What if joy wasn’t something you waited for—but something you intentionally designed?

In this intimate and expansive episode of High Heels, Higher Standards, Ashley sits down solo with her dear friend Doctor Kirsten Phillips for a conversation about building a life that actually feels like yours. One rooted in curiosity, community, intentional joy, and the courage to follow desire without needing it to make sense to anyone else.

This episode is not about hustle culture, productivity hacks, or monetizing your hobbies. It’s about reclaiming whimsy as a conscious choice, allowing joy to be planned rather than postponed, and recognizing curiosity, play, and learning as essential nourishment for the soul.

Dr. Kirsten Phillips, an OB-GYN, world traveler, sommelier, dancer, and devoted community builder, shares how following her curiosity (even when it’s inconvenient or impractical) has shaped a deeply fulfilling, expansive life. Together, Ashley and Kirsten explore why adulthood doesn’t have to be rigid, why joy is not a reward for exhaustion, and why community may be one of the most important currencies of the future.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why community and deep friendships are essential, not optional, in adulthood
• How to be intentional about joy instead of waiting for it to magically appear
• Why whimsy doesn’t need to be spontaneous to be meaningful
• Letting curiosity, not productivity, guide your choices
• Why hobbies are identity expansion, not distractions
• How leaning into discomfort and learning fuels personal growth
• Releasing the belief that desire needs to be justified
• How to build community and make friends as an adult

If you’ve ever felt like you’re denying yourself joy because it doesn’t feel “useful enough,” this conversation is your permission slip.

You are allowed to want what you want.
You are allowed to try new things and be bad at them.
You are allowed to design a life that delights you.

Because sometimes, the most radical thing you can do is follow your passion, follow your curiosity and pursue what lights you up.

✨ Keep your heels high and your standards higher.

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Until next Wednesday, keep your head, heels and standards high! Please follow along for more on TikTok and Instagram: @higherheelspodcast

Thank you for listening, lovelies!