The Impostor Syndrome Files

Epizode

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  Choosing Hope in a Divided World 13.10.2026 32min

  In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about finding your voice when you’re afraid you don’t belong. My guest this week is Yutian Li, a Harvard student, public speaker and human rights activist who immigrated to the United States from China at age 11. She shares her journey from feeling too self-conscious to speak in class to using her voice to advocate for others. We explore how our identities and experiences can become sources of connection, even when we’ve learned to see t...
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  Rewriting the Stories that Hold Us Back 06.10.2026 32min

  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’...
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  Stop Believing Everything You Think 29.09.2026 38min

  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...
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  You Have More Control Than You Think 22.09.2026 33min

  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 ...
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  Less Stress. More Success 15.09.2026 40min

  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...
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  Managing Performance Anxiety 08.09.2026 33min

  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...
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  The Right Time Is Now 01.09.2026 44min

  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...
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  What’s the Cost of Not Pivoting? 25.08.2026 38min

  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...
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  Hidden Metrics 18.08.2026 35min

  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...
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  Being More Intentional About Your Career 11.08.2026 35min

  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...
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  Communicating More Effectively Under Pressure 04.08.2026 36min

  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...
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  Gardens vs. Gold Mines 28.07.2026 34min

  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...
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  Finding Meaning in the Ordinary Moments 21.07.2026 34min

  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...
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  Making Space for Men to Be Human 14.07.2026 33min

  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...
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  When Your Identity No Longer Fits 07.07.2026 32min

  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...
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  Rethinking Career Growth in the AI Era 30.06.2026 31min

  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...
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  Why Joy Belongs in Our Workplace Conversations 23.06.2026 30min

  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...
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  Turning Uncertainty into an Advantage 16.06.2026 29min

  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,...
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  Seeking Serenity 09.06.2026 37min

  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...
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  The Power of Impact & Imprint 02.06.2026 35min

  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...