9 to 5 Imposter

Andy Sajous & James Adams
  • 5.0 (5)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

If you've ever sat in a team meeting or a boardroom and thought, "How did I get hired for this?"  You’re in the right place. Andy Sajous and James Adams are tech veterans who realized that the most talented people in the industry are often the ones most plagued by Imposter Syndrome. On 9 to 5 Imposter, they pull back the curtain on the "lucky amateur" myth. From the nuances of high perforamce environments, Andy and James tackle the intersection of career, culture, and psychology. This isn't just about feeling better; it's about performing better by understanding the "imposter" inside us all. Join a community of hundreds of professionals turning their greatest insecurity into their greatest competitive edge. It's an engaging and thought-provoking listen.

Episodes

  1. 6H AGO

    Reflecting on Growth: Our Year-End Recap

    In this year-end episode of the 9 to 5 Imposter Podcast, hosts Andy and James reflect on their journey so far, discussing the impactful messages from their previous guests. They touch on various strategies and personal anecdotes shared by their guests. The hosts reflect on the positive reception of the podcast and their excitement about its future, including the plan to bring in more diverse guests and expand the conversation beyond the tech industry. They also highlight their plans to broaden the podcast’s focus beyond tech, aiming to feature stories from diverse professions. They encourage listeners to share their stories, provide feedback, and support the podcast.

    41 min

  2. DEC 7

    Navigating Life's Challenges: Sandeep Nair’s Pursuit of a Balanced & Fulfilling Life

    In this episode of the 9 to 5 Imposter Podcast, hosts James and Andy dive into the topic of imposter syndrome as they are joined by their guest, Sandeep Nair. A first-generation Indian American and a technology professional, Sandeep shares his journey from being raised in a performance-focused household in West Texas to his current role in big tech. The discussion covers Sandeep's professional trajectory, the impact of cultural inflection points such as 9/11 on his sense of belonging, and how he has navigated imposter syndrome throughout his career. The conversation also delves into the importance of building daily habits for mental and physical well-being, parenting strategies for raising well-rounded children, and the broader implications of sharing personal experiences to help others. The episode concludes with reflections on balancing professional aspirations with meaningful, fulfilling activities.

    41 min

  3. NOV 18

    Lessons from a Harvard-Educated Executive: Living Authentically with Andrew Ting

    Andrew Ting, a professor at Georgetown's Business School and George Washington University's Law School and a Chief Legal Officer with two Harvard degrees, shares his personal experiences with imposter syndrome throughout his career. He elaborates on his background as an immigrant from Malaysia, his educational journey, and the challenges he faced in high-pressure roles. Andrew emphasizes the importance of authenticity, mentorship, and not taking oneself too seriously. He also discusses how he prepares his students and children for real-life challenges while encouraging self-acceptance and continuous learning.

    37 min

  4. NOV 4

    Breaking the Ice: Nick Rodriguez on Finding His Place and Purpose

    This episode of the 9 to 5 Imposter Podcast features guest Nick Rodriguez, who works as a DEI and Employee Experience manager at AHEAD. Nick shares his background, growing up as a Mexican-Scottish American, and the challenges he faced feeling isolated in both his cultural communities and career.  The conversation delves into Nick's childhood, academic challenges, and early loss of his mother, all of which shaped his drive to succeed and navigate self-doubt. Nick emphasizes the value of gratitude and recognition in building each other up, combating imposter syndrome, and fostering a supportive work environment.

    48 min

  5. OCT 26

    Empowering Journeys: From DJ to Tech Evangelist with Shannon Eldridge-Kuehn

    Shannon shares her unconventional journey into the tech industry, from being a DJ to becoming a principal solutions architect, as well as her struggles with self-doubt and overcoming impostor syndrome. They discuss the importance of mentorship, resilience, and the unique paths that different professionals take in their careers. The conversation highlights the significance of having champions in one's career, assuming positive intent, and the diverse backgrounds that can lead to a successful career in tech.

    39 min

  6. OCT 12

    The Imposter Within: Real Talk with Eric Shanks

    In this episode, hosts James and Andy welcome their first guest, Eric Shanks, a principal technical marketing engineer at Portworx by Pure Storage. Eric shares his personal journey with imposter syndrome, discussing his accomplishments, including obtaining multiple technical certifications and how fear and self-doubt fueled these achievements. The discussion touches on the balance between using imposter syndrome as a motivator and the potential for burnout. Eric emphasizes the importance of acknowledging imposter syndrome and finding healthy coping mechanisms. He advises listeners to understand the impact it has on their careers and to seek supportive management. The episode aims to normalize conversations around imposter syndrome and offers insights into dealing with it positively.

    36 min

  7. SEP 28

    Finding Strength in Numbers: More Than a Podcast

    In this episode of the Nine to Five Imposter podcast, the hosts share their initial reactions to the positive feedback received from the first episode and delve into the widespread nature of imposter syndrome across various professions, including academia and business. They explore the importance of feedback, the impact of imposter syndrome on professional and personal life, and how to manage external perceptions. Additionally, they consider future episodes, potential guests from different personas, and strategies to unlock potential in high-achieving individuals who struggle with self-doubt.

    40 min

  8. SEP 18

    Unmasking self-doubt in the working world

    In the inaugural episode of the Nine to Five Imposter Podcast, hosts Andy Sajous and James Adams delve into the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome, especially within professional environments. They share their personal journeys and experiences with self-doubt despite being high achievers in the tech industry. They offer insights into how these feelings impact their daily work life and strategies to cope with them. The episode also highlights the importance of open dialogue on this topic and extends an invitation to listeners to share their stories.

    46 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

If you've ever sat in a team meeting or a boardroom and thought, "How did I get hired for this?"  You’re in the right place. Andy Sajous and James Adams are tech veterans who realized that the most talented people in the industry are often the ones most plagued by Imposter Syndrome. On 9 to 5 Imposter, they pull back the curtain on the "lucky amateur" myth. From the nuances of high perforamce environments, Andy and James tackle the intersection of career, culture, and psychology. This isn't just about feeling better; it's about performing better by understanding the "imposter" inside us all. Join a community of hundreds of professionals turning their greatest insecurity into their greatest competitive edge. It's an engaging and thought-provoking listen.

Information

  • Creator
    Andy Sajous & James Adams
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 9 to 5 Imposter
  • Show Website
    9 to 5 Imposter