Ever felt like you're one mistake away from being “found out”? That no matter how accomplished, capable, or praised you are… there's still a voice whispering you don’t belong?

In this powerful episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself, host Rita sits down with educator, author, mentor, and former CPA Deborah Kevin to peel back the layers of impostor syndrome, high-achiever burnout, perfectionism, and the invisible weight many women carry in silence.

Deborah shares her journey from corporate over-performer to abuse survivor to empowered author and book coach, revealing how trauma, childhood programming, and a fear of visibility can shape a lifelong “fraud story.” Through art-therapy lessons (yes, including Shrek!), internal work, and learning to trust her voice, she rebuilt her sense of worth from the inside out.

Together, Rita and Deborah explore:

• Impostor syndrome and the “fraud mindset” in women leaders

• How perfectionism becomes emotional armor

• The link between trauma, self-doubt, and overachieving

• Healing after abusive relationships and reclaiming visibility

• Why entrepreneurship can trigger (and ultimately dissolve) self-worth wounds

• The courage to publish your story and own your voice

• Practical tools to quiet the inner critic and build true confidence

You’ll learn actionable strategies for breaking free from self-doubt, challenging the internal critic, building safe and empowering community, and stepping into your worth without needing external validation.

✨ If you’re a high-performing woman, recovering perfectionist, or someone doing the deep inner work to stop “proving yourself” and start believing in yourself, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Audible