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.

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