HGTVs Good Bones is a unique entry into the home improvement network's reality television lineup because the show follows mother-daughter duo Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak. Laine and Starsiak found success through their company, Two Chicks and a Hammer, which saw them fix up properties in Indianapolis. HGTV took notice of his success and created a series around him that featured not only Starsiak and Laine, but other members of their family as well. While Good Bones received high ratings, viewers did not see the strained mother-daughter relationship behind the scenes.
In 2023, Starsiak and Laine appeared in the eighth and final limited season of Good Bones without the public knowing about his personal problems. However, Starsiak Podcast, Mina AFnarrated the divide between the mother-daughter teamand revealed shocking secrets from his family history. Despite rising tensions, a spin-off called Good Bones: New Beginnings aired in August this year. The season notably followed Starsiak and Laine's separate journeys across two different states, likely due to their rivalry.
Starsiak's troubled childhood
She lived across from a grocery store and grew up surrounded by substance abuse.
In the section “What is normal parenting?” episode of Mina AFStarsiak's husband Steve remembers when he first saw her at home early in their relationship. Supposedly, Starsiak and his family lived in a makeshift house across from a warehouse where his father did business. She remembers believing the warehouse was an exciting place, full of hidden treasures. As an adult, Starsiak has had a change of heart and thinks her childhood home only contributed to her difficult upbringing. Starsiak's family tree is also complex. She has several siblings and half-siblings from her father's second marriage, some of whom appeared in Good Bones.
Starsiak's childhood was also plagued by substance abuse. In the episode “Why We Sober” Mina AF, she describes being surrounded by “functional alcoholics” as a child. Substance abuse is an element of Starsiak's childhood that she and her husband share, and as a result, the two have chosen to live a life of sobriety together.
Mother and Daughter Find Success on HGTV
Starsiak found it challenging to work so closely with his family
After years of renovating properties with their company Two Chicks and a Hammer, mother and daughter were discovered by HGTV. Starsiak and Laine watched a reality show called Good bones, which aired for eight seasons. The show centered on the duo fixing up decrepit properties throughout Indianapolis. Although mother and daughter portrayed a functional relationship on television, the reality was different.
Starsiak says he would like working and starring with his family on a TV show to be “challenge relationships“in her life.
In an episode of his podcast, Starsiak talked about the the impact of the program on your personal relationships. Starsiak says he would like working and starring with his family on a TV show to be “challenge relationships“in your life (via People):
[I was] It's naive to think that these people who came and were a part of this with me and supported me as I gave them an opportunity along the way would always feel the value of that opportunity. It's very difficult to be on the other side and feel like some of the people who were part of this feel like they are where they are today, with the opportunities they have today, in spite of me, and not, in part, because of an opportunity that was offered. And that's kind of difficult.
Starsiak also confessed that her family conflicts extended beyond her feud with Laine, as she described her relationships with her brothers Tad and William as not “in a great place” and “non-existent“, respectively. However, Starsiak acknowledged that the brothers try to get along and even went on vacation together.
Starsiak and Laine's rivalry in detail
Starsiak claims he works while Laine and other family members are paid to “have fun”
Before Good Bones hitting the airwaves, Starsiak admits that she and Laine have had a lot of problems dating back to when she was a child. They boiled over during the show's production, when the mother and daughter realized that they had different work styles and conflicting personalities. Starsiak says filming the final season was especially challenging due to her and Laine's tumultuous relationship. During filming for Good Bones In the Season 8 premiere, Starsiak claims that she and Laine were involved “a knockdown drag [fight] during the demonstration” (through People).
Most of the tension that led to the feud came when Laine left Two Chicks And A Hammer in 2019, but still appeared on Good Bones. Starsiak claims she took over”all risk“after your mother left the real estate agency. Starsiak says she pays liability insurance and workers' compensation, owns all properties sold and pays all contractors without her mother's help. This took Starsiak resented the fact that many members of the Good Bones cast, including Laine and other family members, were paid “to have fun” on the show while she shouldered all the financial responsibility (through People).
Starsiak and Laine split
Starsiak didn't invite Laine to his son's birthday party
Starsiak and Laine, along with the rest of the family, were always polite to each other during holidays and especially at family gatherings. However, things changed when Starsiak didn't invite his mother to his son Jack's fifth birthday party in 2023.
Some podcast listeners called on Starsiak to forgive Laine because “blood is thicker than water,” but Starsiak says the situation was complicated. Starsiak says he doesn't get along with his mother and two brothers, who also appeared on the Good Bones. It's important to note that Starsiak questions whether distancing children from their family is ethically correct.
Good Bones Spin-Off and Where They Are Now
The mother and daughter are working in separate locations on the other side of the country
ONE Good Bones spin off, Good Bones: New Beginningsfollows Starsik and Laine's real estate ventures in two different states. Starsiack remains in his home state of Indiana while renovating a 5,000+ square foot home for your family. About that, Laine is renovating a 120-year-old beach house in North Carolina for your retirement. Despite the spin-off, Starsiak stated in 2023 that she and her mother had not spoken in a long time (through People).
However, reconciliation could be possible for Starsiak and Laine. In 2023, Starsiak revealed on her podcast that her mother had contacted her via text, asking to talk (via The list). However, at this time, there has been no update on Mina Starsiak and Karen E. Laine mending their broken relationshipand it seems that the previous Good Bones the mother-daughter duo continue to live separate lives.
Good Bones
Good Bones is an HGTV reality series that features mother-daughter duo Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk. They rehabilitate properties in their hometown of Indianapolis, transforming dilapidated houses into stylish, functional homes. The exhibit highlights their hands-on approach to renovations, emphasizing design, craftsmanship and family dynamics as they manage their business, Two Chicks and a Hammer.