# Dr Jill Stoddard: Imposter Thoughts, Courage, and Doing It Anyway

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/people-soup-971297/dr-jill-stoddard-imposter-thoughts-courage-and-doing-it-anyway
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/people-soup-971297/dr-jill-stoddard-imposter-thoughts-courage-and-doing-it-anyway.md
Podcast: [People Soup](https://stenobird.com/podcast/people-soup-971297)
Published: 2026-03-30T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://peoplesoup.captivate.fm/episode/dr-jill-stoddard-imposter-thoughts-courage-and-doing-it-anyway
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/35d2c194-3062-417a-8c0e-581986f8af88.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1396

## Resource

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.

## 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

## Topics

Imposter Syndrome, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychological Flexibility, Self-Doubt, Cognitive Defusion, Resilience, Leadership, Mental Health

## Chapters
- 1:00 — The Roots of Self-Doubt: Dr. Stoddard shares her early experiences with academic pressure and the origins of her interest in psychology.
- 2:40 — The PhD Prediction: A mentor accurately predicts the onset of imposter syndrome during a major career transition.
- 6:00 — The Trap of Positive Thinking: Why attempting to boost confidence through sheer willpower often backfires and increases anxiety.
- 9:20 — Naming the Inner Critic: Using personification and defusion to detach from intrusive, critical thoughts.
- 11:00 — Doing It Scared: Lessons from a TEDx talk about performing and presenting despite intense feelings of inadequacy.
- 18:00 — The Power of Making Space: A practical exercise in using the breath to expand your capacity for internal discomfort.
- 21:30 — Living 'On Fire': Adopting an aspirational mindset to live according to your values, even when you don't feel the part.

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## Transcript

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