Letting Go Of Who You Were Taught to Be | Parisa Frost | Therapist & Creator of Hiking Healers

What if the real you has been hidden under expectations, labels, and trauma? Parisa Frost is an identity-affirming, trauma-informed associate marital and family therapist, art therapist, yoga teacher in training, and creator of Hiking Healers. In this episode, she joins Kara to talk about what it takes to unlearn the conditioning that’s shaped our lives, and how to reconnect with your core self to create a limitless future. They dive into her Iranian-American upbringing, how cultural conflict shaped her career path, and why women supporting women is non-negotiable. You’ll hear a powerful discussion about personal development for women, redefining success, community and social impact, and what it really takes to build a purpose-driven life and business. Chapters: 00:00 Who you are vs. who you were taught to be 01:10 What identity-affirming therapy really means 03:00 Cultural sensitivity in relationships 04:00 Little Parisa’s big dreams 05:00 Compassion, trauma, and how therapy changed her 06:30 Why your past is not your fault but your responsibility 07:30 Straddling Iranian and American identities 09:00 Individualism vs. collectivism 11:00 The unlearning process we all go through 13:00 Getting to the core self for healing and growth 14:00 Deconditioning through therapy, coaching, and business 17:00 Using yoga, art, and somatics to heal 20:00 Why therapists want you to stop needing them 22:30 Building safe client relationships 26:00 Women need women and community 29:00 Healing toxic masculinity starts with safe space 31:00 Slowing down and growing strong roots 36:00 What she’s calling in now: intentional community The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices