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 563: Cast a Vision || Growth Spurt
Last year I felt like I had abandoned my goals and day planning by February. As I reviewed them again recently, surprisingly a lot of what I had envisioned…
- About Progress
AP 562: “How can I consistently exercise as a busy mom with limited time and resources?” || Coaching Call with Alycia
The most common New Year’s habit people want to work on is exercise, and for so many good reasons. Yes, there can definitely be some external 'shoulds' on that…
- About Progress
AP 561: CASUAL CONVOS: "Influencers" || preview of More Personal
Each month on More Personal I'll be having what I call a casual convo with my podcast manager, Taylor, on different hot topics. This is a preview of our new…
- About Progress
AP 560: A creative + practical tool to make a good GOAL || Growth Spurt
Sometimes a creative acronym is the most helpful way to embrace a new, or hard-to-love, concept. Today that concept of G.O.A.L.S. is being taught by Misty…
- About Progress
AP 559: Goal Planning with Soul: how to make goals that match your soul and not your “shoulds” || with Kate House
What do you honestly think about goal-setting? For years I was averse to the idea, driven by the fear of failure if I couldn't accomplish them all perfectly…
- About Progress
AP 558: BOOK REPORT: Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese || preview of More Personal
This is a preview of our new private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. In the future episodes like these will only be available for the two highest…
- About Progress
AP 557: INTRODUCING: MORE PERSONAL || The state of the podcast, its future, and how I can’t do it alone
This is a more personal episode that addresses the current state of the podcast as I reflect on the highs and lows of 7+ years. I'm sharing some fun facts…
- About Progress
AP 556: It’s OK to Want More || Why it matters that you know what you want + how to overcome your fears of wanting more
After an intense realization of my own personal desire for more, I'm ready to talk to you about your own desire for more. I discuss what “more” might look like…
- About Progress
AP 555: MESSY YEAR 2023 REVIEW: Adjusting to my fifth newborn, garden boxes, the ups and downs of the podcast, the habit baselines that saved me, how my DSL surprised me, the books and entertainment I loved most, and goals for my family in the new year
This is a yearly spin on my usual monthly series where I share my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm…
- About Progress
AP 554: How to Eat with More Confidence During the Holidays || with Megan Andersen
This episode is all about reclaiming joy and confidence in our relationship with food during the holiday season. In this conversation with Megan Andersen, a…
- About Progress
AP 553: Mental Coping Skills for OVERWHELM || a 2-part conversation with Stacy Toth from the Whole View
Today's episode dives deep into a word that has defined much of my 2023: overwhelm. As I reflect on how I navigated the chaos, sharing the highs and lows of my…
- About Progress
AP 552: Skiing with my kids this winter, the holiday traditions we're enjoying, the songs I'm learning on the piano, getting back into day planning, and the Trader Joe's treat that I look forward to all year || Messy Middle December 2023
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 551: Are you on the list? | Practical Ways Prioritize Yourself + Why it Matters
Amidst the lengthy lists we make this time of year, including gifts to buy and service to render, are you on the list? While it's extra relevant throughout…
- About Progress
AP 550: "Our Favorite Doable Tricks that Make an Impact" || Dear Progressor
In this edition of "Dear Progressor," you'll hear from members of this community who called in and answered my prompt to share doable tricks that they shared…
- About Progress
AP 549: Ways to Simplify AND Have More Fun this Holiday Season || with Brooke Romney
Does the overwhelm of the holidays ever force you to choose between going all in, or doing nothing at all? Maybe you're somewhere in the middle, but…
- About Progress
AP 548: How Do You Become an Ultra Runner, Even as a Normal Person || with Sid Garza-Hillman
Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These…
- About Progress
AP 547: Coping with Criticism that Feels Personal || special interview with Monica by Julie Rose of Top of Mind
I was interviewed by Julie Rose for her "Stick With It" series where I open up about my personal journey of facing uncomfortable situations, particularly one…
- About Progress
AP 546: 7 Things You Don't Know About Me for the 7 Year Anniversary of the Podcast
In this special episode to commemorate seven years of the podcast (!!!) I'm sitting down and sharing seven things you might not know about me from listener…
- About Progress
AP 545: You Don’t Need to be Fearless: How to change your relationship with fear || with Farnoosh Torabi
Unfortunately, fear cannot be avoided. But for so many of us, it can become an all consuming emotion, especially in certain circumstances. Farnoosh Torabi, a…
- About Progress
AP 544: Sometimes, it's just a bad day || Growth Spurt
After sharing about a recent disappointment, I received a flood of messages that led me to realize there is this common misconception that we're alone in our…
- About Progress
AP 543: How Distraction Works + How to Get Better at Doing What You Say You’re Going to Do || with Nir Eyal
Nir Eyal, author and behavioral designer, has spent years researching habit formation - specifically teaching tech and product companies how to get users…
- About Progress
AP 542: Taking more fall family adventures, garden update and learning to can vegetables, some business-related lows, adding piano playing back to my list, and a kitchen tool that I'm loving || Messy Middle November 2023
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 541: REGULATION 101: What Your Nervous System Has To Do With Your Emotions (AKA: Information that Literally Changed my Life)
Even if you never had the exact word to describe it, I am sure you have found yourself overwhelmed, overstimulated, or overreactive, and ultimately you were…
- About Progress
AP 540: BONUS: How PROTEIN and AMINO ACIDS are essential to helping you feel great in your body as you age || with Angelo Keely of Kion
Are you aging? If so, what’s changed for you about your energy, your mobility, your strength, and even your soreness scale? Many of us are starting the aging…
- About Progress
AP 539: 3 Simple Ways to Take the Dread Out of Dinner || with Brittney Hanks
Have you ever been filled with dread as five o'clock approaches, the house is chaotic, everyone is hungry, including you, and you're unsure of what to make for…
- About Progress
AP 538: Would we reallllly wish for an easy life? || Growth Spurt
Recently my young kids were asking something we've probably all joked about, and it was along the lines of "What would you wish for if a genie could grant you…
- About Progress
AP 537: “Help! I’m in a rut, overstimulated, and overwhelmed” || Coaching Call with Tash
Have you ever felt like, “I’m in a rut . . .” only to realize that rut is more because you’re actually feeling overstimulated and dysregulated? In today's…
- About Progress
AP 536: Thoughts on "The Giving Tree" || Growth Spurt
Shel Silverstein's poems have long been some of my very favorite, and today I want to expound on my thoughts surrounding the popular one titled, "The Giving…
- About Progress
AP 535: What to do When You Have Given so Much Away, You Have Nothing Left to Give || with Nicole Walters
Nicole Walters, author, podcaster, daughter of immigrants, and self-made millionaire, opens up about her life, which includes adopting three girls, starting…
- About Progress
AP 534: Our final garden harvest, technology lows, playing piano again, my early morning habit, the podcast I'm loving, and the perspective I gained from my camera roll || Messy Middle October 2023
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 533: Perfectionism in Parenting Teens: How to Help your Perfectionist Kids, Better Handle your Own Mistakes, and What to do When your Kids Notice That you’re Human || co-interview with Heather Frazier
This week I have a co-interview between me and Heather Frazier, host of the Pivot Parenting podcast. First, I share how I've seen perfectionism affect my…
- About Progress
AP 532: How Do You Get Back Into Reading? || with Annette
Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These…
- About Progress
AP 531: 3 Common Financial Mistakes Women Make (+ How to Fix them) || with Lisa Schader
I recently watched a reel on the "motherhood penalty" that sent me down an internet wormhole. Finances already make me a little bit anxious, but coupled with…
- About Progress
AP 530: Play to Your Strengths || Growth Spurt
In this episode, we explore the transformative power of recognizing and harnessing our individual strengths. Often, we become fixated on areas we wish to…
- About Progress
AP 529: "How can I speak up more, even when I’m scared?” || coaching call with Candace Little
Candace is a mom of four, who opens up about the overarching theme behind most of her challenges: speaking up and the fears that often hold her back from doing…
- About Progress
AP 528: Your Identity Must Stand OUTSIDE of Your Roles and Responsibilities || Growth Spurt
Are you defined solely by your roles and responsibilities? In this eye-opening episode, we explore the profound impact of nurturing an identity beyond societal…
- About Progress
AP 527: Owning Your Own Path AND Going at Your Own Pace || with Crystalee Beck
Today's episode is a deep dive into the topic of comparison and the struggles women face when measuring their progress against others. Crystalee Beck, of the…
- About Progress
AP 526: Family trip to California, back to school, a new podcast format, afternoon routine struggles, and the podcast, show, & book I’m loving || Messy Middle September 2023
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 525: How to Make Cleaning Easier: My Practical System for Better Managing your Home, No Perfection Required
I have had my fair share of personal struggles with feeling inadequate in the face of unrealistic cleaning standards and the never-ending list of household…
- About Progress
AP 524: BONUS EPISODE: Everything You Need to Gather with Friends to Swap Transformational Tricks and Tasty Treats
After seven years of podcasting, I want to feel like I'm celebrating right alongside you. And I don't want it to be about me, I want it to be about YOU! I…
- About Progress
AP 523: Take Back Your Weekends! How to Intentionally Make Time for What YOU Love, Need, and Want to Feel || with Janssen Bradshaw
It may seem obvious that weekends are for unwinding, even having fun. But when was the last time you intentionally escaped the grind of your week, and leaned…
- About Progress
AP 522: How Do You Document Your Life || with Karli Cleaver
Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These…
- About Progress
AP 521: How can I remain calm with my kids and their chaos? || Coaching Call with Liz
Listen to a live coaching call that delves deep into the challenges and triumphs of modern motherhood as Monica and Liz explore the emotional rollercoaster…
- About Progress
AP 520: Consider a POWER HOUR || Growth Spurt
Do you find yourself procrastinating mundane-but-necessary tasks? Or feeling overwhelmed by urgent to-do's? And what about that project you really want to do…
- About Progress
AP 519: JOY is Something You Deserve to Claim: How to Experience Deep Joy, No Matter Your Painful Circumstances || with Dr. Tanmeet Sethi
Happiness and joy are NOT the same. Dr. Tanmeet Sethi wants you to not only understand the differences, but to live them out by claiming JOY for yourself, no…
- About Progress
AP 518: Progress Principle: FULFILLMENT || Growth Spurt
What does it mean when you feel fulfilled? What if it was possible to feel that way most days, even when things aren't always going exactly to plan? Today's…
- About Progress
AP 517: What is a “ME DAY,” How to Plan One + Why You Need Time to Yourself No Matter Your Season
Ten years ago I was in the thick of young motherhood, my husband was working constantly, and I just wanted to go for an uninterrupted run. When my carefully…
- About Progress
AP 516: Local summer adventures, garden update, embroidery project, my early morning habit, the 3 purchases I'm loving the most || Messy Middle August 2023
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 515: Peaceful Productivity: the Antidote to Hustle Culture + How You Can Get the Right Stuff Done at the Right Time || with Jess Massey
Do you ever get that feeling when your head hits your pillow, that you've been running around all day but still didn't do enough? That is hustle culture. It's…
- About Progress
AP 514: How Do You Plan a Conference || with Cheryl Cardall
Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These…
- About Progress
AP 513: How can I consistently exercise with my very unpredictable schedule? || Coaching Call with Laura
Almost every time that I ask what habits the women in this community want help with, I get many of the same responses about developing a consistent exercise…
- About Progress
AP 512: How to Shift Your Nighttime Routine with One Major Tweak || Growth Spurt
A recent poll of the community showed that most of you want a better morning routine, so why am I starting with nighttime? Because successful mornings start…
- About Progress
AP 511: How to Become Who You ARE, Not Who You’re “SUPPOSED” to Be || with Arielle Estoria
Arielle Estoria is a guest on the podcast again, sharing some of her latest works from her book Unfolding, as well as personal insight into the journey that…
- About Progress
AP 510: Progress Principle: DO SOMETHING || Growth Spurt
You've heard me talk often about being an all-or-nothing person, because I've been on both extremes of the spectrum. What I didn't realize at the time, was…
- About Progress
AP 509: What to Do When You Can’t Do What You Used to
When a recent cycling class (a home set up I used to always use and love!) felt exceptionally difficult I was reminded of how we can unnecessarily judge…
- About Progress
AP 508: Backyard update + garden boxes, my annual "me day," new habit for the kids, the clothes I'm loving lately, considering a podcast change || Messy Middle July 2023
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 507: How to Rebuild a Sense of Self After a Toxic Relationship || with Dr. Heidi Brocke
The word 'toxic' is used a lot in current zeitgeist, but what does it really mean? And what are the greater implications it can have on your relationships, and…
- About Progress
AP 506: BONUS: Why Moms are Biologically More Stressed || with Stacey Littlefield of Redd Remedies
Do you ever find yourself stuck in the stress cycle, thinking "what's wrong with me?" You're not alone, and there's even an explanation for why you feel that…
- About Progress
AP 505: My youngest starts Kindergarten this Fall—How do I choose what’s next for me? || Coaching Call with Megan
When Megan met with a psychologist she came away with a diagnosis of a perfectionist, with an achievement addiction. As she shares the ways she navigated her…
- About Progress
AP 504: How Do You Become a Plant Lady || with Carly Adams
Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These…