The Distracted Dreamer
Get ready to confidently and unapologetically go after dreams! Welcome to The Distracted Dreamer Podcast.
Today is the day you’re going to pull your dreams off the shelf and bring them to the forefront of your life. You are never too tired, too busy, too old, too young, too anything to pursue your dreams.
Imagine… the joy and excitement of doing what lights you up. Your dreams are yours. No one gets to take them from you and no one gets to chase them - except you. Your dreams are there to guide you, to inspire you and to show you that yes, there is something more in store for you.
You see, the size of your dreams don’t matter - it could be running a marathon, reading a book series, perfecting that family recipe, traveling the world, or learning to dance.
I’m Carlene Bauwens, entrepreneur, Life Coach and now host of The Distracted Dreamer podcast. I’m here to show you how to kick distraction to the curb and grab hold of your dreams. Your happiness matters. You have a big, beautiful, amazing life to live. And you've only got one of them. Welcome to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast.
Episodes
50 episodes
#49: Is It ADHD… or Menopause? (And What It Means for Your Dreams)
Brain fog? No motivation? Can’t remember anything? You might be wondering — is it ADHD… or menopause? And what does either one have to do with chasing a dream?In today’s solo episode, I’m unpacking what happens when estrogen dro...
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Episode 49
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25:44
#48: The Science of Recovery: How Your Nervous System Fuels Your Dreams
I used to think recovery meant sleep, a long walk, or a girls’ weekend — but even after all that, I still felt drained. It didn’t make sense… until I learned what was actually happening in my nervous system.In this episode, I’m breaking ...
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Episode 48
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29:38
#47: Steal My 7-Step Focus Routine and Make Real Progress on Your Dreams
Your dreams deserve more than scattered energy and half-finished to-do lists. They need your focus. In this episode, I’m sharing the exact 7-step focus routine I use behind the scenes to move my dream work forward — even when life g...
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Episode 47
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22:52
#46: Start Dreaming Again: A Mini-Workshop to Rediscover What You Really Want
Your companion guide for this special episode 👇Start Dreaming Again: 3 Gentle Steps to Rediscover What You Really WantHere’s the thing no one tells you about “figuring out your...
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Episode 46
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34:42
#45: How To Experiment With Your Dreams (Without Fear of Failure)
Click here to hop on Dream Studio Waitlist and get founding member perks!What if chasing your dream didn’t have to feel so he...
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Episode 45
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14:31
#44: Learning vs. Doing: How to Know When It’s Time to Make a Move
What if all your “research” is actually a really sneaky form of procrastination?Let’s be real — I’ve spent way too much time thinking I was making progress just because I was learning. I had tabs open, courses saved, note...
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Episode 44
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17:26
#43: That Thing You're Avoiding? It matters. How to Do It Scared
What if the thing you’re avoiding is the very thing that could change everything?Let’s be honest—there’s probably a task sitting at the bottom of your list that’s been there for weeks. The one that low-key haunts you.It feels too big...
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Episode 43
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16:58
#42: Daydreams are Born Here: The Surprising Science of Boredom
When was the last time you let yourself be bored? Really bored?Growing up, boredom was a normal part of life — long car rides staring out the window, endless summer days of “go outside and play” with no plan, and doodles on scrap paper t...
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Episode 42
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16:38
#41: Embracing Self-Care and Recovery: Fuel Your Dreams and Prevent Burnout
Have you ever pushed through the week only to crash—your brain foggy, your body drained, your heart disconnected from your dreams?I used to fight those crash days, but I’ve learned they’re not failures—they’re signals. Our bodies are alw...
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Episode 41
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20:43
#40: Perfectionism Is Stealing Your Dreams — Here's How to Take Them Back
This episode is one I needed to hear as much as I needed to record.Because perfectionism? It’s still something I wrestle with almost every day.It shows up when I try to write. When I go to share something personal. When I wonder if w...
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Episode 40
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17:14
#39: ‘Hard’ Is Part of the Dream: 6 Mindsets to Keep Going Anyway
I know what it’s like for the dream to feel so much harder than you imagined. I’ve been there—facing fear, self-doubt, unexpected curveballs, and the deep exhaustion that comes from caring so much. Because the hard parts make you want to throw ...
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Episode 39
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18:44
#38: When the Parenting Dream Collides with Reality: Letting Go of Guilt
Have you ever carried that quiet guilt—the kind that whispers you're not doing enough, even when you're doing everything? You're not imagining it. Parenting today asks more of us than ever before—and it’s leaving a lot of us burned out, overwhe...
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Episode 38
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28:23
#37: Overthinking Your Dreams? Here’s What Other Dreamers Are Doing Instead
While you're stuck in your head, someone else is taking the next step toward your dream— or a version of it.I've been there — stuck in my head, overthinking every move, waiting for the perfect moment to start. But th...
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Episode 37
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12:24
#36: The 7 D’s: The Secret Distractions That Quietly Detour Your Dreams
Feeling stuck, scattered, or creatively off track? In this episode, I’m sharing the 7 D’s of distraction—seven sneaky ways we lose focus on our dreams without even realizing it. Distractions aren’t always loud. Sometimes they show up as ...
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Episode 36
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26:48
#35: Reclaim the Dreams You Tucked Away — Alicia’s Story of Courage and Heart Could Be the Nudge You’ve Been Waiting For
If you’ve ever felt like you missed your chance—or that it’s too late to go after what you really want—this episode is for you. I sat down with Alicia Staley Johnson—a friend, photographer, and creative soul who stopped hiding the m...
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Episode 35
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51:45
#34: Why You Compare (and 6 Ways to Use It to Your Advantage)
Have you ever felt that quiet ache of not measuring up—like you’re always behind, no matter how hard you try? You know those moments where it feels like everyone else is ahead—more successful, more creative, more together?I us...
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Episode 34
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26:45
#33: Why Adults Stop Dreaming: Healing the Childhood Messages That Keep You Small
If dreaming feels silly, selfish, or out of reach — you’re not alone. In fact, you might just be hearing echoes of childhood messages that told you to stay small, play it safe, and be realistic.The messages we absorbed in chil...
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Episode 33
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46:46
#32: It's Time to Charge What You're Worth: A Money Mindset Reset for Dreamers
If you’ve ever whispered, “Who am I to charge for this?” or felt weird about putting a price on your work — this episode is for you.For so many of us creative dreamers — whether you’re offering personal services like coaching, s...
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Episode 32
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25:18
#31: Can I Be Both? Choosing Your Dreams and Your Family in Midlife
In this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal moment that brought me face-to-face with a question I know many of us wrestle with: Can I be both? Can I be the mom who shows up, the grandma who’s present, the daughter who cares—and stil...
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Episode 31
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19:38
#30: How to Say No with Confidence (Without Guilt or Apology) and Protect Your Time, Energy, and Dreams
Saying no is hard.Maybe you’ve felt it too—that tug-of-war between wanting to help and secretly knowing you’re already stretched way too thin. I’ve been there more times than I can count. If you’ve ever struggled to say no be...
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Episode 30
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24:07
#29: Overthinking Is Killing Your Dreams: 8 Strategies to Break the Spiral
In this episode, I’m getting real about something that so many of us silently struggle with—overthinking. You know, those 3 a.m. spirals, the constant “what ifs,” and the endless loops that leave you feeling stuck and drained. If you’ve ...
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Episode 29
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29:12
#28: It's Your Turn: Reclaiming Your Dreams After Years of Putting Others First
Download your guide below 👇Reclaiming Your Dreams Reflection GuideHave you spent years showing up and putting everyone else first - your kids, your partner, you...
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Episode 28
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18:50
#27: Dreams vs. Goals: Why You Need Both to Build the Life You Want
Today we’re talking about the real difference between dreams and goals—and why it matters more than you think.These two words are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. In this episode, we’re untangl...
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Episode 27
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21:46
#26: Own Your Day, Part 3: How to Build a To-Do List That Actually Works
Ever stared at a to-do list that somehow made you feel more overwhelmed instead of focused?You’re not alone.For a long time, I thought productivity was about cramming everything into one massive list and just powering thr...
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Episode 26
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23:14
#25: Own Your Day, Part 2: The One Thing Stronger than Willpower or Habits to Stay Focused on Your Dreams
Have you ever had one of those days where you really meant to stay focused… but somehow, your energy vanished, your to-do list exploded, and your day went completely sideways again? Yeah. Me too.For a long time, I thought I just...
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Episode 25
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18:35