The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about why so many professionals drift through their careers instead of intentionally shaping what's next. My guest this week is Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, executive coach, leadership advisor and co-author of Now Near Next.
Cynthia shares her own unexpected career transition after losing a senior executive role and explains how the work she had already done to prepare for her next chapter gave her the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship instead of returning to corporate America. We explore why so many high-achieving professionals become so focused on proving themselves in their current roles that they never create space to think about where they want to go next.
In our conversation, we discuss the importance of identifying your natural talents instead of focusing exclusively on building new skills. Cynthia introduces the ACES framework to help people recognize the strengths that come most naturally to them and explains why these often become the foundation for more meaningful and sustainable career growth.
We also talk about expanding your current role instead of waiting for someone else to create opportunities for you. Cynthia shares practical strategies for identifying business problems you can solve, making the case for broader responsibilities and reframing self-promotion as an act of service rather than self-interest.
Finally, we explore the role fear plays in career decisions and why learning to recognize your body's early warning signals can help you interrupt unhelpful self-talk before it takes over. Cynthia explains how greater awareness, combined with intentional practice, can help us respond more confidently to uncertainty throughout our careers.
About My Guest
Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer is leading a powerful conversation around the hidden problem of how high-performing individuals and organizations gradually lose alignment, not because they fail, but because they stop examining where they’re headed.
Dr. Cynthia is a human capital strategist, executive coach, and bestselling author who brings over 30 years of experience working with leaders at the highest levels of business. Her work, Stop Drifting: The Discipline of Direction, offers a clear, practical way to interrupt autopilot, make better decisions, and move forward with intention.
She’s also the creator of the 7-Minute Pivot™, a simple daily practice designed to help you shift from thinking to action—one decision at a time.
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Connect with Cynthia:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/drcynthiabentzenmercer
Website: www.dr-cynthia.com
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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
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In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how to communicate more effectively under pressure. My guest this week is Salvatore Manzi, communications coach and author of the forthcoming book Clear and Compelling.
Salvatore shares his own journey from debilitating public speaking anxiety to helping professionals communicate with greater confidence and clarity. Here we explore the unique challenges facing introverts and analytical thinkers in environments that reward quick responses and spontaneous conversation. We also explore strategies for communicating more effectively in such moments.
Throughout our conversation, Salvatore shares practical techniques for contributing earlier in meetings, creating space to organize your thoughts, making complex ideas easier for others to follow and using simple communication frameworks to stay clear under pressure.
About My Guest
Salvatore Manzi is a leadership communications coach helping leaders amplify their influence and impact. He’s coached leaders presenting at the United Nations, guided startup founders and investors through fundraising rounds, including one that raised $100 million over their goal, and has helped biopharma and nuclear scientists present their work globally. With emphasis on frameworks, principles, and techniques, Salvatore supports leaders in connecting authentically and navigating high-stakes engagements with confidence. His book, Clear and Compelling, was picked up by a NY publisher and scheduled for re-release in October 2026. It combines his research into neuroscience, psychology, and organizational behavior, and decades of coaching into practical strategies for turning insights into influence. He’s passionate about fostering collaborative team environments that integrate diverse perspectives through effective communication.
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Connect with Salvatore:
Book: https://www.clearandcompellingplaybook.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatorejmanzi/
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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://www.kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about creating workplaces where people can thrive. My guest this week is Josh Block, executive advisor and author of People Matter at Work.
Josh shares the story of becoming president of his family's business at age 29 and the lessons he learned from stepping into a role he didn't feel fully prepared to lead. We explore how curiosity, humility and a willingness to rely on the strengths of others helped him navigate uncertainty and grow as a leader.
In our conversation, we discuss why leadership is less about having all the answers and more about helping others succeed. Josh introduces his powerful "gardens versus gold mines" metaphor and explains why leaders must choose whether they want to develop people or simply extract value from them.
We also talk about the importance of maintaining a non-anxious presence during challenging times, the shift from a "me" mindset to a "we" mindset and the role curiosity plays in building stronger teams. Finally, Josh shares his perspective on the unique questions women often bring to leadership conversations and why creating space for different perspectives leads to better outcomes.
About My Guest
Josh Block is a seasoned business leader and entrepreneur passionate about building cultures where people thrive—at work and in life. A graduate of Taylor University, Josh began his career by founding a service company in Muncie, Indiana, focused on creating employment opportunities within the city’s urban core. That early experience cemented his belief in the power of people-first, purpose-driven work.
In 2011, Josh and his wife, Lacey, moved to Lansing, Michigan, where he assumed the role of president at Block Imaging, a family-owned company at the time and now an affiliate of Siemens Healthineers and CommonSpirit Health. Block Imaging provides refurbished imaging systems, parts, and service to healthcare providers worldwide, empowering them to provide a second chance at life for imaging equipment and patients. Under Josh’s leadership, Block Imaging has grown from fifty to more than four hundred team members globally, becoming a model for trust-driven culture and people-powered performance.
In 2018, Josh launched Cube Mobile Imaging to offer mobile imaging solutions across the United States, helping to expand access and reduce patient backlogs. He also speaks and coaches on leadership, organizational culture, and identity.
Outside the office, Josh brings the same energy to his personal life. He enjoys wakesurfing, paddleboarding, and golf, and has competed in triathlons ranging from sprint to 70.3 distances. A few of his favorite indulgences include Cheetos, Cherry Coke, and Cap’n Crunch—and he is known for a legendary waffle recipe.
He and Lacey have been married for twenty-three years and live in Lansing with their two children.
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Connect with Josh:
Book: https://www.amazon.com/People-Matter-Work-Fostering-Everyone/dp/1637635044
Website: https://peoplematteratwork.com/
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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://www.kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the ordinary moments that shape who we become and why so much of leadership, growth and human connection happens in the spaces we often overlook. My guest this week is Kurt Bush, leadership coach and co-founder of Brimstone Coaching Group.
Kurt shares his nonlinear journey from manufacturing to ministry to leadership coaching and reflects on why growth often comes from embracing uncertainty rather than trying to control it. We explore the pressure leaders feel to always appear confident and capable, especially during times of rapid change and instability, and why so many people quietly carry overwhelm, anxiety and self-doubt while trying to support everyone around them.
In our conversation, we discuss the importance of self-awareness and how moments of regret, discomfort or emotional reaction can become opportunities for growth when approached with curiosity instead of shame. Kurt also shares practical ways leaders can reflect more intentionally on how they show up in everyday interactions and why empowered action matters more than perfection.
We also talk about burnout, hustle culture and the growing need for rest, reflection and joy in a world that constantly rewards productivity. Kurt shares his perspective on creating “counter systems” that help leaders stay grounded and emotionally healthy while supporting others through difficult challenges.
Finally, we explore the idea that most of life happens in ordinary moments and why those moments often offer the greatest opportunities for transformation, connection and meaningful impact.
About My Guest
Kurt Bush is a certified Internal Family Systems Practitioner, trauma-informed coach, and co-founder of Brimstone Coaching Group. With a background spanning corporate leadership, pastoral ministry, and coaching, Kurt helps leaders break free from self-doubt, embrace authenticity, and lead with confidence. Having overcome his own struggles with imposter syndrome, Kurt is passionate about guiding others through transformational growth and into authentic leadership. Through Brimstone’s unique E + R = T approach (Encounter + Reflection = Transformation), Kurt equips individuals and teams to move from exhaustion and frustration to clarity and wholeness. He is also the co-author of “Live Fully. Lead Authentically. The Surprising Link Between Self-Awareness and Your Impact” in which he and his coaching partner explore leadership, personal growth, and breaking through barriers.
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Connect with Kurt:
Website: https://www.brimstonecoachinggroup.com/
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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://www.kimmeninger.com

In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about loneliness, emotional suppression and the growing need for spaces where men feel safe to be fully human. My guest this week is Stefanos Koutsoumpis, men’s coach and facilitator of online men’s groups focused on emotional well-being, connection and personal growth.
Stefanos shares his own journey of struggling with emotional awareness and social connection as a young man and explains why so many men feel pressure to appear strong while quietly carrying stress, shame and self-doubt. We discuss the challenges men face in opening up emotionally, why feeling heard can be so healing and how men’s groups create opportunities to practice vulnerability, communication and deeper connection.
Finally, we explore the ripple effect of emotional well-being and why supporting men’s mental health benefits everyone. Stefanos also shares his perspective on curiosity, connection and creating healthier conversations in an increasingly polarized world.
About My Guest
Stefanos Koutsoumpis is a Men’s Life Coach dedicated to helping men in their 30s-40s who feel stuck, disconnected, or unfulfilled despite outward success.
Through one-on-one coaching and his monthly men’s groups, Stefanos provides men with a sense of connection, accountability, and community.
With a background in mindfulness and a passion for supporting men through life’s challenges, Stefanos brings a grounded, approachable style that empowers men to move from stress and self-doubt toward clarity and authentic fulfillment.
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Connect with Stefanos:
Free Guide: 5 Simple Ways to Feel Happier & More Fulfilled Today - Without Changing Your Job
Website: https://www.mindfullife.coach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfullife_coach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581813320351
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulLifeCoaching
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Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/challenge

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroup

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/

Website:
https://www.kimmeninger.com