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All the self-help extremes out there seem to be designed for perfect robots . . . But, you’re a real woman living a real life! About Progress is a podcast and community that is alllllll about progress made practical. Here, Monica will help you embrace the truest model to lasting growth, and teach you how to *do something* to grow in ways that stick.
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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 my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey.
Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too!
Video I reference, SBLA Wand
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KC Davis is a licensed professional counselor, author, speaker, and the person behind the mental health platform Struggle Care. She offers a profoundly refreshing perspective on home management that's far from the all-or-nothing standard we’re so accustomed to. We dive deep into KC's story, exploring the journey from shame-driven perfectionism rooted in her past struggles with addiction, to discovering a compassionate and gentle approach to maintaining her home.
KC shares how her diagnosis of ADHD at 35 played a significant role in understanding her relationship with cleaning and organization, eventually leading to innovative, shame-free strategies for home maintenance. We discuss the importance of functional living spaces, moving beyond societal pressures and the shame associated with not meeting unrealistic standards of home perfection.
Join us as we discuss how to break free from the shame cycle in home maintenance, fostering a relationship with our living spaces that supports us as individuals, rather than succumbing to overwhelming expectations.
Ep. 525 on being Cleanish, Ep. 586 on How to Make Time
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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 episodes feature real people who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits.
Andi's podcast and podcast starter pack
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2As a society we are currently experiencing unprecedented rates of stress and burnout, and feeling stressed is now more common than not. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the constant pressures of modern life, wondered how to discern between 'good' and 'bad' stress, or sought strategies to manage stress that actually align with your body's biology, this episode is for you.
In this conversation with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar she advocates for managing stress, while exploring the impact of chronic stress leading to burnout. We discuss practical strategies for managing stress, including creating digital boundaries, protecting sleep, and specific exercises like 'stop, breathe, be,' while touching on the importance of incorporating self-compassion and grace. Tune in to discover how to harness healthy stress to propel your life forward, all while maintaining your sanity in the process.
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A recent message from a woman who was making her DSL list made me so excited, because it's never the wrong time of year to make yours! She asked me if there is anything I find myself repeating year after year, and I wanted to share that answer with all of you. From the things I repeat, to the reasons things change, consider this an unofficial update on my DSL, and an official invite to get started on yours today.
Episode 582 on Friendship, Episode 517 "Me Day"
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In this candid coaching call with Kate, a stay-at-home mom of two young children, we unravel the layers of perfectionism in parenthood and how we can treat ourselves with self-compassion.
Kate shares her experiences of navigating the challenges of motherhood amidst major life transitions, including a cross-country move and the transition from working to full-time parenting. I encourage Kate to level with herself about her circumstances and redefine what it means to be a good mom within the context of her reality.
Through practical exercises and reframing techniques, Kate recognizes that being a good mom doesn't mean being perfect—it means showing up with love, kindness, and a willingness to learn and grow.
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This is a bite-sized episode focused on ways to increase your progress right away. I want to help you identify your "habit keystone," the one thing that when carefully placed, allows everything else to be strong and held together. In this episode I'll tell you what mine is, and the hard truths I was facing when I discovered it. If you need some support in finding what your #1 habit is, then I'd love to have you join our next Sticky Habit Intensive.
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It's okay, and normal, that our romantic relationships change over time. What can be challenging is when we feel disconnected from the change
Emily Nagoski, award-winning author and sex educator, and I discuss the common myths we’re all conditioned to carry around longterm committed relationships, the truth about those myths, and how we can, against all the odds thrown at us, learn to come back to each other, together.
Emily's message of compassion, authenticity, and curiosity underscores the profound significance of prioritizing pleasure and communication in our relationships. Through candid conversations and a willingness to challenge societal norms, she reminds us that we hold the keys to unlocking real intimacy and joy in our lives.
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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 my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey.
Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too!
ASTC passport, Clogs, Book, Skincare use code “PROGRESS”
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Do you have time for yourself? I mean real time devoted to your self-care, hobbies, and working on your Do Something List.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of making time for yourself amidst life's hustle and bustle. And I understand the struggle firsthand – whether it's juggling work, family, or just the chaos of everyday life, finding moments for self-care and personal fulfillment can seem impossible.
From self-care routines to rediscovering hobbies, in this episode I'll explore how prioritizing your well-being can lead to a happier, more balanced life. Learn to reclaim your time and reconnect with yourself with these 6 practical tips.
Power of a Do Something List episode, Eve Rodsky episode, Plan a Me Day episode
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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 episodes feature real people who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits.
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It’s officially been 4 years since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Recently, I stumbled upon studies showing that the pandemic qualifies as a “collective trauma,” where we've all experienced psychological distress together. But here's the kicker: many people hesitate to admit they experienced trauma during the pandemic, perhaps because we downplay our struggles, comparing them to others' experiences.
Beyond pandemics, we all have survival periods in life – those moments where we're barely keeping our heads above water. Yet, sometimes, we hesitate to acknowledge just how hard things are.
This week's guest, storyteller and doula Brandi Sellerz-Jackson, reminded me of the importance of recognizing when we're merely surviving versus truly thriving. She spoke of thriving as a state of being characterized by awareness, ease, and compassionate self-exploration. It's not just about existing—it's about cultivating a life that's rich with meaning and fulfillment, one that's truly ours to savor.
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In this special bonus episode you'll hear from me and my podcast manager, Taylor, as we address the flood of questions and comments that came in after a coaching call about making exercise a habit. We give our own personal histories with exercise, including what our current routines look like. Plus, we break down the three biggest barriers to exercise, and what overcoming those looks like for us.
This episode originally aired on More Personal, the listener-supported private podcast feed. If you like this episode, you can access all of the exclusive subscriber benefits, including an additional episode every Friday, a supporters hub for discussion, and online gatherings.
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Kim, a mother of three navigating the challenges of early parenthood, shares her struggles with connecting with others and the fear of vulnerability stemming from past experiences. Together, we uncover that what Kim really wants is to reclaim her sense of self and cultivate meaningful connections.
Listen as we work on the small steps that Kim can take, emphasizing the gradual cultivation of friendships aligned with her values and identity. This episode will be relatable to many women that are seeking genuine connection, and need the encouragement to embrace vulnerability as a pathway to fulfillment and authentic relationships.
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Inspired by a friend's recent story I wanted to explore what it truly means to infuse joy, luxury, and care into our daily routines. From simple acts like lighting a candle while washing our face to more elaborate rituals like organizing vegetables by color for meal prep, we'll uncover how these moments can transform our perspective and elevate our experiences.
This concept of romanticizing life is more about mindfulness and gratitude, rather than mere romance. I want to help you find these moments that already are, or easily can, occur in your life - aimed at embracing the beauty of the present moment.
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Jessica Jackson, creator of the Thriving in Motherhood podcast, shares her journey from struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety to finding her way to thriving in motherhood. She recounts the challenges she faced, including a life-threatening illness after the birth of her third child, and how these experiences led her to discover the power of planning and creating a vision for her life.
Jessica emphasizes the importance of starting with a clear vision, breaking it down into manageable steps, and planning realistically within a week rather than focusing on idealistic daily schedules. Plus, she introduces the concept of the "big three," where you prioritize three key tasks aligned with your vision for the week. By embracing these principles and customizing planning methods to your own life, you can learn to plan weeks you can truly win.
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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 my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey.
Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too!
Tan France videos, Cast iron pot, Chain necklace
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Reflecting on the chaos of the last week while my husband has been out of town, I realized how it echoes past times when this hectic pace was the norm for me. Those times were what sparked a shift in prioritizing showing up more as myself, in my own life. My journey towards embracing this led to a deep appreciation for the power of habits, not as rigid routines but as flexible tools to navigate life's demands.
Today I'm sharing four key habits, and how these simple practices have become my anchor amidst the chaos. I hope these insights inspire you to identify and prioritize small habits that can make a big difference in your own life's juggling act.
Recent meal planning episode
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In this episode, I interviewed Jason Van Ruler, a seasoned therapist, about the profound impact of our past on our present and future. Jason shared his personal journey, reflecting on a childhood marked by upheaval and trauma, which shaped his perspective and propelled him towards a career in therapy.
Jason highlighted the transformative power of vulnerability and connection in the healing process, underscoring that healing is indeed possible, albeit a journey rather than a destination. He encourages us to embrace imperfection and cultivate spaces for honesty and growth, as we learn from our past and look to our futures.
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Metaphors shape our perceptions of ourselves, our relationships, and our capacity for personal growth and change. When we use them to speak about ourselves and our world, they are reflective of the beliefs we carry and the truths we prize.
Today, our guest Joy Marie Clarkson wants you to better notice the metaphors you’re anchoring into and how to switch them to ones that encourage flourishing over productivity. If you’re tired of your constant cycles of updating, crashing, and rebooting, Joy will teach you how to stop looking at yourself as a machine and instead own this metaphor for yourself: I am a tree.
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These podcasts are filled with so much goodness!!!! Monica is smart, organized, and well spoken. I get so much out of every single one of her podcasts. She is also super relatable and friendly which makes her podcast my #1 go to! Thank you for sharing your time and talents with all of us Monica! You are enriching all of our lives one podcast at a time! ❤
I have been listening to Monica for several years. I even met her once in the wild and she felt like a friend I already knew from listening to her podcasts. She is real and vulnerable with herself to help her listeners open up to become the best version of themselves. She was just as genuine in person. She has helped me to realize settling for mediocrity is not enough and in addition to her well researched and educated self she has awesome expert guests on the podcast to help give new ways of improving different aspects of her listener's lives. Being an About Progress listener has definitely helped me improve my life and reach for more. Thanks, Monica!
Thank you Monica for all of your dedication and hard work in creating such well rounded and insightful content on your podcast. I really enjoy every episode you put out 🙏
I was surprised in this podcast that questions I had or anger I have worked through in my own faith crisis weren't touched on, but I also love how individual we all are. So... thank you for sharing! this was beautifully done and so interesting to listen to. I even cried at once point, when it hit so close to home.
Monica, thank you for having the courage to be vulnerable and to share your experiences. I could feel your love for Christ as well as people that are trying their best to follow him. Thank you for your words.
I just discovered your podcast this week through the interview you did with Neena. I loved that episode and I can't wait to listen to the rest of your episodes! Thank you for creating this space.