When the System Shapes the Family and How to Break Free with Dr. Karolina James
Tue Feb 03 2026
What happens when you grow up in a system that never taught you freedom then spend your life reclaiming it?
In this episode, Dr. James shares her journey from a post communist childhood in Europe to becoming a U.S. citizen, scholar, mother, and advocate for women healing from narcissistic abuse. After living in six countries and navigating generational trauma, rigid parenting, and coercive relationships, she reflects on identity, forgiveness, and the power of repair.
We talk about:
Growing up without emotional safety and how that shaped resilienceGenerational trauma without blame or shameLeaving academia to turn pain into purposeParenting with intention after traumaFaith as relationship, not religionWhy you are not your job, your past, or one single identityThis is a conversation about freedom, narcissist abuse, self-authorship, and choosing a different legacy for yourself and the next generation.
To connect with Dr. James, visit her following sites:
Website: https://echonomorecoaching.org/homeFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579623976158IG: https://www.instagram.com/echonomorecoachingllcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/echo-no-more-coachingIf this conversation stirred something in you, join the Inner Circle a private space for listeners and guests to stay connected and continue the reflection beyond the show
www.willijahdawson.com/innercircle
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What happens when you grow up in a system that never taught you freedom then spend your life reclaiming it? In this episode, Dr. James shares her journey from a post communist childhood in Europe to becoming a U.S. citizen, scholar, mother, and advocate for women healing from narcissistic abuse. After living in six countries and navigating generational trauma, rigid parenting, and coercive relationships, she reflects on identity, forgiveness, and the power of repair. We talk about: Growing up without emotional safety and how that shaped resilienceGenerational trauma without blame or shameLeaving academia to turn pain into purposeParenting with intention after traumaFaith as relationship, not religionWhy you are not your job, your past, or one single identityThis is a conversation about freedom, narcissist abuse, self-authorship, and choosing a different legacy for yourself and the next generation. To connect with Dr. James, visit her following sites: Website: https://echonomorecoaching.org/homeFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579623976158IG: https://www.instagram.com/echonomorecoachingllcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/echo-no-more-coachingIf this conversation stirred something in you, join the Inner Circle a private space for listeners and guests to stay connected and continue the reflection beyond the show www.willijahdawson.com/innercircle