The Mood Booster Podcast

47. Friday Focus: Taking Back Power From Imposter Syndrome

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Welcome to Episode 47 of The Mood Booster Podcast. In this episode, we take Monday’s reflections on imposter syndrome and turn them into clear psychological understanding, research grounded insight, and practical tools you can use. 

We begin by breaking down what imposter syndrome actually is. It is not a clinical diagnosis, but a common psychological experience first described by Clance and Imes, where capable people struggle to internalise success and fear being exposed as a fraud. We explore why this experience is especially common during career transitions, academic progression, and periods of increased visibility or evaluation. 

Drawing on psychological theory and large scale research, we discuss why imposter syndrome is more closely linked to perfectionism, fear of evaluation, social comparison, high personal standards, and belonging uncertainty than simple lack of confidence. 

We also explore why imposter syndrome shows up more often in high performing individuals, how attribution styles differ across genders, and why social conditioning plays a role in how success and failure are interpreted. 

This episode is about understanding imposter syndrome so that it stops controlling your decisions and your confidence. 

🛠 Practical Advice for Listeners 

  • Name imposter thoughts instead of personalising them 
    • Track evidence of competence rather than feelings alone 
      • Normalise imposter syndrome through open conversation 
        • Focus on action rather than waiting for confidence 

          • This episode is about taking back power from imposter syndrome and allowing yourself to keep showing up, even when doubt is present. 

          📍 Pillars Explored 

          Introspection and Inspiration, Wellbeing and Joy 

          📚 References Cited in This Episode 

          • Bravata, D. M., Watts, S. A., Keefer, A. L., Madhusudhan, D. K., Taylor, K. T., Clark, D. M., Nelson, R. S., Cokley, K. O., & Hagg, H. K. (2019). Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(4), 1252–1275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05364-1  
            • Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy, 15(3), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086006  
              • Feingold, A. (1994). Gender differences in personality: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 116(3), 429–456. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.116.3.429  
                • Price, P. C., Holcomb, B., & Payne, M. B. (2024). Gender differences in impostor phenomenon: A meta-analytic review. Current Research in Behavioral Sciences, 7, 100155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbeha.2024.100155 

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                  The Mood Booster PodcastBy Charlie and Marcus