High Heels Higher Standards

Ashley Werner
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High Heels, Higher Standards is a bold, unfiltered podcast where two executive women get real about power, purpose, and the pressure to play small in careers, relationships and life. Ashley & Heidi blend ambition with authenticity and humor with hard-hitting advice to help high-achieving women own their voice, set the bar higher,  live unapologetically, and level up. 

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Financial Red Flags, In Relationships & In Business

    Financial Red Flags (In Relationships & In Business) | Hot Girl Finances Series Money 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 someone has. It’s about how they think about money, handle pressure, communicate responsibility, and align their actions with reality. From vague answers and avoidance… to inconsistent spending, delayed payments, and “it’ll figure itself out” energy… we’re breaking down the subtle (and not-so-subtle) patterns that can signal deeper issues in how someone operates. And yes—this one gets personal. We’re sharing real stories from dating experiences to corporate chaos, including: The date that looked confident… until the bill cameThe company running on “vibes” instead of financial strategyThe partner who always had an excuse—but never a paymentBecause here’s the truth: patterns don’t lie. But we’re not just calling out red flags—we’re also talking about what healthy financial behavior actually looks like: Clear, grounded communication about moneyConsistency between words and actionsAccountability when things go wrongFinancial habits that support real life—not just appearancesAnd most importantly, how to notice red flags without becoming reactive or overly critical—so you can make smarter, more aligned decisions in love, work, and your own life. If you’ve ever second-guessed your instincts about money in a relationship… or ignored a “small” issue that later became a big one… this episode will sharpen your awareness in the best way. Power Question: What financial behaviors are you normalizing that don’t actually feel aligned? Listen now and start making decisions that reflect your standards—not your tolerance. Support the show Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast Thank you for listening, lovelies!

    35 min

  2. 29 APR

    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 women are quietly wrestling with: Do women have to choose… or can you actually have both? We redefine what “soft life” really means (hint: it’s not laziness), and what “smart money” actually looks like (spoiler: it’s not deprivation). Then we get honest about the two extremes—what happens when you prioritize ease without financial stability, and what happens when you build wealth but forget to enjoy your life. Because here’s the truth: A soft life without financial security isn’t sustainable… And a financially disciplined life without joy isn’t aligned. This episode is your blueprint for integrating both—so you can create a life that feels good and holds up. Inside this episode: The real definition of the “soft life” (and why it’s been misunderstood)What “smart money” actually means for modern womenWhy high-achieving women feel forced to choose between rest and wealthThe hidden anxiety behind an unstructured soft lifeThe burnout risk of hyper-discipline and delayed gratificationHow to create a “safe soft life” backed by financial stabilityPractical shifts to balance spending, saving, investing, and enjoyingHow to design a lifestyle that supports both present joy and future wealthIf you’ve ever felt torn between living well now and building wealth for later, this conversation will change how you think about both. Because the goal isn’t just to look like you have a soft life— It’s to feel secure inside of it. Follow High Heels, Higher Standards for more conversations on power, money, mindset, and building a life that meets your standards. And if this episode resonates, share it with a friend who’s done choosing between ease and ambition. Support the show Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast Thank you for listening, lovelies!

    24 min

  3. 22 APR

    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 you set in your career. We cover why high-performing women often get paid less, the mindset shifts blocking you from earning more, how self-worth directly impacts your salary, proven salary negotiation strategies that actually work, what to say and what not to say in a negotiation, how to confidently ask for a raise without over-explaining, why being “likable” is costing you money, and how to position yourself as high-value in the workplace. Whether you’re preparing for a job offer, promotion, or performance review, this episode will give you the tools to negotiate with clarity, confidence, and authority. Because your salary isn’t just a number—it’s a reflection of what you believe you deserve. This episode is perfect for women who want career growth and leadership success, higher pay and better opportunities, stronger negotiation skills, and more confidence in corporate environments. Support the show Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast Thank you for listening, lovelies!

    27 min

  4. 15 APR

    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 ended? She had to pay him alimony. This episode kicks off our Financial Literacy series with a story every woman needs to hear—because this isn’t just about one marriage. It’s about the financial patterns, power dynamics, and money mistakes that women are rarely taught to recognize. We break down: The difference between shared finances vs. financial controlWhy access to your money is powerThe hidden risks of combining finances without structureHow women unintentionally give up financial leverage in relationshipsThe financial consequences of divorce, alimony, and income imbalancePractical steps to protect your income, assets, and independenceIf you’re navigating marriage, dating, cohabitation, or simply want to build stronger financial habits—this episode is your wake-up call. Because love is not a financial strategy. And financial literacy is not optional. 🎧 Listen now and start building financial confidence, independence, and long-term wealth—without sacrificing your standards. 📲 Follow us @high.heels.higher for more conversations on ambition, money, relationships, and modern feminine leadership. Support the show Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast Thank you for listening, lovelies!

    32 min

  5. 8 APR

    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 brilliant. Drawing from years of experience leading teams, navigating high-stakes decisions, and developing people across complex organizations, Heidi shares what leadership actually looks like in practice—what it requires, what it costs, and what most people get wrong. From the difference between managing tasks and leading humans… To the uncomfortable realities of accountability, hard conversations, and letting go of ego… To the truth about trust, boundaries, and building teams that don’t depend on you to function— This episode is a masterclass in modern, human-centered leadership. You’ll learn: The difference between management and true people leadershipWhy great leaders focus on development—not just resultsThe biggest misconceptions about leadership (especially for high-achieving women)How to build trust through consistency, clarity, and real careWhy leadership is more about responsibility than likabilityHow to lead with integrity—even when decisions are unpopularThe mindset shift that helps you grow leaders instead of creating dependencyAnd most importantly— Why leadership isn’t something you perform. It’s something you practice. If you’re stepping into leadership, growing a team, or redefining your leadership style as a woman in business—this conversation will challenge, ground, and elevate how you show up. Because the best leaders don’t just deliver results. They shape people. They set standards. They change environments. 🎧 Follow High Heels, Higher Standards for more conversations on leadership, confidence, boundaries, and building a career—and life—on your own terms. 📲 Share this episode with a woman who is stepping into her next level of leadership. And remember— keep your heels, your head, and your standards high. Support the show Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast Thank you for listening, lovelies!

    47 min

  6. 1 APR

    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 or competence. They’ve just been conditioned to soften their voice, second guess their ideas, and prioritize being liked over being heard. If you’ve ever wondered: How do I speak up at work without sounding aggressive?Why do I apologize so much—even when I’m right?How do I stop being overlooked or underestimated?How can I be more confident in meetings and actually be taken seriously?This conversation is for you. Ashley and Heidi break down: Why women are taught to play small and stay agreeable—and how that impacts leadershipThe hidden cost of silence (and why your work alone isn’t enough to get recognized)How to stop over-apologizing, over-softening, and second-guessing yourselfWhat it actually looks like to speak with confidence and own your ideas in meetingsWhy visibility isn’t vanity—it’s authorship, impact, and leadershipThis isn’t about becoming louder, harsher, or someone you’re not. It’s about learning how to take up space as a woman—with clarity, self-trust, and intention. Because you’re not too much. You’ve just been taught to be smaller than you are. If you’re ready to: ✔ Stop people-pleasing at work ✔ Advocate for yourself with confidence ✔ Be seen, heard, and respected in your career ✔ Step into your full voice, power, and presence Then this episode will change the way you show up—immediately. 🎧 Follow, rate, and share with a woman who needs the reminder: You don’t need permission to be powerful. 📲 Connect with us on Instagram & TikTok: @high.heels.higher And as always— Keep your heels high… and your standards higher. ✨ Support the show Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast Thank you for listening, lovelies!

    29 min

  7. 25 MAR

    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, performative models rooted in dominance and visibility, to a more effective, human-centered approach built on clarity, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking. They explore why women are uniquely positioned to lead in today’s world, especially in the wake of post-pandemic workplace changes, and why leadership progress isn’t declining—it’s evolving. This episode challenges the idea that leadership belongs to the loudest voice in the room and replaces it with a new standard: leadership that is grounded, intentional, and deeply aligned. You’ll learn: Why traditional leadership models are failing—and what’s replacing themThe core traits of modern feminine leadership (and why they drive results)How to close the confidence gap and step into leadership before you feel “ready”Practical ways to start leading today—without changing who you areWhy emotional intelligence, calm under pressure, and team-building are real power movesThis isn’t about becoming harder, louder, or more aggressive. It’s about becoming more you—and realizing that’s exactly what leadership needs. Because the future of leadership is being built right now. And women aren’t just participating—we’re shaping it. 🎧 Share this episode with a woman who is ready to lead in her own way. 📲 Follow us @high.heels.higher And remember—keep your heels, your head, and your standards high. Support the show Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast Thank you for listening, lovelies!

    43 min

  8. 18 MAR

    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, women have more opportunity and visibility—but still face a persistent double standard. Why is a direct man seen as decisive, while a direct woman is labeled abrasive? Why do ambitious women still feel the need to over-explain, overperform, and self-edit? This episode breaks down: The hidden double standards in leadership and the workplaceThe psychological cost of ambition for modern womenThe top traps high-achieving women fall into—like overcompensation, self-betrayal, and emotional armorHow to integrate ambition with femininity without sacrificing authenticityPractical strategies for setting boundaries, communicating with clarity, and commanding respect without losing yourselfIf you’ve ever felt the pressure to choose between being powerful and being liked, this conversation will shift how you see ambition, success, and feminine leadership. Because the truth is: you don’t have to shrink to succeed—and you don’t have to harden to be respected. ✨ Your ambition is not a liability. ✨ Your femininity is not a limitation. ✨ Together, they are your greatest advantage. 🎧 Follow High Heels, Higher Standards for more conversations on women’s leadership, ambition, confidence, and modern femininity. 📲 Share this episode with a woman who’s ready to stop playing small and start leading fully. Support the show Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast Thank you for listening, lovelies!

    38 min
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About

High Heels, Higher Standards is a bold, unfiltered podcast where two executive women get real about power, purpose, and the pressure to play small in careers, relationships and life. Ashley & Heidi blend ambition with authenticity and humor with hard-hitting advice to help high-achieving women own their voice, set the bar higher,  live unapologetically, and level up. 

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Werner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 High Heels Higher Standards
  • Show Website
    High Heels Higher Standards

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