Climbing the Corporate Ladder without Breaking a Heel

Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel is the podcast for ambitious women who want more than career advice—they want to understand the ideas shaping exceptional leadership, stronger organizations, and more intentional careers. Hosted by executive advisor, bestselling author, speaker, and Human Capital Strategist Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, each episode features conversations with respected executives, researchers, authors, entrepreneurs, board directors, and thought leaders whose work is changing how we think about leadership, human capital, strategy, organizational effectiveness, and the future of work. At the center of the podcast is one foundational belief: Drift is the gradual movement away from what matters most and what is required for future success. Whether in our careers, leadership, organizations, or lives, drift is rarely dramatic. It happens one decision, one compromise, and one missed opportunity at a time. Each conversation explores how exceptional leaders recognize those early signals, identify emerging patterns, and choose direction before small misalignments become significant consequences. While the ideas are relevant to every leader, the conversations are intentionally framed for ambitious women navigating the unique realities of leadership, influence, and career progression. The goal isn't simply to climb higher—it's to build a career of significance, intention, and lasting impact.