In this episode of Girl Boss Red Flags, Erin and Tay dive into the shady world of pay-to-play visibility scams with publicist Brooke Young. Brooke spills the tea on her own experiences—both personal and professional—and breaks down how these scams take advantage of people’s wallets and emotions.

They chat about spotting red flags, avoiding sketchy deals, and what actually works when it comes to getting legit media features and speaking gigs. From the truth about paid media to building real visibility the right way, this convo is packed with must-know tips to help you make smart moves for your business.

Connect with Brooke Young on Facebook

CHAPTERS

00:52 Brooke's Background and Pay to Play Scams

01:55 Heartbreaking Stories of Pay to Play Victims

04:09 The Normalization of Pay to Play in Coaching

15:30 The Illusion of Credibility in Paid Media

18:55 Red Flags and Consumer Awareness

34:53 Foundations for Successful Media Engagement

42:56 Where to Find Brooke

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Mentioned in this episode:

Girl Boss Red Flags Disclaimer and Trigger Warning

Some of the topics that we talk about in this episode may be triggering or distressing. If you find yourself experiencing strong emotions at any point during listening, please do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Secondly, nothing that we discuss in this episode constitutes legal, medical, or professional mental health advice. We are not lawyers, we are not doctors, and we are not clinical mental health professionals. If you think that you or someone you know may have been scammed, please consult the relevant professionals so that you can get the advice that you need for your situation.

In this episode of Girl Boss Red Flags, Erin and Tay introduce a special panel discussion focused on diversity in the coaching and online business industry. Shanel, a business advisor and marketing coach; Famira, a brand transformation guide; Dena, a civil servant and mental health advocate; and Sharmila, a public relations and brand consultant, join the conversation.

The panelists share their backgrounds, discuss their challenges as BIPOC individuals in overwhelmingly white spaces, and offer insights into identifying genuine diversity versus performative allyship. They also explore the impact of the current U.S. administration's stance on DEI and the future of safe and inclusive business practices.

Connect with Shanel Evans

Connect with Famira Green

Connect with Dena Rafati

Connect with Sharmila Siew

CHAPTERS

00:54 Meet the Panelists

04:15 Challenges in the Coaching Industry

24:18 Red Flags in Business Programs

37:06 Creating Our Own Spaces

39:05 Identifying Green Flags in Collaborations

42:07 The Importance of Integrity and Authenticity

49:27 Navigating the Current Political Climate

01:02:09 Final Thoughts and Ways to Connect

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CONNECT WITH GBRF

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @girlbossredflags

Submit your Media Inquiries here

Mentioned in this episode:

Girl Boss Red Flags Disclaimer and Trigger Warning

Some of the topics that we talk about in this episode may be triggering or distressing. If you find yourself experiencing strong emotions at any point during listening, please do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Secondly, nothing that we discuss in this episode constitutes legal, medical, or professional mental health advice. We are not lawyers, we are not doctors, and we are not clinical mental health professionals. If you think that you or someone you know may have been scammed, please consult the relevant professionals so that you can get the advice that you need for your situation.

In this episode of Girl Boss Red Flags, we're keeping the convo going with sex and relationship experts Haylin Belay, Juliette Karaman van Schaardenburg, and Yael Rosenstock Gonzalez. If you have not listened to Hot Topics Part One, we recommend that you listen to that first so that you understand context.

We dive into the wild world of sex and relationship coaching—unpacking how culty dynamics can creep in. We’re breaking down sketchy advice, spotting red (and green!) flags in the coaching space, and exploring how cultural and religious backgrounds shape our views on sex. Plus, with everything going on in the world, we’re talking about why pleasure and self-care matter more than ever—along with real, practical tips for finding support in today’s fast-changing landscape.

Connect with Haylin Belay here

Connect with Juliette Karaman van Schaardenburg here

Connect with Yael Rosenstock Gonzalez here

CHAPTERS

01:48 Understanding Cult Dynamics

05:19 The Role of Authority in Oppression

07:04 Problematic Advice in Coaching

15:39 Green Flags in Coaches

23:15 Cultural Sensitivity in Coaching

25:47 Certification and Bias in Sexuality Professionals

30:18 Creating Safe Learning Environments

35:29 Political Climate and Women's Rights

43:46 Final Thoughts and Resources

46:49 Preview of Next Episode

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CONNECT WITH GBRF

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @girlbossredflags

Submit your Media Inquiries here

Mentioned in this episode:

Girl Boss Red Flags Disclaimer and Trigger Warning

Some of the topics that we talk about in this episode may be triggering or distressing. If you find yourself experiencing strong emotions at any point during listening, please do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Secondly, nothing that we discuss in this episode constitutes legal, medical, or professional mental health advice. We are not lawyers, we are not doctors, and we are not clinical mental health professionals. If you think that you or someone you know may have been scammed, please consult the relevant professionals so that you can get the advice that you need for your situation.