Trash Talk: Where Self-Help Cliches Go to Die
What if the so-called “truths” about growth and success are actually keeping playing small?
On Trash Talk, hosts Erica Breuer and Erin Thomas unpack empty platitudes and tired cliches that dominate the business and personal development world. These ideas might be popular, but that doesn’t mean they’re useful.
Who listens to Trash Talk?
- Skeptics and Questioners of hollow advice
- Those asking why self-help advice fails
- People done with toxic self-help culture
- Anyone who wants a place to finally talk openly about all the advice that makes you roll your eyes
Trash Talk: Where Self-Help Cliches Go to Die
"It's All About Your Mindset"
“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!
It’s All About Your Mindset
Trash Talk Podcast — Episode 3 | March 25, 2025
Episode Summary
In this episode, hosts Erica Breuer and Erin Thomas dig into the overused advice to “just shift your mindset.” They explore why mindset is often oversimplified or weaponized, debunk common myths, and highlight how mindset alone isn’t enough without clear action and strategy. They share personal stories and practical insights for moving beyond mindset as a catch-all fix.
Table of Contents
- Intro
- The Mindset Myth: Why “Just Shift Your Mindset” Isn’t Enough
- Mindset vs. Strategy and Action
- When Mindset Gets Weaponized
- What Actually Works: Action Creates Confidence
- Key Takeaways
- Call to Action
Intro
Welcome to Trash Talk. Today, Erica and Erin tackle the common phrase “just shift your mindset,” unpacking why this advice often falls short or even causes harm. They share candid stories and break down how mindset fits (and doesn’t fit) into real-world growth and change.
The Mindset Myth: Why “Just Shift Your Mindset” Isn’t Enough
Erica and Erin begin by reflecting on how often people are told their mindset is the problem. Erica shares a story about a decade-long friendship and how an outside voice told her to “shift her mindset” to save it—but it was actually behavior, not perspective, that needed to change.
They highlight how mindset has become an easy sell because it’s intangible—success can be attributed to mindset shifts or blamed on lack of effort, creating a never-ending cycle. Society’s addiction to quick fixes fuels this, making mindset a popular shortcut people cling to.
Mindset vs. Strategy and Action
The hosts bust the myth that mindset alone is a business strategy. Erica recalls a personal experience at a gym where mindset encouragement didn’t help her health issue, emphasizing that mindset can’t fix biological or structural problems.
They also clarify that mindset ≠ positive thinking. Toxic positivity can actually stall progress. Mindset without strategy or clear action leads to hobby-level results rather than business growth or meaningful change.
When Mindset Gets Weaponized
Erin explains how mindset is often weaponized in communities—coaching, religious, entrepreneurial—where failure is blamed on one’s thinking or “lack of belief.” The hustle mindset emerged during economic hardship but has since been debunked, yet the pendulum swings again with shame around working hard.
Both hosts express frustration with these cycles and the smoke-and-mirrors nature of “mindset” as a cure-all.
What Actually Works: Action Creates Confidence
Erica and Erin pivot to practical advice: action creates confidence, not the other way around. They share examples like learning to pitch or doing Zumba without knowing the moves but gaining confidence through doing.
Erica shares her recent experience with business shakeups and how mindset pep talks didn’t help until she got real about her fear and took action. Erin highlights the importance of clarity and not getting stuck in confusing “mindset” advice loops.
They caution listeners to be wary of people who muddy the waters by overemphasizing mindset without moving toward clarity and action.
Highlights
- “You can have the best mindset in the world, but if your strategy sucks, so are your results.” —Erin Thomas
- “Toxic positivity is the death of progress.” —Erica Breuer
- “Action creates confidence. You fix it by doing.” —Erin Thomas
- “Mindset has a place, but it’s one piece of a bigger puzzle, not the whole damn puzzle.” —Erica Breuer
Key Takeaways
- “Shift your mindset” is often oversimplified advice that ignores behavior and structural issues.
- Mindset alone is not a business strategy and can’t replace clear plans and action.
- Toxic positivity and weaponized mindset thinking can cause harm and stagnation.
- Action precedes confidence—start doing to build momentum and clarity.
- Be cautious of programs or people who overemphasize mindset without practical next steps.
- Mindset matters but must be paired with real action to create change.
Call to Action
If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to Trash Talk for more honest conversations on culture, leadership, and growth. Please leave a review to help others find the show, and follow Erica and Erin on LinkedIn for updates and insights.
Show Notes & Links
- Follow Erica Breuer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabreuer/
- Follow Erin Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamerinthomas/
- Visit Trash Talk Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2451264
- Related Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2451264/episodes/17192625
