projects and show us what you're fixing by tagging @ifixit in your DIY projects! Don't forget to check out ifixit.com before you get started.…

About Handy Ma'am Hotline

Handy Ma'am Hotline is a English learning podcast from Mercury Stardust. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Mercury Stardust
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 51 min
Latest episode: 20 Feb 2024
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1652915801
Rights: Mercury Stardust

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