In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about navigating mid-career transitions. Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Is this it?” -- that mid-career moment when you feel too far in to start over but too young to retire? If so, you’re not alone. My guest this week is executive coach Robin Camarote. Here we talk about the very real questions that arise for professionals who are reevaluating their careers, goals and identities. We explore what it means to reflect deeply on where you’ve been, what you want and how to move forward, even in the midst of a busy life. Robin shares both personal stories and practical tools to help you reconnect with your values, reclaim your time and build a more fulfilling path forward on your terms.

Key Topics Discussed

• The myth of the linear career and what a “jagged” path really means
• Internal vs. external pressures when questioning your career direction
• How to reframe regret and leverage your past for future clarity
• What to do when you don’t know what you want—starting with what you don’t want
• Simple, daily practices to check in with yourself
• Why clarity and confidence come from action, not overthinking
• The risk of inaction—and how to know when it’s time to move

About My Guest
Robin Camarote is a leadership strategist and executive coach who helps organizations and teams take bold action on their biggest opportunities. With deep expertise in leadership alignment, business development, and executive presence, she helps leaders go after high-stakes “moonshot” opportunities—big goals with transformative potential.

Through her Moonshot Workshop, she guides leadership teams to pinpoint the critical actions that actually drive success, gain teamwide buy-in, and create a clear, focused strategy that dramatically increases their win probability.

She also speaks and writes extensively on overcoming imposter syndrome, executive presence, and the role of candid conversations in business success. Her work has helped countless leaders and teams shift from “this feels impossible” to “we’ve got this.”

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Connect with Robin:
Website: https://www.robincamarote.com/growthworkshop
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robincamarote/

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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

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about embracing uncertainty as a leader. What does it really mean to lead with humanity—especially in an age of AI, change fatigue, and constant uncertainty? My guest this week is Jim Bouchard, author, speaker, and founder of The Human Centric Leader. In this powerful conversation, Jim shares how his personal journey from addiction to leadership taught him what transformation really takes—and why the best leaders don’t have all the answers.

We explore what it means to lead through uncertainty, the importance of sharing power and time, and how AI may actually amplify our humanity rather than replace it—if we use it well. We also dig into why resistance is a powerful compass, and how impostor syndrome can get in the way of becoming the leader you were meant to be.

About My Guest
By his own admission, Jim Bouchard should have been dead or in jail many times over. Martial arts helped him overcome a life of crippling self-doubt and self-destruction. In his programs, Jim shares his inspiring transformation from dropout and drug addict to Black Belt and Sensei -- and how that experience made him a genuine leader. He went on to open 5 martial arts schools, helping hundreds of people achieve their Black Belt rank, and thousands more discover their best selves.

Today, Jim helps leaders around the world connect on a deeply human level to attract, engage, and lead people to their highest levels of performance and productivity.

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Connect with Jim:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimbouchard/
Website: https://www.thehumancentricleader.org/
Join the Community: https://keep-it-human.mn.co/landing?space_id=17243140

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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

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about embracing your authentic self. Are you constantly trying to prove yourself at work? Do you feel like you're playing a role, hoping no one notices you're unsure beneath the surface?

This week, I’m joined by Aaron Helton, executive coach, leadership consultant, and self-proclaimed “cartographer of the soul.” In this powerful conversation, Aaron opens up about his personal journey with impostor syndrome, his late-in-life autism diagnosis, and the deep belief systems that shape how we show up in the world.

Together, we explore the hidden stories we tell ourselves, how they’re formed, and how we can learn to rewrite them from a place of self-compassion and strength. Aaron shares how he helps clients—from young professionals to senior leaders—reconnect with their authentic selves, challenge outdated beliefs, and lead with intention.

This episode is a must-listen if:

• You’ve ever felt like you’re hiding parts of yourself to fit in
• You struggle to feel confident in spaces where you feel different
• You’re ready to challenge the perfectionism and pressure that fuel impostor syndrome

Key Themes We Explore:

• How high expectations and cultural narratives can shape impostor beliefs
• Why “doing it right” isn’t the same as being true to yourself
• The power of naming all parts of your identity to feel whole
• How Aaron’s autism diagnosis gave him permission to release shame and lead with love
• The difference between coaching and therapy—and why coaching isn’t just for people who are struggling
• Why love is a leadership skill, not a liability
• How to make the business case for heart-centered leadership
• Aaron’s mission to “gather weirdos to change the world”

About My Guest
Aaron works as an executive coach and leadership consultant for Integrated Leadership Systems, guiding individuals toward authenticity and self-improvement, and transforming businesses through heart-first processes. With an M.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Aaron applies a Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology framework to facilitate smooth collaboration and inclusion among all members of a team, leading to better individual lives and a better overall organization.

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Connect with Aaron:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-helton-b128b8181/

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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