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Magical Overthinkers

Overthinking About Imposter Syndrome

Magical Overthinkers

Amanda Montell & Studio71

Education, Science, Society & Culture

4.3 • 636 Ratings

🗓️ 12 June 2024

⏱️ 66 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 1978, psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes published the first study on imposter syndrome—originally termed “imposter phenomenon”—about high-achieving women feeling like frauds at work… and it struck a major nerve. The study kicked off decades of frenzied discourse, programs, and merch aimed at curing women of this irrational feminine disease. Among the proposed treatments included professional development conferences, self-help books like The Imposter Cure, and power poses. Use of the term imposter syndrome has only increased, but I have questions. Like… why are these conversations so gendered? Does anyone NOT experience imposter syndrome? Is it really a diagnosable “syndrome” in the first place? And either way, how can we stop feeling this way? Psychiatrist and author of “Real Self Care” Dr. Pooja Lakshmin (@poojalakshmin) joins host Amanda (@amanda_montell) for this week’s brain-soothing discussion. - Join the "Magical Overthinkers Club" by following the pod on Instagram @magicaloverthinkers. - To access early, ad-free episodes and more, subscribe to the Magical Overthinkers Substack. - Pick up a hard copy of Amanda's book The Age of Magical Overthinking, or listen to the audiobook. - Sources:  Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome - bit.ly/3SZiBhb Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome - bit.ly/3ArrKbF All Imposters Aren't Alike - bit.ly/4dSrz7H A Cultural Impostor? Native American Experiences of Impostor Phenomenon in STEM - bit.ly/3SU95f9 To watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkersYouTube ; Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, DM, email, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/MagicalOverthinkers  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hey listeners, this is your host Amanda. Before we get into today's episode, I have a very exciting

0:05.2

announcement. I am going back on tour this summer. If you live in Chicago, Minneapolis, or Seattle,

0:11.6

I would love if you would catch me on book tour for the age of magical overthinking. My Chicago event is on

0:17.5

July 12th, Minnie is on July 13th, and Seattle is on July 29th. These events are so much

0:24.7

fun. This is not your typical book tour. The Chicago and Minneapolis events are something

0:30.7

called the big magical cult show, this ridiculous variety show involving drag burlesque performances,

0:40.4

merch, custom drinks, a PowerPoint presentation about parasycial relationships, of course books, book signing, meet and greet, the whole nine.

0:46.2

Seattle is going to be really, really fun too. And I so hope to see you there. Information and tickets

0:51.4

are at the link in our show notes or at Amanda Montpel.com slash events.

1:00.0

Welcome to the magical overthinkers podcast, a show for thoughts spirulers.

1:06.0

Exploring the subjects we can't stop overthinking about.

1:09.4

From celebrity worship to burnout. If you can relate to the

1:12.9

feeling that despite living in the information age, the world only seems to be making less sense,

1:18.9

if you can connect to the idea that for some mysterious reason, it just feels especially hard to

1:24.9

exist as a human in the world right now, then you're in the right

1:28.2

place. This podcast is here to soften the clash between our squishy human brains and

1:34.3

the overwhelm of this time, to help us quiet the static in our heads for a bit, or even find

1:40.9

a melody in it. I'm your host, Amanda Montel.

1:45.0

Today, we're overthinking about imposter syndrome.

1:49.3

When I was in my early 20s, I became obsessed with this documentary called The Imposter,

1:55.2

about this Frenchman con artist trickster, who fooled a family into thinking he was their missing son.

2:02.8

Ever since then, I have been pretty transfixed by scammers and con artists.

...

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