The Impostor Syndrome Files – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about charisma, and not the slick or manipulative version we sometimes imagine. My guest this week is Milam Miller, leadership development and sales consultant and author of The Charisma Craft: A Modern Leadership Guide to Enhance Your Riz Factor.

Milam shares how his own journey from Texas football to New York sports to European soccer and now entrepreneurship taught him that charisma is not an inborn trait but a skill we can all develop. We dig into the ABCs of charisma (Authenticity, Boldness, Curiosity), why confidence is quiet and deeply human and how kindness and decency fuel true influence and connection.

About My Guest
Milam Miller personifies healthy charisma. His optimistic outlook and zest for life allow him to engage with audiences in an authentic way that inspires bold action and fierce courage.

BCK – “Be Confident and Kind” – was a private mantra that Milam created to serve him in the corporate world. Over the course of his career in sports & entertainment, Milam negotiated more than $100MM in commercial revenue for all of the organizations he proudly represented. From the red carpet of The ESPY Awards in Los Angeles to the desert dunes of Doha, Milam has built deep relationships through his study of soft skills and genuine care for people.

Milam’s mental health severely suffered in a fully remote senior leadership role during the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. After seeking out help from coaches and therapists, Milam realized he was living out of alignment. In 2022, he stepped back into his power to launch BCK and serve leaders desiring to create stronger teams and drive better results.

What was once a personal philosophy is now a public movement to positively transform the future of work. BCK does this by teaching charismatic leadership principles on how to influence, motivate, persuade others. 

Milam speaks to and coaches Executives, Senior Leaders, and Managers, alike. He also facilitates workshops for Fortune 100 companies, such as Amazon and Google. His subject matter is culturally relevant, topical, and most all, engaging & fun.

~

Connect with Milam:
Website: https://beconfidentandkind.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milam-miller-bck/
The Charisma Craft: https://shorturl.at/2gMPL

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what it takes to create a fulfilling professional life while also protecting our well-being. My guest this week is Bree Groff, a seasoned consultant, transformation expert and author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously).

Bree shares her unconventional career journey from teaching middle and high school math and physics, to acting, to consulting and culture change and ultimately to authoring a book about joy at work. Along the way, she opens up about identity shifts, learning to slow down and the hard-earned perspective that comes from life’s toughest seasons, including caring for her mother through terminal illness.

Together we talk about:

• The messy, non-linear path to a fulfilling career
• Why “future you” is stronger and more resourceful than you think
• How to create more joy in your workdays without ignoring hard realities
• Practical strategies for setting boundaries, pacing yourself and making space for what matters most

About My Guest
Bree Groff is a workplace culture expert and author of "Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously)". She has spent her career guiding C-suite leaders at companies such as Microsoft, Google, Pfizer, Calvin Klein, Target, and Hilton through periods of complex change. She is a Senior Advisor to the global consultancy SYPartners, previously served as the CEO of NOBL Collective, a consultancy pioneering new ways of working, and she holds an MS in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University. Bree lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

~

Connect with Bree:
Book: www.breegroff.com/book
Substack: https://breegroff.substack.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bree-groff
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bree_groff/

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore the powerful truth that courage isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build. My guest this week is Jen Hardy, COO at the Academy of MotivAction. Together, we discuss how early life experiences shape our inner stories, why emotional awareness is key to personal growth and how courage and vulnerability are interconnected. Jen shares her own journey from feeling like an impostor in the classroom to stepping into her voice and owning her role as a teacher and coach.

We also talk about how self-sabotage often shows up as a protective strategy, how to start identifying the unconscious patterns that keep us stuck, and why courage is a skill that must be practiced in order to build resilience and self-trust.

About My Guest
Jen Hardy, the COO at The Academy of MotivAction, is a transformation-driven educator, speaker, and coach who bridges logic and emotion to create lasting impact. A former public educator and state championship soccer coach, Jen left the traditional system to pursue a broader mission—empowering individuals to harness resilience, clarity, and emotional intelligence under pressure. With expertise in neuroscience, behavioral science, and communication, she helps people break through limitations, build confidence, and take decisive action. Beyond her work, Jen is a lifelong learner who thrives on deep conversations, is always juggling at least two books, and still finds joy on the soccer field.

~

Connect with Jen:
Website: https://motivaction.academy/

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about gaining control of our attention. Between our phones, our busy minds and all of the other distractions around us, it’s challenging to control our attention. But if we’re not focused on what we’re paying attention to, then we can’t be as intentional about our decisions, thoughts and behaviors. My guest this week, Derick Johnson, is an Army veteran, life coach and fitness trainer who shares his personal journey with childhood trauma and how he empowered himself to heal. We also explore simple, practical steps you can use to gain control of your attention and take your power back.

About My Guest
Derick Johnson is a US Army Veteran, Life Coach and Trainer that has helped over 500 clients and 50 companies go from just surviving to thriving through his coaching modalities and marketing efforts.

Derick was awarded Soldier of the Year for his battalion 3x, received numerous Awards for PT and took his leadership skills, certifications and life experiences to help people take control of their mind and body so they can THRIVE, not just survive.

~

Connect with Derick:
Website: fitwithderick.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitwithderick2/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitwithderick2/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitwithderick
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derickjohnson1/

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about perfectionism. Many of us are high achievers who take great pride in our work and want that work to be as high quality as possible. But there is a significant difference between aiming for excellence and trying to be perfect. My guest this week, Emily Sander, a former C-suite executive and now leadership coach, shares her journey with perfectionism and how it kept her from being the person and the leader she wanted to be. We also talk about strategies you can use to better manage perfectionism.

About My Guest
Emily Sander is a C-Suite Executive turned Leadership Coach. She is the founder of Next Level Coaching. As an ICF-Certified Coach, she helps business professionals step into effective leadership with one-on-one coaching. She’s written two books: - "Hacking Executive Leadership" and - "An Insider’s Perspective on the Chief of Staff."

~

Connect with Emily:
Website: www.nextlevel.coach
An Insider's Perspective on the Chief of Staff: https://amzn.to/3O3pgFk

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how to make our work more effortless. Too many of us are struggling at work and we don’t know why. My guest this week, Sneha Mandala, a sustainable peak performance expert, shares her research on how we can raise our self-awareness and take action to achieve more flow states. She also shares her own career transition and strategies you can use to minimize risk and maximize confidence in your own transitions.

About My Guest
Sneha Mandala is an expert in "Sustainable Peak Performance" for corporate and tech professionals. Her focus is on optimizing employee performance while combating disengagement and burnout, which has been proven to significantly reduce business expenses. In fact, this problem is currently costing the U.S. economy $1 trillion annually.
 
 Sneha also holds the prestigious Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coach Federation (ICF). This is a rare accomplishment at her age, as only around 350 coaches in the millennial age group have achieved professional credentials out of the 300,000 coaches in the U.S. according to ICF studies. 
 
 As a highly regarded speaker for Vistage, the world's largest executive coaching organization, Sneha Mandala has trained and coached business and tech leaders with remarkable results. She has reduced turnover and elevated engagement and performance in these organizations. Her expertise has led to repeat appearances on Fox24 News, where she dissects intricate corporate issues and provides impactful solutions that resonate with diverse employee age groups. 
 
 Sneha Mandala has over 1500 coaching hours under her belt, specializing in making work "effortless". Her innovative two-step framework for effortless work, featured in a TED talk, has transformed corporate work culture dynamics. Additionally, she has pioneered transformative L&D programs, introduced gamification and TikTok-style learning, and served as a keynote speaker for executive audiences. All of these accomplishments have solidified her reputation in Sustainable Peak Performance.

~

Connect with Sneha:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snehamandala/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandala_sneha/
Fox 24 News Segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ8nBR67d_M
Website: https://snehamandala.com/
TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mGOLNGDazU

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how helping men to heal will help all of us to thrive. So much of the dysfunction we experience in today’s workplaces is rooted in the lack of compassion we have for ourselves, our fragile egos, and the way we perceive others as threats. This is much deeper than impostor syndrome. While we tend to focus on women’s challenges in the workplace, a giant missing piece of the puzzle is how we understand men’s experience. When men are in pain, and so many of them are, they hurt others on small or large scales. My guest this week is Sean Harvey, author of the new book Warrior Compassion, Unleashing the Healing Power of Men. Sean is an organization development consultant, an interfaith minister and much, much more. One of the things I find most fascinating about his work is the healing work he does with men in hyper-masculine systems, such as police forces and even right-wing extremist groups. Here, Sean and I discuss what our DEI conversations are missing and how compassion will lead us to far greater levels of inclusion.

About My Guest
Sean Harvey, MSOD, MSEd, is an organization development consultant, master facilitator and mentor, professor, interfaith minister, TEDx speaker, and men’s soul adventure guide. He received the Saul A. Silverman 2021 Award for Conflict Resolution and Healing from the International Organization Development Association for his healing work with men in hyper-masculine systems.

His work in personal, organizational, and societal transformation is inspired by twenty-five years of purpose, talent, and organization development consulting combined with having served on the faculties of Cornell, New York University, and Baruch College CUNY teaching courses in the areas of leadership, management, and organizational behavior and change. Sean is affiliated with George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership in Washington, D.C. As an interfaith minister, he co-founded Project Compassion, a national initiative to deepen compassion in police departments and communities.

In 2021, he delivered his TEDx, “Compassion Makes the Warrior.” Sean's book, "Warrior Compassion: Unleashing the Healing Power of Men" was published in September 2023 and became an Amazon New Release Best Seller for Organizational Change and Fourth Best Seller for Men's Gender Studies.

~

Connect with Sean:
Website: https://warriorcompassion.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanharvey
Insta: @warrior_compassion
Amazon: Warrior Compassion: Unleashing the Healing Power of Men

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about what the US military can teach us about leadership. If you’re like me and have limited experience with the military, your perceptions are likely based on what you see in the movies. But there is a lot we can learn from the military’s approach to leadership. My guest this week, Ben Grimes, is a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot and military attorney who now coaches and consults with lawyers, law firms and other organizations to improve their cultures and performance levels. Here we talk about the importance of trust and empathy to human-centered leadership.

About My Guest
Ben is a leadership coach and consultant who brings decades of leadership training and development experience. From his twenty-year career as U.S. Army helicopter pilot and military attorney to years as a federal government leader and recognized professionalism expert, Ben is a resource to lawyers, law firms, and other professionals working to shift performance and culture. With a focus on developing leaders grounded in principles of trust, transparency, empathy, and passion, Ben facilitates growth in personal capacity, organizational health, and enterprise success. Ben is, himself, passionate about the power and potential of leadership with a human lens. He holds a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a law degree from New York University School of Law.

~

Connect with Ben:

Website: https://www.bkgleadershipcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benkgrimes/
Email: ben@bkgleadershipcoaching.com

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of storytelling to create greater connection and inclusion. But sharing our stories can be challenging, especially if we belong to marginalized groups. How do we stay true to what’s important to us when society tells us we’re not good enough? My guest this week, Mark Travis Rivera, is a Latinx, queer, disabled, gender non-conforming professional storyteller. Here he shares his own personal journey of using the power of stories to connect and fulfill his calling. We also talk about how we can all use vulnerability to empower ourselves and those around us.

We talk about the power of storytelling to create greater connection and inclusion. My guest shares his own personal journey of using the power of stories to connect and fulfill his calling. We also talk about how we can all use vulnerability to empower ourselves and those around us.
 
About My Guest
Telling stories is at the core of Mark Travis Rivera’s purpose in life. He is an award-winning creative entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer + Founder of The Professional Storyteller.

As a writer, Rivera’s bylines include The Bergen Record, Herald News, The Star-Ledger, Fox News Latino, and The Huffington Post. He was also a contributing author in the anthology, Crisis and Care: Queer Activist Responses to a Global Pandemic (PM Press, 2022), edited by Adrian Shanker. His debut collection, Drafts: An Imperfect Collection of Writing, was published in August 2017. He was also a contributing writer for Imagining: A Gibney Journal, where he shared his experience as a disabled choreographer and dancer.

As a stubborn and determined 17-year-old, Rivera founded marked dance project
(2009-2019), becoming the youngest person in the United States to create and lead an
integrated dance company for disabled and non-disabled dancers. Inspired by his desire to dance as a person with cerebral palsy, he would go on to help disabled and non-disabled dancers alike find their voice as artists.

As a speaker, he has addressed audiences at various institutions of higher learning,
including Harvard, MIT, Rutgers, and NYU. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant and facilitator, he has spoken to corporate audiences virtually in the UK, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Israel, China, and India, just to name a few. His TEDx Talk, “Embracing Yourself, Embracing Your Potential,” was a smash in 2014 at Bergen Community College.

~

Connect with Mark:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-travis-rivera/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/marktravrivera 

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the scripts that guide us. We all have scripts that inform our behavior but how often do we stop to examine them to see if they still serve us? And how often do we update them when they aren’t working for us any longer? My guest this week, Kathy Hadizadeh, shares her perspective on the value of deep reflection in helping us to become our best selves. We also discuss the connection between impostor syndrome and anxiety, as well as strategies for how to manage these experiences, including the power of the pause.

About My Guest
Kathy Hadizadeh is a highly accomplished former Tech Executive with an impressive 15-year tenure in the corporate world. Throughout her career, Kathy has worked with renowned Fortune 100 and 500 companies, including DIRECTV, AT&T, and Omnicom. Her vast experience spans across diverse industries such as Technology, Entertainment, Marketing and Advertising, Fintech and Biotech. 

In 2018, Kathy embarked on a new journey by founding Heart Mind Tuning, an exceptional agency dedicated to empowering senior leaders in the Tech, Product, and Engineering fields. At Heart Mind Tuning, Kathy offers a comprehensive range of services designed to enhance whole person leadership and executive coaching. With her expertise in Mindfulness practices, she enables leaders to bring about transformative change, both personally and professionally.

Clients who have embraced Kathy's proven Pause to Rise Method have witnessed extraordinary results, experiencing a remarkable 50-70% increase in their executive presence. By mastering the art of pausing, reflecting, and rising with purpose, leaders are equipped to navigate challenges with clarity, authenticity, and resilience. Kathy's unique approach combines deep introspection with practical strategies, enabling her clients to unlock their full potential and achieve exceptional success.

Elevate your leadership to new heights with Kathy Hadizadeh and Heart Mind Tuning. Discover the path to becoming a truly transformative senior tech leader, making impactful decisions, fostering meaningful connections, and propelling your organization to remarkable heights of achievement.

~

Connect with Kathy:

Website: www.heartmindtuning.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathyhadizadeh

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/coaching

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://kimmeninger.com