The Heels in the Hierarchy Podcast

One Year In: Heels, Hierarchies & Hard Truths

Heels in the Hierarchy marks its first anniversary with a reflective episode where SJ and Pegsy look back at the series and its most persistent themes: women’s health, late or missed diagnoses, neurodivergence, and the systemic barriers women face at work. Hosts SJ and Pixie share personal stories, listener responses, and why these conversations matter for leadership and workplace culture. The episode calls for curious, trust-based managers, real implementation beyond policies, and community action to drive change — urging listeners to share, follow, and keep the conversation going.  The Heels in the Hierarchy Podcast | heelsinthehierarchy [https://heelsinthehierarchy.podbean.com/] Subscribe to our channel!  https://www.youtube.com/@HeelsintheHierachy [https://www.youtube.com/@HeelsintheHierachy]  #heelsinthehierarchy #authenticleadership #womeninleadership https://buymeacoffee.com/heels_in_the_hierarchy [https://buymeacoffee.com/heels_in_the_hierarchy]

Working and Broke: The Hidden Crisis of In-Work Poverty

This episode explores in-work poverty in the UK, revealing that millions are struggling despite being employed. SJ and Pegsy discuss how rising living costs, part-time work, and the gender pay gap leave workers—especially women—vulnerable. They offer practical ideas for employers and teams, such as flexible working, discreet support programs, trust-based policies, and better job design, and stress the need for empathy, psychological safety, and creative workplace initiatives to help staff survive and thrive. Download and share our podcast The Heels in the Hierarchy Podcast | heelsinthehierarchy [https://heelsinthehierarchy.podbean.com/] Subscribe to our channel!  https://www.youtube.com/@HeelsintheHierachy [https://www.youtube.com/@HeelsintheHierachy] #heelsinthehierarchy #authenticleadership #womeninleadership https://buymeacoffee.com/heels_in_the_hierarchy [https://buymeacoffee.com/heels_in_the_hierarchy]

Leading Through the Pain: Charlotte’s 10-Year Medical Mystery

Charlotte, an IT manager and mother, recounts a decade-long struggle with severe, undiagnosed abdominal pain while maintaining a senior role, raising a toddler, and leading a team. The episode follows her journey through hospitals, referrals between gynaecology and gastroenterology, and the toll of being doubted by healthcare and employers. The conversation highlights workplace compassion, the realities of chronic unexplained illness, how patients are sometimes gaslit, and practical recommendations for managers and colleagues to support employees facing long-term health challenges. Subscribe to our channel!  https://www.youtube.com/@HeelsintheHierachy [https://www.youtube.com/@HeelsintheHierachy] #heelsinthehierarchy #authenticleadership #womeninleadership https://buymeacoffee.com/heels_in_the_hierarchy [https://buymeacoffee.com/heels_in_the_hierarchy] Women's Health Concerns Dismissed https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/a62595229/women-dismissed-pain/ [https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/a62595229/women-dismissed-pain/]

Nine Years Too Long: Women's Health Strategy and the Endometriosis Diagnosis Gap

In this episode, SJ and Pegsy examine the refreshed UK Women’s Health Strategy, spotlighting long delays in endometriosis diagnosis (nine years on average) and over half a million people waiting for gynaecology care. Hosts discuss how funding tied to patient feedback and new pain standards may change things, but question accountability and real impact. They focus on the workplace consequences—how undiagnosed or poorly supported conditions damage careers, mental health and income, and why managers need to build trust, be curious, and offer reasonable adjustments. The episode closes with a call to share the episode and push for practical employer action, not just awareness. The Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England (published 15 April 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/womens-voices-to-be-at-the-heart-of-renewed-health-strategy [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/womens-voices-to-be-at-the-heart-of-renewed-health-strategy] BBC Radio 4 Today Programme — 15 April 2026https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p002vsnk [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p002vsnk] (Search for the 15 April episode on BBC Sounds — available for 30 days) BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour — 15 April 2026, 10am https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qlvb] (Listen on BBC Sounds — also available as a daily podcast) Woman's Hour on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0xFLqrSAFDNqlBstjAd8Mk [https://open.spotify.com/show/0xFLqrSAFDNqlBstjAd8Mk] Woman's Hour on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womans-hour/id130950322 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womans-hour/id130950322] "Health strategy bids to stop women being 'ignored, gaslit and humiliated' in NHS" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2kke1jn8xo [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2kke1jn8xo] (The article referenced in today's episode — may require BBC login) KEY REPORTS & RESEARCH Endometriosis UK — Today's Statement on the Renewed Women's Health Strategy (April 2026) https://www.endometriosis-uk.org [https://www.endometriosis-uk.org] (Their full response is quoted on the GOV.UK strategy page and via Mirage News) Endometriosis UK — "Years of being dismissed, ignored and belittled" (February 2026 Report) https://www.endometriosis-uk.org [https://www.endometriosis-uk.org] RCOG: "A Work in Progress" — Evaluating the Women's Health Strategy (2025) https://www.rcog.org.uk/about-us/campaigning-and-opinions/a-work-in-progress-evaluating-the-womens-health-strategy/ [https://www.rcog.org.uk/about-us/campaigning-and-opinions/a-work-in-progress-evaluating-the-womens-health-strategy/] Full PDF report: https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/eqlnvyf1/a-work-in-progress-evaluation-of-the-womens-health-strategy.pdf [https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/eqlnvyf1/a-work-in-progress-evaluation-of-the-womens-health-strategy.pdf] RCOG — Response to Today's Renewed Strategy (April 2026) https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/rcog-welcomes-renewed-womens-health-strategy-but-calls-for-investment-and-delivery-to-match-ambition/ [https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/rcog-welcomes-renewed-womens-health-strategy-but-calls-for-investment-and-delivery-to-match-ambition/] RCOG — Warning: Almost Three-Quarters of a Million Women Waiting (January 2026) https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/as-we-enter-2026-almost-three-quarters-of-a-million-women-remain-waiting-for-gynaecology-care-and-inequalities-are-widening-warns-rcog/ [https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/as-we-enter-2026-almost-three-quarters-of-a-million-women-remain-waiting-for-gynaecology-care-and-inequalities-are-widening-warns-rcog/] PARLIAMENTARY REPORTS Women and Equalities Committee: "Medical Misogyny is Leaving Women in Unnecessary Pain" (December 2024)  https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/news/204316/medical-misogyny-is-leaving-women-in-unnecessary-pain-and-undiagnosed-for-years/ [https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/news/204316/medical-misogyny-is-leaving-women-in-unnecessary-pain-and-undiagnosed-for-years/] Full report PDF: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/45909/documents/228040/default/ [https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/45909/documents/228040/default/] The landmark parliamentary report that officially named "medical misogyny" and found women were being told to "suck it up." Women and Equalities Committee: Menstrual Health of Girls and Young Women (March 2026) https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmwomeq/1265/report.html [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmwomeq/1265/report.html] The follow-up inquiry published just six weeks ago, finding the Government's response to the December 2024 report "deeply disappointing." House of Commons Library: Access to Endometriosis Services (research briefing)https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10591/ [https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10591/] A comprehensive, regularly updated briefing — excellent for background reading. Hansard: Westminster Hall Debate — Women's Health Strategy, Endometriosis and Fibroids (March 2026) https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-03-05/debates/D39511A7-EE55-47D0-BAFA-F86AC4C2C6C5/WomensHealthStrategyEndometriosisandFibroids [https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-03-05/debates/D39511A7-EE55-47D0-BAFA-F86AC4C2C6C5/WomensHealthStrategyEndometriosisandFibroids] FURTHER READING The Independent: "Women waiting too long for NHS care because of medical misogyny, top doctor warns" (April 2026) https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/women-waiting-too-long-nhs-140354164.html [https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/women-waiting-too-long-nhs-140354164.html] Digital Health: "£1.5m FemTech Fund Launched Under Women's Health Strategy" (April 2026) https://www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/1-5m-femtech-fund-launched-under-womens-health-strategy/ [https://www.digitalhealth.net/2026/04/1-5m-femtech-fund-launched-under-womens-health-strategy/] Women's Health Strategy as Part of the NHS Long Term Plan (explainer) https://www.wms.co.uk/womens-health-strategy [https://www.wms.co.uk/womens-health-strategy] #HeelsInTheHierarchy #WomensHealthStrategy #MedicalMisogyny #NHSFailingWomen #DismissedDelayedDeservingBetter

Endometriosis Doesn't Wait: The Hidden Epidemic Affecting 1 in 10 Women

SJ and Pegsy discuss Endometriosis Awareness Month, revealing alarming delays to diagnosis, the physical and emotional toll of endometriosis, and how it can occur beyond the pelvis. They share personal stories, explain types of endo, and call on employers and healthcare systems to provide better understanding, flexible support and faster access to care.   Great article from Sanju Pal (on LinkedIn) about Living with Endometriosis on BBC [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bbc/] Asian Network with Neelam Heera - Shergill [https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelamheerashergill/], Founder and CEO of Cysters [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cysters/]. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sanju-pal-64b96166_endowarrior-disability-rights-ugcPost-7444362266352828417-89eC/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAATHrhcBOFez-fdXkMXRgl9tSQzof3kp8jQ [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sanju-pal-64b96166_endowarrior-disability-rights-ugcPost-7444362266352828417-89eC/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAATHrhcBOFez-fdXkMXRgl9tSQzof3kp8jQ] And another from Janet Lindsay, CEO of Wellbeing of Women about the Government introducing their Equality Action Plans, which are set to include menopause support in the workplace (via LinkedIn) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/big-news-the-government-has-introduced-share-7435731330489012225-OEnq/?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAATHrhcBOFez-fdXkMXRgl9tSQzof3kp8jQ&utm_campaign=share_via [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/big-news-the-government-has-introduced-share-7435731330489012225-OEnq/?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAATHrhcBOFez-fdXkMXRgl9tSQzof3kp8jQ&utm_campaign=share_via]