What does “work hard, play hard” really mean and why won’t it die?

In this episode of Trash Talk, Erica and Erin sit down with Meghan French Dunbar, author and co-founder of Conscious Company Media, to unpack the cultural myth of “work hard, play hard.”

Drawing on Meghan’s new book, “This isn’t Working,” this conversation explores how play has been commodified, as well as why, despite our best efforts, hustle culture from decades ago still sneaks into modern work.

Don’t forget to leave us a review and call the hotline to share your favorite or most cringe-worthy cliches:

719-819-2175

Show Notes & Links

Buy Megan’s Book, “This Isn’t Working”

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/meghan-french-dunbar/this-isnt-working/9781541704862/

Visit Megan’s Website https://www.meghanfrenchdunbar.com/

Subscript to Megan’s podcast, “Better Than This”

https://www.meghanfrenchdunbar.com/betterthanthis

Follow Erica Breuer: LinkedIn
Follow Erin Thomas: LinkedIn
Visit the Trash Talk Website: Buzzsprout

Citations

John Morison, Religious Improvement of the Poorer Classes, London: Fisher, Son & Jackson, 1827, p. 277.

The Normal Instructor and Teachers’ World, Vol. 32, 1923, p. 92.

Quoted in The Rotarian, Vol. 77, No. 3, Sept. 1950, p. 35.

Erin Thomas and Erica Breuer talk about everyone’s favorite decision-making mantra: “If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.”

They trace this phrase back to its roots (surprisingly, it's not an influencer carousel) and get into into the messy stuff (privilege, trauma, hustle culture) that makes this cliche difficult to apply everywhere. They also review the neuroscience that proves your brain isn’t always the best hype-man when you’re chasing a hell yes.

📞Listener Hotline

Have you ever made a “meh” choice that turned into the best decision of your life—or dodged a hell yes that blew up later? We want your stories.

Call us at 719-819-2175 or DM us.

Links & Notes

• Follow Erica Breuer on LinkedIn
  
  
• Follow Erin Thomas on LinkedIn
  
  
• Trash Talk Website
  
  
• Related Episode: It’s All About Your Mindset (Season 1)

Erica and Erin are back from summer break and they’re examining the lifecycle of a cultural darling, “Let Them.” In this episode, they explore why society (sometimes) eats meaning for breakfast.

If you’ve ever wondered why some advice hits hard one day and feels hollow the next, you’ll enjoy their examination of how “Let Them” and other cliches become wallpaper for the internet.

Resources & Mentions:

→ “Let Them” poem (2019) by the original author, Cassie Phillips:

“Just let them.

If they want to choose something or someone over you, LET THEM.

If they want to go weeks without talking to you, LET THEM.

If they are okay with never seeing you, LET THEM.

If they are okay with always putting themselves first, LET THEM.

If they are showing you who they are and not what you perceived them to be, LET THEM.

If they want to follow the crowd, LET THEM.

If they want to judge or misunderstand you, LET THEM.

If they act like they can live without you, LET THEM.

If they want to walk out of your life and leave, hold the door open, AND LET THEM.

Let them lose you.

You were never theirs because you were always your own.

So let them.”

→ Cassie Phillips Contact Links

https://www.instagram.com/cassie.phillips.letthem

https://www.tiktok.com/@cassiephillips.letthem

https://www.cassie-phillips.com/

→ “Public Pressure & Mel Robbins”

https://sagejustice.substack.com/p/public-pressure-and-mel-robbins