The Impostor Syndrome Files

Welcome to The Impostor Syndrome Files! We’re doing something a little different in this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files. This week, I share my never-before-released story of how impostor syndrome derailed my lifelong dream of becoming a clinical psychologist and how, in hindsight, that became the greatest blessing of my life, leading me to the work I do today. I also share insights to help you re-frame times when self-doubt may have held you back from pursuing your dreams.~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Website:https://yourcareersuccess.com | https://impostorsyndromefiles.comJoin the Boost Your Confidence BootcampJoin the free Impostor Syndrome ChallengeSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challengesConnect on LinkedIn

Welcome to The Impostor Syndrome Files! Join Kim Meninger and Kristy Olinger as they talk about how to master spontaneous communication. In this episode, Kristy shares how she struggled with communicating and sharing her ideas with others when she took a role in strategy. She also shares what she did to overcome that obstacle and provides strategies that worked for her so others can accelerate that learning curve. There’s a lot to unpack in this episode, so stay tuned! Soft Skills are the Hardest!Communicating clearly and professionally requires dexterity, and it is one of the essential soft skills needed in any work. But, while it is already ingrained in each individual, articulating ideas well is also one of the hardest to master, according to Kristy. The only way to get better is to practice. Kristy acknowledges that there are different approaches and that we all need to decide to decide for ourselves what works best. To some people, realizing they can build their communication skills with other people is empowering, and to some, it is a daunting task because it takes effort. Communication is a complex issue, but building confidence and learning how to navigate the conversation works.About Kristy Olinger:A 20-year career in the banking industry has taught Kristy Olinger that even the most innovative ideas are useless until you can communicate them in a way that inspires others into action. Her ability to tell the business story became the differentiator that propelled Kristy to lead the credit card product strategy of some of the country’s largest banks. For over a decade, she had been teaching these skills and mentoring individuals.Kristy teaches communication strategies that help people build relationships and expand influence so they can crush goals. She hosts a bi-weekly podcast, called The Opposite of Small Talk, for curious people interested in self-awareness and self-development. Kristy lives in Wayne, Pennsylvania, with her husband Brian and her two daughters, Mary and Bree. She is an active community member and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Radnor Memorial Library.~ Outline of the Episode: [01:24] Kristy’s struggle with communication and how she coped[05:20] Some steps to start solving the problem in communication[10:19] Pay attention closely – it’s all about intentionality[20:26] Spontaneous speaking can be practiced to get better at it[26:50] Know people and their perspectives to position your message well[31:04] Be your authentic self to communicate comfortablyAnd many more!~More from Kristy Olinger:Website: https://www.kristyolinger.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyolinger/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ko.communication/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28t8dT8fafkdfUsYN9WE4gPhrase Bank: https://kristyolinger.ck.page/b13c48205eGrowth Mindset Challenge; https://kristyolinger.com/growthmindset~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ExecCareerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.meninger 

Welcome to The Impostor Syndrome Files! Join Kim Meninger and Stephanie Olson as they chat about how leadership is not about you, the leader -- a concept that they both agree on. Stephanie also shares how she started her non-profit organization, the Set Me Free Project, which helps educate children and adults to prevent human trafficking. In this episode, Stephanie talks about how she has grown her business while navigating the self-doubts she has experienced along the way. Stephanie shares that framing certain moments as experiments have allowed her and her team to have room for mistakes, which has allowed them to grow. A lot to learn about battling impostor syndrome in this episode so stay tuned!About Stephanie Olson: Stephanie Olson is a speaker, an author, and the CEO of The Set Me Free Project. Stephanie Olson holds a degree in Psychology. Her experience includes:Seven years of curriculum writing and development for women experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, and alcohol and drug addictions.Ten years of educating women in the area of empowerment and intrinsic value.Nine years of educating youth ages 11-18 in healthy relationships, the dangers of human trafficking, and social media safety.Stephanie has had extensive training, research, and study of human trafficking prevention education and social media safety. She is a sought-after speaker on women, youth, human trafficking, and social media safety while leading The Set Me Free Project to help prevent youth and young adults from personally experiencing trafficking. ~Outline of the Episode: ●      [02:21] About Stephanie and Set Me Free Project●      [09:29] Creating the infrastructure for protection●      [12:11] Undermining and overpreparing because of anxiety  ●      [17:34] Pressure from titles and the anxiety behind it ●      [21:53] Choosing who to be vulnerable with ●      [27:40] Allowance for failure is a step forward●      [31:58] Leadership is knowing where to adjust●      [41:25] How to connect with Stephanie and Set Me Free Project●      And many more!  ~Connect with Stephanie’s Set Me Free Project~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Website:https://yourcareersuccess.com | https://impostorsyndromefiles.comJoin the Boost Your Confidence BootcampJoin the free Impostor Syndrome ChallengeSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challengesConnect on LinkedIn

Welcome to The Imposter Syndrome Files! Today, Kim is joined by Jennifer Kauffman who shares her powerful story of overcoming trauma, including surviving the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, and how it has changed her life. As a result of these horrific events, Jennifer realized that there were pieces missing from her life that she hadn’t noticed previously. She would not wish for anyone to go through the same trauma, but she recognizes that with trauma came an opportunity to reflect more consciously on her values and goals. Stay tuned to this amazing episode to learn more about how Jennifer came to view trauma as a gift.Forgiveness leads to acceptance and power:Understanding what’s within and not within your control will help you cope with trauma and all the emotions that accompany it. Knowing that you cannot control what has already happened can be difficult to accept, but what’s more difficult is navigating current events without a sense of control over your emotions and actions. Jennifer shares that not having the drive to control everything has helped her find peace in her own mind.Taking the first step:Jennifer shares that it’s important to recognize that you don’t have to have everything figured out. Just take the first step and everything will unfold from there. It’s important to know where you want to go, but everything starts with the decision to make the journey. Jennifer also shared how she allowed her intuition to override her logical brain to free herself from physical and emotional limitations that had been holding her back.About Jennifer Kauffman: Despite her life’s many successes and accomplishments, Jennifer has always been in search of more: more peace, more love, more joy, more money, more passion, and more fulfillment.She is a bestselling author, award-winning results coach, inspirational speaker, Executive Producer of Emmy award-winning films, and trauma survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Her heart’s desire is to inspire impossible transformation in those who truly want to live a life they love—a life where they rise up and thrive!~Outline of the Episode:  [01:46] About Jennifer Kauffman and her advocacy[06:14] The journey through the trauma[16:16] Identifying what you can control [21:24] How logic sometimes limit possibilities[30:50] Sharing the story for a bigger purpose[33:21] How personal experiences define the story[36:29] Why it’s important to just take the first stepAnd many more! ~Connect with Jennifer: To learn more about Jennifer, her books, and other transformational work, go to: https://jenniferkauffman.comTo access her transformational film, go directly to: www.theresgottobemoretolife.com~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files: Website:https://yourcareersuccess.com | https://impostorsyndromefiles.comBoost Your Confidence Bootcamp: https://yourcareersuccess.com/boost-your-confidence-bootcamp/Leading Women Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadingwomendiscussiongroupLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/KimMeninger 

Welcome to the Impostor Syndrome Files! In this episode, Kim is joined by Alex Gilbert, a coach and consultant who specializes in helping adults with learning disabilities. Alex shares her personal experience with ADHD and dyslexia in the workplace and discusses the self-doubt she faced when working in unsupportive environments. She also shares how she now helps professionals to set themselves up for success in the workplace. About Alex GilbertAlex Gilbert is a New Yorker, a Mets fan, a yogi, and a brunch enthusiast. She also has dyslexia and ADHD. After spending her career working in leadership development, she decided to start a consulting and coaching business that will help adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD like herself who have been struggling in their careers. Her business, Cape-Able Consulting, was created to help them navigate their day-to-day workloads so that they feel supported and are able to reach their highest potential. Her biggest goal in creating Cape-Able Consulting is to change the stigma surrounding learning disabilities/ ADHD by reminding people what they are Cape-able of.~Outline of the episode:[01:45] What people do not know[04:50] The transition from education to a work environment [08:58] Awareness for adults getting diagnosed with learning disabilities[11:17] Broadly characterizing the symptoms of ADHD[14:50] The challenges and how to negate them [19:12] How to communicate about your “weaknesses”[27:39] Asking important questions to find the right environment or footing[33:30] How to start the conversation with someone who might need support[38:28] Best practices and best principles for people who might have ADHDAnd many more!~Connect with Alex at…Website:  https://www.capeableconsulting.com/.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcapeable/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeAbleConsultingLLC/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the Boost Your Confidence Bootcamp:https://yourcareersuccess.com/boost-your-confidence-bootcamp/Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Welcome to The Impostor Syndrome Files! Join Kim Meninger and Dr. Avigail Lev, a licensed psychologist who shares her own experiences with impostor syndrome and how she helps others to overcome their feelings of self-doubt. In this episode, Dr. Abby shares valuable insight on how to change behaviors, which helps us to change our thoughts. Listen to learn more on how to handle difficult emotions and experiences in ways you may never have previously learned. About Dr. Avigail Lev: Dr. Avigail (Abby) Lev is a psychotherapist, author, mediator, international speaker, and executive coach in San Francisco, California. She is the director of the Bay Area CBT Center, a clinic that specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals and couples break unhelpful patterns, develop healthier habits, and improve all areas of life. She has co-authored three books on utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to strengthen relationships and has presented her research at numerous conferences. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Dr. Drew, Bloomberg news, Verywell Mind, MSN, Psych Central, KGO, Psychologists Off the Clock, Healing Powers Podcast, Dateable, and many more. Dr. Lev is also the founder of CBT online, an online platform that connects people with online therapists who specialize in behavioral therapy and offers CBT resources such as webinars, e-courses, videos, worksheets, mindfulness audio, and much more. Dr. Lev utilizes evidence-based practices to help people who are struggling with a variety of issues live happier and more fulfilling lives. Learn more about Dr. Avigail Lev and telehealth services at https://bayareacbtcenter.com/, https://cbtonline.com/, and Amazon.~Outline of the Episode: [01:44] About Dr. Avigail Lev[02:39] How a mental health professional handles impostor syndrome[04:48] Insight on cognitive behavioral therapy[11:23] Trials of making behavioral changes[18:35] Insight is not enough, but its a part of the process [20:22] Emphasis on compassion[24:20] Knowing where you have control and where you don’t[29:08] How the media gaslights [31:43] Allowing yourself and other people to be vulnerableAnd many more! ~More from Dr. Avigail Lev: Learn more about Dr. Avigail Lev and her telehealth services: https://bayareacbtcenter.com/ https://cbtonline.com/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrom Files:Join the Boost Your Confidence BootcampJoin the free Impostor Syndrome ChallengeLearn more about the Leading Women discussion group: Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.comJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other womenJoin the Facebook groupSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challengesConnect on LinkedIn

Welcome to The Impostor Syndrome Files! Join Kim Meninger and Anne Poirier as they talk about how a woman’s body often becomes their identity. Anne shares what led to her fitness career, as well as what led her to re-evaluate her relationship to fitness and her body. Anne talks about how deep-rooted experiences and beliefs led her down her path, including an eating disorder at 12 years old. She shares how her mindset changed and that ultimately, the key to staying healthy in both mind and body is by listening to yourself first. A lot to learn from this episode about self-love and how it affects the people around us as well so stay tuned! About Ann Poirier:Having overcome her own eating, food, weight, and body image challenges and drawing upon close to 4 decades of experience, specialized training and advanced certifications, Anne Poirier created the Body Joyful Solution and wrote ‘The Body Joyful’ to share her highly personal and life-changing journey. Anne is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Body Confidence Coach, Self-Talk Trainer, Eating Disorder Specialist and Author.Anne is the Founder of Shaping Perspectives, A Woman’s Way to Joy and the leader of the Body Joyful Revolution Community, an online source of support and encouragement for women of all sizes, shapes, and weights. This group of women is committed to rejecting society’s thin ideal and diet culture, so they can feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies and selves.To learn more about Anne Poirier, visit https://shapingperspectives.com or follow her @annepoirier11 on Instagram.For a free digital copy of the book, drop an email to anne@thebodyjoyful.com~Outline of the Episode: [02:02] About Ann Poirier and getting into fitness[08:06] What made Anne realize that something’s not healthy[12:34] How to distinguish being healthy and being harmful [17:52] What were Anne’s resources to get to her current mindset[20:11] The deal with appreciating other people’s courage [22:46] Taking responsibility for how we affect other people[26:20] Anne’s difference from her previous self[25:42] More about Anne’s bookAnd many more! ~Links to Anne’s resources:The Body Joyful book: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Joyful-Anne-Poirier/dp/1949116816The Body Joyful Revolution: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bodyjoyfulrevolutionShaping Perspectives: https://shapingperspectives.com/ (blogs and resources) ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the Boost Your Confidence BootcampJoin the free Impostor Syndrome ChallengeLearn more about the Leading Women discussion groupWebsites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.comJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other women: Join the Facebook groupSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challengesConnect on LinkedIn

Welcome to The Impostor Syndrome Files! Today, Kim is joined by Lynn Whitbeck to discuss having the power to choose. Lynn shares her experience with impostor syndrome and how she’s helped others overcome it. In this episode, Lynn shares powerful insights about impostor syndrome and how choosing to take small steps can help us conquer it. She shares how identification and taking action can help us to manage the generalized anxiety that often accompanies impostor syndrome. Be sure to stay tuned as there’s a lot to learn from this episode! About Lynn Whitbeck:Lynn Whitbeck is the Founder and CEO of Petite2Queen and Future Forward Sales. She helps the world by providing sales and leadership training programs to achieve more, faster. Lynn is the catalyst for businesses to turn their sales teams into revenue-generating champions.With her crew, Lynn’s strategic sales training program helps organizations achieve the expanded revenue and business growth that happens when their sales team learns to capitalize on every lead. The powerful live training delivers immediate results in easy shifts, shortens the sales cycle, builds stronger relationships, and closes more sales.Lynn is the co-author of the highly regarded book, Practical Wisdoms @ Work. This quick-read guide provides insights to navigate situations, challenges, and opportunities that arise every day in business. Teaching you how to broaden your career with skills that will set you apart.You may have seen Lynn in USA Today, HuffPost, Chicago Tribune, and more!~ Outline of the Episode: •       [02:46] About Lynn Whitbeck and imposter syndrome•       [06:14] Understanding the underlying fear•       [10:03] Growth mindset versus fixed mindset •       [14:46]  The inspire method•       [20:31] Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable•       [23:07] Benefits of giving yourself permission to fail•       [27:14]  Lynn’s tip on overcoming the fear•       And many more! ~Find Lynn Whitbeck on…Website: https://petite2queen.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/lynnmwhitbeck LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnwhitbeck/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Website: https://yourcareersuccess.com | https://impostorsyndromefiles.comBoost Your Confidence Bootcamp: https://yourcareersuccess.com/boost-your-confidence-bootcamp/Leading Women Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadingwomendiscussiongroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KimMeninger 

Welcome to the first episode of Season 3 of The Impostor Syndrome Files! Join Kim Meninger and Becca Powers as they discuss Becca’s rising from “the bathroom floor” moment. In this episode, Becca shares her bathroom floor moment, how she got there, and what she did to rise up as the CEO of her own life. She also shares how she was being “too much” for a certain environment and how her attempts to tone herself down affected her. To join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge, visit:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/To learn more about the Leading Women discussion group, visit:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-women-discussion-group/To schedule time to speak with me directly about your questions/challenges, visit:https://yourcareersuccess.com/contact/About Becca Powers:Author, Becca Powers, is a multi-six figure Fortune 500 sales executive in the tech industry by day, women’s career and life coach by night, and Kundalini yoga teacher by the weekend.She boasts that she is doing all of this with more freedom and flexibility than she ever had in the past. Becca shares her raw, real, and radical story of overcoming the extreme adversity of being a success-driven woman in Corporate America as a working mom of four children while dealing with the real dramas of her personal life.Becca’s creative, humorous, and unique spin, that you are the CEO of your life, offers listeners a sense of empowerment to take charge and create a life they love to live – by owning it all – the messy and the magical.~Outline of the Episode: [01:59] About Becca Powers[03:33] How compartmentalizing leads to imposter syndrome[08:05] What to do when you’re told to “tone it down”[11:23] What to do when you find yourself on the “bathroom floor”[17:14] Ups and downs of saying no[20:25] Dealing with the what if’s[23:37] Becca’s message about being your own CEO[25:42] How to tip the power balanceAnd many more! ~More from Becca Powers:Here's the link to the free self-assessment for listeners:https://www.beccapowers.com/podcastfreebiesHere's is the link to the book:https://www.beccapowers.com/harnessyourinnerceoWebsite: https://www.beccapowers.com~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.comFacebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadingwomendiscussiongroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Instagram:https://instagram.com/ImpostorSyndromeFilesTwitter:https://twitter.com/ExecCareer

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore the absurdity of Impostor Syndrome. My guest, Kelly Hoey, shares her story of an incident that held her back for 15 years before she finally faced her fears and realized that her Impostor Syndrome had no foundation. She has since become a published author and accomplished public speaker who wants to help others manage their self-doubt.To join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge, visit:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/To learn more about the Leading Women discussion group, visit:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-women-discussion-group/To schedule time to speak with me directly about your questions/challenges, visit:https://yourcareersuccess.com/contact/To learn more about The Leap, visit: https://www.wearetheleap.com/a/2147497233/9v2q8oPd