Leila Ainge, psychologist, PhD researcher and host of the psychologically speaking podcast

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A psychologist's insight into the fascinating world of human behaviour without the jargon, I’m on a mission to change the way we think about Imposter experiences. Psychologically Speaking delves into my ground-breaking research, exploring what drives 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'.

Catch up on the latest blogs

Psychologically speaking blog
What to do with uncertainty
What to do with uncertainty

Gratitude is my unsung hero because expressing gratitude with others, even in small ways, is important for feelings of closeness, bonding and interpersonal relations, its low cost, and it reduces our stress levels. Of course, chronic stress isn't just as simple as what we perceive, no amount of growth mindset or challenge thinking is going to takeaway systemic racism, sexism, or poverty - but we do know that control along with predictability can reduce stress responses.

Austen, lurking and psych safety
Austen, lurking and psych safety

Austen’s fictional characters provide a frame for us to think about the people behind our posts and blogs who are silent, and they are the majority. Some estimates suggest that 70-80% of activity in social spaces is passive in nature, a surprisingly small percentage of readers contribute by comment. It’s easy to forget this, especially when our social spaces are geared up to capture participation moments through likes, shares, restacks and replies and again this is nothing new in the way we behave socially.

Imagined audiences
Imagined audiences

They're watching me!" Psychologically Speaking explores the imagined audiences and context collapse of imposter phenomenon

Unlocking first impressions
Unlocking first impressions

The psychologically speaking podcast launches next Monday on January 15th and it feels a bit weird, I'm equal parts excited and apprehensive about putting my research out into the world in this way.

I'm going to drop in a quote from my friend (part of my cheerleading squad if you like) that was sent to me on Instagram last night when I mentioned how I was feeling.

She said 'You're one of the most positive and confident people I know.'

I probably am, but I'm also human! so today I'm sharing with you why I chose Imposter phenomenon as my research area and how imposter experiences have shaped and continue to shape the way I work.

In the spotlight, fact and fiction in psychology
In the spotlight, fact and fiction in psychology

We are psychologically biased to love a good story, but it’s always worth a fact check.

Thomas Eddison is famous for inventing lightbulbs, he invented the incandescent lightbulb with the filament, that’s an important detail because lightbulbs (albeit rubbish lightbulbs) did exist before incandescent.

Brain fog and fast cars
Brain fog and fast cars

How do you measure the human experience? Reading, listening, and observing are all things I love about psychology. Being able to look for cracks and gaps in evidence is a critical skill, on the one hand this looks like giving voice to people who put their hand up to be part of studies, and on the other, considering who is silent and why that might be.

Approaching difficult things
Approaching difficult things

Sometimes we assume that experts and people who have done things many, many times find difficult things less stressful. We are told that practice makes perfect, so it can feel like we are failing when we experience a physical stress reaction to something that scares us a little bit.

Leaving things to the last minute
Leaving things to the last minute

Moderate procrastination is good for creativity, but too much procrastination leads to a short blog. This week’s blog is a reminder that planned procrastination (it’s a thing!) is risky business.

Are you stuck?
Are you stuck?

We all experience periods of limbo that are less life threatening, and often we have created or pushed ourselves into these limbo spaces with the choices we make.

Shouty synapses
Shouty synapses

Assuming we are looking forward to leaving the house, we take daily habits and routines for granted, in part, because we’ve practiced enough to run them on autopilot.

Psychologist, PhD researcher and host of psychologically speaking