Self Doubt
3 episodes tagged "Self Doubt".
No haters? You're not doing anything meaningful
Does one nasty comment make you feel like a complete fraud? Let's talk about the Negativity Bias and the friction of ambition. 🛑🧠 Let’s set the terms right out of the gate: if you have no haters, you're not doing anything important. Period. Haters are the unavoidable byproduct of ambition. They're the friction that proves you're in motion. But when you step out to build something or change your life, you'll attract criticism—and because your brain is hardwired with an evolutionary "Negativity Bias," one single hater can feel like an entire army. It makes you question yourself: Am I a fraud? Should I just play it safe? This is the first test. It's a toll booth on the road to doing anything worthwhile. You have to realize that the noise of criticism isn't a stop sign telling you to turn around; it's a landmark proving you are going the right way. Keep driving. 💬 Let me know in the comments: Have you ever let the "Negativity Bias" convince you to play it safe? 👇 If you needed this permission to keep going today, hit that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to Sober Psychology for more raw truth on mental health, breaking the mold, and taking your mind back.
Imposter Syndrome: Why Your Brain Thinks You’re a Fraud | Episode 42
Hey, you beautiful chaos machines! It’s Michael, your Sober Psychology host, diving headfirst into the messy, mind-bending world of imposter syndrome. Ever feel like you’re faking it—at work, in recovery, or just in life? Yeah, that’s your brain pulling a prank, and we’re here to call it out. With insights from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book and hard-hitting psychological research, I’m breaking down why you feel like a fraud, how to shut that voice up, and why you’re already killing it (even if you don’t believe it). Packed with real talk, practical tips, and a few laughs to keep it light, this episode is for anyone who’s ever doubted themselves. Hit that like button, subscribe, and share with someone who needs a reminder they’re a freaking legend. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube and Spotify—let’s keep the recovery real! References: - Alcoholics Anonymous. (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (4th ed.). Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. - Baumeister, R. F., et al. (2008). Bad is stronger than good. Psychological Review, 108(4), 379-394. - Bravata, D. M., et al. (2019). The power of verbalizing imposter feelings: A randomized controlled trial. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 45(7), 1032-1045. - Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (2011). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Journal of Behavioral Science, 15(3), 241-247. - Cokley, K., et al. (2020). The roles of cognitive distortions and imposter phenomenon in academic settings. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 44(2), 301-312. - Kelly, J. F., et al. (2017). Social identity and recovery: The role of belonging in 12-step groups. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 80, 12-19. - McGrath, R. E., et al. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for imposter syndrome: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(9), 1456-1469. - Neff, K. D., et al. (2021). Self-compassion and imposter syndrome: A pathway to psychological resilience. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 658. - Smith, M. M., et al. (2022). Perfectionism and imposter syndrome: The role of “good enough” mindsets. Journal of Personality, 90(3), 421-435. - Stoeber, J., & Otto, K. (2016). Positive conceptions of perfectionism: Approaches, evidence, challenges. Personality and Individual Differences, 99, 234-240. - Vogel, E. A., et al. (2019). Social comparison and self-esteem on social media: A meta-analysis. Computers in Human Behavior, 98, 168-175. - Wei, M., et al. (2020). Journaling as a tool to combat imposter syndrome: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67(4), 456-467.
The Insecurity Paradox: Why We're All So Fragile | Sober Psychology Episode 19
Ever wonder why you rehearse conversations in the shower or lie awake remembering that weird laugh you did 3 years ago? In this episode, I'm diving deep into the psychology of insecurity - and yes, I definitely felt insecure while recording it. Using my questionably obtained psychology knowledge and years of personal experience being anxious in public, I break down: - Why your cave-person brain thinks a bad Instagram post means d3ath - How childhood turned us all into walking balls of anxiety (sorry, Mom!) - The scientific reason you remember every criticism but forget compliments - Why social media is basically insecurity on steroids - Actually useful strategies for feeling like less of a fraud (tested on myself, results pending) Look, I'm not a guru promising to transform you into an unshakeable confidence machine. I'm just a guy who spent way too much time studying psychology and learning why we're all so wonderfully messed up. Join me for an honest, research-backed, and occasionally hilarious look at why none of us feel good enough - and what we can actually do about it. Fair warning: Side effects may include uncontrollable laughter, sudden self-awareness, and the realization that your insecurities are actually totally normal. You're welcome! 🎯 For anyone who's ever called their teacher "Mom," practiced a conversation that never happened, or pretended to text while walking alone.