Season 1 · Episode 78
How To Talk to Contractors (From Slate's How To! Podcast)
Sam wants to fix up his house, but some things are holding him back.
The Sam Sanders Show · KCRW
December 30, 202547m 51s
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (mgln.ai) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
<p dir="ltr">Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode from the <em><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to/id1469631127">How To!</a> </em>Podcast. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Sam is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He’s also “quite possibly the world’s most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn’t have a clue where to start. Second, he’s not very handy. And third, he’s intimidated by the thought of talking with contractors (who might discover the first two things about him). In the first episode of a two-part series, host Carvell Wallace brings on home improvement expert and bestselling author <a href="https://www.mercurystardust.com/">Mercury Stardust</a> (aka The Trans Handy Ma’am) to guide Sam in conquering his fears.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Mercury’s latest book is <a href="https://www.mercurystardust.com/full-store/p/signed-copy-of-safe-and-sound">Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair</a>. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Ready for part 2? This conversation continues with <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/how-to/2025/11/mercury-stardust-sam-sanders-diy-fears">How To Take Charge of Home Repair</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Sign up for <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show">Sam’s Newsletter</a> to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>The Sam Sanders Show</em> is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.</p>
<p> </p>