Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: Shatter Limiting Beliefs - Redefine Success - Chase Big Dreams

What if your brain isn’t broken—it's just doing its job?

Cognitive neuroscientist and keynote speaker Dr. Heather Collins joins Erica to break down the brain science behind feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain burnt out, and how to get unstuck with intention. From decoding fear responses to building a powerhouse memory, Dr. Collins brings neuroscience out of the lab and into your everyday life.

We dive into:
🧠 Why your brain resists change (and how to override it)
🧠 The secret to building an “expert brain” that works smarter, not harder
🧠 Why taking just 10 minutes a day can radically boost your career
🧠 The science of small shifts, habit loops, and how to rewire your fear response
🧠 And yes—where you put your damn keys matters more than you think

Plus, Erica shares her “40 Hard Things” challenge and the surprising brain benefits of simply asking for help. Tune in to learn the science-backed strategies that will make your brain your biggest career asset.

Connect with Dr. Collins: drheathercollins.com | LinkedIn

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📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

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What happens when a headshot appointment turns into your next career move? For Natasha Cornstein, it was the beginning of a wild, purpose-driven journey from beauty client to CEO of Blushington, the luxury express beauty brand now redefining glam across the country.

In this inspiring episode, Erica sits down with Natasha to unpack the pivots, pitfalls, and power moves that shaped her unconventional rise through media, sports, and beauty—and the sticky floors she had to break through along the way.

They dive into:
 ✨ Why perfectionism nearly derailed Natasha’s early career—and how she let it go
 ✨ The leadership feedback that brought her to her knees (and changed everything)
 ✨ Building through crisis: how Natasha led her team through COVID by embracing collaboration over competition
 ✨ What franchising can unlock for women who are done playing small
 ✨ The moment Natasha finally knew she was leading on her terms

If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted your path, or wondered if it’s too late to pivot—this episode is your permission slip to dream bigger, act bolder, and break your own rules.

 💼 Learn more about   Blushington: blushington.com

ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

What if the life you were chasing was never actually your dream to begin with?

In this powerful episode of Glass Ceilings & Sticky Floors, I sit down with Adriana D’Onofrio—a life and business coach for dreamers, doers, and trailblazers—who left behind the corporate hustle to build a soul-aligned life on her own terms. From designing couture gowns in Rome to running a hospitality division in NYC, Adriana’s story is a whirlwind of ambition, burnout, and radical realignment.

We talk about:
 💥 How burnout cracked open her path to entrepreneurship
 💥 The power of feminine energy and redefining ambition
 💥 Why your "dream job" might just be a sticky floor in disguise
 💥 How to ask the real questions that lead to lasting fulfillment
💥 The journal prompts that changed her life (and can change yours too)

Whether you're climbing the ladder or building your own, this episode will challenge you to rethink what success really means—and how to get there without losing yourself in the process.

🎧 Listen now and start asking the deeper questions.
 🎙️ Connect with Adriana: The Elevated Executive Podcast | LinkedIn

ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

When burnout sends you to the hospital (twice), you start asking bigger questions. Like: What kind of leader do I want to be—and how do I build workplaces that actually feel good to work in?

This week on Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, I’m joined by Andrea Wanerstrand, founder of A3 Culture Lab and leadership coach to companies like Microsoft and T-Mobile. Andrea shares her journey from corporate high-achiever to lavender-farming culture rebel—and what it really takes to lead with authenticity, autonomy, and accountability.

We dive into: 

💥 How burnout nearly derailed her life—and what brought her back
💥 The 3 A’s of human-centered leadership
💥 Why emotional awareness is a superpower (not a liability)
💥 How to reset your nervous system when your body says “this isn’t working”
💥 The difference between being nice and being kind—especially in tough conversations

If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink yourself to succeed, this episode will remind you that you’re not too much—and you’re more than enough.

🎧 Press play to reclaim your power, reset your mindset, and lead with heart.

🔗 Learn more about Andrea’s work at a3culturelab.com
💬 Connect with her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrand

ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

What if the key to workplace equality isn’t changing people—but changing systems?

Erica sits down with Siri Chilazi, a senior researcher at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard and co-author of Make Work Fair. Siri is an internationally recognized expert in closing gender gaps at work, and she’s here to share what really works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to building equitable organizations.

They dive into:
 💥 Why unconscious bias trainings often fail to create real change
 💥 The power of “de-biasing systems” over trying to de-bias people
 💥 The sticky floors that nearly derailed Siri’s early career—and how she broke free
 💥 How small, strategic changes to everyday processes (like resume formatting!) can make a massive difference
 💥 What to do when your company doesn’t have a promotion process—and how to uncover the hidden rules

If you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for your success, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to take your next step—and maybe even shift your organization while you’re at it.

🎧 Tune in to learn how you can help Make Work Fair—one strategic action at a time.

📖 Grab Siri’s book: Make Work Fair
📱 Connect with her on LinkedIn

ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

Ever feel like ripping off your bra, crawling into your comfiest sweats, and disappearing into a bag of chips and low-effort Netflix? Same, friend. In this solo episode, Erica Rooney gets radically real about what it’s like to completely lose your motivation—and how to get it back using science, not shame.

You’ll learn: 

🔥 Why motivation isn’t a feeling—it’s a dopamine-driven process
🔥 How to spark action before the motivation kicks in
🔥 The top 3 motivation killers for high-achieving women (yes, burnout and perfectionism, we’re looking at you)
🔥 The tiny tools that help you shift from stuck to unstoppable
🔥 Why your environment and expectations might be draining your drive—and how to fix it fast

Whether you’re curled up in overwhelm or simply stuck in the sticky floor of “blah,” this episode is your call to reclaim momentum, one micro action at a time. You're not lazy. You're not broken. You're just one small step away from getting sh*t done. Let's go.

ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

What if the very thing you’ve been avoiding—stress—is actually the key to your healthiest, most vibrant life?

In this eye-opening episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, I sit down with Dr. Sharon Bergquist, physician, research scientist, and founder of Emory Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness. Dr. Sharon reveals a powerful reframe: that certain kinds of stress—when used in microdoses—can actually help you live longer, feel better, and thrive in your everyday life.

We dive into: 

🔥 Why you don’t need a cold plunge to get the benefits of hot/cold therapy
🔥 The five stressors your body needs to function at its best
🔥 How syncing your sleep and eating habits can transform your energy
🔥 Why women especially must rethink their relationship with aging
🔥 The mindset shift that’s more powerful than any workout or diet

This episode is a must-listen for any high-achiever who’s tired of burnout culture and ready for a sustainable, science-backed path to feeling amazing. Let’s ditch the all-or-nothing thinking, sprinkle in some stress, and grow into the strongest version of ourselves.

🎧 Hit play now to learn how small, intentional discomforts can unlock your full potential.

📘 Grab Dr. Sharon’s new book: The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier
💡 Learn more about her work: Emory Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness

ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

We talk a lot about breaking glass ceilings—but what if the real problem starts at the very first step of the ladder? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Lareina Yee, senior partner at McKinsey & Company and co-author of The Broken Rung, to uncover the biggest barrier holding women back in their careers.

Lareina shares: 

 🔥 The data behind why women lose career momentum early
 🔥 What “experience capital” is—and how to build it
 🔥 Why motherhood can be an accelerator, not a hindrance
 🔥 The surprising truth about soft skills and how to treat them like hard skills
 🔥 How to choose the right company (not just the right job) for career growth

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career or wondered how to break through the first big promotion hurdle, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Hit play now to start climbing!

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Lareina:
  • LinkedIn
  • X (formerly Twitter)
• Preorder her bookThe Broken Rung: When the Career Ladder Breaks for Women—and How They Can Succeed in Spite of It:
  • Amazon
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Books-A-Million
• Follow Lareina's insights:
  • McKinsey's 'At the Edge' Podcast Series

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ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

In this episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, we’re joined by Jenny Wood, a former Google executive turned keynote speaker, author, and career development expert. Her bold moves, like chasing her now-husband off a subway and launching one of Google’s largest career programs, are just the beginning of what makes her story remarkable.

Topics Covered:

• The Subway Meet-Cute: How Jenny’s bold decision to chase down a stranger changed her life.
• Building a Career at Google: From entry-level to executive leadership and founding Own Your Career.
• The Power of Micro-Moments: How small, courageous actions like following up with a VP can lead to big results.
• Wild Courage Defined: Practical tips for navigating fear, taking risks, and owning your choices.
• The Pencil Sharpener Technique: Why sharing a rough project draft within 24 hours can transform your workplace reputation.
• Not Actually Promotable (NAP) Work: How to say no to tasks that don’t move your career forward.
• The ROCK-CHALK-TALK-WALK Framework: A powerful goal-setting tool to help you identify and achieve your dreams.

Key Takeaways:

• Courage doesn’t have to look like chasing a man off a subway—it’s often found in micro-moments.
• Bias to action is one of the most underrated workplace superpowers.
• Stop doing “NAP” work and start saying yes to tasks that make a measurable impact on your career.
• Naming your goals, saying them out loud, and taking consistent steps (no matter how small) is the key to success.

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Jenny: itsjennywood.com
• Preorder her book: Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It
• Speaking and workshops: itsjennywood.com/speaking

ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney

What if the best jobs aren’t the ones you apply for—but the ones that find you? Loren Greiff, founder of PortfolioRocket, is here to shatter outdated job search strategies and show you how to tap into the hidden job market, where 80-85% of top roles exist.

A fierce advocate against ageism and networking powerhouse, Loren specializes in helping C-suite leaders 40+ land faster and earn more by getting found—not just searching. In this episode, we dive into:

🔥 The biggest mistakes executives make in their job search
🔥 Why applying online is a dead-end (and what to do instead)
🔥 The “FAB4” LinkedIn strategy to attract dream opportunities
🔥 How to overcome limiting beliefs and build career resilience
🔥 Why your next job should be a love story about the future, not a résumé obituary

Loren shares her own sticky floor stories, from growing up in a male-dominated family to defying expectations as a bold, unapologetic disruptor. If you’re ready to ditch the traditional job hunt and take control of your career, this episode is for you!

🎧 Hit play now and unlock the hidden job market!

🔗 Connect with Loren: LinkedIn | PortfolioRocket.com
💡 Work with Erica: Glass Ceilings & Sticky Floors Coaching
📖 Get the Book: Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors

ERICA'S RESOURCES & LINKS

Start small with me inside HER Jumpstart:

https://her-collective.mn.co/plans/1985289?bundle_token=60b2c61d62213cdbd16d437cdc0e4204&utm_source=manual

🤖 Grab your copy of THE AI GAP: https://amzn.to/3OAXAdL

📚 Get my first book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://amzn.to/4uvjbE5

💼 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericarooney/

📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney/

🎵 Check out my TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaandersonrooney