9 to 5 Imposter

Priyanka's story travels across every dimension of imposter syndrome simultaneously: gender, culture, socioeconomic background, immigration, perfectionism, and the specific weight of being first. She grew up between two worlds, never fully belonging to either. She earned scholarships to one of Atlanta's most elite private schools while shopping at thrift stores. She walked into a stem ce...

What does it look like to build a professional brand without sounding like everyone else, especially when AI is making the noise louder than ever? Jillian Richardson has figured it out. Known for her "make LinkedIn weird" philosophy, Jillian is a LinkedIn creator, coach, and professional writer who helps people stand out through authenticity rather than performance. But behind the bold c...

In this episode, we sit down with Carla Carter, a highly successful patent attorney who shares a candid and powerful look at being a trailblazer. As the first female attorney hired by her law firm, Carla discusses the immense social pressures of representing an entire demographic and how that weight transformed from a burden into a relentless motivation to break institutional molds. We explore her...

How do you lead when the stakes are high, the systems are complex, and the path forward hasn’t been paved for you? In this episode, we sit down with Sanford Long, an executive whose leadership philosophy was forged in the heat of a changing America and refined at the highest levels of global telecommunications. Sanford takes us back to his roots in post-integration Mississippi, sharing how growing...

In this episode of the 9-to-5 Imposter , hosts Andy and James welcome Brandon Bischoff , a seasoned IT professional whose career journey from a help desk in to a senior cybersecurity leader offers a refreshing look at professional evolution. Brandon shares his personal history as a "latchkey kid" of the '90s, exploring how early independence fostered a habit of "consolidating b...

In this episode of the 9 to 5 in Five, Andy uses a high-impact clip from Andrew Ting to illustrate the "Growth Tax Theory", the psychological price we pay every time we level up in our careers. Andrew, a dual Harvard degree holder, argues that total comfort often signals a lack of growth, suggesting that a healthy dose of doubt keeps professionals sharp and accountable. By blending rigor...

In this episode of the 9 to 5 Imposter Podcast, hosts Andy and James are joined by ten-year tech veteran Chloe Burton to decode the psychological hurdles of navigating a career pivot from psychology to cybersecurity. Chloe provides a masterclass in professional resilience, sharing her lived experience as a woman of color in tech and revealing how "transparent mentorship” is the ultimate antid...

In this episode of the 9 to 5 in Five, Andy uses a high-impact clip from Eric Shanks to illustrate the "Growth Tax Theory", the psychological price we pay every time we level up in our careers. While many view imposter syndrome as an emotional roadblock, Eric’s success reveals it can actually be a high-performance fuel that drives us to over-prepare and master new skills. By analyzing Er...

In this year-end episode of the 9 to 5 Imposter Podcast, hosts Andy and James reflect on their journey so far, discussing the impactful messages from their previous guests. They touch on various strategies and personal anecdotes shared by their guests. The hosts reflect on the positive reception of the podcast and their excitement about its future, including the plan to bring in more diverse guest...

In this episode of the 9 to 5 Imposter Podcast, hosts James and Andy dive into the topic of imposter syndrome as they are joined by their guest, Sandeep Nair. A first-generation Indian American and a technology professional, Sandeep shares his journey from being raised in a performance-focused household in West Texas to his current role in big tech. The discussion covers Sandeep's professiona...

Andrew Ting, a professor at Georgetown's Business School and George Washington University's Law School and a Chief Legal Officer with two Harvard degrees, shares his personal experiences with imposter syndrome throughout his career. He elaborates on his background as an immigrant from Malaysia, his educational journey, and the challenges he faced in high-pressure roles. Andrew emphasizes...

This episode of the 9 to 5 Imposter Podcast features guest Nick Rodriguez, who works as a DEI and Employee Experience manager at AHEAD. Nick shares his background, growing up as a Mexican-Scottish American, and the challenges he faced feeling isolated in both his cultural communities and career.  The conversation delves into Nick's childhood, academic challenges, and early loss of his mother,...

Shannon shares her unconventional journey into the tech industry, from being a DJ to becoming a principal solutions architect, as well as her struggles with self-doubt and overcoming impostor syndrome. They discuss the importance of mentorship, resilience, and the unique paths that different professionals take in their careers. The conversation highlights the significance of having champions in on...

In this episode, hosts James and Andy welcome their first guest, Eric Shanks, a principal technical marketing engineer. Eric shares his personal journey with imposter syndrome, discussing his accomplishments, including obtaining multiple technical certifications and how fear and self-doubt fueled these achievements. The discussion touches on the balance between using imposter syndrome as a motivat...

In this episode of the Nine to Five Imposter podcast, the hosts share their initial reactions to the positive feedback received from the first episode and delve into the widespread nature of imposter syndrome across various professions, including academia and business. They explore the importance of feedback, the impact of imposter syndrome on professional and personal life, and how to manage exte...

In the inaugural episode of the Nine to Five Imposter Podcast, hosts Andy Sajous and James Adams delve into the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome, especially within professional environments. They share their personal journeys and experiences with self-doubt despite being high achievers in the tech industry. They offer insights into how these feelings impact their daily work life and strategies...