In this episode, we sit down with Carla Carter, a highly successful patent attorney who shares a candid and powerful look at being a trailblazer. As the first female attorney hired by her law firm, Carla discusses the immense social pressures of representing an entire demographic and how that weight transformed from a burden into a relentless motivation to break institutional molds. We explore her journey of navigating high-stakes legal environments while combating imposter syndrome, and how ...
Mar 22
43 min
How do you lead when the stakes are high, the systems are complex, and the path forward hasn’t been paved for you? In this episode, we sit down with Sanford Long, an executive whose leadership philosophy was forged in the heat of a changing America and refined at the highest levels of global telecommunications. Sanford takes us back to his roots in post-integration Mississippi, sharing how growing up in that pivotal era shaped his perspective on resilience, community, and the necessity of str...
Mar 1
44 min
In this episode of the 9-to-5 Imposter, hosts Andy and James welcome Brandon Bischoff, a seasoned IT professional whose career journey from a help desk in to a senior cybersecurity leader offers a refreshing look at professional evolution. Brandon shares his personal history as a "latchkey kid" of the '90s, exploring how early independence fostered a habit of "consolidating boxes", fitting into various religious, professional, and social personas to find belonging. He introduces a powerful pe...
Feb 8
48 min
In this episode of the 9 to 5 in Five, Andy uses a high-impact clip from Andrew Ting to illustrate the "Growth Tax Theory", the psychological price we pay every time we level up in our careers. Andrew, a dual Harvard degree holder, argues that total comfort often signals a lack of growth, suggesting that a healthy dose of doubt keeps professionals sharp and accountable. By blending rigorous over-preparation with the ability to improvise and maintain a sense of humor. This clip serves as a bri...
Jan 28
4 min
In this episode of the 9 to 5 Imposter Podcast, hosts Andy and James are joined by ten-year tech veteran Chloe Burton to decode the psychological hurdles of navigating a career pivot from psychology to cybersecurity. Chloe provides a masterclass in professional resilience, sharing her lived experience as a woman of color in tech and revealing how "transparent mentorship” is the ultimate antidote to the imposter syndrome that often plagues the modern "9 to 5." By diving into the tactical impor...
Jan 18
38 min
In this episode of the 9 to 5 in Five, Andy uses a high-impact clip from Eric Shanks to illustrate the "Growth Tax Theory", the psychological price we pay every time we level up in our careers. While many view imposter syndrome as an emotional roadblock, Eric’s success reveals it can actually be a high-performance fuel that drives us to over-prepare and master new skills. By analyzing Eric’s "certification shield" and his tactical approach to silencing internal noise,
Jan 7
5 min
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 broade...
Dec 28, 2025
40 min
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...
Dec 7, 2025
40 min
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...
Nov 18, 2025
36 min
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 g...
Nov 4, 2025
47 min
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