The Distracted Dreamer

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

August 18, 2025 20 mins

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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 always whispering what they need, and when we ignore them, they shout. 

The good news? When we practice small, daily acts of self-care and recovery, those crashes get gentler, our ene...

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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 what I’m doing is “enough.”

And here’s what I know now: perfectionism is stealing our dreams.

In this episode, I’m opening up about my own struggles with getting stuck in the “not g...

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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 in the towel, question everything, and wonder if maybe you were wrong for wanting it in the first place. That’s exactly why I wanted to have this conversation with you.

Toda...

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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, overwhelmed, and riddled with guilt.

I used to think the stress was just part of the job. But then I looked at the numbers. And I realized—this isn't a personal...

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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 therestuck in my head, overthinking every move, waiting for the perfect moment to start.

But this week, I looked around and realized... while I was overthinking my dreams, other dreamers were out there doing the the thing. Planting gardens. Writing books. Starting messy.

In this episod...

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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 quiet whispers, gently pulling us away from what matters most. 

Using a simple self-rating tool, I’ll help you gently name what’s really pulling your attention away. Because when y...

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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 most authentic part of herself and reclaimed her dream at 59.  She finally went all in on a dream she’d tucked away for years. And WOW... what happened next blew me away.

This isn’t just...

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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 used to believe that if I just learned more, worked harder, or polished everything to perfection, I’d finally catch up to…well, everyone else. 

But here’s what I know now: comparison was k...

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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 childhood — about obedience, achievement, and staying “realistic” — still shape the way we show up as adults.

In today’s episode (our first with a guest!), I’m joined by my longtime friend a...

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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, selling a product you dreamed up, or sharing art you’ve poured your heart into — charging can feel deeply personal.

In this honest conversation, we’re diving into self-worth, pricing, and th...

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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 still say yes to my dreams?

If you’ve ever felt like just as you were finally making space for your own dreams, life started pulling you in another direction, I see you. I’m right there ...

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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 because you didn’t want to disappoint someone—you’re not alone.

In fact, I’ve had so many of you reach out asking “How the heck do I say no without feeling guilty or ruining relationships?” That...

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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 ever found yourself stuck in your head, overanalyzing every decision, replaying conversations, or imagining every possible outcome before you even take the first step—you’re not a...

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Download your guide below 👇

Reclaiming Your Dreams Reflection Guide

Have you spent years showing up and putting everyone else first - your kids, your partner, your parents - while your own dreams quietly waited in the wings? 

I get it. Just like you, I'm trying to figure out what this next chapter looks like - this in-between space where we're not quite who we were and not yet sure who we're becoming...

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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 untangling what dreams truly are (hint: they’re more about who you want to become), what goals really mean (they’re the how), and why gaining clarity between the two can completely shift the way you mov...

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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 through it. But the truth is, your to-do list shouldn't be another source of pressure. It should support you, your goals and your dreams.  

In this final episode of the Own Your Day series, we’r...

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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 needed more willpower. Or maybe better habits.
But here’s the truth: willpower wears out, and even the best habits can fall apart when life gets chaotic.

We all want to stay focused, b...

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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 will help you take back control of your time, your energy, and your life.

This is Part 1 of my 3-part Own Your Day series, and we’re starting with the foundation: how to control your mornings. 

I’ll...

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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 decluttering. 

I’m walking you through the 4 steps I use to clear out the noise. We're talking about clearing mental and emotional clutter, reclaiming your time, and resetting your goals...

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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 quit... and when it’s time to keep going. We’re diving into those sticky in-between moments where doubt, burnout, and frustration creep in. Whether you're thinking about quittin...

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