The Imposters

Understanding Education Dynamics in Post-Colonial Contexts ft. Najae Murray

The conversation delves into the intersection of education, power, and colonial legacies, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in higher education, the impact of colonial legacies on education, and the reimagining of TVET education. The discussion emphasizes the need to question the foundations of education systems and the importance of understanding education as a site of power. Chapters * 00:00 Recentering Aid and Expertise * 05:59 Understanding Education as a Site of Power * 11:00 Reimagining TVET Education * 17:00 Equity in Higher Education * 25:48 Reimagining TVET Education * 43:54 Impact of Aid on Developing Countries

The Power of Refugee-Led Organizations in Humanitarian Work ft. Najlaa Dawod

The conversation delves into the experiences of Najlaa Dawod, focusing on imposter syndrome and the challenges faced by refugee-led organizations. It explores the impact of displacement on identity and belonging, the empowerment and recognition of refugee-led organizations, the challenges and hope for displaced youth, and the vision for a community-led humanitarian system. Chapters * 00:00 Navigating Imposter Syndrome * 16:34 Empowerment and Recognition of Refugee-Led Organizations * 36:36 Challenges and Hope for Displaced Youth * 57:25 Community-Led Humanitarian System

Lived Experience Is Expertise: Rethinking Refugee Education ft. Samia Mazhary

The conversation explores imposter syndrome in education and development spaces, the power of lived experience in education and emergencies, and the role of diaspora and community-led initiatives in education. It also delves into the impact of imposter syndrome on practitioners and the systemic outcomes of dependency and coloniality. Additionally, it highlights the research interests in refugee education and provides advice for early career practitioners in the field. The conversation concludes with a reflection on resilience and commitment to refugee education. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to The Impostors Podcast * 06:50 Journey into Refugee Education and Emergencies * 17:21 Diaspora and Community-Led Initiatives in Education * 26:41 Imposter Syndrome and Dependency * 35:29 Advice for Early Career Practitioners in Refugee Education

(Part 2) From Displacement to Care: Bridging Lived Experience in Humanitarian Work ft. Mohamed Kabe

The conversation explores the systemic nature of imposter syndrome and the recognition of lived experience as professional expertise in humanitarian and psychosocial work. It delves into the recentering of expertise in humanitarian work and the practice of psychosocial support, highlighting the importance of dignity, ethics, and community-led approaches to care.

(Part 1) From Displacement to Care: Bridging Lived Experience in Humanitarian Work ft. Mohamed Kabe

What does it mean to navigate humanitarian spaces shaped by systems you’ve personally lived through? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Lila sits down with Mohammed Kappi, a Sudanese humanitarian and human rights practitioner whose work is deeply informed by his own experience of displacement. Together, they unpack how “imposter syndrome” often shows up not as a personal shortcoming, but as a reflection of unequal power structures within the humanitarian sector. Kappi reflects on his early career and the tension of entering professional spaces that rarely recognize lived experience as expertise. He shares how displacement has shaped not only his perspective, but also his approach to humanitarian work—grounding it in empathy, accountability, and proximity to the communities he serves. This episode challenges dominant narratives around who gets to be considered an expert, and invites listeners to rethink how knowledge is valued in global development. It sets the foundation for Part 2, where Kappi explores how lived experience actively informs his psychosocial support practice.