Shows / About Progress
About Progress
All the self-help extremes out there seem designed for perfect robots. But what if progress doesn’t require perfection? Welcome to your gentle self-development hub: About Progress, a podcast and community devoted to progress made practical. Join host and coach, Monica Packer, and her special guests to get the hug AND kick in the pants you need to do something and grow in ways that stick.
Episodes
About ProgressAP 799: Better Sleep for Moms: A Sleep MD on Sleep Anxiety, Bedtime Routines, and Healing Your Sleep Relationship || with Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell
I recently chatted with Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell about why moms should prioritize their own sleep alongside caring for their children. She shared how our…
About ProgressAP 798: How to Rediscover Your Style as a Mom: Dressing for Yourself Amidist Identity and Body Shifts || with Julie Allen
Recently, style expert Julie Allen from the More for Moms conference and I explored how style is not just about what we wear but a pathway to reconnecting with…
- About Progress
You've Been Thinking About Self-Care All Wrong || H&K with Taylor Morrison
What if self-care had nothing to do with spa days, spending money, or carving out an hour for yourself? Taylor Elise Morrison breaks down the myths we've all…
About ProgressAP 797: Feeling Overstimulated as a Mom? Hidden Signs to Watch For (and What to Do About It) || with Alex Viera
As a mom, my vision involved perfect moments with my kids, unaware of the strain overstimulation could bring. It's not just juggling cleaning or cooking but…
- About Progress
The Real Reason You Can't Stop Chasing Your To-Do List || H&K with Steven Lawson
If you've ever felt like no matter how much you get done, it's never enough — this one's for you. Stephen Lawson breaks down what's really going on beneath the…
- About Progress
AP 796: Remember When: 2021 || The Podcast Pivot That (Eventually) Changed Everything
2021 was a whirlwind, packed with both personal and global challenges that shook me to my core. From heartbreaking family losses to the brink of quitting my…
About ProgressAP 795: How to Stop Emotional Eating and Finally Find Food Freedom || with Sabrina Magnan
I recently had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of emotional eating and food freedom with Sabrina Magnan. As someone who battled eating disorders…
- About Progress
Systemizing Household Cleaning with When-Then Habits || H&K with Monica Packer
If your cleaning routine keeps falling apart, it might not be a motivation problem — it might be a systems problem. Monica Packer shares her simple "when-then"…
- About Progress
AP 794: How to Refresh Your Do Something List Mid-Year (Live Walkthrough) || Growth Spurt
I wanted to share with you that I've revamped my Do Something List for 2026, and it's all about flexibility and self-reclamation. Remember, this list isn't…
About ProgressAP 793: What Most Pregnancy Advice Misses: You’re Growing a Mother, Too || with Nina Spears
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was consumed with preparing for the needs of the little one, spending hours reading books and researching products…
- About Progress
You're Worth the Inconvenience || H&K with Kayley Steiner
Finding yourself after years of putting everyone else first isn't a straight path and Kayley knows that better than most. In this clip, she gets real about…
- About Progress
AP 792: Being a Habit Person Doesn’t Mean You Have Days FULL of Habits || Growth Spurt
Exciting news - my debut book, Sticky Habits, is hitting the shelves on September 8th! We often think only a certain "habit person" can master habits, but I'm…
About ProgressAP 791: The Science of Limiting Beliefs and How to Break Free From the Thoughts That are Holding You Back || with Nir Eyal
In my recent conversation with Nir Eyal, a best-selling author and behavioral expert, we delved into the nature of beliefs, underscoring how they are neither…
- About Progress
Habits Without Shame: Celebrating Progress || H&K with Sandra Chuma
If you've ever fallen off a habit and spent more energy beating yourself up than getting back on track, this one's for you. Sandra Chuma breaks down why shame…
- About Progress
AP 790: Getting through "Maycember" chaos, 40th birthday goals, wrapping up book edits and endorsements, quilting plans, and a party announcement || Messy Middle June 2026
This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and…
About ProgressAP 789: What I Actually Feed My Family || Simple Repeat Meals + Meal-Planning That Cuts Down on the Mental Load
Feeding our families is a never-ending task, one that can weigh heavily on both our minds and wallets. I used to feel overwhelmed by the constant need to plan…
- About Progress
Why You Need to Say No to Good Things | H&K with Becky Higgins
What happens when your body finally says enough — even when you love your work, even when everything looks fine from the outside? Becky Higgins shares the…
- About Progress
AP 788: Remember When: 2020 || Lockdowns, Life Changes, and Lessons From Behind the Mic
As I reflect on 2020 in celebration of About Progress turning 10, I'm reminded of how the global pandemic altered life as we knew it, personally affecting our…
About ProgressAP 787: Want to Spend Less? How To Rethink Frugality and Change Your Habits Around Money || with Shang Saavedra
Shang Saavedra is a personal finance expert who helped me rethink frugality in a liberating way. Our conversation explored the emotional roots of our money…
- About Progress
How Your Strengths Can Guide Your Path | H&K with Tallia Deljou
Do you ever feel like you're good at something but it still doesn't feel like a strength? You're not alone — and there's actually a reason for that. In this…
About ProgressAP 786: What We Get Wrong Around Goal-Making + How to Pursue Bold Goals Without Burning Out || Wise Women Series, with Dr. Danielle McGeough
As someone who has historically had a complicated relationship with goals, I found Dr. Danielle McGeough's perspective refreshing and enlightening. One…
- About Progress
AP 785: How To Dress Yourself and Rediscover Your Style as Your Body Changes || with Angela Foster
Feeling like you have nothing to wear often stems from a disconnect with your evolving body and lifestyle. My chat with Angela Foster illuminated how personal…
- About Progress
How to Stop Waiting to Be Happy & Choose Joy Through Hard Seasons | H&K with Sean & Nicole Johnson
What do you do when life isn't where you hoped it would be — and you're just stuck in the waiting? Sean and Nicole Johnson get refreshingly real about how they…
- About Progress
AP 784: You’ll Never See Yourself the Way Others See You || Growth Spurt
I've been thinking a lot about a lesson from the book "Disillusioned" by Nicholas Binge: we can never see ourselves as our loved ones do. This isn't just about…
About ProgressAP 783: The Importance of Cultivating the Smallest of Joys, Even Amidst the Toughest of Times || with Diane Shiffer, Your Chubby Vintage Nana
As I sat down with Diane Shiffer, I was awestruck by her radiant perspective on joy, especially in a world that often feels engulfed in darkness. Diane, known…
- About Progress
How One Mom Fought Postpartum Depression by Doing Something Just for Her || H&K with Heather Jensen
After her third baby, Heather Jensen hit a wall. Postpartum depression had taken the happy, positive person she knew herself to be — and she needed to find her…
- About Progress
AP 782: Staging Fiddler on the Roof, crisis-turned-cleaning spree, reclaiming routines, a workshop for summer adventures, and savoring a Nashville escape || Messy Middle May 2026
This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and…
- About Progress
AP 781: How to Make This Summer Feel Different || The Simple 3-Step Formula for a Better Summer
As I geared up for summer, a unique approach sparked magic in our household. Instead of jumping straight into plans, I started by envisioning how I wanted the…
- About Progress
Why Busy Moms Deserve Hobbies (And How to Actually Find One) || H&K with Sarah Hart-Unger
If you've ever talked yourself out of a hobby because you don't have enough time, it's not productive enough, or it just doesn't "count" — this one's for you…
- About Progress
AP 780: The Perilous Financial Position of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom || More Personal Preview
You know that middle-of-the-night thought spiral, the one where you're suddenly calculating how your family would survive if your spouse didn't come home? In…
About ProgressAP 779: Why Self-Discipline Isn’t Working for You (and What to Do Instead) || with Yashi Srivastava
I've always believed that more self-discipline could solve all my problems, from achieving my goals to becoming a better version of myself. But in my…
- About Progress
How to Stop Numbing & Actually Meet Your Needs || H&K with Monica Packer
If you've ever picked up your phone when what you really needed was rest, connection, or just a moment to breathe — this clip is for you. Monica Packer shares…
About ProgressAP 778: Why Moms Need Creative Hobbies (and How to Actually Make Time for Them) || Wise Women Series with Sarah Welch
As I continue to explore the intersection of creativity and life’s daily demands, I can't help but reflect on a lesson that keeps coming back to me: creativity…
About ProgressAP 777: How to Find Yourself After the Kids Grow Up (Identity After Motherhood) || Coaching Call with Shelly
In a recent coaching session, Shelly shared her journey of grappling with shifting roles and the pressing question, "Who am I now?" This resonates with many…
- About Progress
Why You're Not Happy Even When You Have Everything You Wanted | H&K with Vanessa Quigley
If you've ever felt like something was missing even when life looked perfect from the outside, this clip is for you. Vanessa Quigley opens up about the season…
- About Progress
AP 776: Remember When: 2019
In 2019, I found myself balancing the demands of being a mom to four kids while taking my podcast and business more seriously. I hired help to manage my time…
About ProgressAP 775: How to Handle Your Emotions So Your Kids Don’t Have To || with Eli Harwood, the Attachment Nerd
I had the opportunity to chat with therapist and author Eli Harwood about the messy, beautiful journey of parenting. Eli emphasizes the importance of focusing…
- About Progress
Ditch the To-Do List for Real Personal Growth || H&K with Tanya Dalton
If you've ever ended a full, busy day feeling strangely unfulfilled, this episode is for you. Tanya Dalton joins us to talk about the mindset shifts and daily…
- About Progress
AP 774: Having the Courage to be Misunderstood || Growth Spurt
Recently, I tackled my "Read the Shelf Challenge" and picked up a fantasy novel that had been collecting dust. Imagine my surprise when I found it just okay…
About ProgressAP 773: You Need a Hobby || How to Reconnect With Yourself When Life Feels Like Too Much
Life can sometimes feel like a relentless to-do list, and it's easy to lose ourselves amidst the responsibilities. I've discovered firsthand the transformative…
- About Progress
The Real Reason You Can't Stay Consistent with Exercise | H&K with Christy Joy
What if the key to personal growth and development isn't doing more — it's learning to show up for yourself in small, meaningful ways? In this clip, Christy…
- About Progress
AP 772: Handling household chaos, juggling book edits, the thrill of surprise outings, the simple joys of theater and hobbies || Messy Middle April 2026
This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and…
About ProgressAP 771: Ditch the Dinner Dreads: A Simpler Way to Feed Your Family || with Shannon Lyon
If you've ever stood in your kitchen at 5:00 PM wondering if everyone really needs to eat again, you're not alone. The constant planning and responsibility can…
- About Progress
How to Actually Feel Happier on Weekends (Without Overhauling Your Life) || H&K with Janssen Bradshaw
If personal growth and development is important to you but you're constantly running on empty, this conversation is for you. Janssen Bradshaw joins us to talk…
- About Progress
AP 770: Remember When: 2018 || Babies, Breakthrough, and BIG Behind the Mic Moments
2018 was a pivotal year for my podcast, marking its second full year and a transformative period for me personally. From the rollercoaster of welcoming my…
About ProgressAP 769: How Screens Are Changing Childhood (+ What We Can Do About It) || with Catherine Price of The Amazing Generation
As parents, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the technological temptations that our children face daily. I recently spoke with Catherine Price about her latest…
- About Progress
Start Small: Creating Do-able Routines || H&K with Ashley Brown
Trying to build better daily habits but life (and kids) keep interrupting? In this conversation with Ashley Brown, we talk about why starting small is the key…
- About Progress
AP 768: How To Make Time for Your DSL (or Anything Outside Your Responsibilities) || Growth Spurt
I've often heard from Progressors who question how to prioritize personal time amidst a bustling life. Practically speaking, the steps to prioritize yourself…
About ProgressAP 767: Stuck in Planning Mode? How to Move Forward Without Guarantees || Coaching Call with Madeline
If there's one thing I learned from my coaching call with Madeline, it's that taking action without having all the answers right away is a challenge that many…
- About Progress
Why Perfectionism Keeps You Procrastinating || H&K with Monica Packer & Rachel Nielson
Why do we procrastinate even when we care about the outcome? In this episode of H&K with Monica Packer and Rachel Nielsen, we explore how perfectionism and…
- About Progress
AP 766: From Defensive to Open: Learning to Receive Feedback That Helps You (and Your Relationships) Grow || Growth Spurt
Writing my book has been one of the most personal and challenging experiences of my life. When editing, the scariest part was opening myself up to feedback…
About ProgressAP 765: The Practice of Attention: How to Stop Scrolling in a Distracted World || with Cody Cook-Parrott
In today's fast-paced world, finding focus can often feel like an impossible feat. Cody Cook-Parrott shared that when our attention is scattered due to…
- About Progress
Choosing Joy in Hard Seasons || H&K with Mandi Winkleman
What if learning how to be happier isn’t about fixing your circumstances, but shifting your perspective? In this honest conversation, Mandi Winkleman shares…
- About Progress
AP 764: Navigating endless toddler colds, vein procedure fears, unforgettable family trips, Brandi Carlile admiration, and book launch jitters || Messy Middle March 2026
This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and…
About ProgressAP 763: Fixing the Labor Imbalance at Home || How to Shift from Martyr to Change-Maker
In my experience, women often carry the mental and emotional weight at home, which goes unnoticed. This burden leads to feelings of being undervalued, even…
About ProgressMy Hobby Year: How Sketching Wildflowers is Teaching Me How to be Bad at Things || More Personal Preview
This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just $5 a…
- About Progress
How to Be Happier by Decluttering the “Shoulds” || H&K with Rachel Nielson
What if learning how to feel happy starts with letting go of perfectionism? In this conversation, we talk about personal growth and development for moms who…
About ProgressAP 762: Remember When: A Ten Year Reflection|| 2017, Taking the Podcast (and Myself) More Seriously
Looking back on 2017, it's hard not to feel nostalgic about the immense growth and learning that happened during About Progress's first full year as a podcast…
About ProgressAP 761: Letting People In: Easy Hosting Ideas for Busy, Overwhelmed Women || with Brittney Hanks
Lately, I've been pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone and build connections through hosting. As an introvert, it’s been easier for me to stay in my…
About ProgressWorking on Things: My 10 Goals for 2026 || from More Personal
(This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just $5 a…