The Impostor Syndrome Files

Exploring the Science of Friendship

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. Together, we talk about the shifting landscape of connection, especially for younger generations, and how technology, the pandemic and evolving social norms have made it harder to build and maintain authentic relationships. Linda shares what she's seeing in her own classroom, from once-lively chatter before class to eerily quiet rooms where students rarely interact, and how that reflects a broader cultural shift. Linda also breaks down the five essential ingredients of strong friendships and how we can use them to deepen existing relationships or build new ones. This conversation offers simple but powerful tools to help you reconnect with yourself and others. About My Guest Dr. Linda Lin is an international expert on mental health who has conducted psychological research on well-being, body image, and health behaviors for the past 30 years and has published dozens of scientific journal articles and book chapters. She has given over 65 national and international presentations around the world and is currently a Professor of Psychology at Emmanuel College and was the Director of Social and Emotional Learning for Moms as Mentors. Dr. Lin has been featured in the Boston Globe, Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, and Salon. ~ Connect with Linda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-lin-a9abb37/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-lin-a9abb37/] Emmanuel College: https://www.emmanuel.edu/linda-lin [https://www.emmanuel.edu/linda-lin]  ~ 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://kimmeninger.com [https://kimmeninger.com/]

Rethinking High Performance

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 ambition to the dysfunctional patterns that drive success but undermine fulfillment. Max shares why so many achievers feel an insatiable need to “get there” yet never arrive, and how shifting from self-focused achievement to contribution-focused growth changes everything. We also examine the deeper purpose of personal development as self-transcendence, how expanding our “circles of concern” leads to more meaningful leadership and why forgiveness, mortality awareness and radical honesty are essential starting points for transformation. Finally, Max offers powerful insights into how we can break free from cultural narratives, reorient our goals around contribution and create ripple effects of positive change in the people and systems around us. About My Guest Max Stephens is a personal development coach, speaker, philosopher and author of What the F*ck Do You Really Want? who works with executives, entrepreneurs, and high performers who have achieved traditional success but still feel something is missing. Through a sharp, no-BS approach, he dismantles outdated success narratives, helping individuals discover their authentic contribution—the key to unlocking their deepest potential. Blending philosophy, psychology, and real-world application, Max’s work isn’t about abstract theory; it’s about guiding people to a tangible, measurable way of living at their highest level. His book and coaching provide a roadmap for those ready to move beyond materialism and into a life of true meaning and significance. ~ Connect with Max: Website: MaxStephensCoaching.com [https://MaxStephensCoaching.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://kimmeninger.com [https://kimmeninger.com/]

Experiments: Building Self-Trust and Confidence Through Small Shifts

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 explore why self-trust matters more than fearlessness, how small, low-risk experiments can rewire long-held patterns of self-doubt and practical ways to pause, observe your triggers and create new neural “tracks” that support courage and authentic action. About My Guest Jennifer Wilson is a consultant, coach, educator, activist, and author. She founded New Leaf Coaching and Consulting in 2006 to partner with world-changing organizations, such as The Obama Foundation and NRDC, that are committed to social and environmental justice. As an abuse survivor, she uses both her pain and resilience to support others in their own healing. Jennifer earned a Masters in Counseling and Educational Psychology, leading to a career in community social work with youth and families before holding multiple roles within K12 public schools and higher education in Wisconsin. After co-founding two high schools serving marginalized urban youth in Milwaukee, she shifted her focus to working for transformational change within higher education and the nonprofit sectors to ensure that future generations live on a healthy planet in just societies. Jennifer has had a lifelong love affair with words and writing. She had her first byline in 4th grade, reporting the 4-H club news for her local paper, and the first book she bought with her own money was Roget's Thesaurus. When she's not reading or writing, she heads outside for inspiration, across her home state of Wisconsin and around the world.  ~ Connect with Jen: Book - Waking Up to Your Worth: https://consultnewleaf.com/waking-up-to-your-worth-ten-touchstones-for-overcoming-imposter-syndrome/ [https://consultnewleaf.com/waking-up-to-your-worth-ten-touchstones-for-overcoming-imposter-syndrome/] Website: https://consultnewleaf.com/ [https://consultnewleaf.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultnewleaf/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultnewleaf/]  ~ 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://kimmeninger.com [https://kimmeninger.com/]

Is an MBA the Right Choice for You?

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 your goals, when it can open doors and when it might not be the best use of your time and money. Ellin also shares practical advice on shaping a clear career narrative, what admissions teams truly look for and how to avoid common traps like over-credentialing to fill a confidence gap. About My Guest Ellin Lolis is the founder of Ellin Lolis Consulting, one of the most successful MBA admissions firms in the world, with a 98.9% success rate helping applicants get into programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. But her work goes far beyond résumés and test scores. Ellin is a master of storytelling, helping ambitious professionals find the clarity, confidence, and voice they need to land their dream MBA—and build meaningful, purpose-driven careers afterward. A passionate writer turned entrepreneur, she’s built a seven-figure business by doing things differently: leading with honesty, prioritizing depth over polish, and redefining what leadership can look like. ~ Connect with Ellin: Websites: www.ellinlolis.com [https://www.ellinlolis.com] and www.myadmitcoach.com [https://www.myadmitcoach.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://kimmeninger.com [https://kimmeninger.com/]

Burnout: Recognizing the Signs and Reclaiming Your Energy

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 tech to the moment she landed in the ER, the wake-up call that changed everything. Together, we unpack what burnout really is (and isn’t), how to recognize its unique signs and why exhaustion, cynicism and self-doubt often travel together. We also explore practical ways to shift from constant reactivity to proactive self-care, including Alison’s simple but powerful stressor scan exercise to bring clarity and agency back to your week. About My Guest Alison Campbell is the Founder of unBurnt - a company on a mission to eliminate workplace burnout with modern and measurable solutions. Aimed at improving resilience across teams and helping employees build sustainable micro-habits to reduce chronic stress, unBurnt is tackling the global burnout epidemic with a fresh and innovative approach. Prior to founding unBurnt, Alison had nearly twenty years of corporate experience across Finance, Ecommerce and HRTech. In her last corporate role, she was the Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy & Analytics at a $1B global company. But after years of accepting exhaustion & overwhelm as normal, a health scare became the catalyst to change course.  Now, Alison is combining her operational experience with expertise as a Certified Health & Wellness Coach to reimagine how we work, lead and live. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by professionals in fast-moving organizations, unBurnt delivers workshops, training and coaching interventions to unblock friction and help companies thrive. ~ Connect with Alison: Website: www.getunburnt.com [https://www.getunburnt.com]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-campbell-3035b63/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-campbell-3035b63/] Instagram: www.instagram.com/get_unburnt  [https://www.instagram.com/get_unburnt ] ~ 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://kimmeninger.com [https://kimmeninger.com/]