<![CDATA[The Imposters]]>The Imposters is a podcast and public archive exploring who gets recognized as an expert in humanitarian and development spaces.

Too often, the people closest to the work are treated as beneficiaries rather than experts. The Imposters challenges that assumption by centering the voices and insights of practitioners whose knowledge is rooted in lived experience.

In each episode, host Lila Raouf speaks with refugees, migrants, and Global South practitioners whose expertise is shaped by experience, context, and leadership. Together, these conversations examine how expertise and legitimacy are defined in the sector — and why imposter syndrome is often a systemic outcome rather than a personal failure.

Each guest joins The Imposters: a growing archive of lived expertise in global development.

]]>www.theimposters.orgRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 21 May 2026 17:38:07 GMTThu, 05 Feb 2026 18:54:02 GMT60Lila Raouf<p><i>The Imposters</i> is a podcast and public archive exploring who gets recognized as an expert in humanitarian and development spaces.</p><p></p><p>Too often, the people closest to the work are treated as beneficiaries rather than experts. <i>The Imposters</i> challenges that assumption by centering the voices and insights of practitioners whose knowledge is rooted in lived experience.</p><p></p><p>In each episode, host Lila Raouf speaks with refugees, migrants, and Global South practitioners whose expertise is shaped by experience, context, and leadership. Together, these conversations examine how expertise and legitimacy are defined in the sector — and why imposter syndrome is often a systemic outcome rather than a personal failure.</p><p></p><p>Each guest joins <i>The Imposters</i>: a growing archive of lived expertise in global development.</p>episodicLila Raoufcontact@imposterroster.comno<![CDATA[Understanding Education Dynamics in Post-Colonial Contexts ft. Najae Murray]]>The conversation delves into the intersection of education, power, and colonial legacies, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in higher education, the impact of colonial legacies on education, and the reimagining of TVET education. The discussion emphasizes the need to question the foundations of education systems and the importance of understanding education as a site of power.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Recentering Aid and Expertise
  • 05:59 Understanding Education as a Site of Power
  • 11:00 Reimagining TVET Education
  • 17:00 Equity in Higher Education
  • 25:48 Reimagining TVET Education
  • 43:54 Impact of Aid on Developing Countries
]]>73d3c12d-7791-4d9f-a86c-2cbc9d98f0efTue, 19 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation delves into the intersection of education, power, and colonial legacies, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in higher education, the impact of colonial legacies on education, and the reimagining of TVET education. The discussion emphasizes the need to question the foundations of education systems and the importance of understanding education as a site of power.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Recentering Aid and Expertise</li><li>05:59 Understanding Education as a Site of Power</li><li>11:00 Reimagining TVET Education</li><li>17:00 Equity in Higher Education</li><li>25:48 Reimagining TVET Education</li><li>43:54 Impact of Aid on Developing Countries</li></ul>no00:40:1418Understanding Education Dynamics in Post-Colonial Contexts ft. Najae Murrayfull<![CDATA[The Power of Refugee-Led Organizations in Humanitarian Work ft. Najlaa Dawod]]>The conversation delves into the experiences of Najlaa Dawod, focusing on imposter syndrome and the challenges faced by refugee-led organizations. It explores the impact of displacement on identity and belonging, the empowerment and recognition of refugee-led organizations, the challenges and hope for displaced youth, and the vision for a community-led humanitarian system.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Navigating Imposter Syndrome
  • 16:34 Empowerment and Recognition of Refugee-Led Organizations
  • 36:36 Challenges and Hope for Displaced Youth
  • 57:25 Community-Led Humanitarian System
]]>b4073683-c4ee-4f51-86f2-e1d11937a3caTue, 12 May 2026 15:22:41 GMT<p>The conversation delves into the experiences of Najlaa Dawod, focusing on imposter syndrome and the challenges faced by refugee-led organizations. It explores the impact of displacement on identity and belonging, the empowerment and recognition of refugee-led organizations, the challenges and hope for displaced youth, and the vision for a community-led humanitarian system.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Navigating Imposter Syndrome</li><li>16:34 Empowerment and Recognition of Refugee-Led Organizations</li><li>36:36 Challenges and Hope for Displaced Youth</li><li>57:25 Community-Led Humanitarian System</li></ul>no00:44:1117The Power of Refugee-Led Organizations in Humanitarian Work ft. Najlaa Dawodfull<![CDATA[Lived Experience Is Expertise: Rethinking Refugee Education ft. Samia Mazhary]]>The conversation explores imposter syndrome in education and development spaces, the power of lived experience in education and emergencies, and the role of diaspora and community-led initiatives in education. It also delves into the impact of imposter syndrome on practitioners and the systemic outcomes of dependency and coloniality. Additionally, it highlights the research interests in refugee education and provides advice for early career practitioners in the field. The conversation concludes with a reflection on resilience and commitment to refugee education.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to The Impostors Podcast
  • 06:50 Journey into Refugee Education and Emergencies
  • 17:21 Diaspora and Community-Led Initiatives in Education
  • 26:41 Imposter Syndrome and Dependency
  • 35:29 Advice for Early Career Practitioners in Refugee Education
]]>ea00f48f-8a09-4f34-92eb-a73b39c8a147Tue, 05 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation explores imposter syndrome in education and development spaces, the power of lived experience in education and emergencies, and the role of diaspora and community-led initiatives in education. It also delves into the impact of imposter syndrome on practitioners and the systemic outcomes of dependency and coloniality. Additionally, it highlights the research interests in refugee education and provides advice for early career practitioners in the field. The conversation concludes with a reflection on resilience and commitment to refugee education.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to The Impostors Podcast</li><li>06:50 Journey into Refugee Education and Emergencies</li><li>17:21 Diaspora and Community-Led Initiatives in Education</li><li>26:41 Imposter Syndrome and Dependency</li><li>35:29 Advice for Early Career Practitioners in Refugee Education</li></ul>no00:37:5916Lived Experience Is Expertise: Rethinking Refugee Education ft. Samia Mazharyfull<![CDATA[(Part 2) From Displacement to Care: Bridging Lived Experience in Humanitarian Work ft. Mohamed Kabe]]>The conversation explores the systemic nature of imposter syndrome and the recognition of lived experience as professional expertise in humanitarian and psychosocial work. It delves into the recentering of expertise in humanitarian work and the practice of psychosocial support, highlighting the importance of dignity, ethics, and community-led approaches to care.

]]>78f34c0a-8ed2-480e-973f-5020c1c2d13fTue, 28 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation explores the systemic nature of imposter syndrome and the recognition of lived experience as professional expertise in humanitarian and psychosocial work. It delves into the recentering of expertise in humanitarian work and the practice of psychosocial support, highlighting the importance of dignity, ethics, and community-led approaches to care.</p><p></p>no00:23:2515(Part 2) From Displacement to Care: Bridging Lived Experience in Humanitarian Work ft. Mohamed Kabefull<![CDATA[(Part 1) From Displacement to Care: Bridging Lived Experience in Humanitarian Work ft. Mohamed Kabe]]>What does it mean to navigate humanitarian spaces shaped by systems you’ve personally lived through?

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Lila sits down with Mohammed Kappi, a Sudanese humanitarian and human rights practitioner whose work is deeply informed by his own experience of displacement. Together, they unpack how “imposter syndrome” often shows up not as a personal shortcoming, but as a reflection of unequal power structures within the humanitarian sector.

Kappi reflects on his early career and the tension of entering professional spaces that rarely recognize lived experience as expertise. He shares how displacement has shaped not only his perspective, but also his approach to humanitarian work—grounding it in empathy, accountability, and proximity to the communities he serves.

This episode challenges dominant narratives around who gets to be considered an expert, and invites listeners to rethink how knowledge is valued in global development. It sets the foundation for Part 2, where Kappi explores how lived experience actively informs his psychosocial support practice.

]]>1cc9ddbd-866c-4530-b0b7-9e4277820561Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT<p>What does it mean to navigate humanitarian spaces shaped by systems you’ve personally lived through?</p><p></p><p>In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Lila sits down with Mohammed Kappi, a Sudanese humanitarian and human rights practitioner whose work is deeply informed by his own experience of displacement. Together, they unpack how “imposter syndrome” often shows up not as a personal shortcoming, but as a reflection of unequal power structures within the humanitarian sector.</p><p></p><p>Kappi reflects on his early career and the tension of entering professional spaces that rarely recognize lived experience as expertise. He shares how displacement has shaped not only his perspective, but also his approach to humanitarian work—grounding it in empathy, accountability, and proximity to the communities he serves.</p><p></p><p>This episode challenges dominant narratives around who gets to be considered an expert, and invites listeners to rethink how knowledge is valued in global development. It sets the foundation for Part 2, where Kappi explores how lived experience actively informs his psychosocial support practice.</p>no00:24:4914(Part 1) From Displacement to Care: Bridging Lived Experience in Humanitarian Work ft. Mohamed Kabefull<![CDATA[Navigating Imposter Syndrome in Global Education: Who Feels It—and Why? ft. Nana-Ama Boa Amponsem]]>Nana Ama, an education policy and system specialist, discusses the challenges of navigating power in education systems and the importance of local voices in shaping policy. She emphasizes the need for a decolonial approach to education reform, highlighting the impact of lived experience and local expertise.

]]>97b3c2d3-4b6e-42dd-903f-91212c2eb001Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT<p>Nana Ama, an education policy and system specialist, discusses the challenges of navigating power in education systems and the importance of local voices in shaping policy. She emphasizes the need for a decolonial approach to education reform, highlighting the impact of lived experience and local expertise.</p><p></p>no00:36:0813Navigating Imposter Syndrome in Global Education: Who Feels It—and Why? ft. Nana-Ama Boa Amponsemfull<![CDATA[Unpacking Imposter Syndrome: A Post/DeColonial Perspective on Knowledge Production ft. Mai AbuMoghli]]>The conversation delves into the systemic nature of imposter syndrome and its connection to coloniality in knowledge production. It explores the impact of Orientalism on knowledge authorization and the structural production of imposter syndrome. The discussion also highlights the role of positionality in research and the reframing of imposter syndrome as a form of criticality.

]]>e6723e7a-fe0c-4932-ba61-1fd8e2187910Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation delves into the systemic nature of imposter syndrome and its connection to coloniality in knowledge production. It explores the impact of Orientalism on knowledge authorization and the structural production of imposter syndrome. The discussion also highlights the role of positionality in research and the reframing of imposter syndrome as a form of criticality.</p><p></p><p></p>no00:47:0012Unpacking Imposter Syndrome: A Post/DeColonial Perspective on Knowledge Production ft. Mai AbuMoghlifull<![CDATA[Welcome to The Imposters: An Archive of Lived Expertise in Global Development ]]>Do you ever feel like an imposter?

This trailer introduces The Imposters, a podcast that explores the recentering of expertise in global development and highlights the need to recognize communities as decision makers and leaders in their own right. It challenges the traditional view of communities as recipients and beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of lived experience in shaping expertise in development work.

Welcome to The Imposters. Launching April 2026.

]]>1b699539-f95e-449e-8b9c-f6dc89071cc9Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:26:07 GMT<p><b>Do you ever feel like an imposter?</b></p><p></p><p>This trailer introduces The Imposters, a podcast that explores the recentering of expertise in global development and highlights the need to recognize communities as decision makers and leaders in their own right. It challenges the traditional view of communities as recipients and beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of lived experience in shaping expertise in development work.</p><p></p><p>Welcome to The Imposters. Launching April 2026.</p>no00:01:161Welcome to The Imposters: An Archive of Lived Expertise in Global Development trailer<![CDATA[The Hidden Power of Lived Experience in Challenging Education Systems ft. Aafreen Shah]]>In this insightful interview, Aafreen shares her journey through academia, her experiences with imposter syndrome, and how lived experience can serve as a powerful form of knowledge. She discusses the impact of her upbringing in Kashmir, her academic pursuits, and her current research on belongingness in STEM education.

]]>af54ad61-037a-4dae-bce7-4b44f806bbd2Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:30:00 GMT<p>In this insightful interview, Aafreen shares her journey through academia, her experiences with imposter syndrome, and how lived experience can serve as a powerful form of knowledge. She discusses the impact of her upbringing in Kashmir, her academic pursuits, and her current research on belongingness in STEM education.</p>no00:47:5611The Hidden Power of Lived Experience in Challenging Education Systems ft. Aafreen Shahfull