Why 'Good Bones' Is Coming To An End: Mina Starsiak Hawk Shares Her Honest Take

When Mina Starsiak Hawk broke the news that the beloved HGTV series "Good Bones" was concluding after its eighth season, fans were left stunned and heartbroken. The show, which also features Mina's mom, Karen E. Laine, has been a treasure trove of colorful characters and captivating home design projects. But in recent months, drama surrounding the show has intensified, leaving many to wonder what really led to its cancellation.

What Really Happened? Why is 'Good Bones' Ending?

On August 7, 2023, during an episode of her candid podcast "Mina AF," Mina dropped a bombshell: she had filmed her final scenes for "Good Bones." Her reasoning for wrapping up the series was refreshingly straightforward—she simply felt it was time for a change. "I just needed to switch it up," Mina explained. It's a sentiment that resonates with anyone who's ever felt the need to shake things up in their own life.

As more details emerged in the weeks that followed, it became clear that Mina's decision wasn't just about a desire for change. Behind the scenes, her renovation company, Two Chicks and a Hammer, faced significant challenges. Mina revealed that she had "butted heads" with city planners in Indianapolis, the ones responsible for approving construction permits. It sounds like a classic case of bureaucratic red tape getting in the way of creativity and progress.

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Speaking to the Indianapolis Business Journal in September 2023, Mina elaborated on the frustrations she faced. "I have done everything I could possibly do to try to work within the system," she explained. "It’s tricky because in local government, very few people are in charge of a lot of big decisions. It seems for a long time this plan for the city to have urban density, growth and development was not actually being enacted by the people making those decisions." It's a powerful statement that highlights the challenges of navigating local politics when you're trying to make a difference in your community.

Mina also took aim at decision-makers she believes let personal preferences cloud their judgment. "They’ll take one thing they’re allowed to do and then bend you over a barrel for 10 other things," she added. "I have to go back to my architect eight or 10 or 12 times to try to meet this moving target." It's clear that Mina's determination to push boundaries and innovate didn't always align with the city's rigid rules.

In response, a city spokesperson addressed Mina's claims. "We understand the benefit of showcasing the diversity of Indianapolis’ neighborhoods, housing and people, and we appreciate Two Chicks and a Hammer’s commitment to our community over the last eight years," the statement read. "In that time, city agencies, recognizing the significance of the show for Indianapolis, often engaged with the team to guide them through the requirements and rules of our planning and permitting processes. These requirements are derived from state laws and local ordinances, and we must equitably enforce them for all Indianapolis residents and businesses." It's a reminder that while Mina may have felt constrained by the rules, the city had its own set of obligations to uphold.

Renovating 13 houses per season was no small feat for Mina and her team, and it eventually became unsustainable. "For the last two years, I’ve known," Mina admitted. "It was, 'Y'all, I’m losing it. I can’t keep doing what we’re doing, in terms of the pace and the finances of it. We need to start making a plan.' We’ve been talking about what works for [production company High Noon Entertainment] and what works for us for a long time." It's a candid admission that speaks to the pressures of maintaining such an ambitious project.

The Mina and Karen Dynamic: What Really Went Down?

Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Mina opened up about the strain in her relationship with her mom, Karen. During an episode of her podcast on August 28, 2023, she revealed that they weren't "in a great place." It's a candid admission that highlights the challenges of working closely with family.

"There’s a lot more construction people don’t see," Mina elaborated in an interview with People a few weeks later. "There’s a lot more contractor issues people don’t see. There’s interpersonal family dynamics that people don’t see." It's a reminder that what we see on TV is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes, there's a whole world of challenges that don't always make it to the screen.

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While filming the season 8 premiere, Mina and Karen were in a "challenging place." Mina recounted a particularly intense moment: "We had a knockdown drag-out [fight] during demo." It's a raw and honest look at the realities of working in a family business. "I think family business is hard enough on its own," she reflected. "And from what people know from the show, my mom and I are thick as thieves, best friends. Because they just don’t know anything else, they assume that’s how it’s always been. And I think a lot of people really aspire to that, so they don’t want to know other stuff, which is fine. But my mom and I have had a very rocky relationship since I have memories." It's a powerful reminder that even the most successful partnerships can be fraught with challenges.