What does it really mean to be the “perfect Indian girl”? And what happens when you decide you no longer want to carry the weight of that label?

In this powerful episode, host Payal Beri sits down with Tracy, better known as The Bad Indian Therapist, for a deeply personal and paradigm-shifting conversation that challenges the cultural expectations placed on South Asian women. From generational shame and toxic guilt to navigating cultural identity, therapy taboos, and boundaries, this is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt torn between heritage and authenticity.

Tracy shares how her unconventional approach to therapy has helped South Asian women break free from the pressure to be the perfect daughter, wife, or mother — and what it means to finally take up space without guilt.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• Why so many South Asian women avoid culturally similar therapists — and what that reveals
• The myth of the "perfect Indian girl" and its emotional cost
• How guilt is culturally weaponized, and how to stop it from running your life
• What boundaries really are (hint: not a Western concept!)
• How to stop tone-policing yourself when communicating needs
• Reframing parental pedestal syndrome — and making peace with your identity

Whether you’re part of the diaspora or just curious about the intersection of culture and healing, this episode will leave you thinking, reflecting, and (hopefully) reclaiming yourself.

Links & Resources:

More from Tracy:

https://thebadindiantherapist.com

Instagram: Tracy Vadakumchery (@thebadindiantherapist)

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebadindiantherapist?lang=en 

Connect with Dr. Payal Beri

Website: www.payalberi.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi/ 

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Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction: The Pressure of Perfection 

00:21 Meet Tracy: The Bad Indian Therapist 

02:43 Tracy's Journey into Therapy 

07:49 Cultural Competency in Therapy 

10:58 Navigating Identity and Belonging 

17:59 The Evolution of Culture and Identity 

21:28 Releasing the Perfect Indian Girl Identity 

28:30 Effective Communication vs. Tone Policing 

28:49 Direct Communication in Therapy 

31:20 Cultural Expectations and Outcome-Driven Mindsets 

31:53 Materialism and Status in Indian Culture 

32:53 White Supremacy Culture in Indian Society 

37:30 Therapists and the Fear of Judgment 

42:07 Boundaries in Indian Families 

49:51 Empathy and Parental Relationships 

50:44 The Myth of the Perfect Indian Girl 

51:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.com