Hailing from West Cork, US Editor-In-Chief of Glamour Magazine Samantha Barry is a power house figure in media, with experience ranging from the news room of RTÉ to the social media channels of CNN.
Outside of the office, Barry lives a life of celebrity-laden glamour, whether she's being snapped on the arm of Bill Murray while attending the wedding of George and Amal Clooney, or walking star-studded red carpets with famous friends.
Despite her incredible career success and impressive Instagram grid, Barry recently revealed that she herself has struggled with imposter syndrome.
Speaking on season two of Darren Kennedy's podcast, The Number, the Editor-In-Chief spoke about her belief in the power of therapy, her thoughts on dating in your forties, and what it is really like working for legendary fashion media boss Anna Wintour.
Speaking on her stratospheric rise to the top in media, she noted that women - particularly Irish women - can sometimes be "too prone to self-deprecation".
"You're the first line of defense in the narrative that you want to put out into the world," she insists. "So, if you're saying something bad about yourself, that's the impression that you're giving to the world.
"Now, we all have those feelings, right? We all get up in the morning thinking, 'oh God, I'm terrified', and there's definitely been moments throughout my career where I'm like, 'oh, this is too big, or is this is too scary' but you just have to power through."
On overcoming such struggles, Barry attests that feeling outside of your comfort zone can actually be incredibly motivating, but it is a matter of striking a balance as "it shouldn't debilitate you".
"I have seen some of the best leaders of the world in rooms and in board meetings, and I am sometimes underwhelmed by people that are in positions of power. I'm like, if they can do it, why can't any of us? I think sometimes people are their own harshest critic."
Reflecting on her personal life, Barry says that when it comes to dating, life begins at 40.
"I'm dating in New York," she says before reflecting on her international dating history.
"I've been in love a couple of times; once with an Irish man and then once with an Australian when I lived in Papua New Guinea; then another time with an American; an Englishman.
"It's like the UN with love," she laughs, "but I haven't worked it out fully yet.
Calling herself an optimist, Barry says she's met great people while dating, but admits you need to be "thick-skinned" to date in NYC.
"There's some of the most interesting people in the world, including those to date, in the city," says the 42-year-old.
"I'm very happy being single so being in a relationship has to add to my life. I love being in a relationship, I totally do, but it has to be somebody who needs to meet me where I meet them."
"I love being in my 40s," she adds. "I’ve never felt better, I've never felt sexier, I've never felt more financially secure, I've never felt more like I know myself and my boundaries and what I will or won't put up with or enjoy or whatever".
You can listen to the full episode on The Number here.
