You’ve heard the quote. You’ve probably even said it. But what if that ever-popular cliché is doing more harm than good? 

In this episode, Erica and Erin throw “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room…” under the microscope, and discover a tangled web of assumptions about intelligence, value, status, and the rooms we choose to enter (or flee from).

If this episode gave you a forehead-smack moment, or just made you feel seen, go ahead and rate & review Trash Talk on your favorite podcast app.

Transformation. It’s a buzzword that’s been overhyped and misused to the point of meaninglessness. In this episode, Erica and Erin dive into the fallout of selling the “transformational” dream in coaching, marketing, and self-development.

They break down how the promise of overnight change leads to unrealistic expectations, burnout, and shame. From Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey to Tony Robbins’ high-ticket events, “transformation” has become the ultimate sales pitch…one that’s setting everyone up for disappointment. 

Authenticity is the hill everyone wants to die on; until it gets awkward. In this episode, Erin and Erica take a scalpel to the overused advice to “just be authentic.” They dig into why this well-meaning mantra is often misleading, unpack the social and professional landmines of being real, and introduce a far more useful approach: being authent-ish. 

Along the way, they break down the paradox of authenticity and the different ways authenticity can go hilariously (or painfully) wrong. Expect also: Some light Gwen Stefani discourse and at least one moment of existential crisis.

Gary Vee told us to document, don’t create—but is that really the move in 2025?

In this episode of Trash Talk, we break down why this advice led to an era of oversharing, redundant content, and a whole lot of noise. Not everything needs to be documented, and not every “authentic” moment serves your brand. So how do you create content that actually means something?

We’re talking about the death of the “just post more” era, the rise of thoughtful branding, and how to turn your documentation into something that connects and converts—without looking like a hot mess.

Shall we?

“If you just shift your mindset, everything will change.” Sound familiar? Yeah, us too- and we’re calling BS.

Mindset isn’t a business strategy, and positive thinking won’t magically solve real problems. So why has the coaching world convinced us that our biggest barrier is our own thoughts? In this episode of Trash Talk, we break down the mindset myth, how it gets weaponized, and why it’s often used to gaslight people out of taking real action.

Mindset matters, but it won’t save you. Let’s talk about what actually will.

Listen now!

“Self-care isn’t selfish.” We’ve all heard it. But let’s be real—this phrase has been hijacked by an industry that sells bubble baths, wine nights, and spa days as the ultimate cure-all. And somehow, we still end up exhausted.

In this episode of Trash Talk, we break down how the self-care movement went from a necessary practice to an expensive (and often performative) industry. Is self-care actually fueling you—or just numbing you from the things you really need to address? We’re unpacking the hard truths, the real purpose of self-care, and why “treating yourself” isn’t always the answer.

You know you wanna listen in. Do it.

Perfection. It’s the thing we’re supposed to chase—or avoid completely, depending on who you ask. “Done is better than perfect.” “Progress, not perfection.” “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” But is it really? Or is that just another well-worn cliché that’s been warped into something unhelpful?

In this episode of Trash Talk, Erin and Erica take on the cultural tug-of-war with perfection. From childhood conditioning to business advice that contradicts itself, we unravel the mixed messages surrounding perfectionism. Is perfection always the problem? Or does it sometimes deserve a place at the table?

Let’s trash some bad advice.  Listen now!

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What if the so-called ‘truths’ of entrepreneurship and leadership were actually keeping you confused or small?

On Trash Talk, hosts Erin Thomas and Erica Breuer cut through the tired cliches and threadbare advice that dominate entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development. These ideas might be popular, but that doesn’t mean they’re useful.

The aim: To shake up listeners so they uncover sharper, smarter ways to navigate the complexities that actually matter.