What Writing, Identity, and Imposter Syndrome Taught Me — A Conversation with Anthony Scott, Esq

Some conversations stay with you long after the recording stops.

My recent episode of Travel Time Stories with Shannon featuring Anthony "Tony" Scott, Esq was one of those conversations — the kind that feels less like an interview and more like two people trading stories, lessons, and honest reflections about becoming who we are while we’re still figuring it out.

Tony is a writer, Marine Corps veteran, public servant, and the author of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: You Belong at the Table! But what stood out most in our conversation wasn’t his résumé — it was his openness.

We talked about growing up around family mental health challenges and how those early experiences quietly shape the way we move through the world as adults. How resilience is often learned out of necessity. And how many high-achieving, capable people still wrestle with the feeling that they don’t quite belong — even when all evidence says otherwise.

That’s where Tony's writing comes in.

His nonfiction work speaks directly to people who are talented, driven, and still questioning themselves. We talked about why he felt called to write Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, who he wrote it for, and why naming that internal struggle matters — especially for people navigating leadership, career growth, and visibility.

But the conversation didn’t stop there.

Tony also shared what inspired him to explore fiction storytelling under a pseudonym — a creative shift that surprised some readers and liberated him as a writer. We talked about what it means to give yourself permission to create without being boxed in by expectations, titles, or professional labels.

We also dug into the practical side of writing and publishing:

• Why he chose self-publishing
• The benefits of owning your creative process
• How beta readers work and why feedback matters
• And the advice he’d give to anyone sitting on a story they’re afraid to share

At the heart of it all was honesty — about life, about growth, and about the nonlinear paths many of us walk. Anthony doesn’t present his story as a formula for success, but as proof that evolution is possible, even when the road isn’t straightforward.

This episode is for:

• Leaders who still doubt themselves
• Creatives exploring new directions
• Professionals balancing identity and ambition
• And anyone who’s ever wondered if they truly belong at the table

Because the truth is — most of us are still learning as we go.

If you’re navigating imposter syndrome, creative growth, or a pivot of your own — this conversation might meet you exactly where you are.

Buy His Book Here