Balanced but Barely

Ever wonder why you can't seem to move forward—even when you know exactly what you need to do? Spoiler alert: you're probably not lazy. Your brain may simply be trying to keep you safe. In this episode of Balanced but Barely , CarlaJean dives into the psychology and neuroscience behind feeling stuck, overthinking, procrastination, perfectionism, anxiety, burnout, and chronic stress. If you've been...

What if the person you're hardest on... is yourself? In this episode of Balanced but Barely , Carla Jean explores one of yoga's most powerful—and often misunderstood—teachings: Ahimsa , the practice of non-violence and non-harm. While many people think Ahimsa is simply about being kind to others, this conversation turns the focus inward to examine the subtle ways we create suffering in our...

What if happiness isn't something you find? What if it's something you practice? In this episode of Balanced but Barely , Carla Jeanchallenges one of the most common beliefs about happiness—that it's waiting for us somewhere in the future. Whether it's tied to a promotion, a relationship, more money, a smaller pants size, or simply getting through the next stressful season, many of...

In this deeply personal and compassionate episode of Balanced but Barely, Carla Jean Lundgren explores one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions: depression. She explains why depression is not laziness, weakness, or a lack of gratitude, but a complex experience that can affect energy, motivation, concentration, sleep, and a person's sense of hope. Carla Jean shares her own lifelon...

What would you do if you stopped waiting for permission? In this episode of Balanced but Barely , Carla Jeanexplores the concept of audacity—not as arrogance or entitlement, but as the willingness to trust yourself enough to take up space, speak your truth, set boundaries, and pursue the life you want before you feel completely ready. For many of us, the biggest obstacle isn't a lack of capabi...

What if the thing standing between you and peace isn't your circumstances—but your relationship with patience? In this episode of Balanced but Barely , Carla Jean explores why patience feels so difficult in a world that celebrates hustle, instant gratification, and overnight success. Through honest storytelling, relatable humor, mindfulness practices, and nervous system education, she unpacks the...

If saying “no” makes you feel like you just committed a federal crime… this episode is for you. 😅 In this episode of Balanced but Barely , Carla Jean dives into boundaries, people pleasing, emotional burnout, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and what it actually means to create a safe space for yourself without feeling selfish about it. We’re talking: anxiety and overwhelm healthy boundari...

Friendship heartbreak is a different kind of pain—quiet, confusing, and often overlooked. In this episode of Balanced but Barely , Carla Jean dives into the deep love and trust friendships are built on, the grief we feel when a friendship changes or ends, and the boundaries needed for healthy, supportive relationships. We talk about: feeling abandoned or outgrown by a friend people pleasing and ov...

In this episode of Balanced but Barely , we’re talking about the powerful connection between self-talk, anxiety, overwhelm, nervous system regulation, communication, and personal growth . If you struggle with negative self-talk, burnout, stress, high-functioning anxiety, depression, PTSD, emotional overwhelm, people pleasing, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode will help you unders...

What if healing didn’t look perfect? What if growth was messy, emotional, nonlinear… and sometimes looked like crying in your car before walking into Target like nothing happened? Welcome to Balanced but Barely , a podcast for the ones doing the inner work while still feeling like they’re barely holding it together. Hosted by Carla Jean Lundgren, this show is a safe space for real conversations ab...