Podcast
Psychologically Speaking with Leila Ainge
Hosted by Decibelle Creative · EN
A psychologist's insight into the fascinating world of human behaviour without the jargon, with Psychologist & coach, Leila Ainge. Blending scientific research with real experiences, Leila is on a mission to reframe outdated notions of imposter syndrome. Psychologically Speaking delves into Leila's own ground-breaking research, exploring what drives those pesky fraudulent feelings in entrepreneurs, the unexpected advantages, and how you can actually leverage imposter moments to your benefit (yes, really). This podcast is for anyone who has ever felt like a fraud, just moments away from being 'found out'.
This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative
10episodes
Episodes
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62. The Five-Figure Decision. The psychology of risk taking with Niki Hutchison and Leila Ainge
5d ago00:58:24Tap to summarizeWhat does it really mean to invest in yourself?In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila is joined by marketing strategist and entrepreneur Niki Hutchison, founder of Enjoy Marketing®. With more than 25 years in marketing strategy and two six-figure businesses behind her, Niki helps founder-led businesses become known for what they do best.Together, they explore the psychology behind investing in yourself, taking business risks and building a business that reflects who you are. They discuss why some investments exceed expectations while others don't, how to think about return on investment beyond money, and why the greatest opportunities often come from the people you meet rather than the programme you buy.The conversation also explores identity, imposter experiences, group belonging and why so many entrepreneurs hesitate to put themselves in the rooms where growth happens. Drawing on Leila's research in social identity alongside Niki's experience helping thousands of business owners grow through strategic marketing, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on confidence, visibility and backing yourself.Whether you're considering joining a membership, investing in coaching, launching a new offer or simply wondering if you're ready for your next step, this conversation will challenge the way you think about riskand what it really means to invest in yourself.Make your success inevitable - https://www.nikihutchison.com/Adventures in Marketing https://www.adventuresinmarketing.uk/Leila's adult inset day - Sept 15th - sign up here https://psychologicallyspeaking.myflodesk.com/adultinsetday
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61. She quit the job she'd worked years to get. - Louise Duncum
2w ago01:06:46Tap to summarizeLouise Duncum spent nearly a decade designing for major high street fashion brands before realising she'd become successful at something that no longer felt like her.In this episode we talk about leaving, comparison, taking on debt to grow a business, multiple identities, and why building a business that reflects who you are is riskier, but far more rewarding, than staying where you no longer fit.https://weizstyles.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/weizstylespersonalstylistlondon/https://www.instagram.com/weizstyles
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60. The patriarchy has been squatting in my temple - Emma While
2w ago01:05:11Tap to summarizeWhat happens when body shame isn't actually about your body? This week I'm joined by coach and facilitator Emma While, who decided to evict what she calls "the patriarchy squatting in my temple" by taking a beginners' burlesque class at 49. We talk about shame, visibility, motherhood, neurodivergence, identity, and why the scariest risks are sometimes the ones that bring us closest to ourselves.What follows is a conversation about far more than burlesque. We explore shame, motherhood, neurodivergence, identity, imposter experiences and why confidence isn't something you have—it's something you experience. And we ask what becomes possible when shame stops making your decisions.https://www.courageandchamomile.com/becomeJoin the waitlist for Leilas adult inset day on September 15th here: https://psychologicallyspeaking.myflodesk.com/adultinsetday
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59. Backing Yourself When the Stakes Are High
May 1800:52:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge is joined by strategic advisor and facilitator Rachel Cashman to explore the relationship between imposter phenomenon, risk taking, legitimacy, and trust.Rachel has worked across government, healthcare, defence, and the life sciences, helping leaders navigate high-stakes conversations, organisational conflict, and complex people dynamics. Together, Leila and Rachel unpack what it means to trust your gut, how women learn to scan for risk, and why imposter experiences may actually sharpen our awareness rather than diminish our capability.The conversation explores:imposter phenomenon and legitimacypsychological safety and leadershipgut instinct and decision makingrisk scanning and strategic thinkingwomen, visibility, and authenticityrumination, reflection, and leadership decision makingRachel also shares the story of turning down a major contract despite financial pressure because her instincts told her something wasn’t right and how experience, strategy, and bodily awareness all played a role in that decision.This episode is for leaders, freelancers, entrepreneurs, coaches, and anyone navigating visibility, uncertainty, or the feeling of asking: “Who am I to be here?”https://fearlessfacilitator.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-cashman-b310557/https://open.spotify.com/show/4XZmHkp5geqXz74qaHGPPq
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Why Does This Feel So Hard? | Imposter Phenomenon, Risk & the Psychology of Difficult Things
May 1400:06:25Tap to summarizeWhy do some things feel emotionally bigger than they “should”?In this bonus episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge introduces The Hard Thing Challenge — a free five-day reflection challenge exploring the psychology behind difficult tasks, imposter feelings, avoidance, identity, and risk.This episode also introduces the next season of Psychologically Speaking. You’ll also get:– details of Leila's free 5 day challenge.– an introduction to The Reflection Room– details on how the challenge works– and a preview of the new podcast season exploring imposter phenomenon through the lens of riskJoin the challenge at www.leilaainge.co.uk
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58. Your Whole Axis Shifts: What Grief Changes About Work and Life
Apr 2100:55:10Tap to summarizeWhat happens when loss changes everything—not just emotionally, but structurally?In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge is joined by wellbeing consultant and psychotherapist Chrissy Orson to explore grief, identity shifts, and the moment your life no longer fits the way it used to.After losing both her sister and father within weeks during lockdown, Chrissy shares how grief didn’t just affect her personally—it completely changed how she saw work, time, family, and what actually matters.We talk about the psychology of grief, why many women “keep going” until they hit a wall, and how organisations often fail people at the moments they most need support.This is a conversation about loss—but also about clarity, boundaries, and building a life that reflects what you now know to be true.We cover:Grief, trauma, and identity shiftsWhy women keep going (even when they shouldn’t)The hidden admin and emotional labour of lossPsychological safety at work during life eventsWhy flexible working often isn’t truly flexibleTherapy vs coaching—and when you actually need eachLink to EMDR explainer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIJZQAr9nQoYou can find Chrissy at:Chrissy Orson MBACP (Accred) | She / Her | www.chrissyorson.co.uk
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57. Off the Beaten Path: Identity, Belonging & Building a Career That Actually Fits
Apr 1400:47:49Tap to summarizeWhat happens when your life doesn’t follow the path you thought it would?A conversation on identity, belonging, and the courage to build a career that doesn’t look right on paper but feels right in your life.In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, I’m joined by coach and podcast host Fiorenza Rossini to explore identity, belonging, and the unexpected turns our careers can take. From financial engineering to full-time coaching, Fiorenza shares what it means to step away from “safe” career paths and build a life that aligns with your values.We talk about the psychology of belonging, multicultural identity, working parenthood, and why so many of us feel like we don’t quite fit until we find the right spaces.If you’ve ever questioned your career, your direction, or where you belong, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.We cover:Career pivots and “non-linear” successIdentity shifts (especially motherhood and work)The psychology of belonging and communityWhy traditional paths don’t fit everyoneWhat actually drives fulfilment (hint: not just money)
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What if interviews don’t just reveal what we think… but actually change it?
Apr 1100:11:14Tap to summarizeWe often assume interviews are a way of capturing what people already think. But qualitative psychology suggests something different. Interviews can be active sites of meaning-making, where thoughts are not just shared, but formed in real time.Drawing on ideas like the double hermeneutic from Anthony Giddens and reflexive approaches to qualitative research, I reflect on what it means to ask questions that might shift how someone understands their own experience.As an insider researcher studying online communities I belong to, this raises a deeper question: what trace does research leave behind?This episode explores:Why interviews are not neutral data collection toolsHow questions can shape reflection and self-understandingThe role of reflexivity in qualitative researchThe ethical tension between insight and influenceWhat happens when someone thinks something for the first time… out loudIf you’re a researcher, writer, coach, or simply curious about how we make sense of our experiences, this episode invites you to listen a little more closely to the pauses.
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I Refuse to Hate Myself: Emma Seville on 'Starting Again'
Apr 700:58:10Tap to summarize“I refuse to hate myself in any way… I hope women reclaim ageing as a gift.”When everything shifts at once, home, body, identity, what does it take to rebuild a sense of safety and self? Leila Ainge and Emma Seville explore menopause, midlife transitions, and the psychology of starting over.In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist Leila Ainge speaks with menopause coach Emma Seville about navigating unexpected life changes, financial precarity, ADHD, and the psychological impact of midlife transitions. Together, they explore agency, belonging, and how women can reclaim ageing as a powerful, identity-shaping experience.
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Bonus: Everything we know is shaped by where we stand in the world.
Mar 2500:05:34Tap to summarizeHi, I’m Leila, and I’m currently doing a PhD exploring the experiences of women who are independent workers, including entrepreneurs, freelancers, and the self-employed, who use online communities as part of their working lives.My first study is collecting data through a series of interviews with women and community hosts across two online communities where I’m also a paying member. These are spaces I didn’t join as a researcher, but as someone looking for connection, support, and belonging in independent work.Alongside the research itself, I’ll be keeping a series of blog posts as part of my reflexivity practice. These posts will sit under a little series I’m calling Field Notes (from the Inside) reflections on researching communities I belong to, in real time.
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