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 literally change your brain chemistry, stress levels, mindset, and even your success trajectory.

✨ In this empowering episode, you’ll learn:

• The science of female connection and how oxytocin helps regulate stress, boost mood, and strengthen mental health
• Why strong female friendships improve emotional stability, leadership presence, and resilience
• How powerful women “find each other” through energetic alignment, mirror neurons, and social resonance
• The biology behind stress contagion and why the wrong people drain your energy
• How to intentionally curate a supportive inner circle that elevates ambition, confidence, and creativity
• Why your nervous system thrives in healthy sisterhood — and crashes in competition or comparison
• Practical strategies for building a girl gang that feels safe, inspiring, and growth-oriented

If you’ve ever walked away from brunch, a mastermind, or a night out with your girls feeling 10x more motivated, this episode explains exactly why — and how to build more of that energy into your life.

🎙️ Listen now to learn how female friendships can become your superpower — scientifically, emotionally, and energetically.

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

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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 mood, and rewires your brain for connection and healing.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The science of girl talk — how oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine create instant emotional relief
• Why venting isn’t gossip (and how to know the difference)
• What healthy emotional regulation looks like in real friendships
• The “tend and befriend” stress response unique to women
• How emotional co-regulation works — and why your best friend might actually be your nervous system’s favorite person
• The physical and emotional health risks of loneliness (and how connection heals them)

Whether you’re sipping wine with your besties, decompressing on your commute, or hiding in your car with coffee between meetings — this one’s for you. Get ready to laugh, learn, and feel deeply seen as Ashley and Heidi remind us that connection is medicine, not drama.

🎙️ Listen now to learn why girl talk is the most powerful (and free) therapy there is — backed by brain science.

Keywords: female friendship, women supporting women, emotional regulation, girl talk podcast, oxytocin, stress relief, neuroscience of connection, women’s mental health, healing through connection, female empowerment podcast, emotional intelligence, self-care for women, women in leadership, friendship therapy, women’s wellness, co-regulation, feminine energy, High Heels Higher Standards

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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!

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 friendships can be deeper and more healing than romantic love
• How to honor the natural seasons of friendship — from growth to graceful goodbyes
• How to attract and nurture high-value, aligned female friendships

You’ll learn how to identify the women who feel like home, release connections that no longer align, and cultivate friendships rooted in reciprocity, depth, and emotional safety.

Because true friendship is sacred — it’s self-care for your soul and nervous system.

Topics: female friendship, soulmate connections, feminine energy, nervous system regulation, friendship seasons, emotional intelligence, personal growth, women supporting women, high-value friendships

Key Quotes:

• “Some women enter your life and it feels like divine timing.”
• “Friendship soulmates don’t fix you — they remind you who you are.”
• “Growth isn’t betrayal — it’s alignment.”

If you’ve ever met a woman who changed your life — or you’re calling in the next one — this episode is for you.

Listen to High Heels, Higher Standards — where ambition meets intuition, and women learn to rise together in style.

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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!

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 start attracting them by shifting your self-image, body language, and energy. Explore how anxiety drives over-effort, why calm confidence is magnetic, and how the most powerful women lead with presence, not pursuit.

From dating and friendships to leadership and everyday life, this episode teaches you how to:

• Reclaim your worth without over-explaining or over-giving
• Cultivate quiet power through emotional regulation and poise
• Set boundaries with confidence and ease
• Attract aligned people and opportunities effortlessly

Because the black cat doesn’t chase, she observes, she attracts, and she knows she’s the prize.

Topics: feminine energy, self-worth, confidence, emotional regulation, psychology of attraction, friendship boundaries, dating mindset, main character energy, self-concept, magnetic confidence

Key Quotes:

• Chasing is anxiety disguised as connection.
• Confidence is energy conservation.
• Being selective isn’t being hard to get, it’s being hard to forget.

Tune in to High Heels, Higher Standards, where ambition meets intuition, and women learn to rise in style.

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

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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 of intuition and strength. From the midwives and healers whose wisdom was destroyed, to the modern woman redefining what freedom truly means, Ashley and Heidi trace a clear line between the past and the present.

You’ll learn:

• The truth behind the witch trials — and why they were really about controlling women’s independence and knowledge.
• How centuries of suppression shaped today’s struggles around women’s rights, autonomy, and intuition.
• The forgotten history of female healers and early scientists erased by patriarchal systems.
• The major milestones in women’s liberation — from the right to vote to financial independence.
• How the term witch has evolved into a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and divine feminine power.
• Why modern “witch hunts” now happen on social media, in boardrooms, and in politics.

With warmth, intelligence, and unapologetic honesty, Heidi and Ashley connect history, energy, and empowerment — reminding us that “they didn’t burn witches — they burned women.” And yet, from that fire, generations of women have risen stronger than ever.

If you’re drawn to conversations about female empowerment, energy awareness, feminism, spirituality, healing, and leadership, this episode is essential listening.

Keywords: women’s empowerment, feminine energy, witch hunts, women’s rights, women’s history, divine feminine, spiritual healing, female leadership, energy awareness, modern feminism, women’s intuition, intuition and power, patriarchy, women reclaiming power, gender equality, spiritual awakening, empowerment podcast, women in power, self-healing, reclaim your magic

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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!

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, and social contagion theory explain why other people’s moods, stress, and energy literally affect your body and brain. Discover how emotional contagion impacts your workplace, your relationships, and even your success.

The Witchy Wisdom: Ashley brings in energetic protection practices like aura shielding, cord cutting, and the Grey Rock Method to help you stay grounded and unshakable. Whether you call it neuroscience or aura management, it’s all about mastering your energetic boundaries.

The Real Talk: From micromanaging bosses to drama-fueled coworkers and narcissistic partners, this episode unpacks how to recognize emotional vampires, reclaim your confidence, and stop letting other people’s chaos drain your peace.

✨ What You’ll Learn:

• The neuroscience of energy exchange and emotional contagion
• How to recognize and neutralize toxic people and narcissists
• Daily grounding, boundary-setting, and energy-clearing tools
• Why women in leadership must protect their emotional bandwidth
• Practical scripts for saying no without guilt

Affirmation of the Week:

“Your energy is currency. Spend it with intention. Protect it fiercely. Not everyone deserves access to your power.”

If you’re ready to stop absorbing other people’s stress and start owning your vibration, this episode is your science-meets-soul toolkit for reclaiming your power.

🎧 Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Follow High Heels, Higher Standards for weekly conversations about energy, empowerment, boundaries, and becoming your most magnetic self.

Support the show

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!

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 way that’s as empowering as it is practical. Ashley guides listeners through a one-minute grounding meditation designed to help you reset your nervous system, while Heidi unpacks the brain chemistry behind emotions, stress, and intuition.

You’ll learn:

• What it really means that everything — thoughts, emotions, relationships, money — is energy
• How your Reticular Activating System (RAS) filters reality based on what you focus on
• Why trauma, overthinking, and emotional “noise” block your energetic flow
• Tools to ground, protect, and clear your energy — even in one minute a day
• How to “rewire your brain” with gratitude, visualization, and intention
• Ways to deal with narcissists and emotional vampires without losing your peace (hello, Grey Rock method)

**BONUS MINI MEDITATION to Ground your Energy!** 

This episode is a masterclass in energy awareness, mindset transformation, and feminine power — helping ambitious women reclaim their focus, intuition, and influence.

Because once you understand that everything is energy, you stop chasing what you want — and start aligning with it.

Tune in to “Everything Is Energy” on High Heels, Higher Standards, where science meets spirituality, and success is always in high heels.

Energy, grounding meditation, neuroscience and energy, neuroplasticity, intuition science, vibrational energy, women intuition, how to deal with narcissists, 

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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!

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 body, your productivity, and your power.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The science behind the four menstrual phases (follicular, ovulation, luteal, menstruation) and how they shape energy, creativity, and focus.
• The mystical connection between the moon and women’s cycles—and why cultures throughout history honored it.
• How to align productivity, leadership, and creativity with your hormonal rhythm instead of fighting against it.
• Self-care strategies for each cycle phase: nutrition, fitness, rest, and rituals.
• Why your cycle is not a curse but a compass for power, clarity, and leadership.

Whether you’re curious about moon magic, cycle syncing, women’s health, or feminine leadership, this episode gives you both practical strategies and a mystical reframe to help you thrive.

Because your cycle isn’t a monthly problem—it’s a monthly map. And once you learn to follow it, you unlock productivity, creativity, and leadership that feels effortless.

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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!

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 conversation blends science, leadership, and a little bit of magic.

You’ll learn:
✨ The brain science behind intuition—how pattern recognition and subconscious processing create that “gut feeling.”
✨ Why your gut really is your “second brain” (with over 500 million neurons).
✨ How intuition was historically weaponized against women—and why trusting your instincts today is an act of power.
✨ Practical tools to strengthen your intuition in leadership, business, relationships, and everyday life.
✨ How to stop gaslighting yourself and start trusting the signals your body sends.

This episode also kicks off our October Spooky Season Series, where we’ll explore the fascinating intersections of science, women’s wisdom, and the mystical. If you’ve ever wondered why intuition feels a little magical, this is the perfect place to start.

🎙️ Tune in to High Heels, Higher Standards for an honest, insightful, and inspiring look at why women’s intuition isn’t imaginary—it’s biology, history, and power combined.

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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!

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 putting themselves last—at work, at home, and in relationships. But running on empty doesn’t make you a better leader, partner, or mother—it makes you burnt out, resentful, and less effective.

Join us as we break down:
✨ Why prioritizing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being is the ultimate leadership move
✨ How to recognize guilt as a sign you’re breaking unhealthy patterns (not doing something wrong)
✨ Practical strategies to protect your energy—non-negotiables, boundaries, delegation, and mindset shifts
✨ The ripple effect: how modeling self-care transforms teams, relationships, and families

If you’ve ever felt guilty for saying “no,” struggled with burnout, or wondered how to balance high standards with self-preservation, this conversation will remind you: the most loving thing you can do is breathe first.

🎙️ Tune in, take notes, and share this episode with a woman who needs the reminder that she matters too.

Support the show

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!