Episode 61 – People Pleasing And Imposter Syndrome Stem From Generational Trauma with Psychotherapist Jess Phillips (Part 1)

People Pleasing And Imposter Syndrome Stem From Generational Trauma with Psychotherapist Jess Phillips (Part 1)

Welcome back to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal! Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals.

This is episode #61, where host Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with psychotherapist and attachment trauma coach Jess Phillips to explore the psychology behind people pleasing. Watch the video episode on YouTube and listen to the audio episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying the show!

• Episode Summary & Player
• Show Notes
• Learn more about Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal
• Learn more about Dr. Meenal Agarwal

Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal Episode #61: People Pleasing And Imposter Syndrome Stem From Generational Trauma with Psychotherapist Jess Phillips (Part 1)

In this powerful Part 1 episode of the Uncover Your Eyes Podcast, host Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with psychotherapist and attachment trauma coach Jess Phillips to explore the psychology behind people pleasing, imposter syndrome, generational trauma, and the critical skill of setting boundaries in both personal and professional life.

Whether you’re a healthcare provider, caregiver, or individual seeking greater mental health, physical wellness, or healthcare education, this episode offers practical tools for self-advocacy and healing. You’ll learn how early experiences and parenting styles shape your identity and how to reclaim your sense of self while navigating the complex dynamics of healthcare and daily life.

Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• The biggest myths about people pleasing
• How to set healthy boundaries without guilt
• Why imposter syndrome thrives in high-achieving fields like healthcare
• How generational trauma impacts emotional regulation
• Simple steps to improve self-worth and self-advocacy

Learn more about Jess Phillips at JessPhillipsCoaching.com, on Instagram @JessPhillipsCoaching, and The Living Out Loud Podcast

Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal.

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• People Pleasing And Imposter Syndrome Stem From Generational Trauma with Psychotherapist Jess Phillips (Part 1)
  • [0:49] Welcome to Uncover Your Eyes
  • [1:27] Welcome, Jessica Phillips!
  • [1:44] How do you recognize if you are a people pleaser?
  • [4:06] How do some people become people pleasers?
  • [7:21] How can a parent recognize if their child is hyper-vigilant?
  • [10:36] As a parent, how connected do you feel to your emotions?
  • [11:40] How do we set boundaries in order to stop people-pleasing tendencies?
  • [16:03] Emotional and mental boundaries
  • [19:39] How to tackle guilt when creating boundaries?
  • [24:56] High achievers and imposter syndrome
  • [26:44] Children are little sponges and parents are just people
  • [32:52] Using action to quell imposter syndrome (and your ego)
  • [35:22] What to do when you’re in a situation where you don’t feel good enough?
  • [40:37] How unhappy are you inside?
  • [42:40] Inheriting generational stories
  • [45:42] Catch Dr. Meenal’s interview on Jessica’s The Living Out Loud Podcast
  • [46:07] Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal
  • Theme Song: “Upbeat Motivational Pop Rock” by Alexey Anisimov

Transcript

What is Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal?

Thanks for listening to Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal. Being an eye doctor makes life easy, right? Not so fast. Join us as we uncover our lives as healthcare professionals. In each episode, you will face reality and vulnerability. You’ll hear how to manage your wellbeing, culture, and physical and mental health. You’ll also navigate self-improvement and professional development, all while uncovering innovation in patient care from experts in our healthcare system. Let’s do this while keeping it “real” and authentic. Hosted by Dr. Meenal Agarwal, Expert Optometrist, Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Mom of 3.

Who is Dr. Meenal Agarwal?

With three clinics in Toronto and sought-after experience, Dr. Meenal Agarwal is an expert in vision and eyecare innovation. She is a leading voice on patient care, technology, professional development, and wellness in the healthcare industry.