Check out our podcast sponsor: Webster-Street.com - Add a little joy and delight to your day with jewelry from Webster Street, lovingly designed and curated by Aly & Tony :) Podcast listeners get 20% off your first order with code: ALYSPHERE 🌟 Join The Alysphere Community Let’s connect deeper: Instagram: @thealysphereWebsite: thealysphere.comNewsletterSubstack for musings on all the AlySphere Topics! If you loved this conversation, make sure to: ✅ Subscribe ✅ Leave a review ✅ Share it with someone who needs to hear this 🎙️ Episode 32: Understanding and overcoming imposter syndrome Guest: Michael Tertes Air Date: 7/8/26 ✨ Episode Summary Discover the nuanced layers of imposter syndrome, why it affects over 82% of us, and practical strategies to recognize and reframe these beliefs. Join us as Michael Tertes, a leading expert on imposter syndrome, shares insights on how societal, situational, and core misunderstandings about competence shape these feelings—and how we can move beyond them to access our true essence. 👤 About Our Guest: Michael Tertes is a leadership coach, speaker, and expert on impostor syndrome who has spent nearly 20 years helping high-achieving professionals move from self-doubt to self-trust. He is a Certified Coach and Licensed Speaker with the Impostor Syndrome Institute, trained by Dr. Valerie Young, and has supported leaders across industries in transforming their relationship with impostor feelings. Rather than treating impostor syndrome as something to “fix,” Michael helps people understand the patterns behind it, so they can reclaim their voice, trust their instincts, and lead with greater confidence and authenticity.His work is especially powerful for women navigating visibility, leadership, and the pressure to prove themselves, offering a more grounded, human path to knowing they belong. Connect with Michael at michaeltertes.com In this episode: The history and definition of imposter syndrome, from imposter phenomena to syndrome.Key differences between imposter syndrome and low self-esteem, and why it's primarily situational.The five types of imposter distortions: perfectionist, expert, soloist, natural genius, and super person.The core source of imposter feelings: unrealistic standards of competence and shame around failure.How societal stereotypes and the gender confidence gap amplify imposter feelings.Practical tools for pattern recognition: identifying triggers, feelings, negative monologues, and behaviors.The role of humility, humor, and self-awareness in healing imposter syndrome. Resources mentioned in the episode: Dr. Valerie Young - Imposter Syndrome Expert The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris The Imposter Phenomenon by Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes Did you get any new insights or takeaways from this episode? If so, I'd love to hear! Leave a comment and tell me all about it!!! 🎧 Listen & Subscribe Available on: Apple PodcastsSpotify
