Claim OwnershipThe Impostor Syndrome Files
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Description
Do you ever feel like a fraud? Struggle with chronic self-doubt? Wonder if you really deserve your role?
You’re not alone. As a leadership coach who’s battled impostor syndrome myself, I created this podcast to provide a place where professionals can share their stories, shed the silent shame and feel seen.
Each episode features honest conversations with professionals from all walks of life who’ve faced impostor syndrome and found ways to move through it. We’ll also hear from experts who share practical strategies for managing ourselves and shaping environments that reduce the threat of impostor syndrome.
Let’s erase the stigma. Let’s stop pretending we’re the only ones. And let’s come together to share, support and rise above the fear that keeps us playing small.
293 Episodes
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In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about burnout, not just feeling tired or having a hard week, but the deeper, chronic exhaustion and self-doubt that so many high achievers experience but rarely name. My guest this week is Alison Campbell, founder of unBurnt and a former senior corporate leader who turned her own health crisis into a mission to help others recover from and prevent burnout. Alison shares her journey from fast-paced corporate roles in finance, retail, and ...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about charisma, and not the slick or manipulative version we sometimes imagine. My guest this week is Milam Miller, leadership development and sales consultant and author of The Charisma Craft: A Modern Leadership Guide to Enhance Your Riz Factor. Milam shares how his own journey from Texas football to New York sports to European soccer and now entrepreneurship taught him that charisma is not an inborn trait but a skill we can all devel...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what it takes to create a fulfilling professional life while also protecting our well-being. My guest this week is Bree Groff, a seasoned consultant, transformation expert and author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously). Bree shares her unconventional career journey from teaching middle and high school math and physics, to acting, to consulting and culture change and ultimately to authoring a book about joy at work. Along t...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about learning to manage impostor syndrome by recognizing how your hard work has led to your success. My guest this week is Dr. Julien Willard, Chief Economist at Arcstone Private Intelligence. Julien’s path from medicine to healthcare economics to corporate strategy and economic intelligence offers a fascinating window into how high achievers wrestle with impostor feelings even as they build extraordinary careers. We explore how growing...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about what it really takes to lead when the stakes are high. My guest this week is leadership coach and author Kathy Archer. Here we explore two leadership lows that shaped her path, the flow from competence to courage to confidence and how values alignment fuels integrity. We also dig into practical tools like vulnerable narration, weekly reviews and micro-moments for learning so you keep growing even when time is tight. About My Guest ...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about finding your purpose. My guest this week is Dave Chauhan, author, speaker and former corporate leader who walked away from his established career to pursue a deeper connection with purpose. Dave shares his personal journey of reflection, the signals that told him it was time to make a change and the painful yet transformative process of rediscovering his values. We explore how purpose often reveals itself in times of discomfort, wh...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about allyship. My guest this week is Julie Kratz, founder of Next Pivot Point and a longtime inclusion and allyship strategist. Julie pulls back the curtain on why words like “inclusion” and “ally” have become so charged, what’s actually legal in this space, and how leaders at every level can use the power they already have to create cultures where people belong. We explore “power with” versus “power over,” how to spot your own sources ...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about early messages, the ones that shape how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. My guest this week is Jodi Bondi Norgaard, author of More Than a Doll and creator of the Go! Go! Sports Girls, a line of empowerment dolls and books designed to challenge gender stereotypes in the toy industry. Jodi shares how a single moment in a toy store with her daughter opened her eyes to the narrow, and often damaging, images marketed to...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what it takes to lead through change. My guest this week is Erin Herman, keynote speaker, writer and consultant, whose mission is to help people lead with more humanity. Drawing on her experiences in both the private and public sectors, Erin shares why courage, empathy and a growth mindset are essential for navigating change. Here we talk about what gets in the way of leading change effectively, including outdated workplace systems a...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, I talk with Melanie Marshall, keynote speaker, coach and former foreign correspondent for BBC News. Melanie spent decades reporting from some of the most dangerous and disaster-stricken parts of the world and what she came away with might surprise you. We explore how, in the midst of violence, tragedy and injustice, Melanie discovered the power of human connection, joy and purpose. She shares what she’s learned about storytelling, resilience an...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore how flow states, those moments of effortless focus and peak performance, can help us reconnect with our true selves and quiet the inner critic. My guest this week is Tom Roberts, retired dentist, race car driver, Buddhist practitioner and author of the upcoming book From Fear to Flow. Together, we examine what it really means to be in a flow state and why it's more accessible than most people think. Tom shares his personal journey of ...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore the powerful truth that courage isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build. My guest this week is Jen Hardy, COO at the Academy of MotivAction. Together, we discuss how early life experiences shape our inner stories, why emotional awareness is key to personal growth and how courage and vulnerability are interconnected. Jen shares her own journey from feeling like an impostor in the classroom to stepping into her voice ...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what happens when logic isn’t enough to break through self-doubt—and how hypnosis can help us shift long-held patterns that keep us stuck. My guest this week is Jennifer Fidder, a social psychologist, NLP practitioner, and transformational hypnotist who helps high-achievers move from awareness to sustainable change. Together, we discuss the hidden logic of the subconscious mind and why the fears, perfectionism, and self-sabotage we e...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore how to bridge the gap between believing and achieving and what it really takes to pursue your potential, even when the path ahead is unclear. My guest this week is Adam Haston, entrepreneur and author of The Wonder Effect. Together, we unpack the importance of believing in yourself, recognizing limiting assumptions and developing a practical framework to move from believing to achieving. Adam shares his perspective on why we must fir...
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore a life transition that often goes unexamined: retirement. What happens when your professional identity has defined you for decades, and suddenly you’re faced with the question, “What now?” My guest this week is Sarah Friedell O’Connell, executive transition coach and founder of ChangePoint Advisors. Sarah specializes in helping high-achieving professionals prepare for the non-financial side of retirement—what it means for their identi...
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about what it really means to lead with confidence, especially when you feel like you don’t belong. Are you constantly trying to prove yourself at work—working harder, saying all the right things, hoping others will finally see your value? My guest this week is Chris Marr, executive coach and author of Become an Authoritative Coach. In this inspiring conversation, Chris shares how his journey from people-pleasing and self-doubt to ground...
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about navigating mid-career transitions. Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Is this it?” -- that mid-career moment when you feel too far in to start over but too young to retire? If so, you’re not alone. My guest this week is executive coach Robin Camarote. Here we talk about the very real questions that arise for professionals who are reevaluating their careers, goals and identities. We explore what it means to reflect deeply on w...
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about embracing uncertainty as a leader. What does it really mean to lead with humanity—especially in an age of AI, change fatigue, and constant uncertainty? My guest this week is Jim Bouchard, author, speaker, and founder of The Human Centric Leader. In this powerful conversation, Jim shares how his personal journey from addiction to leadership taught him what transformation really takes—and why the best leaders don’t have all the answe...
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about embracing your authentic self. Are you constantly trying to prove yourself at work? Do you feel like you're playing a role, hoping no one notices you're unsure beneath the surface? This week, I’m joined by Aaron Helton, executive coach, leadership consultant, and self-proclaimed “cartographer of the soul.” In this powerful conversation, Aaron opens up about his personal journey with impostor syndrome, his late-in-life autism diagn...
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what’s possible when we shift from fear to curiosity in the face of the unknown. Change is hard—not just because of what’s happening around us, but because of what’s happening inside of us. Our brains are wired to protect us, constantly scanning for threats and steering us toward what feels safe. But that protective wiring can also trigger self-doubt, fear, and impostor syndrome—especially when we’re doing something new. My guest this...
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