“We can do hard things” | Glennon Doyle

“We can do hard things.” Cute. Catchy. But somewhere along the way, it shape-shifted from a comforting reminder into a borderline threat.

This conversation starts with Glennon Doyle’s cultural footprint: her phrase, her storytelling style, and why her work landed so strongly in a moment when everyone was already maxed out. From here, Erica and Erin explore how their definition of “hard things” has evolved to include something less celebrated: ease. 

And as we approach the end of our “All the Gurus” series, this conversation also examines what we want and need from the people we allow to shape us.

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Follow Erica Breuer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabreuer/

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Visit Trash Talk Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2451264

Transcript

We Can Do Hard Things

Trash Talk — Episode 40 | April 2026

Episode Summary

In this episode, Erica and Erin unpack the cultural phenomenon behind the phrase “We can do hard things,” popularized by Glennon Doyle. They explore how the meaning has evolved over time, where it’s often misunderstood, and how it shows up in business, identity, and everyday decision-making. The conversation challenges listeners to reconsider whether “hard” always equals “right.”

Table of Contents

• Intro
• Main Topic 1: The Rise of “We Can Do Hard Things”
• Main Topic 2: When “Hard” Becomes Misleading
• Guest Interview Highlights (Listener Hotline)
• Key Takeaways
• Call to Action

Intro

Welcome back to Trash Talk, where we unpack the ideas, phrases, and cultural narratives that shape how we live and work.

Today’s episode centers around a simple but powerful phrase: “We can do hard things.” Depending on the moment, it can feel motivating—or like pressure sitting on your chest. We’re diving into where it came from, why it resonated so widely, and how it may be impacting us in ways we don’t always question.

Main Topic 1: The Rise of “We Can Do Hard Things”

The phrase “We can do hard things,” popularized by Glennon Doyle, became especially prominent during the pandemic. At its core, the message is straightforward: hard does not mean impossible, and struggling does not mean you’re failing.

This idea marked a shift from earlier cultural narratives rooted in hustle culture—where success meant pushing through, staying quiet about challenges, and avoiding vulnerability. Instead, Doyle’s message normalized struggle as part of the human experience.

Her relatability played a major role in the message’s spread. She showed up imperfect, emotional, and real—often sharing her life in the middle of difficult moments rather than after the fact. That openness allowed audiences to connect deeply and apply the phrase to their own lives.

The phrase itself gained traction because of its flexibility. People could project their own meaning onto it—whether related to parenting, business, relationships, or personal growth. This kind of “follower co-creation” helped it spread rapidly across social media and into everyday language.

Main Topic 2: When “Hard” Becomes Misleading

Over time, the meaning of “We can do hard things” has shifted—and sometimes distorted.

One common misunderstanding is equating “hard” with endurance. The phrase can be interpreted as a call to stay in difficult situations—bad jobs, unhealthy relationships, or misaligned paths—simply because they’re hard.

But Glennon Doyle’s own story often reflects the opposite. Her life includes major decisions rooted in letting go—leaving a marriage, stepping into the unknown, and redefining identity. In that context, the “hard thing” wasn’t staying—it was leaving.

This highlights a key tension:

• Is the hard thing pushing through?
• Or is the hard thing walking away?

For many high-achieving individuals, the instinct is to endure. Letting go can feel like failure. But in practice, choosing ease, alignment, or a different path can be the more difficult—and more meaningful—choice.

There’s also a cultural tendency to romanticize struggle. Big, dramatic “hard things” (like divorce or major life changes) are often celebrated, while smaller, everyday decisions (like setting boundaries or adjusting routines) are overlooked—even though they can be just as impactful.

The result is a subtle bias: we may unconsciously choose harder paths because they feel more valid, more admirable, or more “correct.”

Guest Interview Highlights (Listener Hotline)

A listener responded to a previous episode about pursuing music as a career, challenging the idea of the “starving artist.”

“You can do well as a musician. That cliché doesn’t match what I see every day. There are people touring, performing, and building real careers.”

This perspective reinforces a broader theme from the episode:
 Sometimes the “hard thing” is not pursuing a dream—it’s believing that it’s possible despite cultural narratives telling you otherwise.

Key Takeaways

• “Hard” does not automatically mean “right” or “necessary.”
• The phrase “We can do hard things” has evolved from encouragement into, at times, pressure.
• Letting go can be just as difficult—and just as valuable—as pushing through.
• Cultural narratives often glorify struggle, which can distort decision-making.
• Small, everyday choices can be just as meaningful as major life changes.
• Ease and alignment are often undervalued but worth considering.
• The most useful interpretation of “hard things” is personal—it depends on context and intention.

Call to Action

If this episode made you rethink what “hard” means in your life, we’d love to hear from you.

Subscribe to Trash Talk, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might need a different perspective on the challenges they’re facing.

You can also call the Trash Talk hotline to share your thoughts or challenge a cliché—we might feature you in a future episode.

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/18891617