What if pleasing everyone else is what’s breaking you?
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.
Listen on your Favorite Platform
In This Episode:
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
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More from our Guest, Tracy Vadakumchery
https://thebadindiantherapist.com
Instagram: Tracy Vadakumchery (@thebadindiantherapist)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebadindiantherapist?lang=en
More from Dr. Payal Beri
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This Podcast is Produced by MicMoguls.com