Seeking Serenity

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/]

The Power of Impact & Imprint

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 of what was possible and how those messages continue to influence her inner dialogue today. In our conversation, we talk about the power of representation, the impact of environment on confidence and how focusing on service can shift attention away from self-doubt. Natanja also introduces the idea of “imprint vs. impact,” reminding us that while impact builds over time, imprint happens in every interaction through how we show up and support others. We also discuss what it takes to lead with honesty and humanity, why creating space for real conversations matters and how to move away from compartmentalization toward more authentic leadership. About My Guest Natanja N. Craig-Oquendo is CEO of Boston Women’s Fund, where she is redesigning philanthropy to follow community leadership — not override it. Guided by the principle “do nothing about us without us,” she has spent more than 20 years shifting power toward the communities most impacted by inequity.  Since joining the Fund in 2020, she has tripled grantmaking, expanded partnerships from 6 organizations to 22, grown the operating budget from $300,000 to $2.2 million, and increased the endowment from $2.1 million to $3.5 million. She advanced multi-year grants of up to five years, pioneered a “Request for Conversation” model to replace traditional RFPs with trust-based engagement, and launched the Seed Funding Grant to expand access to capital for Black leaders and grassroots innovators. She is equally proud of building an organizational culture that supports the full human — where caregiving is not penalized, boundaries are respected, lived experience informs decision-making, and sustainability replaces burnout as the measure of commitment. In 2025, she co-led Carrying the Weight, Leading the Change, a research report developed with UMass Boston, and founded Horizon Collective, a leadership initiative for women and gender-expansive leaders of color.  ~ Connect with Natanja: Website: www.bostonwomensfund.org [https://www.bostonwomensfund.org] ~ 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/]

Letting Go of the Ladder

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what it means to build a career with clarity when the path isn’t linear. My guest this week is Sabine Hutchison, CEO, author of Beyond the Ladder and founder of the Ripple Network. Sabine shares her journey from scientist to entrepreneur and challenges the idea that you need one clear passion or a perfectly mapped-out path. She introduces a more flexible approach to career growth, one that embraces curiosity, experimentation and change. In our conversation, we talk about why so many people feel pressure to climb the traditional ladder and how that expectation fuels self-doubt. Sabine explains why most careers are actually “zigzags” and how clarity comes from experience, not from having all the answers upfront. We also discuss practical ways to build clarity in real time, including reflection practices, documenting insights as they happen and integrating personal development into the workday. Sabine shares why collaboration accelerates growth and why success is never a solo effort. Finally, we explore what it looks like to define ambition on your own terms and how to confidently communicate your path, even when it doesn’t follow conventional expectations. About My Guest Sabine Hutchison is the CEO & Co-Founder of Seuss+, author of Beyond the Ladder, and host of Be the Ripple Podcast. A scientist-turned-entrepreneur, she’s passionate about helping leaders and organizations redefine success through clarity, courage, and connection. Sabine has spoken at World Woman Davos, FemTech Life Science Integrates, and Reuters Pharma on leadership, resilience, and equity. Her work empowers women to rise in leadership with authenticity and self-belief. ~ Connect with Sabine: Website: sabinehutchison.com [https://sabinehutchison.com] Ripple Network: theripplenetwork.com [https://www.theripplenetwork.com/] Be the Ripple Podcast: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/77gjGxQ9aKB7izwnk3REMK] | Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/be-the-ripple-podcast/id1840703486] ~ 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/]

Exploring Vulnerability, Creativity and Community Through Film

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what it takes to express yourself fully and create spaces where people feel safe to be seen. My guest this week is Rayviation, a documentary filmmaker and creative who blends storytelling, comedy and immersive experiences into what he calls “media mixology.” Rayviation shares his journey into creative work and the vulnerability that comes with putting your ideas into the world. We talk about his documentary Loving Men, which brings together men and nonbinary participants in a facilitated circle to explore love, emotional expression and the barriers that get in the way. In our conversation, we discuss what happens when people feel safe enough to be honest, how shared experiences can shift our understanding of masculinity and why community plays such a critical role in helping us grow. Rayviation also shares simple but powerful ways to create more meaningful connection, including making space for disagreement and showing up with intention. About My Guest Rysam Donkoh-Halm, professionally known as Rayviation, is a Chicago-based video producer, editor, and creative strategist specializing in documentary storytelling and branded content. Often describing himself as a “media mixologist,” he blends production, post-production, and marketing strategy to craft compelling visual narratives that resonate with audiences and drive meaningful engagement. His work supports brands, marketing agencies, mission-driven organizations, and production companies seeking to communicate with clarity, authenticity, and impact. With a background rooted in both film and community-driven storytelling, Raysam has contributed to projects exploring social, economic, and mental health themes, including Days of Division, The Cookie Referendum, and the feature documentary Loving Men. In addition to his creative work, he is committed to using media as a tool for connection and education, bringing both artistic perspective and strategic insight to every collaboration. ~ Connect with Rayviation: Website: https://kinema.com/films/loving-men-dfzkrg [https://kinema.com/films/loving-men-dfzkrg] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayviation/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayviation/] ~ 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 Great People Struggle in the Wrong Culture

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore why great people struggle in the wrong culture. My guest this week is Julie Holunga, a fractional leadership and culture advisor who works with organizations to turn their stated values into everyday behaviors. Julie shares how her early work examining women in the workforce shaped her perspective on leadership and culture, and why focusing on individuals alone is not enough to create meaningful change. Using her “pickling” metaphor, she explains how even the healthiest individuals struggle to thrive in environments that don’t support them. This insight has guided her work helping organizations align culture, behavior and leadership in a way that creates sustainable success. In our conversation, we talk about why organizations often tolerate high-performing individuals whose behavior undermines the broader team and how that sends powerful signals about what is truly valued. Julie explains how these patterns erode confidence, psychological safety and long-term performance, even when short-term results look strong. We also explore how past experiences shape present reactions in ways many people don’t recognize. Julie shares examples of how a single piece of feedback can influence behavior decades later and how unexamined “hot buttons” can escalate everyday workplace interactions into larger conflicts. We discuss why most people are unaware of these triggers until they are activated and what it takes to build greater self-awareness. About My Guest Julie Holunga is a leadership advisor who develops professionals to amplify their influence and impact. She works with teams and leaders to instill her Trusted Voice Paradigm to increase effective communications, make conflict constructive, and develop leaders who lead with integrity. Julie is on a mission to rid the world of Lazy Leadership. Through these programs, leaders get out of their way, develop trusting relationships with key stakeholders, and positively impact the organization's bottom line. Her expertise lies within professional services: law, accounting, and investment firms, specializing in the careers of female leaders. Check out her TEDx talk on the power of leadership language! ~ Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieholunga/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieholunga/] Website: https://www.julieholunga.com/ [https://www.julieholunga.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]