Episode
Dr Jill Stoddard: Imposter Thoughts, Courage, and Doing It Anyway
- Podcast
- People Soup
- Published
- Mar 30, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1396
- Processing state
processed
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Summary
Stop trying to eliminate self-doubt and start acting alongside it. Dr. Jill Stoddard explains how to use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques to move toward your values even when feeling like a fraud.
Topics
- Imposter Syndrome
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Psychological Flexibility
- Self-Doubt
- Cognitive Defusion
- Resilience
- Leadership
- Mental Health
Highlights
- Main idea: Trying to suppress or 'fix' imposter thoughts often makes them more persistent and powerful
- Practical takeaway: Use 'defusion' techniques, like naming your inner critic, to create space between yourself and your thoughts
- Failure mode: Relying on positive thinking or waiting for confidence to arrive before taking action can keep you stuck in avoidance
- Practical takeaway: Practice 'making space' for discomfort using physical anchors like the breath or sensory awareness
- Main idea: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in alignment with your values while the fear is present
Chapters
1:00The Roots of Self-Doubt: Dr. Stoddard shares her early experiences with academic pressure and the origins of her interest in psychology.2:40The PhD Prediction: A mentor accurately predicts the onset of imposter syndrome during a major career transition.6:00The Trap of Positive Thinking: Why attempting to boost confidence through sheer willpower often backfires and increases anxiety.9:20Naming the Inner Critic: Using personification and defusion to detach from intrusive, critical thoughts.11:00Doing It Scared: Lessons from a TEDx talk about performing and presenting despite intense feelings of inadequacy.18:00The Power of Making Space: A practical exercise in using the breath to expand your capacity for internal discomfort.21:30Living 'On Fire': Adopting an aspirational mindset to live according to your values, even when you don't feel the part.