In this episode of Tough Talks, Brave Everyday sits down with co-host Luke Leyland to unpack the messy, personal topic of unrealistic expectations — what they are, who sets them, and how they shape self-esteem.

The conversation covers unrealistic expectations placed on single parents and working mums, outdated "Fred Flintstone" gender roles in the household, and the emotional load of being the one who "does it all." Luke opens up about a genuinely unrealistic ask, trying to arrange a fight in the Colosseum in Rome, and what he learned when the answer was a hard no. They also dig into how unrealistic expectations tie into low self-esteem and depression, why growing as a person can cost you certain friendships, and why setting boundaries and protecting your energy matters more with age.