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.

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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/

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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
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In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about what it really takes to lead when the stakes are high. My guest this week is leadership coach and author Kathy Archer. Here we explore two leadership lows that shaped her path, the flow from competence to courage to confidence and how values alignment fuels integrity. We also dig into practical tools like vulnerable narration, weekly reviews and micro-moments for learning so you keep growing even when time is tight.

About My Guest
Kathy Archer knows what it’s like to constantly put out fires, question every decision, and carry the weight of an entire organization. She was once that overwhelmed nonprofit leader, teetering on the edge of burnout. Now, as a leadership development coach, she helps nonprofit leaders stop drowning in work, doubting themselves, and carrying it all alone, so they can lead with confidence, set boundaries, and finally take control of their leadership and life.
She is the author of Mastering Confidence and Character-Driven Leadership for Women, the host of the Surviving to Thriving Podcast, and the creator of The Training Library, a membership that helps nonprofit leaders lead with confidence and control.

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Connect with Kathy:
Website: https://www.kathyarcher.com/
Membership: https://www.kathyarcher.com/library.html
Character Driven Leadership book: https://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.html
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathydarcher/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathydarcher
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kathydarcher
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kathydarcher
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydarcher

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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

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

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

Connect on LinkedIn:
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Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about finding your purpose. My guest this week is Dave Chauhan, author, speaker and former corporate leader who walked away from his established career to pursue a deeper connection with purpose. Dave shares his personal journey of reflection, the signals that told him it was time to make a change and the painful yet transformative process of rediscovering his values.

We explore how purpose often reveals itself in times of discomfort, why courage matters more than certainty and how growth comes not from avoiding pain but from working through it. Dave also opens up about the messy, imperfect reality of pursuing purpose and how identity, values and leadership are all intertwined.

About My Guest
Dave Chauhan, author of 'Captain, Set Sail,' is a former corporate leader turned leadership visionary who believes that in a world of constant change, true leadership isn't about control, but about the deeply human art of navigation. He is also the Director of Purple Spark Advisory, a consulting practice based in Melbourne, Australia, dedicated to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence, and market leadership.

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Connect with Dave:
Website: www.davechauhan.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davechauhan/

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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
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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:
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Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
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Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about allyship. My guest this week is Julie Kratz, founder of Next Pivot Point and a longtime inclusion and allyship strategist. Julie pulls back the curtain on why words like “inclusion” and “ally” have become so charged, what’s actually legal in this space, and how leaders at every level can use the power they already have to create cultures where people belong. We explore “power with” versus “power over,” how to spot your own sources of power, and why going back to basics like trust, self-awareness and clear measurement is the most practical way forward right now. We also discuss how to meet persuadable people where they are, start with a personal why, and build momentum together instead of burning out as a lone voice.

About My Guest
Julie Kratz has dedicated her career to allyship and inclusion. After spending 12 years in Corporate America experiencing many career “pivot points,” due to her own lack of belonging, she started her own speaking business with the goal of helping leaders be better allies. Promoting allyship in the workplace, she helps organizations foster more inclusive environments so that everyone can feel seen, heard and belonging.

Julie is a professor at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, hosts a regular Forbes column on allyship, is a frequent keynote speaker, podcast host and TEDx speaker. She is also the creator of the Lead Like an Ally training program and the Founder of the annual International Allyship Day program in NYC.

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Connect with Julie:
Website: www.nextpivotpoint.com

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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
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Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
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Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

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

Connect on LinkedIn:
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Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about early messages, the ones that shape how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. My guest this week is Jodi Bondi Norgaard, author of More Than a Doll and creator of the Go! Go! Sports Girls, a line of empowerment dolls and books designed to challenge gender stereotypes in the toy industry. Jodi shares how a single moment in a toy store with her daughter opened her eyes to the narrow, and often damaging, images marketed to young girls. From there, she set out to create something different. What followed was a years-long battle with the toy industry. In our conversation, Jodi speaks candidly about the resistance she faced and the assumptions that still dominate product development for kids. We also discuss how these early experiences shape our confidence, identity and ambition. And lastly, we talk about what it means to advocate for change in the face of rejection and how to hold onto your values when the world tells you you’re wrong.

About My Guest
Jodi Bondi Norgaard is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker committed to breaking gender stereotypes and advancing equality. She is the author of More Than a Doll: How Creating a Sports Doll Turned into a Fight to End Gender Stereotypes (Post Hill Press, 2025), a powerful story of perseverance, purpose-led business, and disrupting the status quo.

Jodi founded Dream Big Toy Company and created the award-winning Go! Go! Sports Girls line to inspire confidence and healthy play in girls. Her advocacy has led her to work with the White House Gender Policy Council under the Biden administration and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, influencing policy and representation in toys, content, and publishing.

A TEDx speaker and contributor to Ms. Magazine, Jodi has been featured on The Today Show, Forbes, and more. She speaks nationwide on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of using business to drive cultural change, while fighting for equality for women and girls.

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Connect with Jodi:
Website: https://www.jodibondinorgaard.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodibondinorgaard/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodibondinorgaard/
Substack: https://jodibondinorgaard.substack.com/

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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
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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:
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Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
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Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what it takes to lead through change. My guest this week is Erin Herman, keynote speaker, writer and consultant, whose mission is to help people lead with more humanity. Drawing on her experiences in both the private and public sectors, Erin shares why courage, empathy and a growth mindset are essential for navigating change.

Here we talk about what gets in the way of leading change effectively, including outdated workplace systems and cultural resistance to vulnerability. Erin offers powerful insights into the difference between confidence and self-assurance, and how a strong personal value system can be a grounding force when self-doubt or impostor syndrome creep in. We also discuss how to influence our environments at every level, not just from the top.

About My Guest
For over 20 years, Erin Herman has worked with executive teams across the globe, including Fortune 500 companies, to lead change that actually sticks. Her leadership career has taken her from the boardrooms of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to the global halls of the United Nations. Along the way, she’s built partnerships that created lasting impact—like securing a $300 million commitment to support pediatric research, one of the largest gifts ever made to a children’s hospital.

One of the projects she’s most proud of is the Learning Passport—a digital education platform she co-created with Microsoft and Cambridge University. It now reaches children in more than 40 countries and was named one of TIME’s 100 Best Inventions. It’s also been ranked the third most influential project in the world by PMI.

Erin has spoken at the UN General Assembly, led global initiatives across China, Finland, Italy, and South Africa, and been featured by organizations like the University of Missouri’s Bloch School of Business. But at the heart of everything she does is a single goal: helping people lead with more humanity.

Whether she’s working with C-suite leaders navigating change or high-achieving women ready to stop shrinking and start leading, her work is about creating the kind of transformation that resonates—long after the keynote ends.

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Connect with Erin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-herman-97832217/
Instagram: @eebherm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erin.beaton.18
Podvantage Page: https://erin.podvantage.ai/
Website: https://theerinherman.com/

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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
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Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
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Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

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

Connect on LinkedIn:
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Website:
https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, I talk with Melanie Marshall, keynote speaker, coach and former foreign correspondent for BBC News. Melanie spent decades reporting from some of the most dangerous and disaster-stricken parts of the world and what she came away with might surprise you.

We explore how, in the midst of violence, tragedy and injustice, Melanie discovered the power of human connection, joy and purpose. She shares what she’s learned about storytelling, resilience and the importance of grace, especially toward ourselves. We also talk about how imposter syndrome can show up even after massive success, and how owning your story can be the most courageous act of all.

About My Guest
Melanie Marshall is a speaker, coach and filmmaker who spent over 20 years as a BBC journalist in some of the world’s most high-risk - and surprisingly inspiring places.

Working under immense pressure, in wild uncertainty, for high stakes; she managed to come out the other side with award-winning results, and with her sanity and sense of humour (mostly) intact.

Now from the TEDx stage to the boardroom, Melanie's new mission is to help people use her hard-won lessons to thrive in uncertainty by leaning into their 'accidental bravery' and optimism.

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Connect with Melanie:
Website: www.melaniemarshall.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-marshall-237a641/

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

Join the Facebook group:
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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 how flow states, those moments of effortless focus and peak performance, can help us reconnect with our true selves and quiet the inner critic. My guest this week is Tom Roberts, retired dentist, race car driver, Buddhist practitioner and author of the upcoming book From Fear to Flow.

Together, we examine what it really means to be in a flow state and why it's more accessible than most people think. Tom shares his personal journey of discovering flow through racing and Buddhist practice, and how that journey helped him reframe impostor syndrome as a form of ego protection. We also talk about why flow isn’t just for elite performers, it’s our natural state, how our ego and old narratives block access to flow and creativity and what racing taught Tom about fear, failure, and finding his own lane.

About My Guest
Tom Roberts is a retired dentist, race car driver, longtime Buddhist practitioner, and author of the upcoming book From Fear to Flow: Transcend the Ego and Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live.

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Connect with Tom:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-roberts-flow/

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

Connect on LinkedIn:
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Website:
https://kimmeninger.com