High Heels Higher Standards

Surviving Difficult Guests: You Can Light the Candles and Hold Your Boundaries, Martha Stewart Would Approve

Hosting holiday guests should feel elegant, warm, and maybe a little glamorous… but let’s be honest: sometimes it feels like emotional survival. In this hilarious, practical, high-glam guide to holiday hosting, Ashley and Heidi break down how to handle difficult guests, family dynamics, boundary breakers, and chaotic energy —...

Emotional Hangovers During the Holidays: Coping with the holiday rush and the post party come down

Ever wake up the day after a holiday party feeling emotionally drained, overstimulated, or low-key regretful — even if you had “fun”? Welcome to the emotional hangover, babe. In this raw, cozy-glam holiday episode, Ashley and Heidi unpack the mental fog, post-party crash, family triggers, and loneliness that hit when the glitter settle...

If this is your first holiday, thanksgiving or Christmas without toxic family, a draining partner, or the chaos you grew up with, this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards is your permission slip to protect your peace, protect your energy, and romanticize spending the holidays solo for the softest December of your life. 

In “Untangling the Tinsel: Spending the Holidays Alone Without the Toxic Ones,” hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi ...

Why does spending time with powerful, aligned women make you feel more confident, creative, and unstoppable? In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi Hushak break down the science, psychology, and strategy behind what they call The Girl Gang Effect — the transformative power of female friendship.

This conversation blends neuroscience with real-life girl talk, revealing how supportive women liter...

Ever notice how one night of girl talk can leave you feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded — even if nothing in your life has changed? Turns out, that’s not just emotional — it’s science.

In this funny, cozy, and research-backed episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi Hushak break down the neurochemical power of female friendship — why talking with your girlfriends literally lowers stress, boosts ...

Not every soulmate is romantic. Some wear high heels, carry iced coffee, and show up exactly when you need them most. In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Ashley and Heidi explore the concept of friendship soulmates — the women who change your life and arrive through divine timing.

Together, they unpack the psychology and soul behind female connection:

• What makes a “friendship soulmate” and how to recognize one
• Why female fri...

Black Cat or Golden Retriever? Every woman has had a golden retriever phase,  over-texting, over-giving, over-analyzing, chasing validation instead of embodying self-worth. But that era is over. In this empowering episode, Ashley and Heidi dive deep into “Black Cat Energy,” the art of magnetic feminine confidence, emotional regulation, and the psychology of attraction.

Learn how to stop chasing love, friendship, and success, and sta...

In this powerful and deeply thought-provoking episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Ashley Werner and Heidi Hushak uncover the real history behind the witch hunts — and how the same systems of fear, control, and silencing that once burned women at the stake still echo in modern culture today.

This episode goes beyond history to explore the psychology of power, the erasure of feminine intelligence, and the modern reclamation...

Ever walk out of a meeting, happy hour, or family dinner feeling completely drained? You might’ve just met an emotional vampire. In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi Hushak and Ashley Werner break down the science and spirituality behind energy drain—and how to protect your personal power from toxic people, workplace burnout, and emotional exhaustion.

The Science: Learn how mirror neurons, cortisol co-regulation, a...

What if you could literally change your life just by shifting your energy? In this powerful episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Heidi Hushak and Ashley Werner explore the transformative truth behind the phrase “Everything is Energy.”

From the science of neural pathways and mirror neurons to the spiritual practices of grounding and energy clearing, this episode bridges neuroscience, spirituality, and self-awareness in a wa...

Are women really affected by the moon—or are we just being dramatic? 🌙 Spoiler: it’s a little bit of both.

In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi blend science and spirituality to uncover the powerful connection between menstrual cycles, moon phases, hormones, and women’s leadership potential. From circadian vs. infradian rhythms to ancient lunar rituals, this conversation will change the way you see your...

Have you ever had a gut feeling about someone—or a situation—that turned out to be right? In this empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Heidi and Ashley break down the science of women’s intuition, proving it’s more than just a hunch. From the neurobiology of gut instincts and the gut-brain connection via the vagus nerve, to the centuries-old history of women being labeled “witches” for “knowing too much,” this ...

Episode 11: Put Your Own Oxygen Mask On First - Why self care isn't Selfish -- Its Strategic!

In this empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi unpack one of the most important lessons ambitious women need to hear: self-care isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. Just like the flight attendants say, you have to put your own oxygen mask on first.

Too often, women are praised for over-giving, overcommitting, and ...

The Corporate Woman’s Guide to Solo Global Travel

In this empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi and Ashley dive into the art of solo global travel for ambitious, career-driven women. Whether you’re flying out for an international business trip or planning a solo adventure, Ashley—who has traveled to over 35 countries—shares her best strategies to pack like a pro, fly well, stay safe, and elevate your experience.

L...

Why is it that the only people who scream “gold digger” are the ones without any gold to begin with? 👀 This week on High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley and Heidi dive into one of the oldest, laziest insults aimed at ambitious women: being called a “gold digger.”

From broke-boy logic to jealous “pick me” energy, they unpack:
✨ The real origin of the term “gold digger”
✨ Why rich, confident men never use it (spoiler: they’re...

Define Yourself, Darling | High Heels, Higher Standards

Are you living by someone else’s definition of you? In this empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Heidi Hushak and Ashley Werner pull back the curtain on what it really takes to reclaim your identity, silence the nay-sayers, and step boldly into the version of yourself you’ve always dreamed of becoming.

Ashley shares powerful personal stories—from shrinking i...

Feeling overwhelmed by a giant to-do list that looks more like a CVS receipt than a game plan? In this episode of High Heels, Higher Standards,  we're serving up our best productivity tips, ADHD hacks, and breaking down how to “eat the elephant” one fabulous bite at a time.

Ashley and Heidi share ADHD-friendly productivity strategies to help you tackle big projects, avoid procrastination, and protect your focus. Whether you’re ...

Do It Scared – Why Courage Matters More Than Confidence

If you’re waiting to feel “ready,” you’ll be waiting forever. Discover why courage — not confidence — is the key to success, and how taking messy, imperfect action now will get you further than waiting for perfect conditions.

Stop waiting to feel “ready.” In this raw and empowering episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Heidi Hushak interviews Ashley Werner on what it really l...

Ready to upgrade your boundaries without apologizing for your ambition? In this empowering, witty, and refreshingly real episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, hosts Heidi Hushak and Ashley Werner get bold about the power of saying “no” in heels, with grace, and without guilt.

Ashley, the self-proclaimed Boundaries Queen, breaks down why so many high-achieving women struggle to set limits and how saying “no” can actually be the bi...