Masks Off: Inner Freedom For People-Pleasers and Perfectionists

Kim Gross
  • 4.9 (34)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 4D AGO

    Burnout isn’t a productivity failure. It’s a boundary you didn’t set.

    In this episode, I open March’s Burnout Breakdown series by reframing burnout as your body enforcing limits after too many micro-yeses, too much emotional labor, and too much self-override. We talk about: The real signs of burnout (irritability, numbness, scrolling, brain fog, jaw tension, migraines, gut issues, inflammation, loss of joy) The pattern of over-functioning and being “low maintenance” How emotional labor quietly drains your nervous system Why your body moves from whisper to protest to shutdown What it means to stop overriding exhaustion I also guide you through a short breathing-based relaxation meditation and share how we’ll be incorporating weekly nervous system support throughout March. If you’re high-functioning but secretly exhausted, this episode will help you spot the signs and stop abandoning yourself in the name of productivity. Welcome to the Masks Off Movement. 👉 Connect with Kim (the host): 👉 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

    35 min

  2. FEB 26

    How to Say No Without the Guilt Hangover

    If you’re the default planner, reminder, emotional regulator, and peacekeeper in your relationship — this episode is for you. We’re unpacking the invisible mental load and how it slowly turns into over-functioning, resentment, and the “guilt hangover” that follows boundary setting. Joined by therapist Dr. Gloria King, we explore how this pattern intensifies in neurodiverse relationships, where executive functioning differences may push one partner into the manager role — often without either person realizing how it happened. This conversation covers: • The unseen “second shift” many women carry• How people-pleasing and perfectionism fuel over-functioning• Childhood conditioning around being “good”• Religious messaging about self-sacrifice• Why guilt doesn’t mean your boundary is wrong• How to expect (and handle) pushback• Building tolerance for discomfort like a muscle• When to pause conversations for safety• Why listening to your gut matters Dr. King works with adults 21+ in individual and couples therapy, including neurodiverse couples, people-pleasing, menopause transitions, infidelity recovery, and women’s issues. The core message of this episode: You matter.Fear and guilt do not automatically mean you’re wrong.And self-love includes valuing your needs without calling it selfish. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs permission to stop carrying it all. And remember: Caring doesn’t require disappearing.That’s the Masks Off Movement. About Dr. Gloria: I'm an extroverted introvert, lol and I love saying that as I used to be so shy. I'm originally from Puerto Rico and have lived in FL since I was 8 years old. I'm married and my husband and I are both huge dog lovers and have had dogs in the office with us for quite sometime now. I love time with friends and family, murder mystery shows, and laughing out loud. I'm fascinated by what makes people tick and love being a part of clients' life journeys. I''m dually licensed as a mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist and obtained my doctorate in 2005. I've been a therapist for almost 30 years and in private practice since 2008. My specialties include women's issues including people pleasing, couples work with infidelity and intimate betrayal trauma, and neurodiverse individual and couples counseling. Connect with Dr. Gloria:  www.drgloriariveraking.com,  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571809726617, Instagram: @ drgloria_ 👉 Connect with Kim (the host): 👉 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

    52 min

  3. FEB 19

    Do you feel like you disappear in dating, friendships, or at work?

    In this episode of Masks Off: Inner Freedom for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, Kim Gross explores how self-abandonment, over-adapting, shapeshifting, over-functioning, hyper-responsibility, and hypervigilance become survival strategies to stay connected. In dating, it can look like hiding your needs, chasing “being chosen,” or ignoring red flags.At work, it may show up as over-performing, struggling to say no, and tying your worth to productivity.In friendships, it often appears as being the strong one — the therapist friend who rarely shares her own struggles. Kim shares personal stories, including how presenting as “low maintenance” early in her marriage led to deeper insecurity and approval-seeking later, and how an autoimmune diagnosis exposed her attachment to productivity and worth. This episode reframes these behaviors not as flaws, but as nervous system strategies rooted in fear of rejection, abandonment, and being seen as “too much.” You’ll walk away with reflection questions, a practical “take up 5% more space” weekly challenge, and an introduction to Kim’s 5-Step Power Pathway for healing self-abandonment. The goal isn’t to stop caring.It’s to stop disappearing. 👉 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

    35 min

  4. FEB 12

    Why You Feel Guilty for Taking Up Space: Being Low Maintenance in a relationship is not a badge of honor!!!

    People-pleasing doesn’t come from weakness—it comes from survival. In this deeply grounding solo episode of Masks Off: Inner Freedom for People-Pleasers & Perfectionists, Kim Gross unpacks why so many women struggle to speak up, rest, or set boundaries without guilt. Drawing from personal experience, nervous-system awareness, and years of inner work, Kim reveals how people-pleasing is often formed in childhood and reinforced by a culture that equates worth with productivity. This episode invites you to pause, reflect, and gently question the patterns that keep you overgiving, overfunctioning, and disconnected from yourself. You’ll hear why: Saying “no” can feel threatening to your body—even when it’s necessary Guilt is often a sign of growth, not failure Self-abandonment shows up in subtle, everyday ways Boundaries aren’t about pushing people away—they’re about coming home to yourself Kim also introduces her Five-Step Power Pathway, a practical framework designed to help you recognize patterns in real time and begin unhooking from them with compassion instead of shame. This episode is especially for women who: Feel responsible for other people’s emotions Struggle with rest, stillness, or self-care Tie their value to productivity or achievement Want freedom without becoming hardened or disconnected ✨ This isn’t about fixing yourself.✨ It’s about remembering who you are underneath the mask. 00:00 The Right to Self-Care00:32 Welcome to Masks Off02:01 The Guilt of Speaking Up04:52 Childhood Conditioning & Survival Patterns09:37 Understanding & Interrupting Autopilot18:23 The Five-Step Power Pathway20:16 Reflective Questions24:16 Final Thoughts & Invitation If this episode resonated, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to do this work by yourself.Connect with Kim, explore her teachings, or learn more about working together by visiting the links in the show notes. 🎙 Subscribe to Masks Off: Inner Freedom for People-Pleasers & Perfectionists⭐ Leave a review—it helps this message reach more women who need it📤 Share this episode with someone who’s ready to stop abandoning themselves 🕰 Episode Breakdown💛 Take the Next Step👉 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (325)

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

Information

You Might Also Like