In 1978, psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes published the first study on imposter syndrome—originally termed “imposter phenomenon”—about high-achieving women feeling like frauds at work… and it struck a major nerve. The study kicked off decades of frenzied discourse, programs, and merch aimed at curing women of this irrational feminine disease. Among the proposed treatments included professional development conferences, self-help books like The Imposter Cure, and power poses. Use of the term imposter syndrome has only increased, but I have questions. Like… why are these conversations so gendered? Does anyone NOT experience imposter syndrome? What if you don’t even feel qualified to have imposter syndrome? Is it really a diagnosable “syndrome” in the first place? And either way, how can we stop feeling this way?? Psychiatrist and author of “Real Self Care” Dr. Pooja Lakshmin (@poojalakshmin) joins host Amanda (@amanda_montell) for this week’s brain-soothing discussion.
- Come get tickets to see Amanda on book tour in Chicago and Minneapolis!! amandamontell.com/events
- Join the "Magical Overthinkers Club" by following the pod on Instagram @magicaloverthinkers.
- To access early, ad-free episodes and more, subscribe to the Magical Overthinkers Substack.
- Pick up a hard copy of Amanda's book The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality, or listen to the audiobook.
- Sources:
Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome
Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review
‘Being delulu,’ or delusional is the new Gen Z trend for hacking career success
A Cultural Impostor? Native American Experiences of Impostor Phenomenon in STEM
Follow Amanda: @amanda_montell
Follow the show: @magicaloverthinkers
To watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkersYouTube
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening, or by using this link: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers
If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, DM, email, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices