High Heels Higher Standards
High Heels, Higher Standards is a bold, unfiltered podcast hosted by two executive women, Ashley and Heidi, who discuss power, purpose, and the pressure to play small in careers, relationships, and life. They blend ambition with authenticity and humor with hard-hitting advice to help high-achieving women own their voice, set higher standards, live unapologetically, and level up. The show emphasizes owning your story and breaking through societal expectations while maintaining personal integrity.
Episodes
WHEN SUCCESS ISN'T ALIGNMENT: ART, AIRPORTS & 15 YEARS OF BECOMING High Heels Higher Standards | Special Episode
What if the thing you built successfully no longer fits? Ashley and her 15-year friend Laura on walking away from applause to protect what's sacred.SPECIAL OFF-CYCLE EPISODE: We're taking a breath this week.July's series on money, power, and the stories we inherited will be right here waiting for you next week. But it's summer. And this conversation — recorded earlier this year
Negotiating When You're the Only Woman at the Table
You're not bad at negotiating. You're negotiating a harder game. Heidi breaks down the visibility tax, the double bind, and the five moves that actually work.You did the research. You know the market rate. You walked in prepared.And you still left money on the table.If you've ever wondered why negotiating feels fundamentally harder for you than it seems to for everyone else in the r
The First Money Memory That's Still Running Your Life
Your money habits aren't a discipline problem. They're a memory problem. Heidi and Ashley trace your financial behavior back to the moment it actually started.You can know your worth on a spreadsheet and still flinch every time you talk about money out loud.That's not a confidence problem. That's not a strategy problem. That's a story problem — and it started long before y
Hard-Wired or Conditioned? What We Were Taught About Being Enough
You weren't too much. Somebody just needed you smaller. Ashley and Heidi get personal about the conditioning that's still running your career — and how to finally update it.You've been following a rulebook you didn't write. This week, we're finding out where it came from.In the June finale of High Heels Higher Standards' "Lead From the Inside Out" series, As
Why Women Are Promoted for Performance But Men Are Promoted for Potential
Why Women Are Promoted for Performance While Men Are Promoted for Potential | High Heels, Higher StandardsHave you ever been the person who keeps the team running, solves every problem, exceeds expectations, and still gets passed over for a promotion?You're not imagining it.In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi tackle one of the most frustrating realities facing am
The Nervous System Is Your Leadership Tool | Leadership, Burnout Recovery, Boundaries & Emotional Intelligence for Women
The Nervous System Is Your Leadership Tool | Leadership, Burnout Recovery, Boundaries & Emotional Intelligence for WomenWhat if the biggest thing holding you back at work isn't a lack of skills, confidence, or ambition—but a dysregulated nervous system?In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi interviews Ashley to explore why so many high-achieving women struggle with burnout
Career Advice: What Corporate doesn’t teach you about Power & Leadership
In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, we’re pulling back the curtain on the leadership lessons corporate America rarely teaches women.If you’ve ever wondered why the hardest-working person isn’t always the one getting promoted, why executive presence seems so difficult to define, or how workplace influence really works, this conversation is for you.Ashley sits down with executive leader
Adult Friendships, Boundaries, Brunch Disasters and the Return of Social Season
Patio season is back. Group chats are suddenly active. Brunch reservations are impossible to get. And somehow everyone has plans again after disappearing all winter.In this funny episode of *High Heels, Higher Standards*, Ashley and Heidi dive into the return of social season and the surprisingly complicated dynamics that come with it. From seasonal friendships and flaky group plans to public beha
Closet Crisis: Who Told You That Looked Good?
Closet Crisis: Who Told You That Looked Good? | Spring Fashion Identity, Personal Style & Closet ResetThe coats come off, the panic sets in… and suddenly you’re standing in front of a full closet convinced you have absolutely nothing to wear.In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi and Ashley dive into the annual spring closet crisis—the emotional spiral that hits the second the
Spring Delulu Season & Feral Girl Summer: Why Women Revisit Men They Should’ve Left in Winter
Why does everyone suddenly think they’ve healed the second the sun comes out and the weather gets nice?In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi unpack the phenomenon we’re officially calling *Spring Delulu Season* — the time of year when confidence and delusion skyrocket, boundaries weaken, and women everywhere start reconsidering men, situationships, and decisions they ba
Hot Girl Hobbies: Who Are You Becoming?
What do Pilates girls, pickleball women, running influencers, golf girls, farmer’s market aesthetics, and 'boat girl summer' all have in common?They’re not just hobbies anymore. They’re identity shifts.In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi unpack the psychology behind “hot girl hobbies” and why so many women are reinventing themselves through wellness trends,
Financial Red Flags, In Relationships & In Business
Financial Red Flags (In Relationships & In Business) | Hot Girl Finances SeriesMoney talks, and sometimes, it whispers warnings you don’t want to hear.In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, we’re diving into the financial red flags that show up in both romantic relationships and business dynamics—and why they matter far beyond your bank account.Because this isn’t about how much money
Soft Life vs. Smart Money: Can You Have Both?
The “soft life” is everywhere right now—slow mornings, ease, rest, and living beautifully. But so is the pressure to be financially disciplined, invest wisely, and build real wealth.So what happens when those two worlds collide?In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, we’re breaking down the tension between soft life culture and smart money habits—and asking the question high-achieving wom
Get Paid What You're Worth: Salary, Negotiation, & Self Worth
Are you being underpaid—and quietly accepting it? In this episode, we break down how to negotiate your salary, advocate for your value, and finally get paid what you’re worth.In this empowering and strategic conversation, Heidi and Ashley unpack the real reasons women stay underpaid—and how to change it. This isn’t just about salary negotiation. It’s about self-worth, confidence, and the standards
Love Is Not a Financial Strategy: The Marriage That Cost Me Everything | Financial Literacy for Women
What happens when you financially support a relationship… but give up control of your own money?In this candid and surprisingly funny episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley interviews Heidi about the financial reality of her first marriage—a relationship where she paid for her partner’s grad school, funded their lifestyle, carried the household… and still lost financial power.And when it
Leading People, Not Just Teams: The Real Lessons of Leadership
What does it actually mean to lead people—not just manage them?In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley sits down with Heidi to unpack the real, unfiltered lessons of people leadership—beyond titles, beyond authority, and far beyond performative boss energy.Because leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room.It’s about creating a room where other people can be brill
Stop Playing Small: How Women Reclaim Their Voice, Power & Visibility
At some point, many high-achieving women have the same quiet realization:Why do I feel invisible at work… even when I know I’m capable?In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi unpack what it really means to stop playing small—and why so many women unconsciously edit themselves in rooms they’ve worked hard to enter.Because the truth is, most women aren’t lacking confidence
Modern Feminine Leadership: What we are building
In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi are redefining what leadership looks like for the modern woman—and why the old corporate playbook is officially outdated.If you’ve ever thought, “I want to lead… but I don’t want to lose myself in the process,” this conversation is for you.Ashley and Heidi break down the shift happening in leadership right now—from outdated, perform
The Cost of Ambition for Career Women (Then vs. Today)
What does ambition really cost women—and has anything actually changed?In this powerful episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi unpack The Cost of Ambition for Women (Then vs. Today)—from the overt barriers women faced decades ago to the subtle, internalized pressures high-achieving women navigate now.Historically, ambition cost women likability, safety, and acceptance. Today, wo
Women in STEM Who Changed the World | Marie Curie, Katherine Johnson & More
This Women’s History Month, High Heels, Higher Standards honors the brilliant women whose discoveries helped build the modern world — even when history didn’t give them the credit they deserved.In Part Two of our Women’s History Month series, Ashley sits down with Heidi to explore the extraordinary female scientists, mathematicians, and innovators who reshaped medicine, space exploration, and mole
Women Who Changed the Rules (and Didn’t Ask Permission)
March is Women’s History Month — and this week on High Heels, Higher Standards, we’re moving beyond surface-level celebration and into strategy.In this powerful conversation, Heidi interviews Ashley about the women who didn’t just succeed within broken systems — they rewrote them. From Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legal strategy to Madam C.J. Walker’s economic empire, from Katherine Johnson’s NASA calcul
Main Character Energy Is a Wellness Practice
What if burnout isn’t a personal failure—but a sign you’ve been living as a supporting character in your own life?In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi explore why main character energy isn’t a trend or mindset hack—it’s a legitimate wellness practice for high-achieving women. From chronic exhaustion and people-pleasing to nervous system overload and self-abandonment, t
The Lifestyle Audit: Designing a Life That Supports The Woman You're Becoming
Are you actually tired… or is your lifestyle optimized for a version of you that no longer exists?In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi and Ashley introduce the concept of a Lifestyle Audit — a powerful personal growth tool designed to help ambitious women realign their schedule, habits, environment, and energy with the woman they’re becoming.Because wellness isn’t just about work
Wellness Isn’t Weak: The Discipline Behind Feeling Good
Is your “self-care” actually helping… or just helping you survive burnout?In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi and Ashley break down the real difference between aesthetic self-care and disciplined self-respect — and why high-achieving women need to stop confusing exhaustion with ambition.If you’re a driven woman juggling career, leadership, family, and high personal standards — b
Wellness as Strategy: Designing a Life That Supports Your Ambition
Wellness isn’t self-care. It’s strategy.In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley interviews Heidi to reframe wellness as a deliberate system that supports ambitious women, not a reaction to burnout. This conversation is for high-performing women who are done normalizing exhaustion and ready to design lives that actually sustain success.Together, they break down why constant recovery
Choosing Focus Over Frenzy: How We’re Thinking About Priorities This Year
January is loud.Declarations. Reinventions. “New year, new me” energy everywhere.In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, we’re doing something different. Instead of chasing more goals, we’re talking about choosing wisely—and why focus, not frenzy, is the real power move this year.As we close out January, Ashley turns the mic toward co-host Heidi for a grounded, strategic conversation abou
Creating a Life That Feels Like Yours: Curiosity, Joy, and Intentional Living
What if joy wasn’t something you waited for—but something you intentionally designed?In this intimate and expansive episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley sits down solo with her dear friend Doctor Kirsten Phillips for a conversation about building a life that actually feels like yours. One rooted in curiosity, community, intentional joy, and the courage to follow desire without needing i
What I’m Not Fixing About Myself This Year (And Why I’m Done Trying to Be Palatable)
What if you’re not broken—just exhausted from trying to be palatable?In this deeply honest January episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi and Ashley opt out of "New Year New Me" and fix-yourself culture that tells women they’re perpetually unfinished. As part of our Goals, Not Resolutions series, we’re challenging the idea that growth has to come from self-criticism, endless heal
January is for Stabilizing, NOT Transforming (You’re Right on Time)
January doesn’t have to be about reinvention.It can be about regulation, steadiness, and coming back to yourself.Join us for our Goals, NOT Resolutions Series in this quietly rebellious episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi dismantle the pressure to “start over” in January and offer a radically calming alternative: stabilization instead of transformation.If you’re feeling tired
Goals, Not Resolutions: A Grown-Woman Guide to Setting 2026 Up for Success
This New Years Eve ditch the dramatic resolutions and enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and champagne. 🥂 In this vibrant New Year’s episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi and Ashley redefine what it means to set goals in a way that ambitious, growth-minded women actually achieve. If you’re searching for “personal growth,” “personal development goals,” or “how to set meaningful goals,” t
Home for the Drama-days: How to Deal with Family Drama During the Holidays
Home for the Drama-Days: How to Deal with Family and Keep Your Cool at Family Holiday Gatherings (Without Matching Chaos)The holidays are here and so are the opinions, comments, old stories, and emotionally charged casseroles.In this laugh-out-loud episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi tackle one of the most universal December dilemmas: going home to family dynamics that haven’
Holiday Hosting with Higher Standards: How to Handle Difficult Holiday Guests (Boundaries, Scripts & Survival Tips)
Surviving Difficult Guests: You Can Light the Candles and Hold Your Boundaries, Martha Stewart Would ApproveHosting holiday guests should feel elegant, warm, and maybe a little glamorous… but let’s be honest: sometimes it feels like emotional survival. In this hilarious, practical, high-glam guide to holiday hosting, Ashley and Heidi break down how to handle difficult guests, family dynamics, boun
Emotional Hangovers During the Holidays: When the Glitter Settles and the Chaos Hits
Emotional Hangovers During the Holidays: Coping with the holiday rush and the post party come downEver wake up the day after a holiday party feeling emotionally drained, overstimulated, or low-key regretful — even if you had “fun”? Welcome to the emotional hangover, babe. In this raw, cozy-glam holiday episode, Ashley and Heidi unpack the mental fog, post-party crash, family triggers, and loneline
Untangling the Tinsel: Spending the Holidays Alone Without the Toxic Ones
If this is your first holiday, thanksgiving or Christmas without toxic family, a draining partner, or the chaos you grew up with, this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards is your permission slip to protect your peace, protect your energy, and romanticize spending the holidays solo for the softest December of your life. In “Untangling the Tinsel: Spending the Holidays Alone Without the Toxic On
The Girl Gang Effect: Why Female Friendships Make You Unstoppable
Why does spending time with powerful, aligned women make you feel more confident, creative, and unstoppable? In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi Hushak break down the science, psychology, and strategy behind what they call The Girl Gang Effect — the transformative power of female friendship.This conversation blends neuroscience with real-life girl talk, r
Wine Night Science: Why Talking With Your Girls Heals You Faster Than Therapy
Ever notice how one night of girl talk can leave you feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded — even if nothing in your life has changed? Turns out, that’s not just emotional — it’s science.In this funny, cozy, and research-backed episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi Hushak break down the neurochemical power of female friendship — why talking with your girlfrien
Soulmate Energy, but Make It Friendship
Not every soulmate is romantic. Some wear high heels, carry iced coffee, and show up exactly when you need them most. In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Ashley and Heidi explore the concept of friendship soulmates — the women who change your life and arrive through divine timing.Together, they unpack the psychology and soul behind female connection:What makes a “friendship soulmate” and how
Black Cat Energy: Mastering Self-Worth, Boundaries, and Feminine Mystery
Black Cat or Golden Retriever? Every woman has had a golden retriever phase, over-texting, over-giving, over-analyzing, chasing validation instead of embodying self-worth. But that era is over. In this empowering episode, Ashley and Heidi dive deep into “Black Cat Energy,” the art of magnetic feminine confidence, emotional regulation, and the psychology of attraction.Learn how to stop chasing lov
They Didn’t Burn Witches, They Burned Women: History of Witches, Women's Rights, Wrongs and Reclamation
In this powerful and deeply thought-provoking episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi Hushak uncover the real history behind the witch hunts — and how the same systems of fear, control, and silencing that once burned women at the stake still echo in modern culture today.This episode goes beyond history to explore the psychology of power, the erasure of feminine intel
Emotional Vampires ( & Narcissists) Are Real: The Neuroscience of Emotional Contagion
Ever walk out of a meeting, happy hour, or family dinner feeling completely drained? You might’ve just met an emotional vampire. In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi Hushak and Ashley Werner break down the science and spirituality behind energy drain—and how to protect your personal power from toxic people, workplace burnout, and emotional exhaustion.The Science: Learn how mirror
Everything is Energy
What if you could literally change your life just by shifting your energy? In this powerful episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Heidi Hushak and Ashley Werner explore the transformative truth behind the phrase “Everything is Energy.”From the science of neural pathways and mirror neurons to the spiritual practices of grounding and energy clearing, this episode bridges neuroscience, spiri
Moon Magic & Menstrual Cycles: Rhythms, Hormones, and Influence
Are women really affected by the moon—or are we just being dramatic? 🌙 Spoiler: it’s a little bit of both.In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi blend science and spirituality to uncover the powerful connection between menstrual cycles, moon phases, hormones, and women’s leadership potential. From circadian vs. infradian rhythms to ancient lunar rituals, this conversatio
Intuition Isn’t Imaginary: The Science of Gut Feelings
Have you ever had a gut feeling about someone—or a situation—that turned out to be right? In this empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Heidi and Ashley break down the science of women’s intuition, proving it’s more than just a hunch. From the neurobiology of gut instincts and the gut-brain connection via the vagus nerve, to the centuries-old history of women being labeled “wit
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First! Why self-care isn't Selfish, Its Strategic!
Episode 11: Put Your Own Oxygen Mask On First - Why self care isn't Selfish -- Its Strategic!In this empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi unpack one of the most important lessons ambitious women need to hear: self-care isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. Just like the flight attendants say, you have to put your own oxygen mask on first.Too often, women are praised fo
The Corporate Woman’s Guide to Solo Global Travel
The Corporate Woman’s Guide to Solo Global TravelIn this empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi and Ashley dive into the art of solo global travel for ambitious, career-driven women. Whether you’re flying out for an international business trip or planning a solo adventure, Ashley—who has traveled to over 35 countries—shares her best strategies to pack like a pro, fly well, stay
Handling Insults with Discernment: Why Only Broke Men will call you a GoldDigger
Why is it that the only people who scream “gold digger” are the ones without any gold to begin with? 👀 This week on High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi dive into one of the oldest, laziest insults aimed at ambitious women: being called a “gold digger.”From broke-boy logic to jealous “pick me” energy, they unpack:✨ The real origin of the term “gold digger”✨ Why rich, confident men never
Define Yourself, Darling
Define Yourself, Darling | High Heels, Higher StandardsAre you living by someone else’s definition of you? In this empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Heidi Hushak and Ashley Werner pull back the curtain on what it really takes to reclaim your identity, silence the nay-sayers, and step boldly into the version of yourself you’ve always dreamed of becoming.Ashley shares powerfu
Bite Sized Brilliance: Overcoming Overwhelm & ADHD Productivity Hacks to Tackle Big Tasks
Feeling overwhelmed by a giant to-do list that looks more like a CVS receipt than a game plan? In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, we're serving up our best productivity tips, ADHD hacks, and breaking down how to “eat the elephant” one fabulous bite at a time.Ashley and Heidi share ADHD-friendly productivity strategies to help you tackle big projects, avoid procrastination, and
Do It Scared
Do It Scared – Why Courage Matters More Than ConfidenceIf you’re waiting to feel “ready,” you’ll be waiting forever. Discover why courage — not confidence — is the key to success, and how taking messy, imperfect action now will get you further than waiting for perfect conditions.Stop waiting to feel “ready.” In this raw and empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi Hushak interview
Setting Boundaries & Saying No With Style
Ready to upgrade your boundaries without apologizing for your ambition? In this empowering, witty, and refreshingly real episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Heidi Hushak and Ashley Werner get bold about the power of saying “no” in heels, with grace, and without guilt.Ashley, the self-proclaimed Boundaries Queen, breaks down why so many high-achieving women struggle to set limits and how
Happy Women Don't Hate! (4)
Why do some women tear others down? Especially when you're shining the brightest? In this bold and unfiltered episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi dive into the real reasons behind female jealousy, mean girl energy, and what happens when confidence triggers insecurity.From toxic friendships to workplace competition, they break down how to spot the subtle signs of sabotage
Women in Hot Water - How Women Transform through Adversity (Egg, Potato, or Coffee)
In this powerful episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, co-hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi Hushak unpack what it means to transform through adversity, not just survive it. Titled “Women in Hot Water,” this inspiring conversation explores the popular metaphor of the egg, the potato, and coffee, each representing how women respond to pressure, trauma, and life’s toughest moments.Are you hardening fr
We Don't Date Potential
Episode 1,3: We Don’t Date PotentialIn this bold and unfiltered episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, co-hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi Hushak unpack the all-too-common trap of dating for potential instead of reality. If you’ve ever fallen for a man’s promise rather than his presence, this one’s for you.Ashley shares personal insights and lived experiences about investing in relationships that l
You're not Too Much, they're just Medium
Episode 1: You’re Not Too Much, They’re Just MediumHave you ever been called too intense, too ambitious, too emotional, or too much? In this fiery and affirming episode, Ashley and Heidi break down the backhanded compliments and subtle gaslighting that powerful women face when they dare to take up space.We’re flipping the script on the narrative that asks women to dim their light to make others co
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