Podcast Summary: Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast Episode: Scheana Shay’s Memoir My Good Side (with Ben Mandelker)
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host/Author: Chelsea Devantez

Introduction

In this episode of Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast, host Chelsea Devantez delves into Sheena Shay’s memoir, My Good Side, with special guest Ben Mandelker. The discussion offers a deep dive into Sheena’s tumultuous journey through fame, personal struggles, and high-profile relationships, providing listeners with a candid exploration of her life both on and off reality TV.

Overview of Sheena Shay and Her Memoir

Chelsea introduces Sheena Shay, renowned from the reality TV series Vanderpump Rules, and her newly released memoir, My Good Side. The book launched concurrently with the podcast episode, offering early copies for discussion. Chelsea sets the stage by recounting Sheena’s dramatic crossover from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to Vanderpump Rules, highlighting the intense personal and professional challenges Sheena has faced.

Rating the Book on a Literature Scale

Timestamp: [04:22]

Ben Mandelker and Sheena Shay engage in a playful debate assessing where My Good Side falls on a literature-to-merchandise scale.

• Ben Mandelker: “I love that scale. First and foremost, that is a great question. The sassy gay in me wants to say, of course, 10. This is literature.” ([04:22])

• Sheena Shay: “Yeah, I would say it's definitely on the merch side, but merch I would buy.” ([05:01])

Ben adjusts his rating midway, appreciating the conversational tone but acknowledging its more commercial nature, ultimately rating it around 4.5 out of 10.

Key Themes and Chapters

1. Early Life and Identity Issues

Timestamp: [08:14]

Sheena discusses her complex upbringing, detailing her parents' separate lives and her struggle with cultural identity. The memoir reveals how Sheena felt caught between her Mexican heritage and her environment, leading to significant identity challenges.

• Ben Mandelker: “She was like, I was raised with my blinders on.” ([20:19])

2. The Hooters Lawsuit

Timestamp: [13:07]

A pivotal chapter covers Sheena’s involvement in the Hooters lawsuit, where she becomes the spokesperson for victims of a privacy violation scandal. The discussion highlights Sheena’s opportunistic yet unsettling response to the trauma.

• Sheena Shay: “I was just like, I got a call from Gloria Allred. I'm so glad someone stood up for you.” ([16:11])

3. High-Profile Relationships and Betrayals

Timestamp: [18:07]

Sheena’s relationships with celebrities like Eddie Cibrian and John Mayer are scrutinized. The memoir chronicles her naïveté and the subsequent heartbreak from discovering her partners’ infidelities.

• Ben Mandelker: “She lives life with her blinders on.” ([19:18])

• Sheena Shay: “I was a people pleaser. I couldn't ask him if he was married.” ([25:20])

4. Vanderpump Rules Spin-Off and Manipulation

Timestamp: [62:32]

The origins of Vanderpump Rules are dissected, revealing Lisa Vanderpump’s manipulative tactics using Sheena as a pawn to launch the spin-off. The chapter exposes the behind-the-scenes machinations that contributed to Sheena’s reality TV fame.

• Ben Mandelker: “I do believe that Lisa knew 100% about this situation.” ([62:18])

5. Marriage and Motherhood

Timestamp: [85:05]

Sheena narrates her rapid marriage to Brock Davies, detailing the rushed timeline and the ensuing divorce amid scandals. The memoir touches on her struggles with postpartum OCD and the challenges of balancing motherhood with a hectic public life.

• Sheena Shay: “I went to Disneyland to cure my OCD.” ([94:53])

6. Personal Struggles and Redemption

Timestamp: [96:35]

The memoir explores Sheena’s battle with OCD, her coping mechanisms, and her journey towards healing. The story underscores her reliance on external validation and the impact of her reality TV persona on her mental health.

• Ben Mandelker: “She gets into these things because she wants to be the hero of her own story.” ([84:44])

Critique and Analysis

Lack of Introspection

Throughout the memoir, Ben and Sheena critique Sheena’s limited self-reflection. While Sheena shares numerous personal anecdotes, the book often lacks deeper emotional exploration, focusing instead on superficial storytelling and celebrity interactions.

• Sheena Shay: “Overall, I had a really great and happy childhood. And that’s the end.” ([12:05])

• Ben Mandelker: “It's like diary of a people pleaser because that's her whole thing.” ([07:08])

Superficiality and Name-Dropping

A recurring theme is Sheena’s extensive name-dropping of celebrities and high-profile individuals, which some may find detracts from the memoir’s depth. The conversations reveal a tendency to focus on external validation rather than internal growth.

• Ben Mandelker: “Everything is just like, that could have been.” ([40:26])

Entertaining Read with Limited Depth

Despite its shortcomings, My Good Side is praised for being an entertaining and quick read. The book’s engaging narrative style and dramatic stories keep readers hooked, even if it doesn’t offer profound insights.

• Sheena Shay: “It was a rip roaring time.” ([109:15])

• Ben Mandelker: “It's a quick read. You just read it and you're just sitting there chuckling.” ([109:27])

Notable Quotes

• Ben Mandelker: “This is literally the best performance you've ever had.” ([07:39])

• Sheena Shay: “I’m a people pleaser. I couldn’t ask him if he was married.” ([25:20])

• Ben Mandelker: “This is someone who’s just looking for a gig on TV.” ([57:52])

• Sheena Shay: “And I drank Red Bulls instead of anything else that night.” ([53:03])

Conclusion

My Good Side by Sheena Shay offers a captivating glimpse into the life of a reality TV star navigating fame, personal turmoil, and complex relationships. While the memoir excels in entertainment value, providing humorous and dramatic anecdotes, it falls short in delivering deep emotional introspection and coherent personal growth narratives. The discussion by Chelsea Devantez and Ben Mandelker underscores both the allure and limitations of Sheena’s storytelling, making it a compelling listen for fans and critics alike.

Note: This summary excludes non-content sections such as advertisements, intros, and outros, focusing solely on the substantive discussions and insights shared during the podcast episode.