The Courageous Life

Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposterism | Dr. Jill Stoddard

August 14, 2024 Joshua Steinfeldt Season 4 Episode 113
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposterism | Dr. Jill Stoddard
The Courageous Life
More Info
The Courageous Life
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposterism | Dr. Jill Stoddard
Aug 14, 2024 Season 4 Episode 113
Joshua Steinfeldt

Today’s guest identifies as a recovered imposter.

For years, she was convinced that the only reason she was accepted into a competitive grad school program was because her father knew the program director.

One thing research shows is that Dr. Jill Stoddard, psychologist, and author of Imposter No More, isn't alone in this.

Deep down, a majority of successful people feel a sense of self doubt and question their professional legitimacy a good amount of the time.

In today’s conversation we’ll dive into Jill’s fascinating and important work around this often relatable experience of Imposterism, including:

  • Understanding what it is, why we do it, and how it works
  • Why the notion of imposter syndrome is actually a misnomer. 
  • We’ll explore some of Jill’s personal stories and experiences of working through her own imposter thoughts and feelings of self-doubt
  • What she's learned from personal experiences as well as through her work as a psychologist running an anxiety clinic. 
  • How to work with imposterism - Specifically how strengthening psychological flexibility can ultimately be a way to free ourselves from the experience of being constrained by fear, doubt, and uncertainty. 


Today’s episode is one that I think will be deeply relatable for so many. After listening If you know someone who may benefit from it, I would encourage you to share with friends.

If you want to dive deeper into Jill’s work please visit jillstoddard.com or pick up a copy of Imposter No more: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career, wherever books are sold.

Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:


More about Jill:

Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. She has authored three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Her writing has also appeared in Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. 

Thanks for listening! 

Support the Show.

Show Notes

Today’s guest identifies as a recovered imposter.

For years, she was convinced that the only reason she was accepted into a competitive grad school program was because her father knew the program director.

One thing research shows is that Dr. Jill Stoddard, psychologist, and author of Imposter No More, isn't alone in this.

Deep down, a majority of successful people feel a sense of self doubt and question their professional legitimacy a good amount of the time.

In today’s conversation we’ll dive into Jill’s fascinating and important work around this often relatable experience of Imposterism, including:

  • Understanding what it is, why we do it, and how it works
  • Why the notion of imposter syndrome is actually a misnomer. 
  • We’ll explore some of Jill’s personal stories and experiences of working through her own imposter thoughts and feelings of self-doubt
  • What she's learned from personal experiences as well as through her work as a psychologist running an anxiety clinic. 
  • How to work with imposterism - Specifically how strengthening psychological flexibility can ultimately be a way to free ourselves from the experience of being constrained by fear, doubt, and uncertainty. 


Today’s episode is one that I think will be deeply relatable for so many. After listening If you know someone who may benefit from it, I would encourage you to share with friends.

If you want to dive deeper into Jill’s work please visit jillstoddard.com or pick up a copy of Imposter No more: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career, wherever books are sold.

Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:


More about Jill:

Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. She has authored three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Her writing has also appeared in Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. 

Thanks for listening! 

Support the Show.