The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore how deeply held beliefs can shape the way we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. My guest this week is Janylène Turcotte, a hypnotherapist, hypno coach and executive coach who helps professionals move through limiting beliefs and self-doubt. Janylène shares how an unexpected career transition led her to reconsider what she wanted and eventually discover hypnotherapy. We explore what hypno coaching actually involves, why it’...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of our thoughts and why they can feel so convincing in the moment. My guest this week is Kay Tear, a business psychologist, executive coach and author who helps people better understand how their minds work. Kay challenges the way we think about impostor syndrome, resilience and our reactions to change. We explore how our state of mind shapes our experience and why two people can face the same situation and walk away with...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how to take greater ownership of your professional experience. My guest this week is Laura Massetti, founder & CEO of Real Work Ready, who helps early-career professionals build the skills they need to navigate the workplace with confidence. Laura shares her journey from a successful corporate career to building her own business in Italy. We explore what happens when our professional identity becomes intertwined with our sense ...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about stress, intentionality and why doing more isn’t always the path to greater success. My guest this week is Trish Walker, executive coach, speaker and former president of home and services at Best Buy. Trish shares how an unexpected “lifequake” led her to step away from a long and successful corporate career and reconsider what she wanted next. Here we explore the importance of listening to our own signals, asking for help and trusti...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about performance anxiety and why it can affect even the most experienced professionals. My guest this week is Dr. David Lee Fish, a former music professor who now helps people navigate speech fright, stage fright and competition anxiety. David shares his own experience of freezing during an early performance and the shame that came from believing he was the only one struggling. We explore what’s happening in our bodies when we feel judg...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about career pivots, self-discovery and why waiting for the perfect time can keep us from pursuing what matters. My guest this week is Niki Lazaridou, who has held a number of entrepreneurial and senior leadership roles. Niki shares her diverse career background and the journey that led her to finding her purpose. In our conversation, we discuss the balance between having enough pressure to motivate us and having so much pressure that we...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the uncertainty that comes with career pivots and why change often triggers so much self-doubt. My guest this week is Juliana Pereira, community builder and co-author of Pivot Quest. Drawing from her own eight career pivots, Juliana challenges the belief that successful people have everything figured out. We explore how curiosity, self-trust and a willingness to become a beginner can help us navigate change more confidently. We als...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how to define success in ways that go beyond traditional performance metrics. My guest this week is M. Nora Bouchard, executive coach, leadership advisor and author of Hidden Metrics: The Coach's Secret to Success That Really Matters. Nora shares how nearly three decades of coaching leaders has shaped her perspective on what drives meaningful leadership and sustainable career success. We explore why traditional metrics like KPIs of...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about why so many professionals drift through their careers instead of intentionally shaping what's next. My guest this week is Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, executive coach, leadership advisor and co-author of Now Near Next. Cynthia shares her own unexpected career transition after losing a senior executive role and explains how the work she had already done to prepare for her next chapter gave her the confidence to pursue entrepreneurshi...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how to communicate more effectively under pressure. My guest this week is Salvatore Manzi, communications coach and author of the forthcoming book Clear and Compelling. Salvatore shares his own journey from debilitating public speaking anxiety to helping professionals communicate with greater confidence and clarity. Here we explore the unique challenges facing introverts and analytical thinkers in environments that reward quick res...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about creating workplaces where people can thrive. My guest this week is Josh Block, executive advisor and author of People Matter at Work. Josh shares the story of becoming president of his family's business at age 29 and the lessons he learned from stepping into a role he didn't feel fully prepared to lead. We explore how curiosity, humility and a willingness to rely on the strengths of others helped him navigate uncertainty and grow a...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the ordinary moments that shape who we become and why so much of leadership, growth and human connection happens in the spaces we often overlook. My guest this week is Kurt Bush, leadership coach and co-founder of Brimstone Coaching Group. Kurt shares his nonlinear journey from manufacturing to ministry to leadership coaching and reflects on why growth often comes from embracing uncertainty rather than trying to control it. We expl...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about loneliness, emotional suppression and the growing need for spaces where men feel safe to be fully human. My guest this week is Stefanos Koutsoumpis, men’s coach and facilitator of online men’s groups focused on emotional well-being, connection and personal growth. Stefanos shares his own journey of struggling with emotional awareness and social connection as a young man and explains why so many men feel pressure to appear strong wh...

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 identity she had always carried no longer fit. We explore the emotional complexity of walking away from...

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 of the most important professional skills. We discuss the shortening “skill horizon,” the importa...

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 emotional warning signs she missed along the way. We explore the connection between impostor syndro...

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 pandemic shaped his thinking about uncertainty. He explains why our brains are wired to fear the unknown,...

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 was born because he feared being seen as unavailable or less committed. He reflects on how stress, e...

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 economic justice. She reflects on how early messages about identity and belonging shaped her sense...

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 a more flexible approach to career growth, one that embraces curiosity, experimentation and chang...

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 with putting your ideas into the world. We talk about his documentary Loving Men, which brings to...

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 focusing on individuals alone is not enough to create meaningful change. Using her “pickling” metaphor, ...

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 physical symptoms were actually signals of a nervous system under constant strain. That insight r...

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 who moved to the UK at age 25 without family or community support and spent more than two decades na...

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 achievement to realizing that success on paper didn’t automatically translate into happiness. Raise...

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 to confront a gap many high performers experience but struggle to name. While his technical abilit...

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 high-pressure environments in the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. But her most powerful tra...

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 of professionals carry as they juggle work and caregiving. Cynthia opens up about the moment her id...

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 experienced when she joined Apple, how impostor syndrome almost drove her out of the tech industry and the ...

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 regulation, active listening and managing difficult conversations. Here Jeremy shares why connection a...

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 to building stronger relationships, communicating with clarity and showing up with confidence. Shi...

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 resourceful, resilient and collaborative in the face of challenge? Mitch shares powerful insights on why...

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 meaningful change. Alan argues that breakthroughs are far more likely when we approach problems with h...

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 the Appalachian Trail helped him confront his past, process childhood trauma and find purpose throu...

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 of believing that her voice matters too. We talk about why so many of us wait to speak up until w...

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 bridges the science of emotional intelligence with the power of hypnosis to help people uncover t...

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 external validation became the measure of success. In our conversation, we explore how perfectionism...

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 individuals navigate change with more clarity, intention and humanity. In our conversation, we explore ...

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we look at self-empathy as a practical skill you can use in everyday life. My guest, Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, is a former professional musician and university professor who later founded EQ via Empathy where she works today. Melissa shares how a tough career pivot pushed her to study empathy and write the book, The Empathic Leader. Here we talk about how to build your self-empathy muscles in easy moments first so that you have the skil...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about why authenticity is overrated and what to do instead. My guest this week is Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, psychologist, professor, Chief Science Officer at Russell Reynolds Associates and author of the new book Don’t Be Yourself. Tomas argues that it’s not raw authenticity that makes you a good leader. Great leaders care deeply about what others think of them. They leverage their emotional intelligence and engage in strategic impres...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what it takes to create teams that are not only high-performing but also deeply connected and resilient, especially in today’s fast-changing workplace. My guest this week is Daria Rudnik, a former Chief People Officer turned leadership consultant, who draws on her experience leading tech and telecom companies to help organizations transform how they lead and collaborate. Daria shares her personal journey from being the only woman in t...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what it really means to lead with authenticity in a world that doesn’t always welcome it. My guest this week is Judy Hoberman, a trailblazing executive coach, speaker and author who built her career in male-dominated industries like commercial roofing and financial services. Judy shares stories from her early days climbing ladders in skirts, navigating bias and building unexpected alliances, and how those experiences shaped her belief...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we dive into what it really means to lead with courage and integrity in complex and sometimes disheartening environments. My guest this week is Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves, historian, women’s leadership expert and author of Leading with Courage: A Career-Long Guide for Idealistic Women. Jodi brings decades of experience in higher education, feminism and mentorship, and shares how she’s translating these values into community leadership and career ...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore how to make friends in an era of loneliness. My guest this week is Dr. Linda Lin, a psychology professor at Emmanuel College who has spent more than two decades researching and teaching about mental health, happiness and well-being. Through her course, The Psychology of Wellness and Happiness, Linda helps students move beyond surface-level wellness tips to better understand what it really means to live a meaningful and connected life....

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we dive into the psychology behind high performance with developmental theorist Max Stephens. Max’s work is rooted in a bold premise: the greatest chokehold on any business or career isn’t the market or the competition, it’s our own personal psychology. And until we understand and address that, we’ll continue to get in our own way. Together we explore the hidden forces that shape high performers, from early emotional wounds that fuel relentless ...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about experimenting with your own growth. My guest this week is Jen Wilson, a coach and consultant whose nontraditional career path has taught her that confidence doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from trusting yourself to handle whatever happens next. Jen shares how she built her career through unexpected twists and turns, including co-founding innovative schools, burning out and then reinventing her work on her own terms. We expl...

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore whether to pursue an MBA. My guest this week is Ellin Lolis, founder of Ellin Lolis Consulting and a career coach who’s spent more than a decade helping professionals tell their stories, clarify their goals and navigate the competitive MBA admissions process. Ellin shares her journey from working behind the scenes in admissions to building a thriving global consulting practice. Together, we unpack how to decide if an MBA really fits ...

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...