In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we dig into what’s happening under the hood when we feel triggered, anxious or stuck. My guest this week is Mitch Weisburgh, educator, author and founder of MindShifting with Mitch. After years in edtech and instructional design, Mitch turned his attention to a deeper question: How do we teach people to manage their brains so they can be more resourceful, resilient and collaborative in the face of challenge?

Mitch shares powerful insights on why your brain’s first reaction is rarely the most helpful, how to recognize your “saboteurs” in action and why self-awareness is the first step to real growth. We explore how meditation, mindfulness and even simple positive self-talk can begin to interrupt unconscious patterns, and how teachers, parents and leaders can model better thinking for the next generation.

We also talk about the work Mitch is doing with educators across the country and his mission to empower 5 million people to lead with greater emotional intelligence and effectiveness.

About My Guest
Mitch’s goal is to grow a critical mass of people who live happy, productive lives—resilient, resourceful, and collaborative in the face of obstacles, adversaries, and unintended outcomes.

From 1981 through 2000, Mitch founded and ran Personal Computer Learning Centers of America, training adults in the use of computers and growing the company to over 130 employees.

In 2005, he cofounded Academic Business Advisors, which helped organizations make a difference and reach more students in U.S. schools. He also launched nonprofit organizations in education such as Games4Ed and Edchat Interactive.

MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success (December 2024) focuses on techniques to shift from mindsets that hold us back to ones that propel us forward.

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Connect with Mitch:

Newsletter: https://mindshiftingwithmitch.blog/
Website: https://www.mindshiftingwithmitch.com/
Book: MindShifting, Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success: https://a.co/d/242NDWd
MindShifting Courses: https://events.humanitix.com/host/mitchell-weisburgh
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mweisburgh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weisburghm/
X: https://x.com/weisburghm

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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 explore a counterintuitive but empowering idea: what if not knowing something is not a weakness but an advantage? My guest this week is Alan Gregerman, innovation consultant and author of The Wisdom of Ignorance. He invites us to rethink impostor syndrome by viewing not knowing as the very thing that fuels creativity, innovative thinking and meaningful change.

Alan argues that breakthroughs are far more likely when we approach problems with humility, curiosity and a willingness to see the world with new eyes. He encourages his clients to leave the office, explore the world and pay attention to what they see. Alan shares how changing environments expands our thinking, how teams can benefit from “enlightened ignorance” and why leaders who model humility unlock more creativity and engagement in others.

About My Guest
Alan Gregerman is an internationally renowned authority on business strategy, innovation, and the hidden potential of grownups who has been called “one of the most original thinkers in business today” and “the Robin Williams of business consulting.”

As the president and chief innovation officer of Washington, D.C.-based consultancy VENTURE WORKS, a best-selling author, sought-after keynote speaker, and community volunteer he focuses on helping companies and organizations unlock the genius in all of their people in order to deliver the most compelling value to their customers. He is also the founder of Passion for Learning, an award-winning nonprofit that teaches girls technology skills as a key to life and career success.

His work has been featured in over 250 leading publications and media outlets in the U.S. and in other countries including the Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNN, The Economic Times, Business Week, Dagens Industri, and Fast Company and his writing, speaking, and teaching has informed and hopefully inspired over 700,000 people.

His three previous books—The Necessity of Strangers, Surrounded by Geniuses, and Lessons from the Sandbox—challenge conventional thinking about people, the world around us, what it means to be remarkable, and where brilliant ideas come from. His new book, “The Wisdom of Ignorance: Why Not Knowing Can Be the Key to Innovation in an Uncertain World,” provides a powerful formula for making a difference in a world moving super-fast.

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Connect with Alan:
Website: www.alangregerman.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-gregerman-a33b236/
Email: innovate@venture-works.com

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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:
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

Trigger Warning: Childhood trauma and suicidal ideation

In this deeply moving episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, I talk with Jesse Cody, founder and president of Hike the Good Hike, a nonprofit that uses nature and storytelling to promote mental health awareness. Jesse shares his journey from suicidal ideation to self-discovery, starting with no hiking experience at age 40, and how walking the Appalachian Trail helped him confront his past, process childhood trauma and find purpose through service.

Jesse's story is one of radical honesty, emotional courage and the healing potential of nature. A survivor of childhood sexual trauma, Jesse opens up about his path toward mental wellness, including the moment he chose life, the role of community support and the transformative power of taking a “long walk” to face the pain he spent decades hiding. Today, he uses his story to inspire others and create space for more people to find strength through vulnerability and the outdoors.

We also talk about how men, especially young men and boys, are socialized to hide emotional pain, and what we can do as parents, professionals and advocates to change that narrative. Jesse offers practical, hopeful suggestions for connecting youth to nature, community and healthier emotional outlets.

About My Guest
Jesse Cody is a transformational keynote speaker who inspires audiences to reconnect with nature as a powerful tool for mental health improvement and personal growth. His compelling journey reflects a major leap from the nightlife scene in Boston and NYC into the world of hiking, where he has now covered over 16,000 miles throughout the U.S. This transformation was shaped by his personal battles with childhood sexual trauma, insecurities, depression, narcissistic tendencies, and suicidal ideation. This trauma lies at the root of his life’s struggles, informing his experiences and fueling his passion for advocacy.

By openly addressing his childhood sexual trauma, Jesse sheds light on the often-taboo subject, demonstrating its significant impact on mental health and personal development. His story serves as a testament to courage and resilience, embodying a message of hope for those grappling with their own dark experiences.

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Connect with Jesse:
Website: www.hikethegoodhike.org
Instagram: @hikethegoodhike
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-cody-01a5a2187

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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:
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