We’ve all felt some version of it at some moment in our lives; some more than others. Often, the people who experience it most intensely are the people you would least expect.

Imposter syndrome can come for leaders. Founders. Experts. High-achievers who are objectively doing incredible work.

And yet privately they’re thinking things like:

• I don’t belong here.
• They might see through me.
• I don’t know enough.
• I’m not at the caliber of the people around me.
• I’m not okay with this, but I can’t say it out loud.

In this episode, I share a different way of understanding imposter syndrome based on both psychological research and years of coaching leaders and entrepreneurs.

Because over time I began noticing something fascinating: almost every time someone experiences imposter syndrome, something is being hidden.

Not because they’re a fraud—but because there’s a thought, doubt, disagreement, lack of preparation, or truth they don’t feel safe expressing.

When we understand that, imposter syndrome stops being something to “fix” and becomes a signal we can listen to.

In this episode, I share a personal story of experiencing imposter syndrome while leading a company-wide meeting, moments where I stepped into new roles I hadn’t fully embodied yet, and what I’ve learned from supporting clients through this same experience.

We explore how imposter syndrome works psychologically, why it shows up so often in high-achieving people, and how to work with it in a way that leads to more authenticity, confidence, and growth.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• What imposter syndrome actually is and why it often shows up in high achievers
• The common thoughts that create the feeling of being an imposter
• My core observation: imposter syndrome often appears when we’re hiding something or being inauthentic
• How the brain’s threat detection system contributes to these feelings
• Why stepping into new roles or identities can trigger imposter syndrome
• How environments and power dynamics can amplify imposter feelings
• The difference between self-doubt that needs coaching and signals that something in your environment needs to change
• Why authenticity is one of the most powerful antidotes to imposter syndrome

We’ll close with three ways to work through imposter syndrome, so that you can own your own voice, your space, your ideas, and sometimes- ask for backup to help you do that. Because imposter syndrome isn’t proof that you don’t belong.

Often it’s a sign that:

• You’re growing into something new
• Something in the environment needs to shift
• Or there’s a truth inside you that wants to be expressed

The antidote isn’t perfection. It’s authenticity.

Showing up honestly, owning what you know, owning what you’re still learning, and saying the unseen out loud when it doesn’t feel quite right, allows us to step through impostor syndrome and keep stepping forward with all of our moxie.

How to connect with Marie:

• On the Web | The Local Bloom
• Instagram: @the.bloom.coach
• All Things Marie on LinkTree

JOIN THE BLOOM ROOM!
We'll take all these ideas and apply them to our lives. Follow me on Instagram at @the.bloom.coach to learn more and snag a spot in my group coaching program!

What does it really mean to become the compassionate observer of your own mind?

In this episode, we explore the practice of stepping back and watching your thinking instead of becoming consumed by it. Because here’s the truth most of us forget: you are not your thoughts, and you are not your feelings.

But when we first begin noticing our thinking, many of us run into a new problem. We judge it. We see a thought and immediately think, Nope. That’s a bad thought. I can’t think that. I can’t be the kind of person who thinks that. So we push it down.

We do the same with feelings like resentment, anger, or jealousy. We shove them underground. And when we do that, those thoughts and feelings don’t go away—they just move into the subconscious where they start running the show.

So today we talk about a different approach: learning to observe your thoughts and emotions with curiosity instead of judgment, so they feel safe enough to reveal themselves. Because when we can truly see what’s happening in our minds, that’s when real change becomes possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What it means to become the compassionate observer of your thoughts and emotions
• Why suppressing thoughts and feelings actually gives them more power over you
• The “watch the thinker” practice and how it helps you separate yourself from your thoughts
• Why the subconscious “elephant” always wins when we try to control ourselves through judgment
• How creating safety and compassion toward your own mind allows hidden patterns to surface
• Real examples of how compassionate observation reveals patterns like over-responsibility, fawning responses, or shrinking in moments of leadership
• Why curiosity—not criticism—is the key to seeing what’s actually holding you back
• How practicing compassion with yourself naturally increases compassion for others
• Why releasing self-judgment makes you more confident, more present, and more magnetic in your relationships

When we practice compassionate observation, something surprising happens.

We stop judging ourselves—and when that happens, we stop assuming everyone else is judging us too. Instead of walking into a room wondering “Do they like me?” we walk in thinking “There you are.”

We become more present.
More open.
More connected.

And ironically, that’s when confidence and magnetism start to grow.

All of this begins with one simple practice: watching your mind with compassion.

So today, your job is simple. Notice your thoughts. Don’t judge them—just acknowledge them. Let your emotions move through you. And from that place of awareness, choose the thoughts that move you toward the life you want.

Little by little, that’s how your moxie grows.

How to connect with Marie:

• On the Web | The Local Bloom
• Instagram: @the.bloom.coach
• All Things Marie on LinkTree

JOIN THE BLOOM ROOM!
We'll take all these ideas and apply them to our lives. Follow me on Instagram at @the.bloom.coach to learn more and snag a spot in my group coaching program!

In this episode, I interview Maggie Roach Black in a live conversation about the partnership Maggie and I have built over 18 years of working together.

We talk about what makes a work partnership not just functional — but dream-level aligned. The kind of partnership that makes better work, deeper impact, and a lot more joy possible.

This is an inside look at how we think, how we collaborate, how we navigate challenges, and how we’ve stayed each other’s primary thought partner and creative partner for almost two decades.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The traits and values we find make deeply compatible work partners
• How we manage our minds to get the best out of ourselves and each other
• How we navigate challenges without damaging trust or momentum
• Why we’ve been able to sustain a primary work partnership with each other for nearly 20 years
• How meetings on the beach, working dinners and laughing about EVERYTHING keeps us stronger
• Why joy, partnership, and collaboration directly translate into stronger outcomes and better work
• How we create deep organizational impact by helping leaders and teams access their bestest best
• How we help mission-driven organizations build cultures where humans actually thrive
• The next big idea we’re building together — including retreats in Paris

This conversation is really about what becomes possible when you build work relationships rooted in trust, growth, shared values, and hilariousness.

When partnership is aligned, work gets better.
Impact gets bigger.
And the experience of building something meaningful becomes a whole lot more fun.

Maggie Roach Black

Maggie is an executive coach, mom of three wild daughters, holder of multiple degrees from Stanford University, and co-founder of Bloom Leadership. She loves spending her days coaching individuals, training managers and leaders, and helping all kinds of people get unstuck (along with volunteering at her kids’ schools and Girl Scout troops). Her career experience includes leading a scaling business, building processes for staffing and decentralized culture at scale, strategic planning, managing functional teams of managers for people at all levels, and working directly with teachers and kids. She thrives on helping individuals and teams to set the right goals, and believes every work experience can be fun.

How to connect with Marie:

• On the Web | The Local Bloom
• Instagram: @the.bloom.coach
• All Things Marie on LinkTree

JOIN THE BLOOM ROOM!
We'll take all these ideas and apply them to our lives. Follow me on Instagram at @the.bloom.coach to learn more and snag a spot in my group coaching program!