Just A Girl Talking Trash

Tomilynn Shorter

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Just a Girl Talking Trash is a podcast focused on women in waste, environmental services, leadership, and the real life experiences behind the industry. From leadership lessons and workplace realities to mentorship, growth, and difficult conversations, this podcast creates space for honest dialogue, personal stories, and empowering conversations from the frontlines of an industry most people never see.

3d ago

If I Said TRIR would YOU know what I am Talking About ?

If I Said TRIR… Would You Know What I’m Talking About? TRIR is one of those acronyms that gets thrown around in safety meetings, leadership discussions, and performance reviews but how many supervisors and managers actually understand what it means? In this episode of Just A Girl Talkin Trash, Tomilynn breaks down Total Recordable Incident Rate in a practical, easy-to-understand way. We talk about what TRIR measures, how it is calculated, what makes an injury OSHA-recordable, and why every frontline leader should understand the story behind the number. But this conversation goes beyond the formula. A low TRIR does not automatically mean you have a strong safety culture, and the goal should never be to protect a metric at the expense of protecting people. Strong safety leadership means recognizing hazards early, encouraging honest reporting, coaching consistently, holding people accountable, and using data to prevent the next incident not simply explain the last one. If you lead people in operations, transportation, solid waste, construction, manufacturing, utilities, or any safety-sensitive environment, this episode is for you. Know your numbers. Know your operation. Know your people. And lead before the number tells you that you didn’t.
4d ago

Before It Becomes an Incident: Situational Awareness and TRIR

Safety isn’t just about policies, procedures, or numbers—it starts with seeing the risk before something happens. In this episode of Just A Girl Talkin Trash, Tomilynn breaks down situational awareness, complacency, and the responsibility leaders have to stay engaged in the field. She also introduces TRIR and explains why strong safety leadership has to happen before an incident ever becomes a number on a spreadsheet.
Aug 12

Stop Waiting for the Title

Stop Waiting for the Title You’ve been working hard. You’ve put in the years. You’ve applied for the promotion, sat through the interviews, and watched someone else get the opportunity maybe more than once. So what do you do when you know you’re hungry for more, but the opportunity hasn’t come yet? In this episode of Just A Girl Talkin Trash, we’re talking about what happens between where you are and where you want to be. Before asking why they haven’t promoted you, ask yourself: Have I mastered the position I’m in right now? Am I learning everything I can? Have I asked for more responsibility? Am I developing the skills required for the position I say I want? Being passed over can be discouraging, but don’t allow someone else’s decision to determine your work ethic, your growth, or your future. Keep learning. Take notes. Ask questions. Bring ideas. Volunteer for projects. Find mentors. Learn another part of the operation. And yes even if somebody else takes credit for one of your ideas, keep bringing them. You’re developing something they cannot take from you: your knowledge, experience, and ability to think like a leader. There may also come a time when you realize you’ve outgrown the opportunities available where you are. That doesn’t mean you failed. It means you need to be prepared when the right door opens somewhere else. Stop waiting for the title to start becoming the leader. Master where you are. Prepare for where you’re going. And when the opportunity finally comes, make sure you’re ready for it. Just A Girl Talkin Trash Real Talk. Real Leadership. Real Impact.
Jul 28

Leadership Isn't About Building Resumes', It's About Building People

What kind of legacy will you leave as a leader? When your career is over, people probably won’t remember your title, your office, or the number of meetings you attended. They’ll remember something far more important—how you treated them. In this episode of Just A Girl Talkin’ Trash, Tomilynn explores what it truly means to lead with humility, integrity, and purpose. Through personal leadership experiences, lessons learned from trusted mentors, and practical leadership principles, she discusses why influence is earned through character, why emotional intelligence matters, and why the greatest investment any leader can make is in developing people. You’ll also learn: Why titles don’t create influence—character does.How remaining teachable strengthens your leadership.The difference between reacting and responding.Why great leaders master the art of listening.How investing in others becomes your greatest legacy. Whether you’re a frontline supervisor, manager, executive, or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge you to look beyond your résumé and focus on what matters most: building people. Because the best leaders aren’t remembered for the positions they held—they’re remembered for the lives they changed. Leadership Challenge: This week, identify one person on your team with untapped potential. Encourage them, coach them, and invest in their growth. One conversation could change the trajectory of their career.
Jul 27

Never Stop Being Teachable

Episode 10: Never Stop Being Teachable The best leaders never stop learning. In this episode of Just A Girl Talkin’ Trash, we explore one of the most overlooked qualities of exceptional leadership—being teachable. No matter your title, years of experience, or position, growth begins the moment you’re willing to listen, learn, and remain humble. We’ll discuss why emotional intelligence matters, the power of mastering the art of silence, the importance of seeking counsel, and how the most influential leaders continue to be students throughout their careers. If you’re committed to becoming a stronger leader, this episode will challenge you to ask better questions, embrace continuous learning, and lead with humility. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why great leaders never stop learningThe difference between reacting and respondingHow emotional control builds trustWhy listening is one of a leader’s greatest strengthsThe value of mentors and seeking wise counselHow humility creates stronger teams and better leadersLeadership Challenge: This week, identify one area where you can grow, seek advice from someone you respect, and intentionally listen more than you speak. Remember: The day you stop being teachable is the day you stop growing.
Jul 1

Episode 7 - HR is Not Your Enemy, But They are Not Your Manager Either

In today’s workplace, misunderstandings about the role of Human Resources (HR) are rampant. Many people often perceive HR as a complaint hotline, where they go to address every little issue that arises. However, this perception can lead to unrealistic expectations and frustrations. In this blog post, we’ll clarify what HR truly does and why understanding its role is essential for fostering a harmonious work environment. ## What Human Resources Really Does HR is not just a department meant for handling grievances; it serves several critical functions within an organization. Here’s a simplified overview of HR’s responsibilities: - Recruitment and Hiring: Attracting and retaining talent is fundamental for any organization. - Employee Relations: Managing disputes and ensuring fair treatment of employees. - Compliance: Ensuring that the company adheres to labor laws and regulations. - Training and Development: Facilitating growth opportunities for employees. - Policy Interpretation and Implementation: Guiding employees on organizational policies. These responsibilities highlight that HR’s primary role is to support the organization in managing its most valuable asset: its people. Misconceptions About HR One of the biggest misconceptions is that HR is there to make everyone happy. While HR professionals do care about employee welfare, their role is not that of a therapist or a referee. They are tasked with maintaining a balanced environment where fairness and compliance are prioritized. When employees approach HR with complaints about interpersonal issues, it’s crucial to understand that HR is not equipped to mediate every disagreement. Instead, they help guide employees on how to resolve their issues at the appropriate levels, often encouraging direct communication between the involved parties. Leadership is about solving problems at the lowest level. If employees can resolve misunderstandings among themselves, it fosters a more productive workplace. Developing the courage to have respectful conversations can significantly improve workplace relationships and reduce the burden on HR. Navigating Conflict vs. Misconduct Understanding the difference between conflict and misconduct is vital. Conflicts arise from personal differences and communication styles, while misconduct refers to violations of policy or ethics. When employees face conflicts, the first step should often be to address the issue with their supervisor or the involved party. This approach not only helps in resolving the issue but also aids in developing the leadership skills necessary for effective team management. Key Takeaways - HR's Role is Multifaceted: Understand that HR is not just about handling complaints; it has a broader responsibility in managing organizational culture and compliance. - Direct Communication is Essential: Encourage open dialogue between employees to resolve conflicts before escalating to HR. - Know the Difference: Recognizing the difference between normal workplace conflicts and misconduct can help employees navigate their workplace more effectively. In conclusion, understanding the role of HR and encouraging direct communication can create a healthier work environment. The next time you face a workplace issue, consider addressing it directly with the person involved before escalating to HR. This proactive approach not only helps in resolving conflicts but also fosters a culture of accountability and respect within the organization.
Jul 1

Becoming A Better Leader - How to Have Difficult Conversations

How to have effective difficult conversations
Jun 28

Episode 6 - Leadership is not a Title, It's a Choice

Leadership is messy and challenging, often revealed in tough moments. It’s about trust, not titles. When things get tough, people look to those who have earned respect through actions, not authority. I've learned that leadership isn't found in conference rooms but in the trenches, where real connection happens. Remember, people follow trust, not titles. It’s about becoming someone others can count on, especially when uncertainty looms. What leadership lesson has impacted you the most?

Just a Girl Talking Trash is a podcast focused on women in waste, environmental services, leadership, and the real life experiences behind the industry. From leadership lessons and workplace realities to mentorship, growth, and difficult conversations, this podcast creates space for honest dialogue, personal stories, and empowering conversations from the frontlines of an industry most people never see.

Creator

Tomilynn Shorter
Years Active

2026
Episodes

13
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Tomilynn Shorter
Show Website

Just A Girl Talking Trash