Rethinking Career Growth in the AI Era

When Your Identity No Longer Fits

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 something you once loved, especially when it has shaped your sense of self for most of your life. In our conversation, we discuss the stories we tell ourselves about success, obligation and what we “should” want. Kate reflects on the guilt that can come with changing direction after years of investment and achievement, and why so many people stay in careers that no longer fulfill them because they fear disappointing others or starting over. We also talk about how impostor syndrome shows up during periods of transition, the importance of reassessing old narratives and how reconnecting with childhood curiosity can offer clues about what’s next. Kate shares why she believes career pivots are becoming increasingly common and why permission to evolve matters more than ever. Finally, we explore the idea that closing one chapter does not erase who we’ve been. Kate reminds us that we can honor past versions of ourselves while still creating space for new possibilities, new identities and new ways of contributing. About My Guest Kate Kayaian is an author, speaker, and career strategist for high achievers who want to build lives of impact, purpose, and sustainable success.  A former professional cellist, Kate performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and recitalist in venues ranging from Boston’s Jordan Hall to leading European concert halls. She trained at the New England Conservatory of Music and held a fellowship with the New World Symphony Orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas.  Today, Kate’s work centers on helping accomplished professionals—creatives, executives, educators, and entrepreneurs—define success on their own terms and create careers that feel as good as they look. Through her 1:1 coaching and her signature group program, the Creatives Leadership Academy, she guides clients to develop clarity, confidence, and the practical strategies needed to lead at the highest level without sacrificing their well-being.  She is the author of Beyond Potential, a practical guide for high performers navigating the next chapter of their professional lives, and the host of Tales from The Lane, a podcast exploring the hidden challenges and unexpected joys of success. As a sought-after speaker, Kate delivers keynotes and workshops on leadership presence, mindset transformation, and redefining what’s possible for high achievers across industries.  Alongside her private practice, Kate serves as President and Artistic Director of the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, where she continues to champion creativity, collaboration, and innovation in the arts. S he lives on the island of Bermuda, where she spends her days coaching clients around the world, writing, speaking, and tending to her garden. ~ Connect with Kate: Website: https://katekayaian.com/ [https://katekayaian.com/] Freebie: https://mailchi.mp/585d0fbc5a61/quarterly-retreat-planning-guide [https://mailchi.mp/585d0fbc5a61/quarterly-retreat-planning-guide] ~ Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files: Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge: https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge [https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge] https://www.kimmeninger.com/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group: https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup [https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup] https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 [https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6] Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans [https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans] Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session [https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/] Website: https://www.kimmeninger.com [https://www.kimmeninger.com/]

Rethinking Career Growth in the AI Era

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 importance of learning how to learn and how to think about career planning in a world where five- and ten-year plans feel increasingly unrealistic. Sam also shares why discomfort and impostor syndrome often accompany growth and how reframing uncertainty can open the door to new possibilities, creativity and career fulfillment. Finally, we talk about proactive career management, including how to stay prepared in an unpredictable market and strengthen your network through relationship building. About My Guest Sam Alvita is a writer, learning design leader, and future-of-work strategist exploring how ambition, adaptability, professional identity, and career growth are evolving in the AI era. She is the creator of Work Rewritten, a publication exploring career reinvention, leadership, AI, and the changing realities of modern work through essays, workshops, and public conversations. She also serves as the Director of Learning Design at MasterClass, she created and launched MasterClass Certificates, AI-first, multi-course learning programs developed in collaboration with organizations including Microsoft, NVIDIA, Google X, and the Navy SEALs.  Sam writes and speaks about how professionals navigate uncertainty, identity, and career growth in rapidly changing industries. She is currently writing a forthcoming book about ambition, identity, and navigating change in modern careers. ~ Connect with Sam: Website: https://www.workrewritten.com [https://www.workrewritten.com] ~ Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files: Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge: https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge [https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge] https://www.kimmeninger.com/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group: https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup [https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup] https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 [https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6] Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans [https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans] Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session [https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/] Website: https://www.kimmeninger.com [https://www.kimmeninger.com/]

Why Joy Belongs in Our Workplace Conversations

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 syndrome, people pleasing and overachievement, and why many professionals struggle to separate external expectations from the pressure they place on themselves. Amy also reflects on the painful realization that changing jobs alone doesn’t solve burnout when the underlying patterns follow you wherever you go. In our conversation, we discuss the importance of self-awareness, support systems and redefining identity beyond work. Amy shares how therapy, coaching and intentional recovery practices helped her reconnect with herself and rethink how she approaches success and leadership. We also talk about the role organizations play in creating healthier cultures and why shared responsibility matters when addressing stress and burnout at work. Finally, we explore Amy’s research on stress and joy in the workplace, including the three biggest drivers of joy at work: meaning, mattering and momentum. Amy explains why joy is far more than a “nice to have,” how emotionally intelligent leaders still need to look inward and why taking care of ourselves creates a ripple effect for the people around us. About My Guest Amy Leneker is an optimistic, joy-seeking, recovering workaholic. She's also a leadership consultant who has helped over 100,000 leaders and teams – including those at Fortune 100 companies – lead with less stress and more joy. Her soul goal? To help one billion people do the same. With over 25 years of leadership experience – including a decade in the C-suite – Amy understands the soul-crushing toll of burnout because she's lived it. Twice. After surviving her own brush with burnout, Amy became determined to help others succeed without sacrificing their joy, their health, or their weekends. A first-generation college student, Amy earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees while working full-time and later raising a family. She has studied leadership at Yale, neuroscience at the NeuroLeadership Institute, and stress resilience at Harvard Medical School. ~ Connect with Amy: Website: https://www.amyleneker.com/ [https://www.amyleneker.com/] Book: https://www.amazon.com/Cheers-Monday-Surprisingly-Simple-Method/dp/1394388802 [https://www.amazon.com/Cheers-Monday-Surprisingly-Simple-Method/dp/1394388802] ~ Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files: Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge: https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge [https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge] https://www.kimmeninger.com/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group: https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup [https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup] https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 [https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6] Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans [https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans] Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session [https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/] Website: https://www.kimmeninger.com [https://www.kimmeninger.com/]

Turning Uncertainty into an Advantage

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, why many people would rather know a bad outcome than face uncertainty and how building “risk-taking muscles” helps us become more resilient over time. In our conversation, we discuss the concept of anti-fragility, the hidden risks of staying too comfortable and why action is often the best antidote to anxiety. Scott also shares practical strategies for strengthening confidence, including creating a “hype document” to track wins and reconnect those successes to moments of uncertainty and growth. Finally, we explore the impact of AI on the future of work, why learning to learn is becoming one of the most important professional skills and how self-compassion helps us navigate change more effectively. About My Guest Scott Stirrett is an entrepreneur, author, and advocate for young people. As Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, he's raised $80M+ to support entrepreneurial talent, backed by RBC, TD, Scotiabank, and the Government of Canada. His work has been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, CBC, and BNN Bloomberg. He is also an Ashoka Fellow, former Goldman Sachs analyst, and committed to helping people navigate uncertainty with clarity and compassion.  ~ Connect with Scott: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Uncertainty-Advantage-Launching-Career-Change/dp/1459753224 [https://www.amazon.com/Uncertainty-Advantage-Launching-Career-Change/dp/1459753224] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottstirrett/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottstirrett/] Website: https://www.scottstirrett.com/ [https://www.scottstirrett.com/] and https://ventureforcanada.ca/ [https://ventureforcanada.ca/] Past podcast appearances: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xarZbEJGnncpUs3AlPE4e?si=umdVGEaeRBu_DOrek3ma-A&pi=hqkWxSVGQHyeE [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xarZbEJGnncpUs3AlPE4e?si=umdVGEaeRBu_DOrek3ma-A&pi=hqkWxSVGQHyeE] ~ Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files: Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge: https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge [https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge] https://www.kimmeninger.com/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group: https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup [https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup] https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 [https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6] Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans [https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans] Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session [https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/] Website: https://www.kimmeninger.com [https://www.kimmeninger.com/]

Seeking Serenity

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, expectations and the need to prove ourselves can shape the choices we make at work and in life. In our conversation, we explore the connection between fear and overachievement, why asking for help feels so difficult for many professionals and how self-awareness helps us respond more intentionally under pressure. Brendan also shares why he believes harmony is a more useful goal than balance. Finally, we discuss the role expectations play in impostor syndrome and why understanding our motives, fears and core values is essential to finding greater clarity, steadiness and fulfillment. About My Guest Brendan Cournane is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and world-class endurance coach with over 35 years of expertise. After finding his path to recovery in 1989 and discovering the transformative power of running through qualifying for the 100th Boston Marathon in 1995, Brendan learned that mindfulness practice and being true to oneself are integral to achieving happiness and success. He believes and practices the philosophy that “Happiness is a present attitude, not a future condition.” As Chairperson of the Chicago Bar Association Committee on Lawyer Well-Being and Mindfulness and Co-President of the Mindfulness in the Law Society, Illinois Chapter, Brendan specializes in helping professionals facing stress, transition, and burnout. He has been a training coach for charity marathon teams participating in races around the world, including Chicago, Marine Corps, Disney, Dublin, Rome, Paris, London, Stockholm, Berlin, Tokyo, and Antarctica. Through his professional development coaching practice, speaking engagements, and training programs, Brendan offers his lived experience, strength, and hope as a catalyst for others seeking to live healthy, fulfilling lives while maintaining balance in even the most challenging times. ~ Connect with Brendan: Website: https://www.coachbrendan.com/ [https://www.coachbrendan.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brendan-cournane-professional-development-coaching [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brendan-cournane-professional-development-coaching] ~ Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files: Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge: https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge [https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge] https://www.kimmeninger.com/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group: https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup [https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup] https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 [https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6] Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans [https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans] Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session [https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/] Website: https://www.kimmeninger.com [https://www.kimmeninger.com/]