How many times have you not hit publish, not applied, or not shared your achievements because of fear of what others might think? In this episode, I’m diving into the concept of Tall Poppy Syndrome - a cultural tendency to cut down those who stand out - and how it feeds into FOPO, the fear of other people’s opinions.
After being named one of the National Retail Federation’s 2026 Top Retail Voices, I found myself wrestling with the same insecurities so many of us face: “Will people think I’m full of myself if I share this?” This episode is a candid, honest look at why it’s so hard to own our success, and why we need to do it anyway. Whether it’s hitting publish on your next blog post, launching your podcast, or applying for that award, I’m here to remind you: apply for the damn award!
This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads
Timeline
[00:00] – Reflecting on imposter syndrome after being named a National Retail Federation 2026 Top Retail Voice.
[01:00] – Introducing Tall Poppy Syndrome and how it affects ambitious professionals.
[02:15] – Understanding FOPO: the fear of other people’s opinions.
[03:05] – Why applying for awards feels uncomfortable—and how to reframe it.
[04:30] – My five practical steps for getting past FOPO and putting yourself out there:
[06:00] – Access my Notion database of retail media industry awards to help plan your 2026 goals.
[06:30] – Closing reflections and what’s coming next on the podcast.
Links & Resources