Dreams and Ladders

The Podcast For Women in Male-Dominated Professions You’ve worked hard. You’re great at what you do. And yet… the ladder to leadership still feels like it wasn’t built with you in mind. The Dreams and Ladders podcast is here to change that. Hosted by executive coach and former law enforcement leader Lori Kranenburg, this show is your weekly dose of real talk, leadership insights, and practical strategies tailored for women who want more — more impact, more confidence, more meaningful work — without sacrificing their wellbeing. From staying authentic, leading without burnout, and building visibility to rise above bias, each episode is designed to help you lead with confidence and thrive in a career that challenges and fulfills you. Because your path to success shouldn’t be a secret. And you shouldn’t have to do it alone. 🎧 New episodes every week.

Episode 006: Is There a Path to Your Success? 10/14/2025

Episode 006: Is There a Path to Your Success? Episode 6: Is There a Path to Your Success? Have you ever wondered if there’s actually a path to success in your organization or if the ladder is missing a few rungs? In this episode, Lori Kranenburg explores the fifth topic in her series “Five Things I Wish I Knew Sooner”—organizational awareness—and how understanding the system you work in can make or break your career advancement. Lori shares a story from early in her policing career when opportunities for women were few and far between. Even when multiple women applied for specialized positions, the outcome made it clear that the system wasn’t built with women’s advancement in mind. That experience sparked her determination to figure out how to navigate the organization strategically without waiting for permission. Through personal reflection and relatable stories, Lori offers insight into: Why your lack of advancement isn’t always about you. Sometimes it’s about the structure and size of your organization and recognizing that truth can bring relief and clarity. How to find hidden paths to growth. Like shifting your view while rock climbing, a small change in perspective can reveal the next “handhold” in your career journey. When to walk away from toxicity. Even the most resilient leaders can’t thrive in environments that slowly erode confidence, energy, and joy. You’ll walk away from this episode reminded that your career path doesn’t have to follow a straight line and that sometimes the most strategic move is to chart your own route to success. Key Takeaways Organizational barriers aren’t always personal failures. Creativity and awareness can reveal new opportunities for advancement. Leaving a toxic environment isn’t quitting—it’s choosing growth. Book a Consultation If you’d like to explore if Lori is the right coach to help you find your path to success, you can book a complimentary consultation session using this link: Share this Episode If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with another woman who’s ready to rise in her career. Together, we can create new ladders where none exist. /episode/index/show/7300bd53-7c9f-445d-9727-63551ae7e470/id/38580380

Episode 005: The Advantage Women Overlook but Men Master 09/13/2025

Episode 004: Coaching or Mentoring? Which is Better? 08/29/2025

Episode 003: Why Being Smart Isn’t Enough to Get Promoted 08/22/2025

Episode 002: Are You Going to Paint Your Office Pink? 08/12/2025

Episode 002: Are You Going to Paint Your Office Pink? Show Notes: Dreams and Ladders – Episode 2 Host: Lori Kranenburg Episode Overview: In this episode, Lori shares a story from her own leadership journey — a moment when a throwaway comment from a new boss revealed deeper biases about women in leadership. She explores how internal voices, societal programming, and external opinions can chip away at a woman’s self-worth if left unchecked. Through personal examples, from military training to competitive sport, Lori unpacks how to challenge limiting beliefs, reframe negative self-talk, and filter whose feedback truly matters. This episode is a call to protect your self-worth and lead with confidence — no matter the environment. Key Topics Covered: The “paint your office pink” comment and what it revealed about workplace bias How subtle, internalized beliefs can limit your confidence and performance Gender programming and the hidden ways it shapes self-perception Why not all feedback is created equal — and how to filter it Identifying whose opinions deserve to influence your growth (and whose don’t) Actionable Takeaways: Catch Limiting Beliefs Early: Notice when you think, “I can’t do this because I’m a woman” — then challenge the story behind it. Reframe Your Language: Replace negative self-talk with growth-oriented, positive phrasing. Filter the Feedback: Only give weight to opinions from people who have your growth and best interests at heart. Protect Your Self-Worth: Be intentional about who you allow to influence your confidence and career trajectory. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with a woman in your network who could benefit from the message. If you’d like to explore whether Lori is the right coach to help you strengthen your leadership, protect your self-worth, and rise in your career, you can book a complimentary consultation session. Coaching works best when both coach and coachee can have open, honest dialogue — and the best way to know if that’s possible is to have an initial chat. Grab a coffee or your favourite beverage and let’s connect. /episode/index/show/7300bd53-7c9f-445d-9727-63551ae7e470/id/37784525

Episode 001: Five Things I Wish I Knew 08/05/2025

Episode 001: Five Things I Wish I Knew Show Notes: Dreams and Ladders – Episode 1 Host: Lori Kranenburg Episode Overview: In this debut episode, Lori shares her personal journey navigating male-dominated professions over 30+ years. She discusses the challenges women face in the workplace, from microaggressions to systemic barriers, and introduces the mission of Dreams and Ladders: empowering women to rise as leaders and close the gender gap. Key Topics Covered: Lori’s motivation for starting the podcast and her background The reality of entering the workforce as a woman in male-dominated fields The World Economic Forum’s gender gap statistics and the urgency for change Five essential lessons Lori wishes she had known earlier in her career: Protecting Self-Worth: The importance of guarding your confidence and filtering feedback. Being Smart Isn’t Enough: Why relationships, communication, and self-advocacy matter as much as competence. Seeking Mentorship and Coaching: Looking beyond your organization for support and growth. Value of Women’s Communities: The power of connecting with other women for support and shared experience. Organizational Awareness: Assessing if your workplace offers real opportunities for advancement. Actionable Takeaways: Be your own advocate and protect your self-worth. Develop relationships and communication skills alongside technical expertise. Seek mentors and coaches both inside and outside your organization. Don’t underestimate the value of women’s networks and communities. Regularly evaluate if your organization aligns with your career goals. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with women in your network who may benefit from these insights. If you’d like to explore whether Lori is the right coach to help you achieve your full leadership potential, you can book a complimentary consultation session to discuss your goals and obstacles. Coaching works best when both the coach and coachee are comfortable having open dialogue with one another; the only way to know if that comfort exists is to have an initial chat. Grab a coffee or your favourite beverage and let’s say hello. Stay tuned for future episodes where Lori will dive deeper into each of these topics. /episode/index/show/7300bd53-7c9f-445d-9727-63551ae7e470/id/28318736

Dreams and Ladders

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