The Heels in the Hierarchy Podcast

Heels in the Hierarchy — Series 3: Reflections, Revelations, and Real Stories

In this reflection episode of Series 3, SJ and Pegsy revisit conversations on men’s mental health, continuing professional development, a powerful TED talk on encouraging young girls to lead, a personal interview with an educator, listener Q&A, and New Year resolution strategies like the WOOP method.
They summarize key takeaways, share personal updates and behind-the-scenes learnings, and invite listeners to engage, download, and share as the community continues the conversation about women, work, and leadership.
Like, engage, share, follow, and continue the conversation about women, work and leadership.
https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/59179
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Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions: Goals, Not Guilt

In this episode SJ and Pegsy revisit New Year’s resolutions in February, exploring their 4,000‑year history, the psychology of fresh starts, and why resolutions often fail.
They share practical approaches—micro‑goals, the WHOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) method, accountability tips, and self‑compassion—and offer advice for managers on building psychological safety, wellbeing, and clearer strategy.
Tune in for candid stories, workplace examples, and realistic ways to set sustainable goals without pressure.
 
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Beauty, Bias & Bravery: The Hidden Work Women Do

*Due to some technical difficulties, the sound quality of this episode is not to our usual high standards. *
In this episode of Heels in the Hierarchy, hosts SJ & Pegsy discuss listener stories collected via social media about the real challenges working women face across the beauty industry, manufacturing, and the public sector. They explore themes of unconscious bias, the undervaluing of skilled work, subtle misogyny, and the mental load of multitasking and emotional labour.
SJ & Pegsy share reflections and practical takeaways — from praising positive allies and challenging bias with compassion to being brave and visible as leaders — and invite listeners to reflect, support one another, and continue the conversation about change.
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From Administration to Assembly: A Late Blooming Teacher’s Rise to Leadership

Hosts SJ and Pegsy talk with Audrey, an Assistant Associate Head Teacher who returned to education later in life and worked her way into school leadership.
They discuss career change, self-doubt, mentorship, and the gender gap in senior roles.
The episode also tackles practical classroom challenges—social media, student wellbeing, and cultural inclusion—and leaves listeners with clear takeaways: go for opportunities, support other women, and keep questioning the norms that hold people back.
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Lead Her: 4 Steps to Shape the Next Generation of Female Leaders

In this episode of Heels in the Hierarchy we discuss Gaelle Deschamps' TED Talk about how girls lose interest in leadership during adolescence and why leadership training must start early. We unpack the LEAD HER approach—lead by example, encourage leadership skills, ask probing questions, and define leadership inclusively—and share practical tips parents, mentors and teachers can use every day.
Highlights include the impact of alpha-loaded leadership definitions, using conflict as teachable moments, praising progress intentionally, and making leadership visible and relatable to girls of all ages.
https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/59179
Gaëlle Deschamps - Entrepreneur, Leadership Trainer, Executive Coach
Gaëlle believes every woman has the potential to lead. She is a fierce advocate of Women Empowerment. Gaëlle studied Executive leadership with Harvard and Strategy with the London Business School. She brings to this TED talk, 23 years of Corporate experience at L’Oréal, SABMiller and the Coca-Cola company, holding senior roles in International Marketing and Learning & Development. Gaëlle was on the Global Leadership Faculty at the Coca-Cola University training 86,000 employees. Founder of G Force, a training company with the mission to help women step up as authentic and confident leaders. She creates powerful and transformative programmes including the “The Art of Confidence©️”, which is CPD certified. Gaëlle is currently creating a Leadership programme to shape the NextGen of female leaders with secondary schools. In her spare time, she writes children books "It's You & Me Time" with her young daughter, while raising money for children's charities.
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Qualified or Experienced? The CPD Dilemma

SJ and Pegsy explore why many women question their competence and whether formal qualifications matter more than hands-on experience in career progression.
They discuss cultural conditioning, leadership styles, mentoring and practical steps to assess motivations, advocate for yourself, and empower other women to grow without feeling the need to constantly prove their worth.
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International Men's Day: Rethinking Masculinity and Mental Health

In this episode SJ and Pegsy explore International Men's Day, unpacking its purpose, the mental health challenges men face, and the impact of positive male role models in sport, media and everyday life.
They highlight warning signs to watch for, discuss cultural influences and social media risks, and suggest practical ways women and men can encourage open conversations and stronger support networks.
Listeners are invited to download, share and subscribe as the hosts embar on Series 3, with promises of further honest, people-centred conversations about women, work and leadership.
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Reflections & Revelations: Series 2 Highlights from Heels in the Hierarchy

Hosts SJ and Pegsy reflect on Series Two of Heels in the Hierarchy, revisiting key episodes and discussions on self-care, emotional intelligence, feedback, trust and leadership. They highlight personal stories, practical insights and moments of vulnerability that shaped the season.
The episode includes a discussion about this series' powerful guest interview with JJ, where topics included domestic abuse, culture and faith.  Later they reflect on other episodes which discuss negative bias, blind spots in leadership, and menopause in the workplace.
Listeners are invited to download, share and subscribe as the hosts prepare for Series 3, with promises of further honest, people-centred conversations about women, work and leadership.
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Menopause at Work: Breaking the Silence, Keeping the Talent

Hosts SJ and Pegsy discuss menopause in the workplace, covering what menopause and perimenopause are, common symptoms, and why tracking changes matters.
They share statistics, personal stories, legal and business reasons to support employees, and practical reasonable adjustments and tips for managers to create a more inclusive workplace.
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Breaking Bias: Leadership and the Power of Positive Narratives

Welcome to the "Heels in the Hierarchy" podcast, where SJ and Pegsy delve into the intricate dynamics of women in leadership roles. In this episode, our hosts delve into the profound impact that leadership perspectives, particularly negative bias, can have on team dynamics and individual performance. Inspired by insights from Simon Sinek, they explore how forming narratives about under-performance can damage confidence and productivity, while reinforcing positive actions can transform work environments.
Join us as SJ and Pegsy unravel personal stories and strategies that challenge established narratives, fostering an environment of trust and development. From understanding imposter syndrome to providing constructive feedback, this episode offers valuable insights for leaders aiming to cultivate a supportive and thriving workplace.
Tune in to discover how conscious leadership and peer accountability can inspire genuine and sustainable organisational growth.
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Links mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHqdkLko57n/?igsh=MWx6aWlzaTVjdmh0cA%3D%3D
https://www.viacharacter.org/