The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about our tendency to make what we’re doing so much bigger than it actually is, which leads to stress, worry and self-doubt. My guest, Neha Lagoo Ratnakar, shares personal stories of times when she has overinflated the significance of what she was doing in ways that created unnecessary anxiety and stress and how she navigated these situation...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we are doing something a little different. My guest this week is Robert Kerbeck, author of the book Ruse: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street. He shares a fascinating story of his career as a corporate spy and the experience of being an actual impostor in the workplace. He also talks about leaving that role for Corporate America a...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the interview process. Making a career change can feel daunting. It’s a time of great vulnerability, which tends to activate our impostor syndrome and leave us second-guessing ourselves. My guest this week is Gina Riley, career coach, executive search consultant and interviewing expert. She and I explore many of the challenges we face...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore the “first-generation” experience in the workplace. Maybe that means you’re the first in your family to go to college, or the first in your family to be born in the U.S., or the first in your family to shift from poverty to middle class. My guest this week, Carly Goldsmith, shares her first-generation story as we discuss the unique challe...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the human experience at work. Regardless of our roles, tenures, backgrounds, etc., at the end of the day, all any organization is a collection of humans – humans with very complex emotions, experiences and insecurities. For much of history, the expectation has been that we essentially check our humanity at the door when we enter the wo...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the power of pushing through our fears and doing the things that scare us. Many of us stay in our comfort zones and avoid taking risks because we’re unsure of the outcome or we don’t have a perfect plan yet. But doing that is not neutral. It leads to regret and missed opportunities. My guest this week, Kathleen Taylor, shares how her c...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the power of vulnerability. Most of us don’t feel comfortable being vulnerable when we feel like an impostor. We look around and think that everyone else has it all figured out. So, we wear our masks and pretend that everything is fine. My guest this week, Kris Kelso, author of the book, Overcoming the Impostor, shares his perspective...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about asking for help. Many of us love to help others but we are uncomfortable asking for what we need. But what if not asking for help not only hurts us but also hurts those who would otherwise help us? My guest this week, Emmett Tomkinson, shares their vision of our world as a collective that is designed to share help and that those who gi...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the power of writing at work. For much of our early lives, we write to be judged or graded by our teachers. When we transition to the workplace, the goals of our writing change, which can lead us to doubt ourselves or overthink our writing. My guest this week, Erin Lebacqz, an expert in business writing, shares her perspectives on how...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about our addiction to the status quo. Each one of us is bombarded with messages about what we should do and who we should be. But those “shoulds” are rarely a recipe for happiness and fulfillment. My guest, Kathryn Burmeister, shares her journey of transitioning from a lawyer, a role she always dreamed about, to an entrepreneur focused on h...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about how giving yourself permission to be a beginner empowers you to overcome perfectionism and impostor syndrome and stretch and challenge yourself in new ways. My guest, Lesley Logan, shares her journey from an unfulfilling career in the retail industry to a Pilates instructor and how this helped her to strengthen her relationship with he...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about bringing more humanity to the workplace. My guest, Mike Thompson, founder of Spark Recruiting, shares his journey with impostor syndrome and how he views his investment in his mental health as just as important as his investment in his physical health. We also talk about how to re-imagine the hiring process to increase diversity and en...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about the power of bringing professionals of all genders together so that we can better understand and support each other. My guest, Jake Fishbein, and I share our journey of leading conversations about the gender experience in the workplace and discuss how surprised we were to learn that our experiences are far more similar than different....

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about how to show up as allies to the LGBTQ community in the workplace, including why it’s important to use pronouns correctly, how to manage microaggressions and how to help people feel safe at work. My guest, Sarah Scala, a consultant with a specialty in LGBTQ coaching, shares her experience as a member of the community and what we can do...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about why it’s so important to show curiosity and be vulnerable in our connections with others. Many of us struggle with building new relationships, particularly in light of changes in the workplace resulting from the pandemic. My guest this week, Rob Maloney, host of the Heart & Hard Work podcast, shares that his default assumption is t...

In this week’s episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we look at how important it is to feel special and unique in our workplaces. We also talk about how challenging that can be when we feel pressured to conform and fit in. My guest, Taylor Short, shares how she helps professionals return to their true selves by understanding what makes them unique and how to best engage with others in their wor...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about how easy it is to experience self-doubt and impostor syndrome when you feel different from those around you. My guest, Amber Barber, a senior director of program management in the high-tech industry, talks about her experience as the only woman studying physics when she went to college. She also talks about how often being the only wom...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about our universal struggle with inadequacy and self-doubt and how to find peace with who we are. My guest, Karyn Seitz, the Happiness Mentor, shares her personal journey of turning to spiritual healing to try to address her impostor syndrome, only to find that true healing comes from within. She emphasizes the importance of putting ourselv...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we talk about having a conversation about race in the workplace. For many of us, talking about race is uncomfortable because it makes us feel vulnerable or insecure. But as my guests this week point out, avoiding these conversations and shying away from real opportunities for greater inclusion and belonging can ruin people’s lives. This week, I talk...

In this week’s episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we look at how many of us struggle to align our careers with our core values. If you’ve ever found yourself, consciously or unconsciously, engaging in inauthentic behaviors or uncomfortably adapting to the way others do things, you understand the effects of this on our bodies and minds. My guest, Emily Smith, shares her personal journey as a...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we explore how the unspoken rules at work undermine our confidence and overall performance in the workplace. Many of us who excelled in academic environments with clear rubrics struggle to navigate our workplaces without a transparent set of clear expectations. My guest, Gorick Ng, author of The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Ri...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we look at the stubbornness of impostor syndrome. My guest, Peter George, shares how, despite his ongoing success, he continues to struggle with fears of being a fraud. He also shares how he has used impostor syndrome as a force to drive him forward and how surrounding himself with good people has helped him manage self-doubt.    About My Guest  Pet...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we’re talking about perfectionism. Perfectionism seems (falsely) to have many rewards, particularly as we’re growing up. But the costs of perfectionism are often higher than we realize. My guest this week, Elise Holtzman, and I explore the roots of perfectionism, how it keeps us playing small and what we can do about it. About My Guest Elise Holtzma...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we look at the ways in which sports, social conditioning and other cultural factors make it difficult for men to navigate mental health challenges. My guest, Brian Thorne, shares his journey from veterinary medicine to sales professional and how his life goals guided him toward a better career for himself and his family. He also talks about his conn...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files , we expand the conversation beyond impostor syndrome and look at the ways childhood trauma undermines our confidence and self-worth as adults. My guest, Nikki Eisenhauer, a life coach and psychotherapist, shares her personal journey as an incest survivor, the work she needed to do to believe in herself and the strategies she uses to help others who h...