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
37 episodes
#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
#24: Own Your Day, Part 1: 4 Morning Habits that Boost Energy, Focus and Motivation
Let’s be real—most of us are sabotaging our day before our feet even hit the floor in the morning. 😬 In this episode, I’m breaking down why that happens and exactly how to fix it with four powerful morning shifts that wi...
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Episode 24
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25:30
#23: My Easy 4-Step Process to Declutter Your Life and Focus on Your Dreams: A Spring Cleaning Guide to Clear Mental Clutter, Reclaim Your Time, and Reset Your Goals
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been craving a reset lately. So I did what I always do in the spring—I started tossing stuff. But somewhere between the old jeans and the junk drawer, I realized it’s not just stuff that needs declutter...
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Episode 22
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26:18
#22: Before You Quit Your Dream, Job, or Relationship: Answer These 5 Questions
Have you ever felt that nudge to walk away — from a dream, job, or even a relationship — but weren’t sure if it was the right move? In this episode, I’m sharing five powerful questions that have helped me figure out when it’s time to q...
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Episode 22
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23:25
#21: Why We Fear Success: And How to Move Past Imposter Syndrome
Ever feel like just as things are going right, you start doubting yourself? Like you’ve worked so hard for success, but suddenly, it feels overwhelming—or even scary? You’re not alone.We spend so much time working toward our dreams—so wh...
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Episode 21
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21:45
#20: Fear of Rejection Stops Here: How to Move Forward with Confidence
Mel Robbins: The Let Them TheoryIs...
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Episode 20
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29:20
#19: Stop Doing It Alone: How to Find Supportive Friends & Build Your Dream Community
Have you ever reached a huge milestone and realized you had no one to truly celebrate with? Loneliness is real—but you don’t have to go through life alone. Whether you’re chasing a big dream, starting a business, or just craving deeper c...
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Episode 19
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27:32
#18: The Habit of Self-Doubt: Why You Keep Second-Guessing Yourself
Ever find yourself trapped in a cycle of second-guessing every decision, big or small? I get it. Self-doubt sneaks in and suddenly, you’re overthinking or playing small because you don't trust yourself. But here’s the truth: self-doubt is a hab...
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Episode 18
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28:07
#17: Feeling Drained? How to Recognize, Prevent and Recover from Burnout
Burnout isn’t just about long hours—it’s about how we think about our work, stress, and responsibilities. If you’ve been feeling emotionally exhausted, physically drained, or stuck in a cycle of stress, I want you to know there’s a way...
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Episode 17
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36:39
#16: The Truth About Distractions: What's Really Stealing Your Focus?
Are distractions keeping you from making real progress on your goals? What if I told you that managing distractions isn’t about eliminating them—it’s about making sure they don’t control you? In this episode, I break down three powerful t...
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Episode 16
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23:14
#15: Ditch Perfectionism: Break Free from the All or Nothing Mindset
Have you ever told yourself, “If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all”? Yeah, me too. But here’s the truth: that all-or-nothing mindset is keeping you stuck. It convinces you to wait for the perfect moment—the perfect plan, the perfect...
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Episode 15
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25:41
#14: Why You Suck at New Things (and Why it Doesn't Matter)
We all have that voice in our head that says, “What if I’m terrible at this?” I’m here to tell you that you probably will be—and that’s totally okay! In this episode, I’ll reveal six truths about getting good at anything, from why your first at...
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Episode 14
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17:26
#13: Letting Go and Leaning In: Brain-Friendly Habits for 2025
In this episode, I’m sharing my personal list of ins and outs for 2025—what I’m lovingly leaving behind and what I’m doubling down on to protect my energy, focus, and peace. As I walk you through these shifts, I want you to think about your own...
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Episode 13
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15:44