In this episode of Where Did I Put My Glasses?, I talk honestly about grieving the life I thought I would have, and learning to honor the one I actually built.

I reflect on the dreams I had as a child, the detours life required, the weight of responsibility, loss, and relationships that didn’t work out. I also share the parts of my story that often get left out: the freedom, the travel, the growth, the degrees, and the life I was able to create because I didn’t have to hold myself back.

This is a conversation about holding grief and gratitude at the same time, redefining timelines, and choosing intentional love instead of forced companionship. If you’ve ever looked at your life and felt both proud and tender at once, this episode is for you.

After months away from the mic, Carmen is back with an honest and reflective return episode. In this conversation, she shares why she stepped away from podcasting, how comparison and pressure to “do what’s trending” led her to lose confidence, and why choosing alignment over performance brought her back to what she loves most.

This episode walks through a life-changing season that includes eight months of unemployment, a one-way trip to Spain, a deep healing and faith journey, interviews with two universities, and ultimately stepping into a new role as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona. Carmen also reflects on creativity as a form of self-care, from journaling and blogging to outfit-of-the-day moments that helped her reconnect with herself.

If you have ever felt disconnected from your voice, unsure of your next step, or pressured to show up in ways that do not feel true to you, this episode is a reminder that clarity often comes when we stop forcing the timeline and start trusting ourselves again.

You know that moment when your brain just… stops?
You’ve got the time, the to-do list, maybe even the motivation — and yet, nothing gets done. That’s functional freeze.
In this episode, we talk about what it is, why it shows up, and how to move through it with more compassion and less self-judgment. I’m sharing personal stories, helpful tips, and real talk for anyone who’s ever felt mentally stuck.