Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel is the podcast for high-achieving women who refuse to leave their future to chance.Hosted by executive coach, bestselling author, speaker, and Human Capital Strategist Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, each episode explores leadership, career agency, personal growth, and the choices that shape our lives and careers.Through candid conversations with accomplished leaders, experts, and trailblazers, you'll gain practical insights to help you navigate change, strengthen confidence, build influence, and create meaningful momentum.At the heart of the show is a simple belief: success should not come at the expense of your well-being, purpose, or authenticity.Drawing on the principles behind Stop Drifting: The Discipline of Direction™, the 7-Minute Pivot™, and decades of executive leadership and coaching experience, Dr. Cynthia helps listeners recognize the patterns that pull them away from what matters most—and take intentional steps toward
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What is Climbing the Corporate Ladder without Breaking a Heel?
Climbing the Corporate Ladder without Breaking a Heel is a business podcast hosted by Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, with 51 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.
About the host
Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer hosts Climbing the Corporate Ladder without Breaking a Heel, a business show with 51 episodes published.
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Episode #52
How to Prevent Burnout at Work and Find Your Purpose with Elizabeth Rosenberg
Aug 18, 202647 minS1
Burnout doesn't happen overnight, and recovering from it isn't as simple as taking a vacation. In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder without Breaking a Heel , Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer sits down with Elizabeth Rosenberg, founder of The Good Advice Company, to discuss recovering from corporate burnout, finding purpose beyond your job title, and building a career that aligns with who you truly are. Together, they explore: What corporate burnout really looks like and how to recover The difference between your work purpose and your life purpose How to build an authentic personal brand that stands out Why intuition belongs in the workplace Practical ways to break free from autopilot and create a healthier career Whether you're feeling exhausted in your current role, considering a career change, or looking for more meaning in your work, this conversation offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on professional success. burnout recovery, corporate burnout, career purpose, personal branding, leadership podcast, workplace wellness, intuition in business, career development, women in leadership
Sometimes the career you've worked decades to build isn't the one you're ultimately meant to keep. This week on Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel , Dr. Cynthia sits down with coach, speaker, author, and former IBM executive Lyndsay Dowd for an honest conversation about career setbacks, purpose, and leading with heart. After spending 23 years building an incredible career at IBM, Lyndsay took a leap into a new leadership role only to be fired six months later. Instead of allowing that moment to define her, she used it to ask three life-changing questions: • What am I really good at? • What do I love doing? • How can I help people the most? That reflection became the foundation for Heartbeat for Hire , where Lyndsay now helps organizations embrace leadership that puts people before numbers. In this episode, you'll learn: Why getting fired doesn't have to be the end of your story How purpose often emerges from painful career transitions The leadership skills that create trust and drive real business results Why every professional should consider building a side hustle How authenticity transformed Lyndsay's personal brand and business A simple daily practice that can change the way you see the people around you Whether you're questioning your next career move, recovering from a setback, or simply trying to become a better leader, this conversation is a reminder that success isn't built on perfection. It's built on purpose, resilience, and the courage to lead with your heart. CONNECT WITH DR-CYNTHIA LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drcynthiabentzenmercer/ Instagram: instagram.com/drcynthiabentzenmercer Facebook: facebook.com/drcynthiabentzen TikTok: tiktok.com/@drcynthiabentzenmercer
In this episode of Climbing the Corporate Ladder Without Breaking a Heel , Dr. Cynthia sits down with award-winning entrepreneur, former Wall Street executive, and author Melissa Gonzalez for an honest conversation about the cost of ambition and why success should never come at the expense of your well-being. Melissa shares the deeply personal health crisis that forced her to reevaluate everything. After more than a year of ignoring stress signals like jaw clenching, shingles, digestive issues, and chronic pain, she found herself in emergency surgery. That experience became the catalyst for what she now calls her "purpose pivot." Together, Dr. Cynthia and Melissa explore why so many high achievers wear exhaustion as a badge of honor, how vulnerability actually strengthens leadership, and why intuition may become one of our greatest competitive advantages in the age of artificial intelligence. If you've ever felt like you're constantly pushing through, this conversation is a reminder that your body isn't working against you. It's trying to work for you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your body often recognizes burnout before your mind does. How vulnerability builds stronger leaders and deeper relationships. Why intuition is becoming an essential leadership skill. How to redefine success without sacrificing your health. A simple "energy audit" exercise to identify what fuels you and what drains you. How to use your calendar intentionally instead of letting it control your life. CONNECT WITH DR-CYNTHIA LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drcynthiabentzenmercer/ Instagram: instagram.com/drcynthiabentzenmercer Facebook: facebook.com/drcynthiabentzen TikTok: tiktok.com/@drcynthiabentzenmercer Connect with Melissa Gonzalez Learn more about her work and leadership philosophy. Pick up her book, The Purpose Pivot: How Dynamic Leaders Put Vulnerability and Intuition into Action .
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:bd9353f4-84ad-45f1-aabe-5b50e3efeb15-43" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:bd9353f4-84ad-45f1-aabe-5b50e3efeb15-43" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant"> What if the career you've worked so hard to build still leaves you feeling... empty? This week, Dr. Cynthia sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and Next Level University founder Alan Lazaros to explore why external success doesn't always translate into a fulfilling life. After surviving a near-fatal car accident at just 26 years old, Alan completely redefined what success meant. Today, he helps high achievers stop chasing accomplishments for validation and start building lives rooted in purpose, self-respect, and intentional growth. In this conversation, you'll learn: Why so many ambitious professionals end up successful but unfulfilled The Four Buckets of Life and how to identify where you are today Why becoming healthier, wealthier, and more in love creates lasting success The surprising balance between strategy ("the clouds") and execution ("the dirt") A practical framework for building genuine confidence through consistent action How keeping small promises to yourself can transform your career and your life If you've ever wondered why reaching the next milestone didn't feel the way you expected, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it really means to climb the corporate ladder without losing yourself along the way. CONNECT WITH DR-CYNTHIA LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drcynthiabentzenmercer/ Instagram: instagram.com/drcynthiabentzenmercer Facebook: facebook.com/drcynthiabentzen TikTok: tiktok.com/@drcynthiabentzenmercer
Are You Living Your Life... or Someone Else's Blueprint?
Jul 21, 202648 minS1
What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted... and it still doesn't feel like enough? In this episode, Dr. Cynthia sits down with executive coach, speaker, and former IBM Vice President and Senior Partner Anouk Brumfield to explore what it means to redefine success on your own terms. After spending more than three decades climbing the corporate ladder, Anouk reached financial freedom years ahead of schedule, only to realize she had been living a life that looked successful on paper but no longer reflected who she truly was. Together, they unpack the subtle ways high achievers drift into lives they never intentionally chose, the warning signs that it's time to pivot, and how to reconnect with your authentic self before burnout or regret takes over. Anouk also shares her Power of KNOW framework, a practical approach to becoming kinder to yourself, nurturing your growth, cultivating optimism, and believing you're worthy of creating a life you genuinely love. Whether you're questioning your next career move, feeling unfulfilled despite your accomplishments, or wondering if it's too late to start over, this conversation is a reminder that the next chapter begins with saying yes to yourself. In this episode: Why success can quietly become a form of autopilot How to recognize when you've drifted away from your authentic self The pivotal moment that changed Anouk's career forever The Power of KNOW framework for intentional living Why it's never too late to reinvent your career or your life CONNECT WITH DR-CYNTHIA LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drcynthiabentzenmercer/ Instagram: instagram.com/drcynthiabentzenmercer Facebook: facebook.com/drcynthiabentzen TikTok: tiktok.com/@drcynthiabentzenmercer
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