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 Progress
AP 722: Facing a Career Crossroads: How to Control What You Can in the Face of Uncertainty || Coaching Call with Sheila
In a recent coaching call with Sheila we explored the challenges she faces at a career crossroads. After overcoming cancer, Sheila is determined to return to…
- About Progress
Why Sleep Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Mental Health || H&K with Christine Lawler
Licensed therapist and sleep expert Christine Lawler shares the surprising connection between sleep and mental health—including postpartum depression, anxiety…
- About Progress
AP 721: Look for the Glimmers || Growth Spurt
The start of high school was a major leap for my daughter with special needs, magnified by her transition from a charter school. We both faced heightened…
- About Progress
AP 720: No Longer Last: A Back-to-School Reset for Moms || with Mia Hemstad
Ever feel like you're always last on your own to-do list? With the start of a new school year, it’s the perfect chance for us moms to shift that narrative. In…
- About Progress
How One Deep Breath Can Change Everything || H&K with Monica Packer
Struggling with reactivity or feeling out of control? In this powerful clip, Monica Packer explains the science behind deep breathing and introduces a simple…
- About Progress
AP 719: A new school year at FIVE schools, our garden party, a new morning routine, my book title (!!!) and wondering if I can really do all of this.
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 718: It’s OK to Want More || How Women Can Overcome Guilt and Embrace Their Desires
Today I'm talking about the importance of acknowledging our desire for more in life without guilt or fear. As I work with my coaching clients, I've noticed…
- About Progress
The Healing Power of Creativity: Making Art Just for You || H&K with Ashmae Hoiland
Artist and writer Ashmae Hoiland opens up about how creativity has been a powerful tool for healing, processing grief, and reclaiming personal agency. In this…
- About Progress
AP 717: Behind the Scenes of a Once-in-a-Lifetime Tour to Rome || Q&A on My Female Foodie Collab-Tour to Italy
If you haven't heard yet, I'm thrilled to announce an exclusive female foodie tour to Rome, Italy, happening in October 2026. This adventure is designed just…
- About Progress
AP 716: You Don’t Have to Do Life Alone: Finding Courage and Community in Hard Times || with Toni Collier
Today, I’m joined by my friend, author, and speaker Toni Collier, who knows firsthand what it means to rebuild a broken life. When Toni was last on the show…
- About Progress
Why You Don’t Need to “Kill” Your Inner Critic || H&K with Nancy Jane Smith
What if your anxiety wasn’t just about your thoughts—but your unfelt feelings? In this powerful clip, counselor Nancy Jane Smith breaks down why our inner…
- About Progress
AP 715: 3 Things I’m Looking Forward To, Italy Version + How Anticipation is Much of the Joy || Growth Spurt
I’m in full-on anticipation mode (in a good way!!) for the Female Foodie tour to Rome I’m hosting for the About Progress community. It has been so fun to have…
- About Progress
AP 714: I Matter Too: One Mom’s Journey to Self-Care After Divorce || Coaching Call with Amy
Can a simple act like brushing your hair be the first domino to a new life? On this coaching call, I speak with Amy, a single mom of five navigating a complete…
- About Progress
How to Resurrect Buried Dreams Without Abandoning What Matters || H&K with Janelle Alexandra
What if your old dreams still mattered—even the ones you buried under diapers, debt, or doubt? In this heart-opening conversation, life purpose coach Janelle…
- About Progress
AP 713: My Summer Was Not What I Hoped–Here’s How I’m Handling the Disappointment in Ways That Can Apply to You || Growth Spurt
I wanted a "best summer ever," but what I got was good, not great. If you’ve ever faced a similar disappointment—a goal that fell flat, a plan that didn't pan…
- About Progress
AP 712: Why You Don’t Have to Be a Perfect Parent to Raise an ADHD Child Well || with Drs. Lori and Mallory from the Childhood Collective
The fear of making mistakes can paralyze parents and prevent true connections with their kids. In this episode I explore this challenge with Drs. Lori and…
- About Progress
How to Know When to Push or Pause in Your Personal Growth || H&K with Ashton Barrett
Feeling overwhelmed by your own goals? Ashton Barrett joins me for a heart-and-soul conversation about how to recognize when you're growing—and when you're…
- About Progress
AP 711: Highlights from our summer, my 'Me Day,' getting scammed, exciting book announcement, what movies I'm watching with my kids, and how you can come to Italy with me! || Messy Middle August 2025
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 710: How I’ve Saved Major Money (THOUSANDS!) On Groceries the Last 18 Months || + How You Can, Too
I'm sharing my journey of creating a practical and strategic grocery shopping plan to save money and reduce stress. I recount my experiences and the challenges…
- About Progress
Why Embracing Your Inner Child Makes You a Better Parent || H&K with Neena Warburton
What if the parts of you that felt carefree, curious, and joyful as a child are exactly what you need more of as an adult—and as a parent? In this heartfelt…
- About Progress
AP 709: How to Prioritize What Matters Without Burning Out || with Greg McKeown
In this episode, I dive deep into a fascinating conversation with Greg McKeown, the bestselling author of "Essentialism" and "Effortless." Greg and I explore…
- About Progress
Letting Go of Perfectionism and Learning to Be Fully Known || H&K with Kendra Adachi
In this heartfelt conversation, Kendra Adachi shares how her journey away from perfectionism began—not with a dramatic overhaul, but by starting small and…
- About Progress
AP 708: Why Joy Isn’t the Same as Happiness—and How to Reclaim It EVEN During a Difficult Time || with Tanmeet Sethi
In this episode, Dr. Tanmeet Sethi and I delve deep into the often misunderstood distinctions between joy and happiness. Dr. Sethi shares her profound insights…
- About Progress
How One Yes Sparked a Fitness Movement That’s Changing Lives || H&K with Emily Nelson
When Emily Nelson got the nudge to co-create High Fitness, she had no idea it would grow into a movement that’s empowering thousands—from new moms to…
- About Progress
AP 707: How to Dramatically Cut Your Grocery Bill Without Extreme Couponing || with Rachel Coons
In today's episode, I sit down with Rachel Coons to discuss practical ways to save on your grocery bills. We'll explore how you can cut down your grocery…
- About Progress
How One Tube of Lipstick Changed Everything || H&K with Kayti Oldham
When a difficult postpartum season left Kayti Oldham feeling lost, one bold swipe of red lipstick helped her feel like herself again—and sparked a whole new…
- About Progress
AP 706: Stressed, Snappy, and Stuck? This One Practice Can Help You Feel Like You Again || How to Take a “Me Day”
Today, we're diving into the concept of 'Me Day' and why it's so vital for our mental and physical health. I’ll be breaking down what a 'Me Day' is, why it…
- About Progress
How to Thrive Through Major Life Transitions || H&K with Aubrey Baldwin
What do you do when everything familiar disappears—your support system, your sense of purpose, even your physical well-being? In this powerful story, military…
- About Progress
AP 705: How to Stop Overthinking and Start Making Confident Decisions || with Jessica Frew
In this episode, Jessica Frew and I dive deep into the topic of overthinking and decision-making, exploring how women, in particular, struggle with these…
- About Progress
You Don’t Have to Hide Your Mess to Be Loved || H&K with Cori Connors
Songwriter Cori Connors shares how leaving her garage door open — literally and metaphorically — became a powerful act of courage and community. She talks…
- About Progress
AP 704: Special: Update On My Personal Goals for 2025 || Preview from More Personal
In this episode, I provide an update on my personal goals for 2025, sharing the progress I've made and the challenges I've faced along the way. From early…
- About Progress
AP 703: The Power of Adventure: How Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone is an Act of Self-Care and Rediscovery || with Brooke Eliason from Female Foodie
In this episode I sit down with Brooke Eliason, founder of Female Foodie, to discuss the transformative power of adventure. From my own experiences exploring…
- About Progress
How Two Moms Turned Fear into Bravery Magazine || H&K with Elyse Beard & Ashley Aikele
Ashley and Elise open up about the fears, perfectionism, and self-doubt they had to overcome while building Bravery Magazine from scratch. In this inspiring…
- About Progress
AP 702: A LIVE Revisit of My Do Something List || Growth Spurt
The Do Something List is a tool I’ve used since 2016 to help me prioritize everyday fulfillment, and it has drastically changed my life. Today, I revisit and…
- About Progress
AP 701: From Fear to First Steps: How to Start a Dream Even When You're Scared || coaching call with Abbie
In this episode, I coach Abbie, a woman eager to launch her own creative business but held back by the fear of both potential failure and success. We delve…
- About Progress
How Small Steps Lead to a Big Dream || H&K with Gabrielle Blair
Overwhelmed by a big dream? Gabrielle Blair shares how breaking a massive goal — moving her family of eight to France — into tiny, manageable steps turned the…
- About Progress
AP 700: 7 Life Lessons from Producing 700 Episodes || Growth Spurt
I can hardly believe we're celebrating our 700th episode! Hitting this incredible milestone over nearly nine years of podcasting has really made me reflect on…
- About Progress
AP 699: Declutter Without Perfection: How to Ditch the Instagram Standards to Create a More Peaceful, Simple Home || with Courtney Florey
Ever feel like your home is battling Instagram's "after" photos? I certainly do! My chat with Courtney Florey of Declutter and Dwell tackled this, as she…
- About Progress
Body Image, Balance, and the Power of Self-Acceptance || H&K with Meg Miles
In this heartfelt moment, Meg Miles reflects on what true health really means—not perfection, but balance. She shares how working as a pediatric nurse shaped…
- About Progress
AP 698: An eventful end to the school year, the garden is finally planted, learning a new craft from my DSL list, looking forward to my yearly “Me Day,” and the simple things I’m loving lately || Messy Middle June 2025
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 697: Family Burnout Recovery Plan || How our shift from survival to FUN changed our family culture and relationships
Are you tired of the never-ending cycle of stress and burnout in your family life? In this episode, I share our family's journey from being overwhelmed and…
- About Progress
AP 696: BONUS! Thrifty Tips: Ways We Like to Save Money || Preview from More Personal
This is a bonus episode from my premium podcast, More Personal, where we lean into the personal side of personal development. In today's episode, we dive into…
About ProgressAP 695: Fad or Fact: The Truth Behind Protein and Fiber, Essential Nutrients for Women’s Health || with Jenn Trepeck
In this episode, I sit down with health coach and podcaster Jenn Trepeck to dive deep into the world of nutrition, focusing on the importance of protein and…
- About Progress
AP 694: From Lice to Layoffs: How to Navigate the Unexpected Using the Curve Method || Wise Women Series with Anna Dearmon Kornick
In this episode we dive into how to handle life’s unexpected curveballs with the amazing time management coach, Anna Dearmon Kornick. We all know that life is…
- About Progress
AP 693: How to Get Unstuck in Restarting Your Career After Years of Staying Home with Kids || coaching call with Kate
Are you struggling with the idea of returning to work after years of being a stay-at-home parent? In this episode, I discuss the daunting process of going back…
- About Progress
AP 692: What My Filthy Car Taught Me About How To Teach "Old Dog" New Habits || Growth Spurt
Car cleanliness was never a priority for me, especially after having kids, and I always blamed the obstacles I faced: the lack of convenient car wash…
- About Progress
AP 691: Facing Faith Uncertainty: A Guide to Bold Questioning || with Erin H. Moon
Someone asked if I felt less certain but more at peace with my faith, and it got me thinking. Maybe "peace" isn't quite right; perhaps it's more about patience…
- About Progress
AP 690: 3 BIG Recent Mistakes I Made and How They Revealed My Progress with Shame || Growth Spurt
Today I'm sharing some recent big mistakes I've made, and one of them I've made more than once. While frustrating and costly, these blunders highlighted my…
- About Progress
AP 689: 3 Keys To Make This Summer the Best One EVER || how to turn your summer dreams into reality with practical pointers
When you think about how quickly summer is coming, are you filled with excitement, dread, or a little bit of both? In this episode I share how I turned the…
- About Progress
AP 688: Why spring is both our busiest and my favorite season, the trips and tasks I'm checking off my DSL, writing my book proposal, the book and podcast I'm loving right now, and the big decision on my mind || Messy Middle May 2025
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 687: The 5 Pillars to Respectfully Disagree Your Way to Stronger Connections || with Justin Jones-Fosu
Ever feel like we're all walking around with unspoken truths weighing us down, especially in our closest relationships? In this episode with Justin Jones-Fosu…
- About Progress
AP 686: Redefining Motherhood: Breaking Free from Outdated Expectations || Wise Women Series with Dr. Gertrude Lyons
In this episode from the Wise Women Series, I interview Dr. Gertrude Lyons, an educator and podcast host focused on challenging traditional beliefs about…
- About Progress
AP 685: Mastering Transitions: Finding Personal Fulfillment Amidst Overwhelm || coaching call with Ashley
I'm sharing an enlightening coaching session with Ashley, who reached out to tackle the difficult morning transition time between resting and responding to her…
- About Progress
AP 684: Have you ever considered going on a non-working “work weekend?” || Growth Spurt
My friend Rachel Nielsen and I recently decided to dedicate a weekend solely to checking off those lingering to-dos that pile up in our everyday lives. It…
- About Progress
AP 683: What to Do When Things Need to Change In Your Marriage || with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife
Have you ever felt like your personal growth is at odds with your role within your relationship? In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife…
- About Progress
AP 682: Why You NEED to Dream || Growth Spurt
Do you believe in the importance of dreaming? Some of my core childhood memories are of using my imagination while playing in cottonwood trees, and I now…
- About Progress
AP 681: Three Methods to Wake Up Earlier || from a former night-owl turned early bird
Are you a night owl struggling to embrace the early mornings? I'm raising my hand right now, because that is me! In this episode, I get into my journey of…
- About Progress
AP 680: Tackling spring cleaning, the live entertainment I saw last month, the change in my toddler’s schedule that’s forcing me to reevaluate work and habits, working with a writing coach and exploring publishing options || Messy Middle April 2025
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 679: Deep Dive: GLP-1s || A Special Bonus Episode from More Personal
This is a bonus episode from my premium podcast, More Personal, where we lean into the personal side of personal development. In today's episode, I'm taking…
- About Progress
AP 678: Why You Don’t Need to Diet This Spring || Wise Women Series with Dr. Supatra Tovar
In this episode from the Wise Women Series, I interview Dr. Supatra Tovar, a licensed clinical psychologist, registered dietician, and fitness expert…