Masks Off: Inner Freedom For People-Pleasers and Perfectionists

Kim Gross

A podcast for people pleasers and perfectionists ready to drop the masks. Kim Gross shares simple tools to calm the inner critic, set boundaries, and live with confidence, clarity, and inner freedom. www.kimgrosscoaching.com

  1. FEB 5

    Are You Addicted to Approval? (Most of Us Are)

    In this solo episode of Masks Off: Inner Freedom for People-Pleasers & Perfectionists, host Kim Gross unpacks the deeply rooted pattern of approval addiction—the unconscious need for validation that often drives people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-abandonment. Kim shares personal reflections and excerpts from her memoir Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation, revealing how approval-seeking behaviors form in childhood as survival strategies tied to safety, belonging, and love. Rather than framing these patterns as weaknesses, Kim offers a compassionate reframe: approval addiction is learned—and therefore, it can be unlearned. Listeners are invited into a gentle process of self-awareness through journal prompts, reflection, and nervous-system-informed insight. The episode closes with a powerful reminder inspired by Melodie Beattie, reinforcing the truth that worthiness is not something we earn—it’s something we remember. This episode is for anyone ready to: Stop chasing validation Understand the roots of people-pleasing Heal self-worth at the pattern level Reclaim inner peace and authenticity 00:00 Introduction to Approval Addiction01:49 Welcome to Masks Off03:20 Personal Struggles with Approval Addiction03:37 The Roots of Approval Addiction06:13 Excerpt from Free to Be11:34 The Impact of External Validation15:58 The Need for Belonging26:01 Journal Prompts for Self-Reflection31:57 Final Thoughts & Integration ⏱ Episode Chapters#PeoplePleasing #ApprovalAddiction #InnerFreedom#SelfWorthHealing #EmotionalAwareness #PersonalGrowth 👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

    34 min
  2. JAN 29

    Micro Yeses: The Tiny Ways We Self-Abandon Every Day

    Self-abandonment doesn’t always look dramatic.Most of the time, it’s quiet. Subtle. Almost invisible. In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, Kim Gross is joined by certified life coach Karen Garcia for a deeply honest conversation about micro yeses — the small moments where we override ourselves to avoid discomfort, conflict, or rejection. Karen shares her personal journey of reclaiming self-worth while navigating separation, co-parenting, and dating — all while unlearning people-pleasing patterns that once felt necessary for survival. Together, Kim and Karen explore: How micro yeses lead to burnout, resentment, and disconnection Why saying no can feel unsafe — even as an adult The role of self-trust in boundary setting What it really means to choose yourself consistently Why asking for help is a powerful act of self-respect This episode is for anyone who’s tired of over-giving, tired of explaining themselves, and ready to stop abandoning their own needs. 🎧 If you’ve ever wondered why you feel exhausted, disconnected, or stuck — this conversation will resonate deeply. 00:00 – Introduction to self-abandonment00:13 – Micro yeses: small acts of self-abandonment00:52 – Meet the host and guest01:40 – Karen Garcia’s journey and background02:26 – Core values and personal growth03:37 – Understanding self-abandonment04:47 – Everyday examples of self-abandonment06:44 – The struggle with saying no09:58 – Dating and self-worth12:29 – The path to self-love and boundaries14:44 – Practical steps toward self-trust18:13 – Learning to believe in yourself20:21 – Emotional keynote experiences21:40 – Returning to your authentic self22:57 – Invitation to deeper inner work24:10 – Awakening through rock-bottom moments25:19 – The power of micro yeses28:30 – Why asking for help feels hard29:52 – Breaking free from people-pleasing33:14 – Setting boundaries and practicing micro noes38:31 – Connecting with Karen, the truth seeker39:46 – Final thoughts and encouragement 👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php Karen Garcia is a visionary, a devoted mother, and an unstoppable force for transformation. A true seeker at heart, she has dedicated her life to growth, empowerment, and breaking generational cycles. As a Certified Conscious Life Coach trained under Dr. Shefali’s renowned Conscious Parent & Life Institute, Karen brings wisdom and compassion to every interaction. She is not just a Life coach—she’s a generational curse breaker, a fierce advocate for women’s empowerment, and a guide for those ready to reclaim their authentic selves. Karen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from CUNY School of Professional Studies and is a Content Analyst for a not-for-profit healthcare organization in Florida. Karen blends intellect with intuition. Yet, her true calling lies beyond the corporate world—her heart beats for helping women, especially within the Latina community, heal, rediscover their confidence, and rise into their power. Through reflection, shared experiences, and conscious living, Karen inspires women to embrace their truth and create lives of purpose and freedom. Connect with Karen: Business Instagram: @KarentheTruthSeeker Personal Instagram: @SelfKarenGEmail: KarentheTruthSeeker@Gmail.com

    41 min
  3. JAN 22

    Awareness of Patterns- Breaking the Auto-Pilot Loop

    In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, Kim Gross introduces her 5-Step Power Pathway — a grounded, compassionate framework for breaking free from deeply rooted emotional and behavioral patterns. Drawing from her own lived experience, Kim explores how safety, childhood conditioning, and nervous system responses shape our habits around people-pleasing, perfectionism, self-worth, and control. She explains why real transformation isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about becoming aware, taking ownership, and learning how to stay present with the parts of you that once kept you safe. This episode is especially for you if:• You feel stuck in cycles you can’t seem to break• You intellectually understand your patterns but still repeat them• You’re ready for deeper healing beyond surface-level tools Kim also shares how this work is expanded in her book, Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation, and invites listeners to continue the journey through coaching and community. ✨ Healing begins when you stop fighting yourself — and start listening. #HealingJourney #SelfAwareness #InnerWork #PeoplePleaserHealing #PerfectionistRecovery #EmotionalFreedom #TraumaInformed #PersonalDevelopment #MasksOff 👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

    26 min
  4. JAN 15

    The Moment You Realized You’ve Been Living for Everyone Else

    Have you ever looked at your life and thought, “Why doesn’t this feel like mine?” In this episode, Kim Gross explores the deep sense of disconnection that often comes from people pleasing and perfectionism—patterns that quietly pull us away from our true selves. Through personal reflection and lived experience, Kim unpacks how childhood conditioning leads to self-abandonment and why so many adults struggle to trust their own desires, needs, and intuition. This conversation invites you to slow down, get honest about your patterns, and begin reconnecting with yourself in small, grounded, and compassionate ways. In this episode, we cover: The hidden cost of people pleasing and perfectionism How self-abandonment forms in childhood Recognizing when your choices are driven by external expectations Reflective questions to increase self-awareness Gentle steps toward living a more aligned, authentic life Resources:• Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation• Additional tools and offerings available on Kim’s website. Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction: Feeling Disconnected from Your Life02:05 Personal Story: Making Decisions for Others09:12 The Impact of People Pleasing and Perfectionism10:18 Understanding Childhood Conditioning11:56 Invitation to Deeper Work16:15 Recognizing and Breaking Patterns23:42 Reflective Questions for Personal Growth29:56 Conclusion: Taking Baby Steps Towards Change If this episode resonates, share it with someone who’s learning to take off their masks—and remember, awareness is the first step back to yourself. 👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

    32 min
  5. JAN 8

    New Year, Same You — But This Time You’re Awake

    January comes with a lot of pressure. New habits. New goals. A “new you.”But what if the work this year isn’t about fixing yourself at all? In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, Kim Gross invites you to step off the self-improvement hamster wheel and into something far more powerful: self-awareness. If the start of the new year leaves you feeling heavy, behind, or already failing — this conversation is for you. Kim unpacks how hustle culture, vision boards, and endless goal-setting often carry a subtle message that who you are right now isn’t enough. And for people pleasers and perfectionists, that message hits deep. Through personal stories and gentle truth-telling, Kim explores: Why January can feel emotionally overwhelming The difference between growth and self-fixing How perfectionism disguises itself as “motivation” The masks we learned to wear to feel safe, loved, or accepted Why awareness — not improvement — creates real change This episode is an invitation to stop becoming someone else…and start waking up to who you already are. ✨ New year. Same you. But this time, you’re awake. 00:00 Introduction & the January blues 00:35 The pressure to reinvent yourself 02:29 When self-improvement becomes self-rejection 06:20 Growth vs. fixing yourself 06:58 An invitation to radical self-honesty in 2026 10:07 Understanding the masks we wear 13:02 Personal story: where people-pleasing began 16:57 Reflecting on the cost of constant improvement 23:39 Choosing awareness over achievement 30:32 Closing reflection & invitation to connect 🎧 If this episode resonates, please follow, rate, and share it with someone who’s tired of trying to become “better” and is ready to be real. #MasksOffPodcast #PeoplePleasers #PerfectionismHealing #NewYearReflection #SelfAwarenessJourney #InnerLiberation #AuthenticLiving #PersonalGrowthWithoutPressure #HealingJourney #Unmasking 👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

    32 min
  6. JAN 1

    Re-Released by Popular Demand — Our #1 Episode of 2025

    ✨ Re-Released by Popular Demand — Our #1 Episode of 2025 ✨ This episode was the most listened-to and shared episode of 2025, and for good reason. I’m bringing it back because the message is timeless — and so many of you said it shifted how you see yourself and your relationships. In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Charleanea Arellano as we explore how unresolved past trauma quietly shapes our current relationships — often without us realizing it. Together, we unpack the concepts of “prison” and “paradise” in relationships, and how unhealed wounds can keep us stuck in cycles of self-abandonment, people-pleasing, and emotional disconnection. Dr. Charleanea shares both her professional expertise and personal lived experience, offering deep insight into what it truly takes to move from victimhood into freedom. In this episode, we talk about: How past trauma shows up in adult relationships Why ownership (not blame) is the gateway to healing The role of self-compassion in building intimacy How to stop recreating old patterns and start choosing differently Practical tools you can begin using today to unhook from the past If you’ve ever felt stuck between longing for connection and protecting yourself from pain, this conversation will meet you right where you are. 🎧 Press play — and listen again, or for the first time, to the episode that resonated with thousands.#MasksOffPodcast #PeoplePleasers #PerfectionismHealing #TraumaHealing #InnerFreedom #HealthyRelationships #EmotionalHealing #SelfCompassion #BreakingPatterns #VictimToFreedom Website: ⁠www.drcharleanea.com⁠www.linkedin/com/drcharleaneaarellano/⁠www.facebook.com/CharleaneaMArellanoPhD⁠⁠youtube.com/@sheismotherpodcast⁠⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/she-is-mother⁠tiktok: ⁠@drcharleanea⁠ Connect with Kim Gross 👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book:⁠ https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php⁠ 👉 TikTok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching⁠ 👉 Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/⁠ 👉 Website:⁠ www.kimgrosscoaching.com⁠ 👉 Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104⁠ 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity⁠ 👉 YouTube:⁠ https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q⁠ 👉 Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg⁠ 👉 Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583⁠ 👉 LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all⁠ 👉 Unmasked Newsletter:⁠ http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter⁠ 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz:⁠ https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php⁠

    40 min
  7. 12/25/2025

    Healthy Motivation or Perfectionist Overdrive? How to Stop Burning Out

    Merry Christmas 💛 In today’s special holiday episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, I’m having an honest, heart-centered conversation about motivation, discipline, ambition, and perfectionism — and how easy it is for these traits to quietly turn into pressure and burnout. If you’re someone who’s driven, goal-oriented, and used to pushing yourself… this episode is for you. I’m sharing personal reflections on my own relationship with discipline and identity, how perfectionistic overdrive once felt protective but eventually became exhausting, and what it’s looked like to slow down without losing my sense of purpose. We’ll talk about the signs you may be pushing too hard, the confusing season that can come after burnout, and how to find a more balanced, intuitive way of living and creating. This is especially meaningful during the holidays, when rest can feel uncomfortable and productivity can sneak in through the back door. My hope is that this episode helps you soften, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters — without giving up your dreams or your desire to grow. If you’re learning how to unhook from perfectionism, rebuild your relationship with motivation, or create a life that includes both ambition and joy, I think this conversation will meet you right where you are. 🎄 Grab a cup of something warm, take a deep breath, and let this be a gentle reminder that you don’t have to earn rest — you’re allowed to enjoy it. If this episode resonates, I’d love for you to follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone who needs permission to slow down. 🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

    41 min
  8. 12/18/2025

    The Truth About Restlessness: A Survival Pattern You Can Heal

    Do you ever feel restless the moment life slows down? Like your mind and body just won’t let you be still? You’re not alone — and your restlessness is trying to tell you something. Welcome back to Masks Off! I’m Kim Gross, and today we’re diving deep into a feeling so many perfectionists and people pleasers struggle with: restlessness. If you find yourself pacing, fidgeting, overthinking, or immediately reaching for your to-do list the second things get quiet… this episode is for you. Restlessness isn’t random — it’s a protective strategy, a signal from your nervous system that something deeper is asking to be felt. In this raw and honest conversation, I open up about my own battle with restlessness, including a recent injury that forced me to slow down and face the emotions I’d been avoiding. I explore how childhood conditioning, perfectionism, and fear of feeling all contribute to that uncomfortable inner buzz we’re so quick to escape. Most importantly, I walk you through my 5-Step POWER Pathway — a practical, compassionate framework to help you move through restlessness instead of fighting it. You’ll learn how to recognize the pattern, take ownership, feel what’s underneath, support your inner child, and make grounded choices that honor your true needs. Restlessness is not a flaw. It’s a messenger. And when you learn to listen, you reconnect to yourself in the most powerful way. ✨ Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation — my book on breaking patterns and reclaiming your authentic self ✨ Real & Unfiltered Community for young women — a space to heal, connect, and grow together ✨ Online course for perfectionists & people pleasers — dive deeper into the POWER Pathway and inner liberation ✨ Subscribe for more conversations on authenticity, healing, and inner liberation🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php 🌿 Resources Mentioned:⭐ If You Loved This Episode…💬 If you struggle with restlessness, you are not alone. Share your story in the comments — I’d love to hear from you.

    41 min
4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

A podcast for people pleasers and perfectionists ready to drop the masks. Kim Gross shares simple tools to calm the inner critic, set boundaries, and live with confidence, clarity, and inner freedom. www.kimgrosscoaching.com