This week, we're joined by writer, editor, and audiobook evangelist Natalie Ponte ask a simple question:

Is reading really disappearing, or are we simply redefining what it means to be a reader?

Because if someone devours audiobooks while folding laundry, inhales graphic novels in a weekend, or spends hours reading newsletters, essays, and long-form journalism... are they really not a reader?

Maybe (just maybe) there are people out there clinging to a very specific and outdated idea of what reading is supposed to look like ;)

The Trash Talk Hotline

Tell us about a cliche that bothers you every time you hear it.

Leave a message on the Trash Talk hotline at (719) 819-2175—your voice could end up in a future episode.

And while you’re at it, do us a solid: subscribe, drop a review, and share this episode with your fellow Trashies.

Natalie’s Links

https://www.natalieponte.com/

https://www.schmendricks.shop/

https://linktr.ee/schmendricks

Other Links & Resource

Access our curated Libro.fm reading playlist featuring recommendations from voices we actually trust—including Roxane Gay, Layne Moore, John Waters, Mary Oliver, and Dean Spade:

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1IpzQNQgN4yJyrnT-fyMKr_em87NDSBSB

Libro.fm is an audiobook platform that lets you listen to great books while supporting your favorite independent bookstore.

Get three audiobooks for the price of one with a new membership:

Use code TRASHTALK

https://libro.fm/membership

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

“Let Them” Round II / Mel Robbins

In this episode, we close out our guru series by circling back to the origin story: Mel Robbins and the “Let Them” phenomenon; specifically, we get into domain “leakage” and the uncomfortable truth about expertise that travels well.

We also recap patterns we’ve charted over the course of these episodes, a few things became hard to ignore:

The reality is, that we help construct gurus as much as we consume them.

Stay in Touch During Summer Break

We’re heading into a summer break to step back and resist the urge to immediately turn every insight into content. If you miss us in the meantime, we’re still having these conversations, just in slightly different corners of the internet:

Follow Erin Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamerinthomas/

Erin’s newsletter: https://erinthomascommunications.com/

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

Erica’s virtual meetup:

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

Other items we mentioned during this episode

Blanding, M. (2025, February 20). Women are avoiding AI. Will their careers suffer?: Working Knowledge. Harvard Business School. https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/women-are-avoiding-using-artificial-intelligence-can-that-hurt-their-careers

“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.

The Trash Talk Hotline

Tell us about a cliche that bothers you every time you hear it.

Leave a message on the Trash Talk hotline at (719) 819-2175—your voice could end up in a future episode.

And while you’re at it, do us a solid: subscribe, drop a review, and share this episode with your fellow Trashies.

Other Links & Resources

Libro.fm is an audiobook platform that lets you listen to great books while supporting your favorite independent bookstore.

Get three audiobooks for the price of one with a new membership:

Use code TRASHTALK

https://libro.fm/membership

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

Our guest Adriana Tica drops some hard truths about the shiny, influencer-driven promises of “rapid growth at all costs.”

Together we explore the psychology behind the hype (why your brain loves the idea of exponential growth even when it’s a terrible fit for reality) and practical ways to reframe growth so you can focus on what actually works–all backed by Adriana’s 2026 State of Solopreneurship report.

The Trash Talk Hotline

Heard “scale or fail” one too many times and want to vent?

Hit up the Trash Talk hotline at (719) 819-2175—your take might just make it into a future episode.

And while you’re at it, do the usual:

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow Trashies who are tired of hype.

Adriana’s Links

https://www.adrianatica.com/newsletter/

https://dedicated-artist-4510.kit.com/products/strategy-session

https://www.threads.com/@adriana__tica

https://x.com/adriana_tica

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianatica/

Other Links & Resources

Libro.fm is an audiobook platform that lets you listen to great books while supporting your favorite independent bookstore.

Get three audiobooks for the price of one with a new membership:

Use code TRASHTALK

https://libro.fm/membership

Connect with her

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

Lee Densmer knows a thing or two about real-life chaos and she joins us on the podcast today to explain why platitudes like “this will make you stronger” aren’t it.

We explore what real strength and support look like, and sharper, smarter lenses for navigating hardship without feeling like you’re failing at growth.

The Trash Talk Hotline

Tell us about a cliche that bothers you every time you hear it.

Leave a message on the Trash Talk hotline at (719) 819-2175—your voice could end up in a future episode.

And while you’re at it, do us a solid: subscribe, drop a review, and share this episode with your fellow Trashies.

Lee Densmer Links

Website & Book: https://leedensmer.com/book/

Cohort & Course: https://leedensmer.com/cohort/

Newsletter: https://leedensmer.com/newsletter/

Other Links & Resources

Libro.fm is an audiobook platform that lets you listen to great books while supporting your favorite independent bookstore.

Get three audiobooks for the price of one with a new membership:

Use code TRASHTALK

https://libro.fm/membership

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

This week, we’re taking a short break from our regular episode schedule.

We’ll be back next week with a special guest, Lee Densmer, joining us for a conversation around the theme “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger.”

Thanks for your patience and support while we reset and get ready for the next episode.

New episode drops next week.

This week, we take a closer look at one of hustle culture’s most beloved cliches—through the lens of Tyra Banks and the high-gloss, high-pressure world of America's Next Top Model.

What’s the phrase “Work it!” really selling? On the surface, it’s about effort, “fierce” photoshoots, ambition, and showing up. But underneath, it’s as though there is an entire tough-love industrial complex to navigate.

p.s. Production note:

If the tougher, more sensitive details from the ‘Inside America’s Next Top Model’ documentary aren’t for you, you won’t find them in this episode. We stand with the victims. Their stories are theirs to tell.

The Trash Talk Hotline

Got a “work it” story that nearly worked you into the ground?

Leave a message on the Trash Talk hotline at (719) 819-2175—your voice could end up in a future episode.

And while you’re at it, do us a solid: subscribe, drop a review, and share this episode with your fellow Trashies.

Other Links & Resources

Libro.fm is an audiobook platform that lets you listen to great books while supporting your favorite independent bookstore.

Get three audiobooks for the price of one with a new membership:

Use code TRASHTALK

https://libro.fm/membership

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

To keep things fresh (and avoid going stale or dull), we turn to Erin’s 14-year-old daughter for the real scoop on the cliches today’s teens actually face, and that we’ve all faced at some point too. And maybe even a few on our plates today.

Neve Thomas is here to weigh in on: aesthetics, glowups, matching energy, boys, the pressure to define yourself, and more.

The Trash Talk Hotline

Got a story about a cliche or bad advice you’ve survived?

Leave a message on the Trash Talk hotline at (719) 819-2175—your voice could end up in a future episode.

And while you’re at it, do us a solid: subscribe, drop a review, and share this episode with your fellow Trashies.

Other Links & Resources

Libro.fm is an audiobook platform that lets you listen to great books while supporting your favorite independent bookstore.

Get three audiobooks for the price of one with a new membership:

Use code TRASHTALK

https://libro.fm/membership

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