Outsmarting Your Brain Wed, 06 May 2026 19:43:54 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2565104 en-us © 2026 Outsmarting Your Brain yes 1f1e8d46-7273-50a7-809f-dfb9e8183d7b Jackie Coley, PhD episodic true Welcome to Outsmarting Your Brain, where we unpack the real reasons keeping you stuck and how you can rewire your brain to get out of your own way, stop playing small, and start leading the life you actually want.


I’m Jackie Coley, a PhD-trained scientist turned mental fitness coach, and I’m obsessed with why smart, high-achieving people self-sabotage, play small, and hold themselves back, even when they know they’re meant for so much more.


If you're ready to stop overthinking every decision, second guessing every move, and hoping that clarity will somehow strike, you’re in the right place.


No fluffy pep talks or surface-level hacks around here. Nope.


We call out the BS, get to the root of the problem, and give you practical tools to build a bold, meaningful life and career… on your terms. 


]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Jackie Coley, PhD https://storage.buzzsprout.com/7j7ia8qzb7nxousn9hqp12jyeco8?.jpg Outsmarting Your Brain Why Imposter Syndrome is a Good Thing Why Imposter Syndrome is a Good Thing If you experience imposter syndrome, it doesn’t mean you’re a fraud. It means you care.

In this episode, I break down what imposter syndrome actually is, why it tends to show up in high achievers and people of integrity, and how to stop letting self-doubt run the show. We’ll talk about growth, attention, ego, and why the discomfort you feel when stepping into bigger rooms is often a sign that you’re expanding, not failing.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> If you experience imposter syndrome, it doesn’t mean you’re a fraud. It means you care.

In this episode, I break down what imposter syndrome actually is, why it tends to show up in high achievers and people of integrity, and how to stop letting self-doubt run the show. We’ll talk about growth, attention, ego, and why the discomfort you feel when stepping into bigger rooms is often a sign that you’re expanding, not failing.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> Jackie Coley, PhD Buzzsprout-19138012 Wed, 06 May 2026 19:00:00 -0400 590 full false Uncertainty Isn't The Enemy Uncertainty Isn't The Enemy Uncertainty isn’t the enemy. You’ve just been taught to treat it like one.

In this episode, I break down why your brain resists the unknown, how overthinking and “being careful” are often just fear in disguise, and what’s really keeping you stuck. More importantly, you’ll learn how to shift your relationship with uncertainty so you can stop hesitating and start getting into action... without needing to have it all figured out first.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> Uncertainty isn’t the enemy. You’ve just been taught to treat it like one.

In this episode, I break down why your brain resists the unknown, how overthinking and “being careful” are often just fear in disguise, and what’s really keeping you stuck. More importantly, you’ll learn how to shift your relationship with uncertainty so you can stop hesitating and start getting into action... without needing to have it all figured out first.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> Jackie Coley, PhD Buzzsprout-19023124 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:00:00 -0400 552 full false The Real Cost of Overthinking The Real Cost of Overthinking Overthinking isn’t just slowing you down. It’s (not so) quietly reshaping how you see yourself.

In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening when you get stuck in your head, why your brain defaults to overanalyzing, and the hidden cost most people miss: the impact on your identity, confidence, and self-trust.

If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and ready to move with more clarity and conviction, this will show you how to start breaking the loop.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> Overthinking isn’t just slowing you down. It’s (not so) quietly reshaping how you see yourself.

In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening when you get stuck in your head, why your brain defaults to overanalyzing, and the hidden cost most people miss: the impact on your identity, confidence, and self-trust.

If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and ready to move with more clarity and conviction, this will show you how to start breaking the loop.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> Jackie Coley, PhD Buzzsprout-18989584 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 816 full false Why You Second Guess Yourself, Even When Things Are Working Why You Second Guess Yourself, Even When Things Are Working If success is finally happening… why does it feel harder to trust yourself?

In this episode, I break down why second-guessing isn’t self-sabotage; it’s your brain trying to keep you safe. And how to update your internal “operating system” so your beliefs actually support the version of you you’re becoming.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> If success is finally happening… why does it feel harder to trust yourself?

In this episode, I break down why second-guessing isn’t self-sabotage; it’s your brain trying to keep you safe. And how to update your internal “operating system” so your beliefs actually support the version of you you’re becoming.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> Jackie Coley, PhD Buzzsprout-18932893 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0400 552 full false Your Brain Can Be an A**hole Your Brain Can Be an A**hole You know what to do.
You’ve made the plan.
So why are you still not doing the thing?

In this episode, we’re talking about the real reason you overthink, hesitate, and keep getting ready to get ready. And no, it’s not laziness or lack of discipline. It’s your brain trying to keep you safe by keeping you the same.

You’ll learn why your brain prefers familiar over fulfilling, how it confuses fear with danger, and why the loud, dramatic thoughts in your head aren’t facts... they’re just stories.

We cover three powerful shifts:

  • Scary thoughts aren’t real threats
  • Fear doesn’t mean you’re in danger
  • You don’t have to believe every thought you think

Plus, a simple way to break out of autopilot.

Confidence comes from action, not the other way around. If you’ve been waiting to feel ready, this is your nudge to get moving anyway.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> You know what to do.
You’ve made the plan.
So why are you still not doing the thing?

In this episode, we’re talking about the real reason you overthink, hesitate, and keep getting ready to get ready. And no, it’s not laziness or lack of discipline. It’s your brain trying to keep you safe by keeping you the same.

You’ll learn why your brain prefers familiar over fulfilling, how it confuses fear with danger, and why the loud, dramatic thoughts in your head aren’t facts... they’re just stories.

We cover three powerful shifts:

  • Scary thoughts aren’t real threats
  • Fear doesn’t mean you’re in danger
  • You don’t have to believe every thought you think

Plus, a simple way to break out of autopilot.

Confidence comes from action, not the other way around. If you’ve been waiting to feel ready, this is your nudge to get moving anyway.

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> Jackie Coley, PhD Buzzsprout-18559461 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 818 1 full true Trailer Trailer If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe!

Stay in touch: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Share your thoughts: Drop me an email


]]> Jackie Coley, PhD Buzzsprout-18554512 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500 49 trailer false