Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cyndi Maurer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cyndi, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
’m not sure anyone truly overcomes imposter syndrome; I think it just gets quieter over time.
My first confrontation with imposter syndrome was in grad school. Weirdly it was in the classroom with my peers that I felt most like an imposter; never at a conference & never teaching. At first, I’d own it & ask questions, but it quickly became clear there was a larger game at play. My peers were sharing their expertises in an effort to “win” & to show they were the best. (I’ll never say I had a healthy grad school experience.) Overtime, I developed my own niche expertise, & since there was no one around to challenge me, being an imposter lost its grip, especially once I’d learned the basics in my field.
Now I run two fledgling businesses, & as a business owner, imposter syndrome shows itself every so often. I never planned on creating two businesses, & that has led to a lot of gaps in my knowledge. For me, not knowing something usually lends itself to me feeling like an imposter. And the hardest part in this confrontation is finding the information. The intersection of not knowing & needing to know, but not knowing where to find the information is usually when imposter syndrome rears its head.
When imposter syndrome infiltrates my space, I usually ask myself three questions: 1. Do I really feel like an imposter? (And sometimes that answer is yes.) 2. Is this something I feel like I should already know? (As a millennial, I own that there’s a lot of assumed knowledge & it’s created pressure to already know something whenever a challenge appears.) 3. What is one step I can take to explore the feeling? (Sometimes it’s calling a friend. Other times it’s checking the Google Box.)
Imposter syndrome is mostly a state of mind that factual information can dispute. It doesn’t make the feeling go away & it doesn’t allow you to embody where you are. However, it is something that can be addressed.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Into the Known & Intuitive Tarot Academy are two fledgling businesses that stem from my deep commitment to understanding & teaching intuitive practices.
Into the Known is a client-focused space dedicated to providing one-on-one clairvoyant readings & energy healings. In client sessions, we explore energetic limits, find next steps, & provide language to what is happening in the client’s life. I help clients gain insights into their lives & the world around them. My sessions are known for their depth, clarity, & the profound connections I facilitate between individuals & their own intuitive abilities.
Intuitive Tarot Academy focuses on teaching others how to read tarot intuitively. This isn’t just about memorizing card meanings; it’s about connecting with the cards on a deeper level & understanding the intuitive messages they convey. My approach emphasizes self-discovery & personal growth, empowering students to trust their instincts & harness their intuitive skills.
What sets Into the Known & Intuitive Tarot Academy apart is the unique blend of intuitive insight & academic rigor. My background in social sciences, specifically cultural studies, & ethnography informs my intuitive work, allowing me to offer a perspective that is both deeply intuitive & grounded in research. This combination of skills provides clients & students with a rich, multifaceted experience that is rare in the field of intuitive practices.
I am particularly proud of the personalized attention & tailored guidance I offer. Each session & course is designed to meet the unique needs of the individual, ensuring that they receive the most relevant & impactful support.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the community we are building. My clients & students often express how they feel seen, understood, & valued. The feedback & testimonials I receive reflect the trust & transformation that happens through our work together. This sense of community & mutual respect is the cornerstone of my brand.
I want readers to know that both Into the Known & Intuitive Tarot Academy are spaces of growth, learning, & deep personal connection. Whether you are seeking clarity in your personal life, looking to develop your intuitive skills, or interested in understanding the energetic dynamics of our world, there is something here for you.
If you are curious to learn more or ready to embark on your own intuitive journey, I invite you to explore my offerings. Join me in discovering the power of intuition & the profound insights it can bring to your life.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I think back on my younger selves, the three things I would say that were most impactful in my journey were my curiosity; my ownership of my own brand of weird; & a deep, child-like ignorance to what other people think of me. For reals. I was vastly unaware of what people thought of me for most of my life.
If you’re at the start of your journey or if you’re ready to start a new chapter, my biggest suggestion would be to focus on what brings you joy. My curiosity drove me through all of my schooling & training. Owning who I am, that I think differently, that I view the world differently, created comfort to pursue my curiosity.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents have always been my biggest supporters & I feel so lucky for everything they’ve offered me. My dad, however, introduced me to my intuitive training center. When he found out I was becoming fascinated with “occult” things (according to my maternal grandpa), he asked if I was serious about learning more. He then shared he’d been in an intuitive training program for over a year! I was SHOCKED! And grateful! Training where my dad did gave me the foundation for all of my intuitive knowledge & experiences. My dad passed in 2017 & it’s comforting to know we shared our fascination with energy. (And to still be able to communicate with him!)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://intotheknown.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/energeticethnographer/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
