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Episode: “Platitudes Are the Wrong Way Forward”
When life gets messy, why do we reach for lazy lines like “everything happens for a reason,” “it is what it is,” or “forgive and forget”? This week, Katy and Justin unpack why platitudes feel dismissive—and what to say instead when someone is grieving, stressed, or stuck. Katy shares the raw truth of losing her mom and the unhelpful clichés that followed; Justin opens up about a family loss and the comfort of honest, imperfect words. They dig into workplace versions of platitudes, offer practical swaps that show real empathy, and debate a wild etiquette dilemma involving an event manager with major nerve. Plus: a teaser on emotional support animals (ESAs), airport chaos, and why rules matter more than vibes.

Send us the platitude you hate most: wrongwayforwardpodcast@gmail.com

Highlights / Takeaways

• Why platitudes land as dismissal—and how to respond with empathy instead
• Better alternatives to “call me if you need anything” and “what doesn’t kill you…”
• Grief talk: what helped, what hurt
• Workplace truth-telling > “it is what it is”
• Teaser: ESA rules, airport standby drama, and reading the room

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Podcast Music licensed by Wrong Way Forward Podcast and courtesy OneRepeat