The Heels in the Hierarchy Podcast

She failed the exams that were meant to define her future. It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her career. In this episode SJ speak with Emmy, a payments product manager, about a journey that didn't start where she expected — or wanted — it to. Failing anatomy exams meant letting go of a lifelong plan to become a doctor, and facing a version of failure that felt deeply persona...

A career break isn't a gap. It's a chapter — and it's time the workplace started reading it that way. In this episode SJ and Pegsy explore Carol Fishman Cohen's influential TED Talk on "relaunchers" — women returning to work after stepping away for caregiving, health, or simply a different season of life. Rather than treating that time as something to explain away, this episode reframes it as exac...

This episode explores the growing, often-hidden impact of elder care on women in the workforce — from 600 people quitting daily in the UK to the 1.4 million ‘sandwich carers’ balancing children, careers and aging relatives. Hosts SJ and Pegsy discuss the emotional toll, anticipatory grief, financial pressures, workplace stigma and practical resources, and offer compassionate advice for both carers...

The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is your attitude. This episode is pure adventure. To celebrate one year of Heels in the Hierarchy, SJ and Pegsy are throwing open the outtakes reel — the bloopers, the behind-the-scenes moments, and the bits that didn't quite make the cut. But amid the laughter there's something genuinely valuable here too: honest conversation about vulnerability,...

A year in. What have we learned? More than we expected. SJ and Pegsy mark one year of Heels in the Hierarchy by revisiting the themes that have resonated most deeply with their listeners: women's health, late and missed diagnoses, neurodivergence, and the systemic barriers that too many women still face at work every single day. With personal stories, listener responses, and a call for workplaces...

Having a job is supposed to be the answer. For millions of people in the UK, it isn't enough. In this episode SJ and Pegsy tackle one of the most uncomfortable realities in modern working life — in-work poverty. Rising living costs, part-time contracts, and a persistent gender pay gap are leaving workers, and disproportionately women, financially vulnerable despite being in employment. But this is...

A decade of severe pain. A senior job to hold down. A toddler to raise. And nobody believed her. In this episode SJ and Pegsy welcome Charlotte, an IT manager and mother, who shares her extraordinary ten-year journey through undiagnosed abdominal pain — navigating hospitals, referrals, sceptical employers, and a healthcare system that repeatedly failed her. This is a powerful, important listen — n...

Nine years. That's how long the average woman waits for an endometriosis diagnosis in the UK. Nine years of pain, dismissal, and being told it's normal. In this episode SJ and Pegsy dig into the refreshed UK Women's Health Strategy, published April 2026, and ask the question nobody in government seems keen to answer: warm words and new frameworks are welcome, but who is actually accountable for ch...

One in ten women lives with endometriosis. Most will wait years for a diagnosis. Many will wait in silence. In this episode, recorded for Endometriosis Awareness Month, SJ and Pegsy explore one of the most underdiagnosed and misunderstood conditions affecting women today — from the alarming delays in diagnosis and the physical and emotional toll, to the lesser-known reality that endometriosis can...

What if the thing that made school so hard is exactly what makes you an exceptional leader? In this episode Pegsy turns the mic on SJ for a candid, personal conversation about SJ's dyslexia diagnosis — how it reshaped her sense of identity, changed the way she learns, and ultimately transformed her approach to leadership. From the challenges of an education system not designed for her, to the crea...

Imagine spending decades adapting, compensating, and wondering why everything feels harder than it should — and then finding out there was a reason all along. In this episode SJ and Pegsy explore Pegsy's personal experience of late ADHD diagnosis — the years of masking before she knew that's what she was doing, the ways it shaped how she worked and who she became, and the profound emotional impact...

The conversations that stayed with us. The moments we didn't plan for. The community that kept showing up. In this Series 3 reflection episode, SJ and Pegsy look back at a season that covered men's mental health, continuing professional development, encouraging young girls to lead, a powerful personal interview with an educator, listener Q&A, and the WOOP method for making New Year intentions...

It's February. Your resolutions are already on life support. You're not the problem — the approach is. In this episode SJ and Pegsy revisit the New Year's resolution — all 4,000 years of it — and ask why something so well-intentioned fails so reliably. With a mix of history, psychology, and refreshingly practical advice, they explore what actually works when it comes to setting goals that last bey...

⚠️ Please note: due to technical difficulties, the sound quality of this episode is below our usual standard. The conversation is absolutely worth it — we just wanted you to know in advance. The stories women carry to work with them every day. It's time we talked about them. In this episode SJ and Pegsy share real listener stories gathered via social media — candid accounts from working women acro...

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: g...

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. Hi...

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. Subscribe to our channe...

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 network...

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...

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. Subscribe to our channel!  https://www.youtube.com/@Heelsint...

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...

Welcome to the "Heels in the Hierarchy" podcast where hosts SJ and Pegsy discuss the real-life challenges and triumphs faced by working women. In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation with JJ, a psychotherapist working in both NHS and private practice. JJ shares her unique journey of navigating career and personal life, including her experiences of overcoming obstacles, breaking fre...

In this episode of the "Heels in the Hierarchy" podcast, hosts SJ and Pegsy delve into the intricate dynamics of giving and receiving feedback in the workplace, especially for aspiring women aiming for leadership roles. They explore vulnerability as an essential component of effective feedback and the misconceptions that often accompany it. Drawing from diverse professional experiences, they discu...

In this enlightening episode of the Heels in the Hierarchy podcast, hosts S.J. and Pegsy dive deep into the crucial role of emotional intelligence in today's workplaces. They explore how self-awareness and understanding can transform interactions and enhance team dynamics. Discover how emotional intelligence not only fosters psychological safety but also empowers individuals and teams to excel. Jo...

Welcome to this episode of "Heels in the Hierarchy" where hosts SJ and Pegsy delve into the critical yet often misunderstood concept of self-care. In a lively discussion, they unravel the distinction between self-care and wellbeing, emphasising self-care as an everyday choice and essential leadership competency. Discover how small daily practices can exponentially enhance your personal and profess...