301: Why We Get Imposter Syndrome and What to Do About It with Melody Wilding

You’ve most likely heard of “imposter syndrome” and perhaps you’ve experienced it yourself. If so, you’re not alone!

I hear from women we work with that they sometimes suffer from imposter syndrome, especially as they think about putting themselves out there in a bigger way.

You’re going to learn a lot in my conversation with Melody Wilding, who has an impressive background as a best-selling author, a contributor to places like Harvard Business Review, and a LinkedIn Learning instructor.

Melody and I talk about:

• What imposter syndrome is
• The various ways it can show up (one of these surprised me)
• How imposter syndrome has shown up for both of us
• Specific techniques we can use to lessen it
• How Melody was selected to be a LinkedIn Learning instructor and her tips for creating engaging video content

About My Guest: Melody Wilding is the best-selling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work. Recently named one of Business Insider’s Most Innovative Coaches for her groundbreaking work on “Sensitive Strivers”, her clients include CEOs, C-level executives, and managers at top Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Amazon, and JP Morgan, among others. Melody has been featured in The New York Times and Wall Street Journal and is a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Psychology Today, and Forbes. Melody is a licensed social worker with a masters from Columbia University and a professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College. Learn more at melodywilding.com

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/301

Melody’s website: https://melodywilding.com/

Melody’s LinkedIn Learning courses: https://melodywilding.com/courses/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Melody (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodywilding/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 298: Women in STEM Panel: Ways to Use Your Voice and Build Thought Leadership
• Episode 289: Less Free, More Paid: How to Increase Your Speaker Fees with Carol Cox
• Episode 260: Self-Doubt Happens: Here’s What I Do with Carol Cox

Become Bookable Live Online Workshop - April 15, 2026
If you want to speak more but you’re not sure where to start or your efforts haven’t produced the results you want, I’m hosting a live online workshop called “Become Bookable: How to Get Speaking Invitations” on Wednesday, April 15th.

A lot of brilliant women assume they just need to pitch themselves more. But the real reason speakers get invited isn’t because they pitch harder — it’s because they’re positioned as bookable.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop live on Zoom, I’ll show you how speakers actually get invited — and help you clarify the positioning that makes event organizers say yes.

As a podcast listener, use the coupon code “Podcast100” to save $100 on your registration.

Learn more and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable