The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk stress and burnout. If you’re a high achiever (hint: if you’re listening to this podcast, you are), you’re likely at higher risk for stress and burnout because of the way you approach your work. My guest this week is Avery Thatcher, a former ICU nurse who now specializes in burnout recovery. Avery shares her personal journey as someone who u...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about how using problem-solving frameworks can help you ease self-doubt and make better decisions. My guest this week, Tommy Ogden, co-founder of Activera Consulting, shares his career journey, including the twists and turns along the way. Here we talk about the importance of trying new things to figure out what you want to do, failing quick...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the link between our identities and our jobs. Losing or leaving our jobs can be emotionally challenging because of the weight our jobs hold in our lives. Too often, we continue along the path in front of us because we’re afraid of who we’ll be, or won’t be, if we make a career change. My guest this week, Jen Lewi is the founder and CEO...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about managing the pressure to be an A student at work. Many of us felt really comfortable in school because we were given very clear instructions. The workplace, unfortunately, does not come with clear instructions, yet we cling to old habits for the illusion of emotional safety these habits bring us. My guest this week, Lauree Ostrofsky, h...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about social competence. Many of us are uncomfortable in social situations because we struggle with self-doubt, have had negative experiences in our past or we’re not sure how to engage. But that wasn’t always the case. Most of us started out as pretty confident children who made ourselves smaller and smaller over time. My guest this week, D...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about intentional leadership. Intentional leadership looks different to different people. To my guest this week, Juan Alvarado, a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, U.S. Army veteran and leadership expert, intentional leadership is not about us as leaders. It’s about consistently asking ourselves, “Who does this person need me to be right now...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about setting yourself up for success in your job search. Whether you’re actively in a job search or just starting to think about making a change, this episode is for you. My guest this week, Michelle Merritt, is the Chief Strategy Officer at D&S Executive Career Management. Here we explore how to maximize your resume, including how to u...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about how to maximize your executive presence without compromising your values. Too many professionals struggle to make their voices heard because they hesitate to sell themselves and their ideas. But what if there were a way to do all of this and stay true to yourself? This week, I talk with Aletta Rochat, an executive presence coach, who b...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about setting more realistic expectations for ourselves. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves these days to know everything, do everything, be everything. But, even if that were realistic, which it’s not, the world is moving at such a rapid pace that it’s impossible to keep up. My guest this week, Steve McCready, is a coach and psychotherap...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about pivoting to a second act. Many of us dream of changing careers but we stop short for a number of reasons – our careers are tied to our identities and we don’t feel we can walk away, we don’t believe we can make a living doing what we really want to do, we are afraid of the unknown, and much more. My guest this week is Shannon Russell,...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about neurodivergence. As DEI initiatives have expanded to include more of a focus on neurodivergence, we’ve learned more about what it means to be neurodivergent in the workplace. Examples include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder or dyslexia. But from an inclusion standpoint, challenges remain for neurodivergent and neurotypical professionals...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about reconnecting with our creativity by becoming a beginner again. As children, we are constantly pushed outside of our comfort zones. But as adults with more control over how we spend our time, we often avoid trying new things unless we’re guaranteed to do them well. This week, I’m talking with Cliff Goldmacher, a professional songwriter...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about staying confident while looking for a new job. This is difficult under the best of circumstances but is particularly true when you’ve lost your job. How do you stay connected to your strengths and bring your best self to the search process when you still have lots of unresolved feelings? My guest this week, Debra Boggs, is the founder...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about managing up. For professionals with impostor syndrome or self-doubt, managing up can be a big challenge. Many of us prefer to keep our heads down, do good work and avoid the politics. Unfortunately, if your goal is advancement, that strategy won’t get you there. My guest this week, Roberta Matuson, is an executive coach and author of t...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the importance of helping men to become more emotionally connected. My guest this week is Mike Cameron, leadership coach and author of the book, Becoming A Better Man: When "Something's Gotta Change", Maybe It's You! Here Mike shares his personal journey from financial entrepreneur to coaching men to improve their me...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about overcoming self-doubt. Self-doubt gets in our way more often than we think. It creeps up on us in big and small ways that keep us from leaving our comfort zones, even when those comfort zones are making us miserable. My guest this week is Amy Bernstein, author of the upcoming book Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding In...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about letting go of our scripts at work. We all have scripts that guide our behavior in the workplace. These scripts might be internally generated based on past experiences and influences. Or they might be dictated by external forces, such as our manager, who tells us how to show up in certain situations. When we adhere too closely to these...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the absence of career satisfaction that so many of us feel and the effects of that on our confidence, mental health and overall well-being. My guest this week, Anthony Kuo, is a career satisfaction coach who shares strategies we can all use to thrive at work. Anthony shares his personal journey of feeling pressured to do things he was...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about power. Power is an abstract concept -- it’s hard to put your finger on. But we all know when power is empowering or disenfranchising. And when the power dynamics aren’t designed to empower, everyone loses. This week, I talk with Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall, an educator and consultant who has done fascinating work on power. Here we chat abo...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about trauma. If you experience grief or trauma, you may be given a pep talk, told how strong you are, or otherwise encouraged to put the past behind you. We feel pressured to get back up again and move on. But our minds and bodies don’t work that way. Our symptoms might be physical, emotional, mental or more and we might not even realize th...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about how to stop settling for mediocrity in our careers. If you’re tolerating work that’s “just okay,” you’ve internalized a belief that work is supposed to suck, or you’re making things harder than they need to be, you’re not alone. This week, I talk with Elena Pastore, a leadership and career coach, about how to think differently about ho...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about building confidence by better understanding our bodies. Many of us think of confidence as a belief in how amazing we are and an absence of self-doubt. But if we define confidence in this way, we’ll never achieve it because it’s not realistic. This week, I talk with Zeina Habib, an embodied coach, trainer and project manager, about how...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the general sense so many of us have that something is missing from our careers. Maybe we feel it but can’t pinpoint it. Or, maybe it’s staring us in the face. Often it shows up as burnout, overwhelm or the constant need to prove ourselves. And, typically, when this occurs, it’s because we’ve given our power away. This week, I talk wit...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about our natural tendency to compare ourselves to others, which often leads us to dismiss what we uniquely bring to the world. This week, I talk with Juan Taveras, an HR and DEI leader, about his journey in the DEI space, as well as his perspectives on the future of DEI. We also talk about the responsibility and opportunity each of us has t...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about self-awareness. Most of us don’t know ourselves as well as we think we do. Self-awareness is hard work. It requires time we might think we don’t have. It might mean facing some truths that scare us. But self-awareness is critical to our self-trust and self-empowerment. This week, I talk with Zovig Garboushian, an executive coach, speak...