Powered by RND
PodcastsBusinessThe Impostor Syndrome Files

The Impostor Syndrome Files

Kim Meninger
The Impostor Syndrome Files
Latest episode

Available Episodes

5 of 274
  • Keep It Human: Embracing Uncertainty and Sharing Power in Leadership
    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 answers.We explore what it means to lead through uncertainty, the importance of sharing power and time, and how AI may actually amplify our humanity rather than replace it—if we use it well. We also dig into why resistance is a powerful compass, and how impostor syndrome can get in the way of becoming the leader you were meant to be.About My GuestBy his own admission, Jim Bouchard should have been dead or in jail many times over. Martial arts helped him overcome a life of crippling self-doubt and self-destruction. In his programs, Jim shares his inspiring transformation from dropout and drug addict to Black Belt and Sensei -- and how that experience made him a genuine leader.  He went on to open 5 martial arts schools, helping hundreds of people achieve their Black Belt rank, and thousands more discover their best selves.Today, Jim helps leaders around the world connect on a deeply human level to attract, engage, and lead people to their highest levels of performance and productivity.~Connect with Jim:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimbouchard/Website: https://www.thehumancentricleader.org/Join the Community: https://keep-it-human.mn.co/landing?space_id=17243140~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule 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/Website:https://kimmeninger.com
    --------  
    34:17
  • Owning Your Whole Self: Leadership Through Self-Acceptance
    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 diagnosis, and the deep belief systems that shape how we show up in the world.Together, we explore the hidden stories we tell ourselves, how they’re formed, and how we can learn to rewrite them from a place of self-compassion and strength. Aaron shares how he helps clients—from young professionals to senior leaders—reconnect with their authentic selves, challenge outdated beliefs, and lead with intention.This episode is a must-listen if:You’ve ever felt like you’re hiding parts of yourself to fit inYou struggle to feel confident in spaces where you feel differentYou’re ready to challenge the perfectionism and pressure that fuel impostor syndromeKey Themes We Explore:How high expectations and cultural narratives can shape impostor beliefsWhy “doing it right” isn’t the same as being true to yourselfThe power of naming all parts of your identity to feel wholeHow Aaron’s autism diagnosis gave him permission to release shame and lead with loveThe difference between coaching and therapy—and why coaching isn’t just for people who are strugglingWhy love is a leadership skill, not a liabilityHow to make the business case for heart-centered leadershipAaron’s mission to “gather weirdos to change the world”About My GuestAaron works as an executive coach and leadership consultant for Integrated Leadership Systems, guiding individuals toward authenticity and self-improvement, and transforming businesses through heart-first processes. With an M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Aaron applies a Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology framework to facilitate smooth collaboration and inclusion among all members of a team, leading to better individual lives and a better overall organization.~Connect with Aaron:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-helton-b128b8181/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule 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/Website:https://kimmeninger.com
    --------  
    35:18
  • Leading Like a Human: Dismantling the Myth of Rational Leadership
    In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we’re talking about one of the biggest blind spots in leadership today—the difference between leading from fear and leading with trust. So many of us were taught to prioritize logic, results, and control in the workplace. But the truth is, we’re emotional beings, not rational machines. And when we ignore the emotional side of leadership, we unintentionally create environments where fear—not engagement—drives behavior. My guest this week is Thomas Gelmi, a global leadership expert who helps organizations strengthen what he calls “human skills”—the emotional intelligence and self-awareness needed to lead with empathy, humility, and trust. In this conversation, we talk about why so many leaders get promoted despite emotional blind spots, and how this disconnect impacts psychological safety, performance, and retention. We also explore the emotional cost of high pressure, what makes 360 feedback so powerful, and how leaders can begin shifting from fear-based habits to more confident, connected leadership. If you’ve ever wondered whether emotional intelligence really matters in the workplace, this episode makes the business case—loud and clear.About My GuestExecutive Coach Thomas Gelmi has been a trusted advisor to leaders and their teams for more than two decades. His programs, which have attracted roughly 10,000 participants from nearly 90 countries, reflect his adaptability and appeal across cultures and industries. Thomas works in four languages and his clients range from global corporations to SMEs and private individuals worldwide.Thomas draws on an extraordinary biography with exciting milestones, such as his many years as a Maître de Cabine, leading cabin crew at Swissair, and eight years as operations manager of an international leadership development company. In addition to his extensive professional experience, he also gathered years of experience as a trained caregiver, providing psychological assistance to victims in crises, accidents, and other extreme situations.~Connect with Thomas:Facebook (Business): https://www.facebook.com/thomas.gelmi/ LinkedIn: http://ch.linkedin.com/in/thomasgelmi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomasgelmi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thomasgelmi TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thomas.gelmi ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule 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/Website:https://kimmeninger.com
    --------  
    38:02
  • Staying In: What It Really Takes to Thrive as a Working Mom
    In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the challenges facing working moms. Are you struggling to balance your professional ambitions with the demands of home life? Wondering if it’s even possible to stay in the workforce without burning out or stepping back? My guest this week is Kathryn Sollmann, career coach and author of The Four Jobs Club. Kathryn is on a mission to keep women in the workforce—and in this conversation, she shares practical, compassionate advice for doing just that. We talk about why so many women leave the workforce at emotional low points, how to reframe unpaid work in business terms, and why letting go of perfection is key to thriving at work and at home. We also discuss how to have proactive conversations with your employer to create more flexible, sustainable career paths. Whether you’re re-entering the workforce, contemplating a career pivot, or just trying to stay afloat, this episode is a powerful reminder that you have more options—and more power—than you think.About My GuestKathryn Sollmann, Speaker, Coach and Author, has made it her mission to keep women working toward financial security in a flexible way—alongside child and aging parent caregiving roles. Kathryn’s forthcoming book, The 4 Jobs Club: How Smart Women Care for It All—Kids, Aging Parents, Home & Career, features 200+ simple tips and strategies from 50 C-Suite Women on how they have found ways to blend work and life—and take care of themselves, too.\~Connect with Kathryn:Website: https://www.kathrynsollmann.com/the-4-jobs-club/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynsollmann/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule 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/Website:https://kimmeninger.com
    --------  
    34:49
  • How to Confidently Navigate Digital Overwhelm
    In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about digital overwhelm. Are you feeling digitally overwhelmed? So much of our communication these days happens virtually, which inherently feels more performative and high-pressure. If you’re already prone to impostor syndrome, you may feel even more like a fraud in these environments. But it doesn’t have to be this challenging. My guest this week is Craig Mattson, professor of communication at Calvin University, who shares his research on work culture in our digital age, which inspired his book, Digital Overwhelm: A Mid-Career Guide to Coping at Work. Here we discuss the added stresses and self-doubts that come with communicating virtually. We also explore strategies to maintain confidence, leverage our existing strengths and communicate with greater intentionality.About My GuestProfessor Mattson taught and conducted research for 20 years at Trinity Christian College on the south side of Chicago, where he and his wife brought up four children. Now, having moved to Grand Rapids, Craig and Rhoda enjoy hiking, playing racquetball, and walking their Shih Tzu, an extremely timid creature named Chaucer. Craig writes quite nearly every day of his life and enjoys reading hard books in the company of good-humored folk.~Connect with Craig:Website: https://www.themodeswitch.com/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule 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/Website:https://kimmeninger.com
    --------  
    36:15

More Business podcasts

About The Impostor Syndrome Files

Do you ever feel like a fraud? Are you living with chronic self-doubt? Do you question whether you deserve to be in your role? If so, you're not alone! As a leadership coach and lifelong struggler with impostor syndrome, I wanted to create a space where professionals can tell their personal stories and unburden themselves of the silent shame that comes with this experience. I also wanted listeners to be able to hear themselves in others and realize that they are not alone. On this podcast, we'll share the stories of professionals from different backgrounds who've struggled with and learned to manage impostor syndrome. We'll also learn from experts on how to better manage ourselves and our environments to minimize the overall threat of impostor syndrome. Let's erase the stigma and stop feeling ashamed of these very normal experiences. And let's come together to share our challenges and strategize how to effectively rise above them.
Podcast website

Listen to The Impostor Syndrome Files, Hot Money: Agent of Chaos and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
Social
v7.20.2 | © 2007-2025 radio.de GmbH
Generated: 7/11/2025 - 4:40:22 AM