Carrie - The People Who Drain Us (Even When We Love Them)

Carrie - The People Who Drain Us (Even When We Love Them)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530787/fan_mail/new] Have you ever left a conversation feeling unexpectedly exhausted — even with people you love? In this episode of Project You 2.2, Carrie Helmer dives into the subtle ways relationships can drain our energy and how to navigate them without guilt. Drawing on her experiences as a teacher, parent, and coach, Carrie explores the art of reading the room, setting boundaries, and creating equitable space for yourself and others. Through personal stories — from family dinners to classroom dynamics — she illustrates how small shifts in awareness and interaction can transform our relationships. You’ll learn practical strategies for noticing when you’re overextending, protecting your energy, and cultivating conversations that leave everyone feeling heard and connected. This episode is for anyone who wants to show up fully in their relationships, care deeply, and still preserve their energy.

Carrie - The Last Time You Didn’t Know Was the Last

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530787/fan_mail/new] In this deeply moving episode of Project You 2.2, Carrie reflects on a viral moment that stirred her heart — a mother holding her adult children and realizing she remembers the first time she held them, but not the last. Speaking as both a living mother of three grown sons and a daughter still blessed to have her parents, Carrie explores the quiet truth that we celebrate firsts but often miss the lasts. Through tender storytelling and reflection, she invites listeners to pause, feel, and become more present in the ordinary moments that shape a life. This episode is a love letter to family, time, and the sacred space of “now.” It’s a reminder that nothing lasts forever — and that is what makes every moment holy. Carrie closes with a heartfelt call to action for listeners of all ages: to reach back to the parents and grandparents who are still here, to say the words we often save for someday, and to love more intentionally while we can. If you’ve ever felt time moving too fast, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Carrie - I Want To vs. I Have To: Living From Opportunity Instead of Obligation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530787/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Project You 2.2, Carrie explores the two attitudes that shape every experience: the “I want to” energy versus the “I have to” mindset. Drawing on stories from her teaching days, her personal health and fitness journey, and her daily life as a mother and daughter, she illustrates how choice and perspective transform even the hardest tasks into opportunities for growth, joy, and connection. From showing up to Pilates because of the women who inspire her, to walking on the treadmill while enjoying a guilty pleasure, to teaching students who might not love math but are willing to grow, Carrie shows how energy, mindset, and purpose affect both your experience and the people around you. Featuring the powerful saying from one of her best friends, “Everything in life is either an opportunity or an obligation,” this episode invites listeners to notice their own energy, reframe their mindset, and lean into I want to instead of I have to. By the end, listeners are challenged to take one action today with intention and choice, transforming ordinary moments into meaningful ones and creating a ripple of positivity in their lives.

Carrie - The Teachers Who Change Lives (And What They Know That Everyone Else Should)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530787/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Project You 2.2, Carrie Helmer — a former math teacher of 31 years, mom of three, and life coach — explores the hidden skills of teachers who don’t just deliver content, but change lives. Drawing from decades in the classroom, parenting, and coaching, Carrie reveals how emotional intelligence, presence, and reading the room can transform every area of life. You’ll learn how to: * Recognize and respond to energy in any space, from classrooms to boardrooms to family dinners * Foster growth and confidence in yourself and others by asking the right questions and listening deeply * Apply the habits of master teachers to parenting, leadership, friendship, and self-development * Walk with people in a way that creates trust, safety, and opportunity for transformation This episode is for anyone who feels shifted in life — someone who has spent years caring for others and now is asking, “Who am I now?” Carrie shows that the same skills that create life-changing classrooms can help you build connection, confidence, and identity wherever you are, and invites you to take small, actionable steps toward growth while offering guidance, reflection, and coaching support. Whether you’re a parent, a leader, a friend, or simply someone ready to level up, this episode offers practical tools, vivid stories, and the courage to notice, adjust, and choose differently — one moment at a time.

Carrie - Domain & Range: Who Has Access to Your Life

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530787/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Project You 2.2, Carrie Helmer explores how the math concept of domain and range mirrors our real-life boundaries and relationships. Using stories from her 31-year teaching career, personal experiences, and playful references to Dora, Boots, and Swiper, she shows how the people we allow in — and how much access they get — directly influences our energy, peace, and joy. Listeners are guided to reflect on who consistently drains or lifts them, and to create a “life graph” to visualize the impact of their domain on their range. With coaching examples, personal reflections, and actionable insights, this episode helps anyone feeling exhausted, overextended, or in transition recognize patterns, set boundaries, and protect the treasures of their life.