Trial & Error & Error Podcast

Trial & Error & Error Podcast

Two work besties thriving in their late 20s, (or attempting to). Relationships, work, family, society expectations... And the return of Lindsay Lohan. You know what they say: ”3rd time’s the charm!” Our goal is to make ”Fetch” happen.

  1. Aug 26

    58. The world has missed out on this Oyster - The 10 biggest mistakes of your 20s

    Your 20s are basically: iced coffee ☕️, questionable texts 📱, and the bold confidence to say “I’ll start budgeting next week” 💸. So… naturally, we made an episode about it 🎙️✨ In this week’s chaos-coded chat, we’re breaking down the 10 biggest mistakes people make in their twenties — from thinking you need to have life “figured out” by 25 🫠, to building your entire personality around your job 💼, to staying in situationships that ended 3 business months ago 💔. It’s funny, it’s a little brutal 😅, it’s wildly relatable, and it might save you from at least one emotional support spiral 🌀 Expect laughs 😂, research-backed reality checks 🧠, and plenty of “wait… I do that” moments 😭 Key takeaways (aka your gentle wake-up call) ✅ You’re not behind — you’re just early ⏳💛 Your 20s are literally designed for experimenting, failing, pivoting, and trying again. Your job is something you do, not who you are 💼≠🧍 Having multiple “identities” (friend, hobbyist, gym-goer, menace) makes you more resilient. Money avoidance is expensive 💸📉 Compound interest doesn’t care that you were “too young to think about investing.” Love shouldn’t feel like a full-time emergency 🚨❤️ Chaos isn’t chemistry. Confidence is a reward, not a prerequisite 🏃‍♀️➡️😌 Action first, confidence later. Almost nothing is permanent 🔁🌍 Careers change, people reinvent themselves, and you’re allowed to pivot without a dramatic rebrand. Resources & sources mentioned 📚🔍 Books 📖 Meg Jay — The Defining Decade Morgan Housel — The Psychology of Money Ramit Sethi — I Will Teach You to Be Rich Bill Perkins — Die With Zero Brené Brown — The Gifts of Imperfection James Clear — Atomic Habits Oliver Burkeman — Four Thousand Weeks Research / concepts 🧠 Arnett, J. J. (2000) — Emerging Adulthood: A Theory of Development From the Late Teens Through the Twenties (American Psychologist) Arnett, J. J. (2014) — Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens Through the Twenties Jay, M. (2012) — clinical work & research on the developmental importance of your twenties Harvard Study of Adult Development (ongoing) — long-term findings on relationships, wellbeing, life satisfaction Kahneman, D. & Tversky, A. — decision-making research (incl. Sunk Cost Fallacy) World Health Organization (WHO) — young adult health & prevention guidance OECD — financial literacy and youth economic wellbeing reports Podcast / video inspiration 🎧📺 The Diary of a CEO (Steven Bartlett) On Purpose with Jay Shetty The Mel Robbins Podcast The Psychology of Your 20s The School of Life (YouTube) TED Talks: Meg Jay (“Why 30 Is Not the New 20”), Brené Brown (“The Power of Vulnerability”)

  2. Aug 12

    57. Toxic Friendships

    You know that friend who swears they’re happy for you… but somehow their “compliments” sting like a wax strip? Yeah. This episode is for that. 😬💅🔥 In “Toxic Friendships”, we dive into the glamorous, confusing, low-key unhinged world of the frenemy: the “bestie” who’s weirdly competitive, suspiciously jealous, and about as trustworthy as a man who says “I’m just going to the bathroom” at a party. We break down what actually makes a frenemy (spoiler: it’s not just “being a bit shady”), how frenemies are different from messy-but-real ambivalent relationships, and why some of us keep these people in our lives anyway (hello, shared friend groups and workplace politics). Expect philosophy, psychology, petty anecdotes, and a loving reminder that boundaries are hotter than revenge. 📚🧠🍿🚧 ✨ Key takeaways Frenemies aren’t just “bad friends”: the pattern is usually competition + jealousy + lack of trust. Ambivalent relationships (high highs + low lows) can still mess with your health—sometimes more than you’d expect. Frenemies often happen when: you used to be real friends, you’re stuck in the same social circle/work/class, the relationship survives on proximity, not peace. You don’t always need to “cut them off dramatically in a restaurant.” Sometimes the move is awareness + boundaries + distance. 🔎 Resources & sources (mentioned in the episode) Delaney & Malakhova (2018) — Philosophy Now article discussing frenemies as a friendship “façade” with underlying resentment. Williams & Packer-Williams (2019) — Work discussing frenemies and relational aggression (and how definitions can get gendered). Research on ambivalent relationships and health outcomes (e.g., links to cardiovascular stress, blood pressure, depression, and interpersonal conflict). Aristotle’s classic friend categories (pleasure, utility, virtue) — and our unofficial addition: the frenemy, obviously.

  3. Aug 5

    56. Show Me the Money: How to Ask for a Raise

    Ever rehearsed asking for a raise... only to convince yourself you're being "too greedy" five minutes later? Yeah, us too. 😅 In this episode, we're diving into one of the most nerve-wracking conversations of your career: asking for more money. We unpack whether it's actually okay to ask for a raise in your first few years, why Millennials and Gen Z are changing jobs more than ever, how to figure out what you're really worth, and the exact questions you should ask your manager when it's time to talk salary. No awkward corporate jargon, no "girl boss" clichés—just practical advice, research-backed insights, and the confidence boost you need to start advocating for yourself. Because doing great work deserves to be recognised. 💸✨ Key Takeaways 📝 Know your value before you negotiate: Research market salaries, understand your unique skills, and gather evidence of your achievements before asking for a raise. It's about impact, not time served: You don't have to wait five years—if your responsibilities and contributions have grown, it's reasonable to start the conversation. Preparation beats confidence: A well-prepared case with measurable results is far more persuasive than simply saying you've worked hard. A "no" isn't the end: If a raise isn't possible now, ask what specific goals you need to achieve and agree on a timeline to revisit the discussion. Salary isn't the only thing you can negotiate: Bonuses, flexible working, extra leave, professional development, and promotion pathways can all be valuable parts of your compensation. Resources & Sources 🔗📚 European Commission — Labour Market and Wage Developments in Europe 2025 OECD — Employment Outlook 2025 International Labour Organization (ILO) — Global Wage Report Linda Babcock & Sara Laschever — Women Don't Ask Leigh Thompson — The Mind and Heart of the Negotiator Daniel H. Pink — To Sell Is Human Ramit Sethi — I Will Teach You To Be Rich Adam Grant — Research on workplace performance, negotiation, and career development Harvard Business Review — Articles on salary negotiation and career progression Glassdoor — Salary Insights and Market Data LinkedIn Salary Insights Payscale — Compensation and Salary Research Robert Half & Hays — European Salary Guides Bank of America Institute — Research on wage growth among job switchers versus employees who stay with the same employer (Friendly reminder: every company has different compensation policies and budget cycles. This episode is intended for educational purposes and offers general career advice—always consider your own workplace policies and circumstances when negotiating your salary.)

  4. Jul 22

    54. STDon't

    Ever wish STIs came with an unsubscribe button? Same. In this episode, we’re getting comfy with the uncomfy and talking all things STIs/STDs—what they are, how they spread (spoiler: it’s not just one kind of sex), why symptoms are not a trustworthy narrator, and how to protect yourself. No shame, no scare tactics—just facts, laughs, and the kind of info that makes your future self say: “Omg thank you.” 💅🏽✨ Key Takeaways 📝 STI vs STD: An infection can exist without symptoms (STI), while an STD is when it progresses into a disease state. You can’t “tell” by looking: Most STIs can be totally symptom-free—testing is the only real tea. Transmission is broader than you think: Oral, anal, vaginal, skin-to-skin contact, and even shared toys can all be routes. Prevention isn’t just condoms: Vaccines (HPV, Hep B), regular testing, honest convos, and PrEP/PEP for HIV all matter. Stigma helps nobody: Having an STI isn’t a moral failing—it’s a medical situation. Period. Resources & Sources 🔗📚 World Health Organization (WHO) — Sexually Transmitted Infections Fact Sheet (2025) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — About Sexually Transmitted Infections (2024) CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance Report (2024) CDC — STI Treatment Guidelines Hufstetler K, et al. — Clinical Updates in Sexually Transmitted Infections (2024) Wu Z, et al. — Global, Regional, and National Burden of HIV and Other STIs (2025) Deng M, et al. — Global Burden of Disease 2021 Study Results (2025) Wang W, Sawleshwarkar S, Piraveenan M. — Computational Approaches of Modelling HPV Transmission…: A Systematic Review (2024) National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — Sexually Transmitted Infections: Adopting a Sexual Health Paradigm American Sexual Health Association — An Overview of Common STIs, Testing, and Treatment (2026) National Health Service (NHS) — Sexually Transmitted Infections (2024) Cribier B. — Sexually Transmitted Diseases: An Unprecedented Overview (2025) (Friendly reminder: this episode is educational and not a substitute for medical advice—talk to a healthcare professional for personal guidance.)

  5. Jul 15

    53. Fitness & Menstruation: Is there any truth behind cycle syncing?

    Ever wondered why your body can feel like a high-performing athlete one week and a mildly haunted potato the next? 🏋️‍♀️🥔👻 This week on Trial & Error & Error, we’re talking periods, hormones, and the internet’s favorite wellness buzzword: cycle syncing. 🩸🧠✨ We break down the menstrual cycle (without the high school trauma), how hormonal contraception actually works, and what science really says about training “by your phase.” Spoiler: your uterus didn’t get the memo about being perfectly predictable—and neither did the research. If you’ve ever thought, “Am I genuinely weaker today, or is my luteal phase just being dramatic?”… welcome home. 😮‍💨📉💅 Key takeaways 🗓️ There’s no “normal” cycle that fits everyone: 28 days is an average, not a rule—typical cycles vary widely (often ~21–35 days). 📈📉 Hormones fluctuate, but performance effects aren’t consistent: research shows some people feel worse in late luteal/early follicular, but objective performance changes are mixed and highly individual. 🧩 Cycle syncing isn’t a one-size-fits-all training plan: there isn’t strong evidence for a universal “best workout per phase,” so personalization beats trends. 😵‍💫 Perceived effort can change even if strength doesn’t: mood, sleep, stress, cramps, and symptoms can make the same workout feel harder—adjusting is not “quitting,” it’s smart. 🩺 If symptoms are intense or disruptive, get checked: conditions like PCOS/endometriosis can change everything—don’t normalize suffering. 🔗 Resources (links) 🌸 Start here (easy, practical reads) Menstrual Cycle 101 (Clue) — a clear overview of phases, hormones, and what’s actually happening each month: Read Birth Control 101 (Clue) — a plain-English guide to the different methods + how they work: Read 🧪 For the science-y listeners (research papers) Menstrual cycle & performance review (Open access, PMC): PMC7916245 Hormones/menstrual cycle research (Open access, PMC): PMC6710244 Menstrual cycle / exercise-related research (Open access, PMC): PMC8508274 Cycle-related symptoms/physiology paper (Open access, PMC): PMC5820163 Cycle, hormones, and related health outcomes (Open access, PMC): PMC5708589 Peer-reviewed journal article (Springer) — may be behind a paywall depending on your access: 10.1007/s00737-020-01094-0

  6. Jul 8

    52. To forgive but not forget

    Ever been told to “forgive and forget” like your brain has a little Delete button and your nervous system didn’t get the memo? 🧠🗑️ In this episode, we unpack what forgiveness actually means (spoiler: it’s not excusing bad behavior, and it’s definitely not handing someone a VIP wristband back into your life). We get into the psychology, the history, the science, and the messy human reality of letting go—without gaslighting yourself into amnesia. If you’re trying to heal from a betrayal, a friendship fallout, a situationship with audacity, or just your own past decisions… consider this your permission slip to forgive with boundaries and remember with wisdom. 🧾🧱✨ ✨ Key takeaways 🤝 Forgiveness ≠ reconciliation. You can forgive someone and still choose distance. 🧠 Forgetting isn’t the goal—and often isn’t possible. Memory can be protection. 🧯 The opposite of forgiveness isn’t remembering; it’s staying emotionally on fire. ⚠️ “Forgive and forget” can be dangerous when it pressures people to tolerate harm. 🪞 Self-forgiveness matters too—when it includes accountability, not excuses. 🔎 Resources & sources (for the show notes) 📘 Robert Enright’s forgiveness process model research 🎯 Everett Worthington’s REACH Forgiveness Model 📊 Wade, Hoyt, Kidwell & Worthington (2014): meta-analysis on forgiveness interventions 🧑‍⚕️ American Psychological Association (APA): forgiveness and health 🧾 Kim et al. (2022): forgiveness and psychological health outcomes 🧠 Raj et al. (2016): mental health and forgiveness 🕰️ Historical origins of the phrase “forgive and forget” 📰 Washington Post coverage referencing recent forgiveness research + the Global Flourishing Study

Ratings & Reviews

About

Two work besties thriving in their late 20s, (or attempting to). Relationships, work, family, society expectations... And the return of Lindsay Lohan. You know what they say: ”3rd time’s the charm!” Our goal is to make ”Fetch” happen.