logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
38m 39s

Imposter Syndrome & Comparison Culture: ...

Dr Jodi Aman and Lily Aman
About this episode

Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of Ask Dr. Jodi! Tonight, I have the privilege of sitting down with my dear friend and vocal coach extraordinaire, Deborah Conquest, to unpack the topic of imposter syndrome. If you’ve ever felt like a fraud, doubted your abilities, or feared not being enough, this episode is for you. Together, we explore what imposter syndrome is, why it happens, and how to navigate it—so it no longer holds you back from shining your brightest.

Episode Summary:
Imposter syndrome is that nagging feeling that we aren’t good enough or that we’re a fraud despite our achievements. In this conversation, Deborah and I dive into its roots in our Western culture, how high expectations and comparison culture feed into it, and the real-life struggles performers and professionals face when tackling perfectionism.

As a vocal coach, Deborah shares powerful insights from her own journey and the experiences of her students, ranging from teenagers to adults in their 80s. We talk about the vulnerability of putting yourself out there, the courage to overcome self-doubt, and why normalizing imposter syndrome as a shared human experience is the first step to healing.

We even get creative, making snowflakes to celebrate the beauty of our uniqueness, and explore how finding strength—both inside and out—can transform how we see ourselves.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • What imposter syndrome is and why so many of us feel it.
  • How Western culture and comparison culture perpetuate self-doubt.
  • Why perfectionism robs us of authenticity and creativity.
  • The importance of building awareness around our self-critical thoughts.
  • Practical strategies to manage imposter syndrome, from gratitude practices to self-reflection.

Key Takeaways:

  • Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean something is wrong with you—it’s a normal response to unrealistic societal expectations.
  • Our efforts matter more than results; the journey itself is valuable.
  • Awareness is the first step to overcoming self-doubt.
  • Strengthening our inner and outer selves can empower us to feel confident and capable.

Favorite Quotes:

  • “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
  • “Imposter syndrome is a liar—everyone struggles with self-doubt at some point.”
  • “Our efforts are amazing, and the growth we experience on the journey is worth more than the results alone.”

Resources and Links:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Thank you so much for listening to Ask Dr. Jodi! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs inspiration or help to heal!  

You’re listening to the Ask Dr. Jodi - Mental Health & Relationship Advice with Jodi Aman.

Sign up for text updates, where you can ask me your private questions! Text JODI to 8334583845 to get in the group.
 

Want personalized coaching on the show? Sign up to be a call-in guest at jodiaman.com/live

 

Remember, you can join me live every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern on YouTube, @doctorjodi, where you can ask your questions in real time.

 

👉👉Get on the list to get reminders about the show, including the topic for the week. PLUS, receive my Gen Z Mental Health Resource Guide here: jodiaman.com/live.  Let's keep building a stronger, happier generation!

 

Contact Doctor Jodi:

• Website: jodiaman.com

• TikTok: @doctorjodi

• YouTube: @doctorjodi

• Instagram: @doctorjodiaman

 

About Dr. Jodi: 

Jodi Aman is a social work doctor with 28 years of experience in clinical practice. She helps clients heal from trauma, understand the world, and reclaim self-confidence. She created C.O.M.P.A.S.S., an emotional wellness curriculum for middle and high school health classes designed to mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

 

You can find hundreds of self-help videos on YouTube @doctorjodi. Also, watch her TEDx Wilmington talk, "Calm Anxious Kids," and read her award-winning book, Anxiety… I'm So Done with You! to learn how to understand and reverse the current mental health crisis. More about Jodi.

 

Ask Dr. Jodi Live

Welcome to Ask Dr. Jodi, where you get trauma-informed mental health and relationship advice you won’t hear anywhere else. Advice that helps you breathe a sigh of relief.


You’ll discover that your brain is not broken...that, whatever you are feeling, it is understandable. You are having a regular human response to the context of this crazy world. But that doesn’t mean you are destined to stay like this. You can get better. And we're here to help.

 

We cover topics that you and those you love are dealing with every day, helping you understand the problem, yourself, and other people so you have the information you need to heal, shift beliefs, get relief, set strong limits, let go, and act in a way that helps you and those you love FEEL BETTER.

 

I’m your host, Dr. Jodi. I've worked for 28 years as a psychotherapist, so I've seen and understood the nuances of human behavior and relationships from a rare perspective inside people’s minds and emotions. Together, we’ll discover how you are much  more  amazing than you think you are by building your confidence and accelerating your healing journey.

 

We livestream this show on YT every Monday at 8 PM E, @doctrojodi, so follow me there so you can participate in the conversation. We do live coaching on air, and you can get personalized advice for your situation. You will gain a deeper understanding of yourself, gain practical tips, and hear from relatable guests who will show you how to get rid of worry, strengthen your emotional bandwidth, and create a happy, purposeful life.

Up next
Jul 1
Facing Something that Scares You
Facing Your Fears: How to Decide, How to Cope, and Why It Matters: Fear is a normal part of life, but not every fear needs to be conquered. This week, Lily and I explore how to tell when a challenge is worth it and when it is perfectly fine to give yourself a break. We share pers ... Show More
22m 22s
Jun 24
Dealing With Toxic Parents Set Boundaries and Reclaim Your Peace
Dealing with TOXIC Parents: How to deSet Boundaries and Reclaim Your PeaceDealing with toxic parents can leave you feeling confused, exhausted, and doubting your own worth. Whether you’re still living under their roof or navigating adult relationships, the impact of toxic parenti ... Show More
36m 35s
Jun 17
Break Free from Trauma Bonding | Take Back Your Power
Break Free from Trauma Bonding | Take Back Your Power Trauma bonding can keep us stuck in relationships that drain our self-worth, confidence, and happiness. The cycle of hope, hurt, and confusion makes it incredibly difficult to walk away—even when we know it’s not healthy. If y ... Show More
33m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 1
5 Game-Changing Rituals to Reclaim Your Confidence, Even When You Feel Unlovable | WOI Experts (Fan Fav)
This is a fan fav episode. You can be in a room full of people and feel completely alone. You can also have hundreds of relationships in your life and more friendships than you can count and feel unlovable and unworthy of love. History of abuse, emotional trauma and attachment is ... Show More
1h 45m
Feb 2025
From Anxiety & Depression to True Alignment | My Self-Mastery Journey
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by emotions that you just wanted to escape your own body? I know that feeling all too well. For years, I lived with crippling anxiety, deep depression, and a victim mindset, believing that life was against me. I felt disconnected from myself and ... Show More
35m 34s
Sep 2024
Navigating Motherhood and Mental Health Issues with Dr. Jenny Yip
Do you want to know how to manage your worries and prevent emotional burnout? Today’s episode is an enlightening conversation on how to effectively handle anxiety, establish healthy boundaries, and cultivate a mindset that promotes long-term wellbeing. So before you get overwhelm ... Show More
31m 51s
Oct 2024
#424 How To Reparent Yourself, with Dr. Dan Siegel
Ever feel like the love, support, or security you needed growing up was just… missing? And now, you’re feeling the effects in your relationships, your self-esteem, or even your ability to create the life you *really* want? If this hits home, don’t worry—you’re not stuck! This wee ... Show More
49m 38s
Nov 2024
Imposter Syndrome: Why You Feel Like a Fraud (And How to Overcome It)
In this episode of the Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, Dr. Marianne Trent dives deep into the concept of imposter syndrome. She explores why so many of us, despite our achievements, feel like we don't belong and are on the verge of being "found out." Dr. Trent breaks down the psyc ... Show More
16m 24s
Mar 2025
Your Gut Is Controlling Your Mood—How to Heal Anxiety & Depression Naturally | Dr. Ellen Vora (Fan Fav)
Fan Favorite: This episode originally aired on March 16, 2022. What up, homies! It's your girl Lisa Bilyeu, and welcome back to the Women of Impact podcast, where we dive deep and come out stronger. Today, I have an episode that's a must-listen for anyone battling the weight of a ... Show More
58m 9s
Jul 14
The Freeze Response, Gifted Kid Syndrome, and BPD: July Mailbag
Dr. Rick and Forrest answer listener questions about perfectionism, performance anxiety, trauma, and relationships. They explore how early praise for being “gifted” can create a fear of failure and contribute to “failure to launch,” and share ways to shift from focusing on an ide ... Show More
1h 17m
May 22
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
We’ve all had that inner voice that sometimes says, “You don’t belong here.” That’s imposter syndrome, and there’s more to it than you might think.  In this episode, host and therapist Haesue Jo talks with Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist Jane Marie about what it’s like ... Show More
46m 38s
Feb 2025
How to Break Free from Stress, Overwhelm & Anxiety for Good
Are you constantly overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed? Do you find yourself saying, "I'll do it later," only to never follow through? In this episode, we dive deep into the root causes of stress and self-doubt, uncovering how a lack of self-trust and confidence keeps you stuck.Joi ... Show More
23m 43s