Pulsating variable stars such as Cepheid and RR Lyrae are primary standard candles for the extra-galactic distance measurements. One of the most fascinating aims of contemporary variable star research is to strengthen the first-rung of the cosmic distance ladder which allows a precise measurement of the Hubble constant in the late evolutionary Universe. At present, a ~2% local measurement of the Hubble constant based on Cepheids and type Ia Supernovae distance ladder is significantly (~9% or ~4σ) larger than its precise Planck mission value from the early Universe. This tension in the expansion rate between the two extreme ends of the Universe hints at possible new physics beyond the standard cosmological model. However, a less-exciting prospect is that the tension between the two measurements is possibly due to their known or unknown systematic uncertainties. I will discuss ongoing efforts to reduce Cepheid-based systematics in the distance ladder and present our results on Cepheid variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud - one of the anchors for the distance ladder. I will also summarize ongoing programs to develop alternate distance ladders using RR Lyrae, TRGBs and Mira variables in the Gaia era, to provide several independent local measurements of the Hubble constant.