EP 400: Breaking Free from Imposter Syndrome: The Truth About Self-Doubt, Success, and Confidence with Dr. Valerie Young

The Catherine Plano Podcast

Imposter syndrome—it’s more than just self-doubt; it’s the invisible force holding you back from your potential. In this transformative conversation, Dr. Valerie Young, a world-leading expert on imposter syndrome, reveals the truth about self-doubt, perfectionism, and the patterns that keep us stuck.

Discover the five distinct types of imposter syndrome, why overachievers often feel like frauds, and how societal pressures fuel this phenomenon.

Dr. Young dismantles the myth that self-doubt is a superpower and shares actionable strategies to shift your mindset, embrace feedback, and unlock lasting confidence.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not enough—this episode is your wake-up call. Tune in and take the first step to breaking free from the imposter within.

About Dr. Valerie Young

Dr. Valerie Young is a globally renowned expert and trailblazer in the field of imposter syndrome, having designed the first educational intervention for it in 1983. Since then, she has captivated over half a million people worldwide, delivering talks at prestigious institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford, as well as over 100 universities across the globe. Her expertise has been sought by leading corporations such as Google, Pfizer, Microsoft, and NASA, and by diverse organisations ranging from Women in Trucking to the NBA. Valerie’s award-winning book, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women and Men: Why Capable People Suffer from Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It, published by Random House, has been translated into eight languages and has cemented her as a trusted voice, with her insights featured in The New York Times, Time, The Wall Street Journal, and the BBC. In 2021, she co-founded the Impostor Syndrome Institute to equip organisations, coaches, and leaders with tools to build imposter-free cultures and deliver her groundbreaking Rethinking Impostor Syndrome program worldwide.

You can watch the video of the interview on YouTube

Find Out More About Dr Valerie Young

Visit Dr Valerie’s Website

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Follow Dr Valerie Young on Instagram @ImpostorSyndromeInstituteLLC