The Climb

Felicia Smith
  • 5.0 (19)
  • CAREERS
  • WEEKLY SERIES

At The Climb Podcast, our mission is clear: to empower women of color in their pursuit of leadership roles within the private and public sectors. We understand that the workplace can present distinctive challenges for women of color, and our podcast is your dedicated guide to navigating this terrain. With each episode, we delve into the strategies, stories, and experiences that can propel you forward on your professional journey. Join us as we spotlight the extraordinary achievements of women of color and equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to not only survive but thrive in today’s workplaces. Your success is our focus, and together, we’ll forge a path to leadership that is as unique and unstoppable as you are.

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  1. Allow me to reintroduce myself: This Climb is personal.

    EPISODE 1

    Allow me to reintroduce myself: This Climb is personal.

    Takeaways: • Why being excellent at your job does not automatically lead to promotion • The critical difference between tactical execution and strategic visibility • Why many high-performing women of color are overlooked for leadership roles • How positioning, advocacy, and proximity influence career advancement • Why women of color cannot afford to be excellent and invisible Chapters00:00 – If You’re Excellent But Still Not Promoted 00:25 – Welcome to The Climb Podcast 01:10 – The Career Moment When the “Tap” Never Came 02:42 – Tactical Excellence vs Strategic Visibility 04:05 – What Tactical Really Means 05:06 – What Strategic Leadership Looks Like 06:30 – The “Prize Pony” Career Trap 07:32 – Why High-Performing Women of Color Are Rarely Taught This Shift 08:26 – The Economic Reality: 81 Cents vs 64 Cents 09:30 – Why Positioning Matters More Than Credentials 10:40 – Leadership Is About Proximity and Visibility 11:50 – Why You Cannot Afford to Be Excellent and Invisible 12:50 – What The Climb Is Really About 13:40 – Join the Conversation Episode DescriptionIf you are a woman of color who is excellent at your job but still not being promoted, this episode is for you. In this opening episode of The Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith breaks down one of the most misunderstood dynamics of career advancement: the difference between tactical excellence and strategic visibility. Many high-performing professionals are taught that working harder, delivering consistently, and staying prepared will eventually lead to opportunity. But the reality is more complex. Organizations often reward execution — but they promote visibility, positioning, and influence. In this episode, Felicia explains why many women of color find themselves stuck in high-performance roles that never translate into leadership access, and how understanding the rules of positioning can change everything. This conversation introduces the core mission of The Climb: helping women of color move from being excellent and invisible to strategic and visible. Connect with The Climb 🌐 Website: https://the-climb.org 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoinTheClimb2024 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheClimb1 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/97178217 Subscribe to The Climb Podcast and share this episode with a woman who needs the language for what she’s experiencing in her career. Because leadership isn't just about talent. It's about positioning, visibility, and access. And you don't have to climb alone. About The Climb PodcastThe Climb Podcast is where leadership conversations get real. Hosted by Felicia Smith, founder of The Climb, this show explores the unspoken rules of career advancement — especially for women of color navigating professional spaces where leadership access has not always been equitable. Each episode breaks down the systems, strategies, and power dynamics that influence who rises and why. Because the goal isn’t just individual success. It’s building a pathway so more women can climb.

    9 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    When The Climb Costs Too Much: Redefining Success After Burnout with Dr. Nikia Smith

    What You Will Learn• Why burnout among high-achieving women of color is often called the silent epidemic • The early warning signs that burnout is building before you recognize it • Why exhaustion is not a badge of honor in leadership and career advancement • How hustle culture can disconnect you from your identity and purpose • Practical ways to redefine success and rebuild a sustainable life Connect with The Climb 🌐 https://the-climb.org 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@JoinTheClimb2024 📘 https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheClimb1 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/company/97178217 Connect with Dr. Nakia Smith 🌐 https://www.sheisfireforged.com 📧 hello@sheisfireforged.com 📱 Instagram: @sheisfireforged If this conversation resonated with you, listen to the full episode and subscribe to The Climb Podcast. Share it with a woman who may be pushing through exhaustion without realizing the cost. Because success should not come at the expense of your health, identity, or peace.

    34 min
  3. Start Where You Find Yourself: Getting Clear on Your Way Forward

    EPISODE 3

    Start Where You Find Yourself: Getting Clear on Your Way Forward

    What if the very thing you’re being praised for is the same thing quietly holding you back? In this episode of The Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith breaks down one of the most frustrating and confusing moments in your career: when you’re doing well—but you don’t know what your next move is. Many high-performing women of color find themselves stuck not because they lack talent, but because they’ve become too good at what they do. They are trusted, reliable, and essential—but not positioned for advancement. Felicia introduces the concept of the competence trap—where excellence in execution keeps you in place instead of moving you forward—and explains why understanding your current position is the first step to creating a strategy for your future. Because the truth is: you can’t move forward if you don’t know where you actually stand. What You’ll Learn• Why being “too good at your job” can limit your career growth • What the competence trap is and how to recognize it • The difference between being valued for execution vs positioned for leadership • The 3 career signals that indicate you may be stuck • How to assess your current position before planning your next move • A 4-step framework to help you move forward with intention Key Takeaways1. The competence trap is real When you are consistently delivering, solving problems, and keeping things running, organizations begin to depend on you staying exactly where you are. 2. Visibility and positioning matter more than performance alone Your work can be praised while your leadership potential is overlooked. 3. Your career is always sending signals You just have to slow down enough to recognize them. Connect with The Climb🌐 https://the-climb.org 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoinTheClimb2024 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoinTheClimb1 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/97178217 Subscribe & ShareIf this episode resonated with you, subscribe to The Climb Podcast and share it with another woman who may be trying to figure out her next move. Because you’re not just climbing your career— You’re building a ladder for the women coming behind you.

    19 min
  4. When Purpose Evolves: Giving yourself Permission to Outgrow Your Dreams.

    EPISODE 4

    When Purpose Evolves: Giving yourself Permission to Outgrow Your Dreams.

    What happens when you finally achieve the thing you worked so hard for… and it no longer feels the same? In this episode of The Climb Podcast, I’m talking about a truth most people don’t prepare you for: Sometimes the dream you’ve been chasing has already finished. And instead of feeling fulfilled, you’re left asking—now what? This isn’t failure. This is evolution. We break down what it looks like when your purpose begins to shift, how to recognize the signs, and why outgrowing a role, identity, or goal is not something to fear—it’s something to honor. Because growth will always ask you a different question: Does this still fit the woman I’m becoming?What You Will Learn• Why achieving your “dream” doesn’t always bring the fulfillment you expected • How to recognize the signs that your purpose is evolving • The danger of tying your identity to a role or title • Why high-achieving women of color feel pressure to hold on—even when it’s time to move • How to release the need for a perfect plan and move forward anyway • Why outgrowing a role isn’t failure—it’s growth Connect with Felicia Smith🌐 https://the-climb.org 📲 YouTube & Social: https://www.youtube.com/@JoinTheClimb2024 📩 Join the community: @JoinTheClimb Listen & Subscribe🎧 Follow & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoinTheClimb2024

    20 min
  5. The Strategic Pause, Why Pausing is a Leadership Skill with Elandria Charles

    EPISODE 5

    The Strategic Pause, Why Pausing is a Leadership Skill with Elandria Charles

    What if the next level of your leadership isn’t about doing more… but about learning how to pause? In this episode of The Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith sits down with Elandria Charles to unpack a truth most high-achieving women struggle to accept: Rest is not a reward. It’s a requirement. From burnout and overproduction to reclaiming your time and energy, this conversation challenges the belief that constant motion equals progress—and introduces the idea that strategic pause is a leadership skill. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, disconnected, or like you’re pushing through instead of moving forward… this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn • Why burnout is often a system issue—not a personal failure • How the pressure to constantly produce disconnects you from yourself • What “sabbatical moments” look like in your everyday life • Practical ways to reclaim your time, energy, and boundaries • How to use your calendar as a tool for alignment—not just obligation • Why strategic pause leads to clearer thinking, better decisions, and stronger leadership Key Moments 00:00 – You Are Not What You Produce 00:49 – Welcome to The Climb Podcast 01:50 – Meet Elandria Charles 03:19 – Redefining What a Sabbatical Really Means 05:38 – The System Was Designed to Burn You Out 06:48 – Recognizing Burnout Before It Breaks You 08:30 – Why Rest Feels So Hard (Especially for Black Women) 10:01 – Daily Practices to Create Pause in Your Life 12:17 – Taking Control of Your Calendar 14:13 – Planning Rest Intentionally 16:29 – What Happens When You Don’t Pause 19:28 – The Framework: Rest, Remember, Recast, Realize 21:38 – What to Do Right Now 23:24 – You Deserve Rest 25:12 – Making Rest a Habit 25:38 – How to Connect with Elandria 25:55 – Final Thoughts: Keep Climbing + Keep Pausing Connect with Our Guest Elandria Charles LinkedIn: Elandria Jackson Charles Instagram: @restclarityjoy 🔗 Stay Connected with The Climb 🌐 Website: https://the-climb.org 📲 Instagram & LinkedIn: @JoinTheClimb 📣 Loved This Episode? If this conversation resonated with you: • Subscribe to The Climb Podcast • Share this episode with another woman who needs this message • Leave a review—it helps more women find this space Final Thought You don’t have to wait until you burn out to give yourself permission to pause. You don’t have to earn rest. And you don’t have to climb at the cost of yourself. The most strategic move you can make might be to pause—on purpose.

    27 min
  6. We Are at The Table Now What?

    EPISODE 6

    We Are at The Table Now What?

    So many women are told to “get a seat at the table.” But what no one talks about is what happens next. In this episode of The Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith breaks down the reality of what it means to not just be invited into the room—but to navigate, influence, and lead once you’re there. Because the truth is… You can know your job—and still not understand the room. And that’s the gap no one prepares you for. What You Will Learn• Why being “good at your job” is not enough at leadership tables • The difference between being present vs. being influential • The unwritten rules that shape decision-making in leadership spaces • Why the loudest voice is not always the most powerful • How to read the room (what’s said—and what’s not) • The role of relationships, context, and preparation • How to show up with confidence and intentionality Chapters00:00 – The First Time I Realized I Didn’t Understand the Room 01:15 – Welcome to The Climb Podcast 02:30 – You Belong at the Table… But Now What? 05:10 – The Reality No One Teaches You About Leadership Rooms 08:45 – Feeling Unprepared (Even When You’re Qualified) 12:20 – The Truth: Every Table Has Rules 16:05 – Influence vs. Volume 20:40 – Reading the Room: What’s Not Being Said 25:10 – Why Context Matters More Than You Think 29:30 – There Is No Universal Playbook 33:00 – How to Show Up Powerfully (5 Strategies) 41:20 – Why “You Belong” Isn’t the Full Story 45:10 – Final Thoughts: Learn the Table, Then Lead 🔗 Stay Connected with The Climb🌐 https://the-climb.org 📲 @JoinTheClimb If This Episode ResonatedShare it with a woman who just stepped into a new room. Because we are not just climbing careers— we are building ladders.

    25 min
  7. What Did You Say? (Why Your Voice Isn’t Landing at the Table)

    EPISODE 7

    What Did You Say? (Why Your Voice Isn’t Landing at the Table)

    I said what I thought needed to be said. And after I said it — I could immediately tell it didn’t land. No engagement. No follow-up. Barely an acknowledgment that I had said something. Sound familiar? In this episode of the Her Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith gets into the communication gap nobody warns you about — the space between what you said and what the room actually heard. Because getting to the table is one thing. What you say once you’re there? That shapes everything. Studies show women of color are three to four times more likely to experience dismissive behaviors in the workplace. Not because we’re unprepared — but because of how our voice is received. That means we cannot afford to wing it. Your voice has to carry weight. And that requires intention. In this episode, Felicia introduces the Table Talk Framework — a practical three-part approach to making sure your message lands every time you open your mouth in a leadership space. ✨ What You Will Learn Why over-communicating is not the same as effective communicationThe difference between speaking and actually contributingThe Table Talk Framework: when to speak, how to speak, and what to sayWhy clarity builds confidence — and confidence builds credibilityHow to lead with the headline and stop burying your messageWhy presence is not about volume — it’s about alignment5 practical tools you can use at your very next meeting ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open: When My Words Didn’t Land 01:15 – Welcome to the Her Climb Podcast 02:30 – Last Week’s Episode Recap: You’re at the Table 04:45 – The Stakes Are Higher for Women of Color 07:00 – Today’s Topic: What Did You Say? How to Get Your Point Across 09:10 – Somebody Should Have Told Me: The Story Behind the Episode 13:30 – Truth Is: Over-Communicating Is Not Effective Communication 17:45 – Introducing the Table Talk Framework 19:00 – Pillar 1: Know When to Speak 23:30 – Pillar 2: Know How to Speak 29:00 – Pillar 3: Know What to Say 34:15 – Another Rung Mended: 5 Practical Tools for Your Next Meeting 41:00 – Final Thought: What Do You Want Them to Remember? 🔗 Stay Connected with The Climb 🌐 https://the-climb.org 📲 @JoinTheClimb 📣 If This Episode Resonated Share it with a woman who’s been in the room but struggling to get her message to land. Because we are not just climbing careers — we are building ladders.

    19 min
  8. The Art and Downfall of Busyness

    EPISODE 8

    The Art and Downfall of Busyness

    At some point, being everything became the cost of being included. And for many women of color, busyness stopped being a schedule problem — and became a survival strategy. In this episode of The Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith takes an honest look at how we got here, what it’s really costing us, and what it looks like to stop performing busyness and start leading with intention. Because your legacy will not be how busy you were. It will be the impact you made. What You Will Learn Why busyness became a badge of honor — and why that’s a trapThe three hidden costs of busyness: the meeting tax, the worthiness trap, and the leadership gapWhy saying yes to everything can feel like survival — even when it’s costing youHow to audit your calendar as a reflection of what you’ve been taught mattersHow to define the work that only YOU can doWhy protecting one hour of focused time can change how you leadHow to stop performing busyness and start leading with intention ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to the Her Climb Podcast 02:00 – The Forbes Article That Started This Conversation 05:30 – How Busyness Became a Badge of Honor 08:45 – Somebody Should Have Told Me: I Said Yes to Everything 13:00 – Truth Is: Busyness Is Costing You More Than Your Time 15:20 – The Meeting Tax 18:40 – The Worthiness Trap 22:10 – The Leadership Gap 25:30 – Another Rung Mended: 3 Ways to Reclaim Your Time 27:00 – Step 1: Audit Your Calendar 32:15 – Step 2: Define Your Real Work 37:40 – Step 3: Block One Hour 42:00 – Final Thought: Stop Performing Busyness, Start Leading with Intention 🔗 Stay Connected with The Climb 🌐 https://the-climb.org 📲 @JoinTheClimb 📣 If This Episode Resonated Share it with a woman who needs permission to slow down and lead differently. Because we are not just climbing careers — we are building ladders.

    20 min
  9. How to Tell Your Career Story After a Gap with Karriema Calhoun

    EPISODE 9

    How to Tell Your Career Story After a Gap with Karriema Calhoun

    We’ve been taught to think about career gaps as a choice.Something planned. Something intentional. Something we can easily explain. But the reality is different. “What we found… women lost their jobs.” And now many are navigating something they didn’t expect— figuring out how to move forward while carrying the weight of a gap they didn’t plan. In this episode of The Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith sits down with resume expert Karriema Calhoun to break down how to: ✔️ Reframe your experience ✔️ Position your value ✔️ And confidently tell your story—without feeling like you’ve lost momentum ✨ What You Will Learn• Why career gaps are more common—and more complex—than we admit • How to explain a gap without making it your identity • What recruiters are really looking for (and how fast they decide) • Why confidence shows up on your resume • The biggest mistakes hurting your chances (Canva + AI misuse) • How to leverage volunteer work, entrepreneurship, and training • When to use a functional resume vs. traditional format • Why your resume must speak before you do ⏱️ Chapters00:00 – The Truth About Career Gaps 02:00 – Welcome + Episode Setup 05:00 – What’s Really Happening in the Job Market 08:00 – Why It’s Taking Longer to Get Hired 11:00 – The 8-Second Resume Rule 15:00 – Confidence (or Lack of It) on Your Resume 19:00 – Resume Mistakes That Cost You Opportunities 23:00 – Should You Include a Gap? 27:00 – Entrepreneurship + Resume Red Flags 31:00 – Functional Resume Strategy 36:00 – Why Canva Resumes Don’t Work 40:00 – The Truth About ChatGPT + Resumes 45:00 – How to Reframe Your Experience 49:00 – Using Cover Letters to Stand Out 53:00 – Final Thought: The Gap Is Not You If This Episode ResonatedSend this to someone navigating a gap right now. Because this moment? It’s not the end of your story.

    36 min
  10. The Career Advice That’s Quietly Holding You Back

    EPISODE 10

    The Career Advice That’s Quietly Holding You Back

    What if the advice you’ve been following is the very thing slowing your career down? You’ve been working hard. Saying yes. Being dependable. Keeping your head down. And on the surface — that sounds exactly right. But in the Season 6 finale of The Climb Podcast, Felicia Smith delivers the honest conversation most people won’t have with you: the advice that got you here is incomplete. And if you don’t recognize that, you can spend years doing everything right — and still feel completely stuck. The rules shift when you move to the next level. And this episode gives you the three shifts that actually move you forward. ✨ What You Will Learn Why high performers are not always the ones who get promotedThe difference between advice that gets you access vs. advice that drives advancementWhy dependability alone will never make you look like a leaderShift 1: How to move from effort to visibility — and why your work needs a voice trackShift 2: The difference between an intentional yes and a career-stalling yesShift 3: Why execution mode keeps you stuck — and how to move into positioningThe question you should be asking yourself right now about where you are in your career ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open: What If the Advice You’re Following Is Holding You Back? 01:00 – Welcome to The Climb Podcast 03:00 – Season 6, Episode 10: Bringing It All Together 05:30 – Somebody Should Have Told Me: When Doing Everything Right Isn’t Enough 09:00 – Why Dependability ≠ Leadership 13:30 – Truth Is: That Advice Was Designed for Access, Not Advancement 18:00 – Why Hard Work Alone Won’t Get You Promoted 21:30 – The Three Shifts That Actually Move You Forward 22:00 – Shift 1: From Effort to Visibility 27:45 – Shift 2: From Yes to Intentional Yes 33:10 – Shift 3: From Execution to Positioning 39:00 – Final Thought: Different Level, Different Strategy 42:00 – Season 6 Wrap + What’s Coming in Season 7 🔗 Stay Connected with The Climb 🌐 https://the-climb.org 📲 @JoinTheClimb 📣 If This Episode Resonated Share it with a woman who is working hard and doing all the things — but not seeing the results she deserves. Because we are not just climbing careers — we are building ladders.

    18 min
See All Season 6 (10)

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About

At The Climb Podcast, our mission is clear: to empower women of color in their pursuit of leadership roles within the private and public sectors. We understand that the workplace can present distinctive challenges for women of color, and our podcast is your dedicated guide to navigating this terrain. With each episode, we delve into the strategies, stories, and experiences that can propel you forward on your professional journey. Join us as we spotlight the extraordinary achievements of women of color and equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to not only survive but thrive in today’s workplaces. Your success is our focus, and together, we’ll forge a path to leadership that is as unique and unstoppable as you are.

Information

  • Creator
    Felicia Smith
  • Episodes
    59
  • Seasons
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Felicia Smith
  • Show Website
    The Climb