Balanced but Barely

About Balanced but Barely

If you’re holding it all together on the outside—but quietly falling apart on the inside—you’re not alone… and you’re in the right place. Balanced but Barely is a real, unfiltered podcast about messy healing and real life. Hosted by Carla Jean Lundgren, we talk anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-love, and spirituality—without pretending we have it all together. Through honest conversations, humor, and practical tools, you’ll feel seen, supported, and less alone. If you’re doing the inner work while still spiraling sometimes… you belong here.

Publisher

Carla Jean Lundgren

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Apr 2026

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Ep 16: I'm Not Lazy. I'm Overloaded.

   Ever stare at a completely normal task and think, “Why can’t Ijust do the damn thing?” The email goes unanswered. The appointment doesn’t get scheduled. The laundry becomes part of the furniture. And suddenly you’re wondering why everyone else seems capable of adulting while you’re approximately one minor inconvenience away from losing it over the printer. In Episode 16 of Balanced but Barely, we’re asking a different question: What if you’re not lazy—you’re overloaded? We’re talking about how stress and overwhelm can show up as procrastination, avoidance, irritability, exhaustion, indecision, and shutting down—and how learning to recognize what your body and nervous system are asking for can help you respond with curiosity instead of criticism. We’ll explore practical self-regulation tools, the Overload Audit, and how to identify whether you actually need rest, movement, connection, quiet, boundaries, information, or help. I’ll also share how this connects to the Balanced but Barely Energy Reset courses and why different seasons of life may call for different kinds of support. And beginning with this episode, we’re adding something new: “If You Love Someone Who’s Struggling With This…”—a dedicated conversation for friends and family about how to support someone who's overwhelmed without fixing, judging, minimizing, or taking over. Because sometimes getting your shift together isn't about becoming better at carrying everything. Sometimes it's figuring out what you can finally put down. Take a deep breath. Drop your shoulders. Drink some water. We’re figuring this out together.

2. 

   10 Sept 2026

   Ep 15: Your Bank Account And You Need Couples Counseling

   Why Avoiding Your Bills Is Stressing You Out More Than Paying Them Ever avoided opening a bill because somehow not looking at it felt financially responsible? 😂 You know the routine: the email arrives, you tell yourself you’ll deal with it tomorrow, tomorrow becomes next week, and suddenly checking your bank account feels like an extreme sport. In Episode 15 of Balanced but Barely, we’re talking about financial avoidance, procrastination, and the very real stress that can come with managing money. We’ll unpack why we put off bills and financial decisions, how anxiety and overwhelm can fuel avoidance, and why shame usually makes the whole cycle worse—not better. We’ll also explore the Four Pillars of Wellness and why financial wellness doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Money stress can affect your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being—and sometimes getting your shift together starts with opening the envelope you’ve been pretending doesn’t exist. Most importantly, this episode isn’t about becoming a budgeting guru or having a perfectly color-coded spreadsheet. You’ll get practical strategies for making financial tasks feel less overwhelming, mindfulness tools for regulating yourself before dealing with money, and small steps you can take to move from “I don’t want to look” to “Okay, I can handle this.” Because ignoring the bill doesn't make it disappear. Rude, honestly. Take a breath. Drink some water. Open the damn envelope. We’re figuring this out together.

3. 

   24 Aug 2026

   Ep 14: I'm Fine. Everything Is Fine. Why Is My Eye Twitching? The Everyday Anxiety We Pretend Isn't Anxiety

   You know that moment when someone texts, "Can you call me?" and suddenly you're mentally preparing for the worst? Or when your boss sends a calendar invite with no explanation? Or when your bank account looks a little...too quiet? Welcome to the Anxiety Olympics. 😂 In Episode 14 of Balanced but Barely, we're taking a lighter—and much funnier—look at the everyday stressors that can send our nervous systems into overdrive. From mysterious texts and "per my last email" to money stress, work, relationships, health worries, information overload, and the exhausting reality of adulting, we're breaking down why seemingly small things can sometimes feel like VERY big things. We'll talk about the difference between everyday stress and anxiety, what's actually happening in your body when your stress response kicks in, and why your nervous system may not be "being dramatic" after all. You'll also get practical tools for identifying your personal anxiety triggers, calming your body before reacting, managing digital overwhelm, closing those mental "open tabs," and deciding whether something is actually dangerous—or simply uncomfortable. Plus, we're handing out medals in the Anxiety Olympics, because apparently "We need to talk" deserves its own category. This week's Weekly Shift: Notice Before You React. Because you don't have to eliminate every stressful thing in your life. You just need to stop letting every little thing run the show. Take a breath. Unclench your jaw. Turn off a notification. And remember... You don't have to have it all figured out. We're figuring this out together.

4. 

   13 Aug 2026

   Ep 13: Joy Is Not A Reward

   What if you stopped waiting for your life to be perfect before allowing yourself to enjoy it? In this episode of Balanced but Barely, we're talking about the Joy Delay—the habit of telling ourselves we'll relax, celebrate, have fun, or finally feel happy when everything is fixed, organized, paid off, healed, or figured out. Spoiler alert: there's always another "when." We'll explore the science behind positive emotions, savoring, happiness, and why joy isn't just a fluffy concept or toxic positivity. We'll look at why we sometimes feel uncomfortable when life is going well, how our nervous system can become accustomed to stress, and why achievement alone can't carry the weight of our happiness. With a little help from Inside Out, we'll explore what it means to experience joy while life is still complicated. You'll also get practical mindfulness and nervous-system regulation tools, journal prompts, and this week's Weekly Shift: Joy Is Not a Reward—one small challenge to help you stop postponing your life and start noticing the good moments that are already happening. Because you don't have to have everything figured out to have a good day. Joy isn't waiting for you at the finish line. It's available along the way. Take a breath. Drink some water. Go find something that makes you laugh. We're figuring this out together.

5. 

   7 Aug 2026

   Ep 12: Polling The Group Chat Again

   Have you ever asked five people for advice…only to do exactly what you wanted anyway? 😂 In this episode of Balanced but Barely, we're talking about intuition, self-trust, people-pleasing, and the exhausting habit of looking outside ourselves for validation. We'll explore why even confident, capable people second-guess themselves, how to tell the difference between intuition and anxiety, and how nervous system regulation can help us slow down enough to actually hear our own inner wisdom. With a little help from The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, and Moana, we'll talk about what happens when we stop waiting for someone else to give us permission to trust ourselves. Plus, you'll get practical mindfulness tools, the 24-Hour Pause, journal prompts, and a simple Weekly Shift to help you stop polling the group chat and start listening to yourself. Because self-trust isn't about always making the right decision. It's about knowing you'll be okay if you don't. Take a deep breath. Drink some water. Trust yourself a little more than you did yesterday. We're figuring this out together.

6. 

   31 Jul 2026

   Ep 11: Plot Twist - Which Version of You Just Walked Through The Door?

   Have you ever noticed that you're a different version of yourself depending on who's in the room? Maybe you're confident at work, quiet around your family, carefree with your closest friends, and the one who "has it all together" for everyone else. If you've ever wondered which version of you is the real you, this episode is for you. In this episode of Balanced but Barely, Carla Jean explores the fascinating psychology behind identity, labels, and the masks we wear to belong. Through relatable stories, research-backed insights, humor, and pop culture examples from Runaway Bride, The Devil Wears Prada, and Barbie, you'll discover why adapting to different environments isn't a sign that you're being fake—it's part of being human. Together, we'll unpack the Chameleon Effect, intersectionality, self-complexity, and the lifelong influence of labels and expectations. You'll learn the difference between healthy adaptation and self-abandonment, why your nervous system seeks belonging, and how to reconnect with the parts of yourself that may have been hidden beneath roles, responsibilities, and other people's expectations. You'll also be guided through mindfulness exercises, journal prompts, and practical reflections designed to help you explore your own identity with curiosity and compassion. Because maybe the goal was never to become someone else. Maybe the goal was simply to come home to yourself.

7. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Ep 10 - Congratulations! You're Everyone's Emergency Contact

   What if being everyone's emergency contact has become your identity? In this episode of Balanced but Barely, Carla Jean explores the exhausting reality of being "the strong one"—the person everyone depends on, the one who always says yes, fixes the problem, remembers all the details, and carries the emotional weight of everyone around them. While these qualities are rooted in compassion, they can quietly become a source of burnout, resentment, and self-neglect. Together, we'll unpack the difference between being needed and being loved, why so many of us confuse our usefulness with our worth, and how childhood experiences and survival patterns can shape the roles we continue to play as adults. You'll learn how over-functioning affects your nervous system, why asking for help can feel so uncomfortable, and how healthy boundaries create stronger—not weaker—relationships. This episode includes practical tools for recognizing emotional overload, mindfulness exercises to help you reconnect with yourself, journal prompts for self-reflection, and simple ways to begin receiving support without guilt. We'll also explore how this topic connects to the Four Pillars of Wellness—mental, physical, spiritual, and financial well-being—and offer additional resources, including a recommended book, app, documentary, and heart-opening yoga poses. If you've ever felt like you're carrying everyone else's emotional backpack while quietly ignoring your own, this episode is your reminder that strength doesn't mean doing everything alone. You deserve relationships where you are valued for who you are—not just for what you do. Because you don't have to be everyone's emergency contact to belong, to matter, or to be deeply loved.

8. 

   9 Jul 2026

   Ep 9 - If Overthinking Burned Calories, You Would Be Ripped

   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 feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from yourself, or trapped in the cycle of "I'll start Monday," this episode is for you. You'll learn why your nervous system often chooses familiarityover change, how fear disguises itself as procrastination andperfectionism, and why motivation isn't the first step—movement is. Through relatable stories, practical tools, mindfulness exercises, nervous system regulation techniques, and the Four Pillars of Wellness, you'll discover how to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start creating meaningful momentum one small step at a time. In this episode, you will learn: • Why your brain prefers safety over change• How anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and chronic stress affect decision-making•The surprising connection between perfectionism and fear• How overthinking keeps you stuck in survival mode• Practical strategies to overcome procrastination and self-doubt• Simple mindfulness techniques to regulate your nervous system• How the Four Pillars of Wellness (mental, physical, spiritual, and financial wellness) can help you regain balance Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD, burnout, people-pleasing, life transitions, or simply feeling like you're carrying the weight of the world, this conversation will remind you that being stuck isn't a sign of failure—it's often a sign your mind and body are asking for safety before they're ready for change. If today's episode made you laugh, made you think, or made you whisper, "Well...that felt a little too personal," be sure to subscribe to Balanced but Barely, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminderthat they're not alone. Follow Carla Jean on Instagram @_carlajean143 fordaily encouragement, behind-the-scenes moments, and a community of people learning to navigate real life with more love and less pressure. For free guided meditations, wellness resources, show notes, and more, visit www.carlajean143.com (http://www.carlajean143.com/) and subscribe on YouTube at carlajean143. Remember... take a deep breath. Progress isn't about doingeverything perfectly. It's about taking the next small step.

9. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Ep 8: Stop Beating Yourself Up - Ahimsa, Self Harm, & the Violence We Don't Talk About

   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 own lives. From harsh self-talk and chronic stress to ignoring our physical needs, abandoning our values, and making fear-based financial decisions, Carla Jean reveals how self-harm often shows up in everyday habits rather than dramatic moments. Through the lens of the Four Pillars of Wellness—mental, physical, spiritual, and financial—she offers practical ways to replace self-judgment with self-respect and move from survival mode toward a life of greater balance and peace. Listeners will learn how to identify the hidden forms of self-violence that keep them feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and emotionally exhausted, while discovering simple mindfulness practices that cultivate awareness, compassion, and intentional living. What Ahimsa, the first of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, really means and why it's relevant far beyond the yoga mat How negative self-talk affects your nervous system, identity, and emotional well-being The difference between self-discipline and self-punishment Why chronic stress, burnout, and ignoring your body's needs can be forms of self-harm How spiritual wellness is strengthened by living in alignment with your values Why financial wellness begins with awareness, not shame Practical mindfulness techniques to create more peace in each area of your life Small daily choices that help build a healthier relationship with yourself Whether you've been living on autopilot, carrying impossible expectations, or simply feeling like you're your own toughest critic, this episode is a reminder that true wellness isn't built through perfection—it's built through compassion. Because non-violence isn't only about how we treat other people. It's also about how we treat ourselves. And maybe the greatest act of self-love is choosing to stop fighting the person in the mirror. 🎙️ Balanced but Barely — where growth meets real life, and we're figuring it out together.

10. 

    17 Jun 2026

    Ep 7: Happiness Called...It Said You're Making This Way Too Complicated

    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 us live in a constant state of "I'll be happy when..." But what if happiness isn't a destination at all? Through relatable stories, humor, mindfulness practices, nervous system education, and practical tools, Carla Jean explores why so many people struggle to experience happiness—even when life is going relatively well. She breaks down the science behind why we adapt so quickly to achievements, why anxiety and overwhelm can makehappiness feel out of reach, and how our pursuit of perfection often prevents us from appreciating what's already good. This episode dives into the difference between happiness and joy, why chronic stress impacts our ability to experience positive emotions, and how presence, connection, meaning, and gratitude play a larger role in happiness than external accomplishments ever could. Listeners will learn: ✔️ Happiness is not a destination—it's a practice. ✔️ You don't have to wait for perfect circumstances toexperience moments of joy. ✔️ Anxiety and chronic stress can make happiness harder toaccess, but not impossible. ✔️ The happiest people still experience sadness, grief,disappointment, and struggle. ✔️ Presence is often more important than achievement. ✔️ Meaningful relationships are one of the strongestpredictors of long-term happiness. ✔️ Gratitude isn't pretending everything is good—it'snoticing what is good alongside what is hard. ✔️ Happiness is often found in ordinary moments we overlookwhile chasing extraordinary ones. If you've been postponing your happiness until life calms down, everything is figured out, or you finally reach your next goal, this episode offers a gentle reminder: Life may never be perfect. The inbox may never be empty. The to-do list may never be finished. And happiness doesn't require any of those things. Because sometimes happiness isn't found in the next achievement. Sometimes it's found in the coffee you're drinking, the personsitting next to you, the deep breath you're taking, or the simple realization that this imperfect life is still worth enjoying. 🎙️ Balanced but Barely — where growth meets reallife, and we're figuring it out together.

11. 

    10 Jun 2026

    Ep 6: Depression Isn't Weakness: What No One Tells You About Feeling Stuck

    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 lifelong journey with depression, describing it as an unwelcome “beast” that requires a constantly evolving toolbox of coping strategies. Through honest storytelling, mindfulness exercises, and practical guidance, she discusses self-compassion, the importance of connection, and when it may be time to seek professional support. The episode also addresses the stigma surrounding depression, especially among high-achieving adults and young mothers, and reminds listeners that surviving difficult seasons is an accomplishment in itself. Listeners will walk away with validation, practical tools, and the reassurance that depression does not define their worth or identity.

12. 

    3 Jun 2026

    Ep 5: The Audacity - Why Not You?

    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 capability—it's the fear of being seen, judged, rejected, or disappointing others. Through relatable stories, practical tools, mindfulness exercises, and nervous system education, Carla Jean unpacks why audacity can feel so uncomfortable and why it may be theexact thing that's needed for personal growth. Listeners will learn how childhood experiences, people-pleasing tendencies, perfectionism, anxiety, and the desire for approval can keep them playing small and second-guessing themselves. The episode explores the difference between confidence and courage, why self-trust matters more than certainty, and how to stop outsourcing your worth to the opinions of others. Along the way, Carla Jean challenges listeners to examine where they may be shrinking themselves, over accommodating others, or waiting for the perfect time to pursue a goal, have a difficult conversation, or make a life change. This episode also dives into: ✔️ Audacity is not arrogance—it's self-trust in action. ✔️ Confidence often comes after action, not before it. ✔️ You can be afraid and courageous at the same time. ✔️ People-pleasing may keep you safe, but it can also keep you stuck. ✔️ Disappointing others does not automatically mean you'redoing something wrong. ✔️ Boundaries are an act of self-respect, not selfishness. ✔️ The life you want may require you to stop waiting forpermission. ✔️ You don't need certainty to take the next step—you needwillingness. Whether you're navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, a major life transition, or simply trying to reconnect with your authentic self, this episode offers a reminder that your voice, your dreams, and your needs matter. Because the question isn't: "Who am I to do this?" Maybe the better question is: "Why not me?" 🎙️ Balanced but Barely — where growth meets reallife, and we're figuring it out together. Key Takeaways:

13. 

    29 May 2026

    Ep 4: Patience Is Cute Until Your Life Isn’t Moving Fast Enough

    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 connection between anxiety, control, uncertainty, and our desire to make life move faster than it's meant to. Listeners will learn the difference between healthy patience, tolerance, and accommodating, and how these often get confused—especially for people pleasers, caregivers, and high-functioning individuals who are used to carrying the weight of everyone else's needs. Carla Jean explains how patience can become self-abandonment, tolerance can become resentment, and accommodating can become losing yourself entirely when healthy boundaries are absent. The episode also explores: Why uncertainty triggers anxiety and nervous system activation How control often disguises itself as productivity The role of mindfulness in managing overwhelm The difference between waiting and trusting How to recognize when you're forcing outcomes instead of allowing growth Practical strategies for emotional regulation during difficult seasons The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique for anxiety and overwhelm This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck, behind, impatient, burnt out, or frustrated that healing, growth, relationships, finances, or life changes aren't happening as quickly as they hoped. If you've ever wondered whether you're practicing patience—or simply tolerating things that no longer serve you—this episode offers a fresh perspective, practical tools, and compassionate support. Key Takeaways: ✔️ Patience is not passive—it is active trust.✔️ Slow progress is still progress.✔️ Patience should not cost you your peace.✔️ Tolerance should not require self-sacrifice.✔️ Accommodating others should never mean abandoning yourself.✔️ Anxiety thrives on urgency; mindfulness helps you return to the present.✔️ You are not behind in your life—you are growing at your own pace. Take a deep breath, unclench your jaw, and remember: you don't have to rush your becoming. 🎙️ Balanced but Barely — where growth meets real life, and we're figuring it out together.

14. 

    20 May 2026

    Ep 3: Boundaries Are Not Mean: Protecting Your Peace Without Feeling Guilty

    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 boundaries and communication emotional safety in relationships people pleasing and self-abandonment stress management and nervous system regulation mindfulness techniques for overwhelm and burnout protecting your peace without guilt how The Four Agreements can completely change the way you communicate with yourself and others You’ll learn why boundaries feel so uncomfortable, how your nervous system responds to emotional exhaustion, and why constantly overextending yourself is not the same thing as being kind. Carla Jean also shares a very real Balanced but Barely moment about having one of those chaotic “my brain has 47 tabs open” weeks—and the mindfulness tools that helped her stop spiraling and move forward anyway. This episode is for the high-functioning but emotionally exhausted people who: answer texts in their head but never actually send them feel responsible for everyone else’s emotions struggle to rest without guilt want peace but somehow keep volunteering for chaos and are one minor inconvenience away from moving into the woods to live with squirrels No toxic positivity. No pretending to have it all together. Just honest conversations, practical tools, mindfulness, self-awareness, emotional wellness, and real-life support for anxiety, burnout, stress, boundaries, and personal growth. 🎧 Subscribe to Balanced but Barely for more conversations on mental health, emotional regulation, trauma recovery, mindfulness, self-improvement, yoga, meditation, breathwork, and figuring out life without completely losing your mind. 📲 Instagram: @_carlajean143 📺 YouTube: carlajean143 🌐 Website: www.carlajean143.com (http://www.carlajean143.com)

15. 

    14 May 2026

    Ep 2: Friendship Breakups Hurt More Than We Admit

    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 overgiving in friendships emotional burnout and one-sided relationships grief after friendship breakups healthy communication and boundaries learning the difference between being needed and being loved reconnecting with yourself after losing a friendship If you’ve ever questioned your worth after a friendship ended, felt emotionally exhausted from always being “the strong one,” or struggled to set boundaries without guilt—this episode is for you. Through honest storytelling, relatable humor, and grounded conversations, this episode offers support for anyone navigating friendship loss, emotional overwhelm, self-worth, healing from toxic relationship patterns, and learning how to create healthier connections. Because friendship should feel safe—not like emotional survival mode. 🎧 Subscribe to Balanced but Barely for more conversations on anxiety, burnout, boundaries, self-awareness, emotional wellness, nervous system regulation, relationships, and personal growth. 📲 Follow on Instagram: @_carlajean143 📺 YouTube: carlajean143 🌐 www.carlajean143.com (http://www.carlajean143.com)

16. 

    6 May 2026

    Ep 1: Your Inner Voice Needs a Rebrand: Fixing Self-Talk, Anxiety & Overwhelm

    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 understand how your words shape your identity, mindset, mental health, and relationships. We dive into how language impacts the nervous system, how to reframe negative thoughts, improve communication, reduce stress, and build emotional resilience using practical tools rooted in mindfulness, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and behavior change. You’ll learn simple techniques for healthier communication, nervous system support, mindset shifts, stress management, self-improvement, trauma recovery, and creating more balance in everyday life. This episode is for anyone navigating burnout, life transitions, healing from trauma, anxiety management, self-love, emotional exhaustion, or the constant pressure of “holding it all together.” Through honest conversations, relatable humor, and grounded support, Balanced but Barely offers real-life tools for mental wellness, emotional wellness, mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, and creating calm in the chaos. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed but unable to slow down, emotionally drained but still pushing through, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve you—this conversation is for you. Subscribe to Balanced but Barely for more conversations on stress management, mental health, self-awareness, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, trauma healing, personal development, yoga, meditation, and emotional wellness. Follow on Instagram: @_carlajean143Subscribe on YouTube: carlajean143 Learn more at: www.carlajean143.com (http://www.carlajean.com)

17. 

    17 Apr 2026

    Trailer: Balanced but Barely Podcast - You’re Not Broken

    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 about stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma healing, overwhelm, self-love, spirituality, and emotional resilience—without toxic positivity and without pretending life is always figured out. Here, we talk about what it actually means to be human: Meditating in the morning and still spiraling by afternoon Trying to heal trauma while still getting triggered Working on self-improvement while forgetting why you walked into a room Learning to regulate your nervous system… and still having hard days Because healing is not linear. And you are not broken. Through honest storytelling, relatable humor, and grounded reflection, Balanced but Barely explores what it means to build a life rooted in mental wellness, emotional balance, and personal growth, even when life feels overwhelming. This podcast is for you if you are: Struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or emotional burnout Feeling stuck, unseen, unheard, or alone in your healing journey Interested in self-improvement, mindset shifts, and behavior change Exploring spirituality, self-love, and purpose Trying to find balance between surviving and thriving Each episode blends real-life experiences with practical insights to support your growth—without pressure, perfectionism, or shame. This is your reminder that you don’t have to have it all together to start healing. You just have to show up as you are. No perfection. No pretending. Just real life, real healing, and real conversation. If you’ve ever thought: “I should be further along by now…” “I thought I healed this already…” or “Is it just me?” You belong here. If this resonates with you, subscribe to Balanced but Barely so you never miss an episode. Follow along for daily real talk, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes healing conversations: Instagram: @_carlajean143 YouTube: carlajean143 (for FREE yoga and meditation videos) Web: 👉 ⁠www.carlajean.com⁠ (http://www.carlajean.com) for more tools, resources, and support through the 143 Method You don’t have to be fully healed to be growing. You just have to start. Welcome to Balanced but Barely.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings