In this episode of The Dirty Heifers podcast, the hosts get real about dealing with online trolls, hate comments, and unsolicited criticism. From the difference between helpful feedback and straight-up trolling to the emotional toll that negativity can take on small business owners and creators, they’re breaking it all down — heifer-style. 🐮

Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna share personal stories of online drama, dive into why trolls do what they do, and talk about how to turn negativity into motivation. Whether you’ve faced internet hate or just want to build a thicker skin while running your business online, this episode is packed with sass, laughs, and solid advice.

💬 What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The difference between trolls and constructive critics
• How online hate affects mental health and creativity
• Real-life stories from the Heifers’ own comment sections
• How to use negativity as fuel for growth
• Why community support makes all the difference

If you’ve ever had to deal with an online hater — this one’s for you.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment (especially if you’ve ever had to clap back at a troll).

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, we’re talking all about seasonal burnout — you know, that crash-and-burn feeling after the holiday hustle when you’re running on caffeine, fumes, and questionable life choices. We break down the signs, causes, and effects of burnout on small business owners and makers, especially during busy seasons like the holidays and craft fair marathons.

From forgetting to eat (or living on cold pizza) to ghosting your customers because your brain’s tapped out, we’ve been there — and we’re spilling the messy, hilarious, and oh-so-relatable truth. But it’s not all doom and gloom: we’re sharing real-life coping strategies, from self-care and saying no, to leaning on community and planning ahead so burnout doesn’t steamroll your whole year.

So grab your coffee (or your wine), kick back, and commiserate with us Heifers as we tackle burnout with honesty, laughter, and a little sass. And hey — we want to hear from you: how do YOU deal with burnout?

In Episode 40 of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, we’re calling out the “soap purity police” and diving into the drama of gatekeeping in the soap-making community. From the debate over fresh vs. powdered goat milk to fragrance oils vs. essential oils, we break down why there’s no one right way to make soap.

We talk about why shaming other makers is bad for business, the importance of education over judgment, and why collaboration will always beat competition. At the end of the day, customers care more about quality, scent, and feel — not whether you followed someone else’s “purity rules.”

Whether you’re team cold process, hot process, or melt-and-pour, this episode is for you. Let’s stop tearing each other down and start lifting each other up.

👉 What gatekeeping have YOU seen in the maker world? Drop your stories in the comments — we’d love to hear them!

This week the heifers are getting nerdy, goofy, and a little soapy. 🧼 From family chaos to pop culture tangents, we’re sharing the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) on our soap-making journeys.

We talk safety tips (yes, lye burns are real, y’all), why record keeping can save your business, and how to actually price your soap without selling yourself short. Plus—branding, contests, community support, and a round of “This or That” that proves we should probably never play games unsupervised. 🤠

Whether you’re just starting out or knee-deep in batter and fragrance oils, this episode is packed with real talk, laughs, and reminders that soap making should be fun.

💬 Tell us in the comments: what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your soap-making or small biz journey? 👍 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more heifer hijinks!

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna get real about the world of networking, small business community, and makers supporting makers. Spoiler: it’s not about collecting business cards or being a slick schmoozer—it’s about finding your people.

The Heifers spill stories about how they officially met at a soap conference (yes, a networking event… where Margaret was absolutely hiding by the free coffee), what real support between makers looks like, and why “community over competition” isn’t just a cute phrase—it’s the backbone of running a sustainable creative business.

You’ll hear: 🐮 Relatable (and hilarious) networking fails. 🐮 Tips for overcoming networking anxiety when you’d rather hide behind your booth. 🐮 Green flags vs. red flags when meeting new makers or suppliers. 🐮 A round of “Networking Nightmares”—their comedic take on awkward scenarios we’ve all been trapped in.

Whether you’re a soap maker, small business owner, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will have you nodding along, laughing, and maybe even rethinking how you connect with others in your industry.

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna sit down with the fabulous Isabele (“Izzie”) Vezeau from Aromatic Fragrances International (AFI) to sniff out the truth about fragrance oils. Ever wonder how scents are made? Or what it takes to dupe your favorite Bath & Body Works candle? We’re talking fragrance science, scent notes, custom blends, and all the behind-the-scenes drama of the fragrance world.

Izzie spills the beans (and oils) on the challenges fragrance houses face—from supply chain chaos to picky makers who don’t test their products—and clears up some common misconceptions. We dive into the mystical world of top, middle, and base notes, how fragrances behave differently in soap vs. candles, and what goes into creating a custom signature scent.

You’ll also hear about unusual requests, scent duplication secrets, fragrance marketing tips, and what trends are heating up in 2025. Plus—don’t miss our Word of the Week, some classic Heifer banter, and a big announcement about a contest hosted by our friend July at Winston and Walter Artisanal (with us Heifers as the judges).

If you’re a soap maker, candle maker, or small business owner trying to make your products smell irresistible—this episode is your new best friend.

This week on the Dirty Heifers Podcast, we’re calling BS on one of the oldest business myths out there: “the customer is always right.” 🙄

Spoiler alert: they’re not.

Join Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna as we swap stories about nightmare customers, red-flag requests, and those times when keeping a “loyal” customer would’ve cost way more than the order was worth. We dig into where this phrase even came from, why it doesn’t hold up in today’s world, and how small businesses can (and should) set boundaries that protect their sanity.

We’ll talk handling complaints without losing your cool, knowing when to offer solutions vs. when to walk away, and why clear policies are your best friend. Oh — and you know we couldn’t resist a side tangent on pricing, influencer marketing headaches, and the wild misconceptions people still have about small business profitability.

At the end of the day, the right customers make this crazy journey worth it. The wrong ones? Well… let’s just say we’ve got stories. 😂

New Episodes Drop Thursdays

Join the Herd

Follow The Dirty Heifers! 🌿🐄

Stay connected with us on social media:

📍 Facebook: The Dirty Heifers

📍 Instagram: @thedirtyheifers

📍 TikTok: @thedirtyheifers

📍 YouTube: Dirty Heifers

Check out our personal businesses:

🛁 Margaret – Warm & Fuzzy Soapery

🧼 Jessie – Country Lather Soap Works

🫧 Shauna – Bawauna Bath & Body

What does it take to truly connect with an audience online—and keep them coming back? In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, we sit down with the one and only Helen Polisi (@themuthership)—TikTok Queen, podcast host, content coach, cancer survivor, and now proud grandma! 🌟

Helen shares her incredible journey from commercial director to social media educator, and how she turned boredom during the pandemic into a thriving brand that empowers creators of all ages. From viral baking videos to stop-motion tutorials, and from battling cancer in real-time with her followers to teaching big-name brands how to show up authentically online, Helen’s story is one of resilience, authenticity, and creativity.

We also dive into: ✨ The importance of listening to your audience (yes, even the teens in your comments 👀). ✨ How fleeting trends can be—and why authenticity always wins. ✨ Building community vs. chasing numbers. ✨ What it’s like being recognized as a “grandfluencer” (spoiler: Helen wasn’t having it 😂). ✨ How to stay creative without burning out.

This episode is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and inspiring—you’ll walk away with practical tips and a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

💬 We’d love to hear from you:

• Have you ever had a viral moment (big or small)?
• Do you feel pressure to keep up with social media trends, or do you create at your own pace? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’ll be reading and responding!

👉 Listen now on your favorite podcast app

New Episodes Drop Thursdays

Join the Herd

Follow The Dirty Heifers! 🌿🐄

Stay connected with us on social media:

📍 Facebook: The Dirty Heifers

📍 Instagram: @thedirtyheifers

📍 TikTok: @thedirtyheifers

📍 YouTube: Dirty Heifers

Check out our personal businesses:

🛁 Margaret – Warm & Fuzzy Soapery

🧼 Jessie – Country Lather Soap Works

🫧 Shauna – Bawauna Bath & Body

Check out this week’s guest at:

You can check out Helen Polise (The Muthership) at https://stan.store/themuthership

Watch Helen try the Nikki Manaj tutorial here: https://www.tiktok.com/@themuthership/video/7533458368598478110