Climbing the Corporate Ladder without Breaking a Heel

Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer
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Tailored for ambitious professional women, this show features candid conversations with powerful business leaders sharing their real stories of success and failure. If you're ready to look up and step up, you're in the right place. Join us and invest in your future today!

  1. 16H AGO

    You're Not Burned Out. You're Out of Flow. | #26

    What if you're not burned out… you're just out of flow? In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder without Breaking a Heel, Dr. Cynthia sits down with two-time New York Times bestselling author and energy mastery expert Christy Whitman to unpack what's really happening when high-achieving women feel stretched thin, disconnected, or unfulfilled despite doing everything "right." Christy shares her personal awakening from pharmaceutical sales leader to transformational coach and explains how understanding universal laws and energy shifted not only her own success, but the trajectory of those she mentored. Together, they explore: • What "flow" actually is and why feeling good is not indulgent, it's strategic • The three essential questions that move you from frustration to clarity • Why survival mode keeps ambitious women stuck in anxiety, doubt, and overdrive • How to shift into neutrality, compassion, and abundance • A simple energy mastery technique to release fear in real time • The power of words and how subtle language shifts can change your emotional state If you've ever felt like your success feels heavy instead of expansive, this conversation will help you understand why and show you how to pivot. Because fulfillment isn't something you earn after you achieve more. It's something you cultivate now.

    54 min

  2. FEB 10

    Turning Disruption into Advantage with Meridith Elliott Powell

    *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "03ed31b1-4136-47d6-9674-22b5807a96e8" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel, Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer sits down with Hall of Fame speaker, sales futurist, and CEO of Motion First, Meridith Elliott Powell, for a powerful conversation about leadership, disruption, and what it really takes to thrive in constant change. Meridith's career has followed an unexpected pattern: she repeatedly stepped into industries at moments of extreme disruption, from travel and tourism after natural disasters to financial services after sweeping regulation and healthcare during major system overhauls. Along the way, she discovered what most people resist. Uncertainty is not a threat. It is an advantage. Drawing from decades of research and real-world execution, Meridith shares her proprietary Thrive system, a framework designed to help leaders, sales teams, and entrepreneurs turn volatility into competitive advantage. Together, Cynthia and Meridith unpack what it means to adapt your perspective, focus on people, and commit to process when the pace of change feels relentless. The conversation also explores Meridith's concept of the five buckets that anchor confidence and resilience: health, relationships, finances, career, and spirituality. When these are out of balance, disruption hits harder. When they are aligned, leaders gain clarity, energy, and endurance. Meridith challenges listeners to manage energy rather than time and to build schedules that reflect values, not just responsibilities. The episode closes with a future-focused look at leadership and sales in the age of AI. Meridith dismantles common myths, explains why human connection is becoming more valuable, not less, and makes the case that future-ready leaders are those preparing their teams not just for today's work, but for tomorrow's uncertainty. If you're leading through change, feeling overwhelmed by disruption, or waiting for clarity that never seems to arrive, this episode is your reminder: there is no rescue coming and learning to thrive anyway is the real competitive edge.

    46 min

  3. FEB 3

    The Efficiency Trap Investing in People and Driving Growth with Dr. Ayesha Khanna

    Join host Dr. Cynthia for a conversation with globally recognized AI expert and futurist, Dr. Ayesha Khanna. Dr. Khanna helps leaders understand not just what AI can do, but what humans must do differently as technology accelerates. This episode explores why companies must invest in their AI strategy and bring their employees along to drive growth, the risks of focusing solely on efficiency and cost-cutting, and how to embrace the current collision point.  Learn how to adopt a growth mindset and take a proactive approach to upskilling to secure your future in the age of AI. Connect with Dr. Cynthia: dr-cynthia.com | @DrCynthiaBentzenMercer | LinkedIn

    48 min

  4. JAN 30 · BONUS

    Human Capital Is the Strategy: Why Leaders Must Invest, Not Just Manage | BONUS

    Join Dr. Cynthia for a solo episode focused on the belief that human capital is the business strategy.    Drawing from her new book, Human Capital Investment Strategy, she addresses ambitious professional women, both those still navigating their careers and those who are informal or formal leaders. The episode argues that organizations have often failed to invest in their people, leading to women leaving the workforce at disproportionate rates and to high performers disengaging.   Dr. Cynthia introduces a "simple but radical shift": treating people and their collective human capital like investment portfolios, not positions. This means applying intentional allocation, risk assessment, diversification, and long-term planning. She challenges listeners to recognize their influence, even without a title, and to model strategic investment. The real work of climbing the corporate ladder is making it "sturdier, wider, [and] making sure others don't fall through the rungs".   Purchase Human Capital Investment Strategy by February 6th to help advance it to bestseller status and strategically expand its reach. Use discount code CCL at checkout.   Connect with Dr. Cynthia: dr-cynthia.com | @DrCynthiaBentzenMercer | LinkedIn

    16 min

  5. JAN 27

    The One Advantage AI Can't Steal with Josh Linkner | #22

    In a world where technology is accelerating and traditional advantages are quickly becoming commoditized, what actually sets leaders apart? In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel, Dr. Cynthia sits down with Josh Linkner, two-time New York Times bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, venture capital investor, professional jazz guitarist, and globally recognized innovation expert. Together, they explore why human creativity is the ultimate competitive advantage in the modern workplace. Josh challenges the fear-based narrative around AI and automation, offering a powerful reframe: the goal is not to outpace machines, but to out-human them. While technology can scale tasks, humans bring empathy, judgment, imagination, and meaning, qualities that cannot be replicated or commoditized. Using the vivid analogy of classical versus jazz musicians, Josh explains why today's leaders must move beyond rigid playbooks and learn to improvise, adapt, and think creatively in real time. He also breaks down the difference between imagination, creativity, and innovation, and shares how small, everyday "big little breakthroughs" can transform teams, cultures, and results.  You'll also learn: Why creativity is not just for artists, but for finance, legal, operations, and customer service The biggest blocker to creativity at work, and how leaders can remove it How to build a culture that unlocks the creative potential already inside your people Why creativity is the foundation of every solution, opportunity, and advancement in human history If you want to future-proof your leadership, elevate your impact, and build organizations that thrive in uncertainty, this conversation is your playbook, with a little jazz mixed in. Pre-order your copy of Human Capital Investment Strategy: bit.ly/BUYHCIS Connect with Josh:  joshlinkner.com | LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Cynthia: dr-cynthia.com | @DrCynthiaBentzenMercer | LinkedIn

    39 min

  6. JAN 20

    The Future of Work Is Human (and AI Can't Replace That) with Heather E. McGowan | #21

    In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel, Dr. Cynthia sits down with Heather McGowan (named one of Forbes' top futurists), a sought-after strategist, keynote speaker, and two-time bestselling author, to unpack what the future of work actually looks like and why our most valuable advantage isn't technical… it's human. Heather challenges the fear-driven narrative that AI is "coming for everyone's jobs," explaining that artificial intelligence works best when humans stay in the loop and workflows are redesigned to optimize both human intelligence and machine capability. The real shift ahead isn't jobs disappearing, it's work transforming, faster than most organizations are prepared for. Together, Dr. Cynthia and Heather explore why adaptability is becoming the most important leadership competency, how the COVID era proved we're capable of extraordinary change (and deeper compassion), and why it's time to stop hiring for old skills and start hiring for capacity: learning agility, curiosity, resilience, and comfort with not knowing. In this episode, you'll learn: Why AI won't replace humans, but leaders who adapt will win How media habits increase stress and distort uncertainty Why hiring must shift from skills to learning capacity How to use AI without "giving up control" The mindset shift leaders need to embrace dissent and collective intelligence Heather's "Start, Stop, Continue" framework for thriving now Connect with Heather McGowan: HeatherMcGowan.com | LinkedIn | YouTube Connect with Dr. Cynthia: dr-cynthia.com | @DrCynthiaBentzenMercer | LinkedIn Her new book, Human Capital Investment Strategy, is available for pre-sale: bit.ly/BUYHCIS.

    53 min

  7. JAN 13

    How to Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Grow Your Career with Lorraine K. Lee | #20

    What if the reason you're not getting promoted isn't your performance… but your presence? In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel, Dr. Cynthia sits down with Lorraine K. Lee, bestselling author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career, keynote speaker, Stanford Continuing Studies instructor, and LinkedIn Learning educator. Lorraine breaks down what presence really means in today's workplace (hint: it's more than confidence or charisma). She defines presence as how you're seen and where you're seen, especially in a world of Zoom meetings, Slack messages, LinkedIn visibility, and distributed teams. Together, they unpack why hard work alone isn't enough at the mid-level, how leaders decide who's ready for the next role, and how to advocate for yourself without feeling like you're "bragging." In this conversation, you'll learn: Why presence is built in everyday moments, not just high-stakes presentations How to shift from "solving today's problems" to preventing next quarter's The difference between self-advocacy and self-promotion (and why it matters) Why you can't opt out of office politics, and how to play strategically without losing yourself What to start, stop, and continue to increase your influence How to stop using minimizing language like "I just wanted to…" and "Sorry to bother you…" Lorraine also shares behind-the-scenes stories from writing her book, interviewing leaders and creators (including Daniel Pink, Corporate Natalie, and Kim Scott), and building a career that's more of a portfolio than a ladder. Get Lorraine's book Unforgettable Presence: https://a.co/d/0VxI0Cx Pre-order Dr. Cynthia's new book, Human Capital Investment Strategy: bit.ly/BUYHCIS

    51 min

  8. JAN 6

    Why Strategy Fails Without Hope with Jen Fisher | #19

    In a world of constant disruption, leaders are under pressure to execute bold transformation strategies faster than ever. But what happens when strategy moves ahead without bringing people along? In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel, Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer is joined by Jen Fisher to explore why compliance may drive short-term results but ultimately undermines innovation, engagement, and trust. Together, they unpack the concept of a "hope strategy" and why leaders must pair transformation with belief, well-being, and human sustainability to create lasting change. This conversation challenges leaders to rethink how they define success, build culture, and invest in people during uncertain times. Connect with Dr-Cynthia  Website: dr-cynthia.com LinkedIn: cynthiabentzenmercer Instagram: @drcynthiabentzenmercer Facebook: Dr. Cynthia

    55 min
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5
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3 Ratings

About

Tailored for ambitious professional women, this show features candid conversations with powerful business leaders sharing their real stories of success and failure. If you're ready to look up and step up, you're in the right place. Join us and invest in your future today!

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