The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about career reinvention, identity and what happens when the path you’ve spent your life pursuing no longer feels aligned. My guest this week is Kate Kayaian, author, speaker and former professional cellist. Kate shares her journey from building a successful career in classical music to realizing, after decades as a performer, that the ident...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about building a career in a time when the rules of work are changing faster than ever. My guest this week is Sam Alvita, founder of Work Rewritten and Director of Learning Design at MasterClass. In our conversation, we explore why today’s career paths no longer offer the same predictability they once did and why adaptability is becoming one...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about burnout, workaholism and the pressure high achievers put on themselves to constantly prove their value. My guest this week is Amy Leneker, leadership consultant, self-described “recovering workaholic” and author of Cheers to Monday. Amy shares her personal journey through two major experiences with burnout, including the physical and e...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore why uncertainty feels so uncomfortable for so many of us and how we can build a healthier, more productive relationship with it. My guest this week is Scott Stirrett, author of The Uncertainty Advantage . Scott shares how his own experiences navigating major career risks, leading a national nonprofit and managing anxiety during the pandem...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the pressure high achievers put on themselves and the fears that often drive that pressure beneath the surface. My guest this week is Brendan Cournane, attorney, endurance athlete and author of Seeking Serenity . Brendan shares stories from his decades in law, including the decision to close a major deal on the same day his daughter wa...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore how lived experiences shape leadership and influence the way impostor syndrome shows up at work. My guest this week is Natanja Craig-Oquendo, Executive Director of the Boston Women’s Fund. Natanja shares her journey from a childhood grounded in community organizing and allyship to leading mission-driven work focused on social, gender and...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore what it means to build a career with clarity when the path isn’t linear. My guest this week is Sabine Hutchison, CEO, author of Beyond the Ladder and founder of the Ripple Network. Sabine shares her journey from scientist to entrepreneur and challenges the idea that you need one clear passion or a perfectly mapped-out path. She introduces...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore what it takes to express yourself fully and create spaces where people feel safe to be seen. My guest this week is Rayviation, a documentary filmmaker and creative who blends storytelling, comedy and immersive experiences into what he calls “media mixology.” Rayviation shares his journey into creative work and the vulnerability that comes...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore why great people struggle in the wrong culture. My guest this week is Julie Holunga, a fractional leadership and culture advisor who works with organizations to turn their stated values into everyday behaviors. Julie shares how her early work examining women in the workforce shaped her perspective on leadership and culture, and why focusi...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about how to recognize and address burnout. My guest this week is Garrett Wood, founder of Gnosis Therapy, whose work helps high performers understand and treat the effects of chronic stress and burnout. Here Garrett shares how his own experience with chronic pain and overwork changed the way he understands burnout. What looked like isolated...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore a powerful reframe of impostor syndrome and what it looks like to build confidence without waiting for self-doubt to disappear. My guest this week is Joy Rowland, a leadership and business coach who brings a deeply personal and neuroscience-informed perspective to overcoming impostor syndrome. Joy shares her journey as a solo immigrant wh...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore what it takes to build a life that feels as good as it looks. My guest this week is Brandi Hudson, a performance coach who works with senior leaders in tech and finance to help them navigate pressure, redefine success and reconnect with internal fulfillment. Brandi shares her remarkable journey from being relentlessly driven by external a...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about improving communication. My guest this week is Yosi Kossowsky, a leadership coach whose journey from engineering and technology to emotional wellness and behavioral neuroscience reshaped not only his career but his relationships, communication and impact as a leader. Yosi shares how early feedback about his leadership style forced him...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about harnessing your inner strength to overcome self-doubt. My guest this week is Dr. Jenn Donahue, an engineer, retired U.S. Navy officer and author of the book, Becoming the Warrior: Harnessing Your Inner Strength to Silence Self-Doubt . Jenn’s journey spans ocean engineering, seismic design and military leadership across some of the most...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore caregiving. My guest this week is Cynthia Iorio, founder and managing director of Monarch Solutions, who shares how her own experiences of how caring for her terminally ill parents disrupted and reshaped her 25-year career and how this ultimately led her to redefine what leadership looks like. We talk about the invisible burden millions o...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about what it takes to survive and thrive in the high-stakes world of big tech, especially as a woman in engineering. My guest this week is Jossie Haines, a leadership coach for engineering leaders and women in tech, whose journey spans major roles at companies like Apple, Zynga and Tile. Jossie opens up about the culture shock she experienc...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about managing emotional intensity in high-stakes situations. My guest this week is Jeremy Hurewitz, author of Sell Like a Spy and a corporate consultant, who draws on years of working alongside intelligence professionals, such as FBI hostage negotiators, CIA case officers, and special forces, to teach practical strategies for emotional regu...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we take a closer look at a topic that quietly shapes every professional interaction we have: perception. My guest this week is Shira Abel, keynote speaker, marketing expert and creator of the Perception Formula. Shira brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing, sales and teaching to show us why understanding how others see us is essential...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we dig into what’s happening under the hood when we feel triggered, anxious or stuck. My guest this week is Mitch Weisburgh, educator, author and founder of MindShifting with Mitch. After years in edtech and instructional design, Mitch turned his attention to a deeper question: How do we teach people to manage their brains so they can be more resour...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore a counterintuitive but empowering idea: what if not knowing something is not a weakness but an advantage? My guest this week is Alan Gregerman, innovation consultant and author of The Wisdom of Ignorance . He invites us to rethink impostor syndrome by viewing not knowing as the very thing that fuels creativity, innovative thinking and mea...

Trigger Warning: Childhood trauma and suicidal ideation In this deeply moving episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , I talk with Jesse Cody, founder and president of Hike the Good Hike , a nonprofit that uses nature and storytelling to promote mental health awareness. Jesse shares his journey from suicidal ideation to self-discovery, starting with no hiking experience at age 40, and how walking...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about where confidence comes from. My guest this week is Jennifer Sahady, a personal finance expert, speaker and passionate advocate for financial literacy and gender equity. In a field that hasn’t always welcomed women or fresh perspectives, Jennifer shares how she’s charted her own path by focusing on service, curiosity and the quiet power...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore the power of the subconscious mind and its profound influence on how we show up at work and in life. My guest this week is Roberta Fernandez, a board-certified hypnotherapist and consultant who has spent nearly two decades helping individuals and organizations transform limiting beliefs into empowering action. Roberta shares how her work...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the pressure to be perfect and the freedom that comes when we shift our focus to progress instead. My guest this week is Maria Rincon, a public speaking coach and former communications consultant at the United Nations. Maria shares her story of growing up as an overachiever in an immigrant household where perfection was expected and ex...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about creating better workplaces. My guest this week is Ivonne Furneaux, a former corporate executive turned solo speaker and consultant who spent more than two decades leading communications, DEI, and change management efforts at companies across industries, including most recently as VP at Weight Watchers. She now helps companies and indiv...