About Progress

For years, I battled with the idea that being ambitious made me appear too eager and self-serving. But I've learned that real ambition should ebb and flow, much like nature itself. It's okay to redefine ambition as a desire for more life, while also allowing ourselves periods of rest and recalibration. From my discussion with Amina AlTai, it's clear that ambition must be intentional and aligned with our true values. Releasing the need for perfection and instead embracing recovery and personal growth has been transformative. I've seen firsthand that our bodies often signal when our ambitions are misaligned, acting as guides toward a more sustainable path. As we lean into our strengths and gifts, let's transform ambition from a toxic force into a purposeful journey that expands our lives and those around us. Learn more from Amina and get her book HERE. Join the free ⁠⁠DSL Training for 2026⁠⁠! Join me for 90-minutes on January 16th to learn what a Do Something List is and create your own for 2026. Podcast Anni: (Still ongoing!) Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won ⁠HERE⁠. 1-on-1 COACHING ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW! BOOK A CURIOSITY CALL NOW to be considered for one of my limited spots for 1-on-1 coaching this Winter. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee ⁠Free DSL Training⁠ Full Show Notes Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s on the other side of fear, food rules, and constant self-criticism? In this personal growth podcast clip, we talk about how self-compassion, nuance, and letting go of perfectionism can create more mental space, deeper connection, and lasting happiness.  Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/the-power-of-eating-without-fear Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee ⁠Free DSL Training⁠ Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!  Here to Stay Drive: join the ⁠Supporters Club⁠ to keep About Progress around + participate in a whole month of special prizes. A little from many makes this work sustainable! Podcast Anni: (Still ongoing!) Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won ⁠HERE⁠. Join the free ⁠⁠DSL Training for 2026⁠⁠! Join me for 90-minutes on January 16th to learn what a Do Something List is and create your own for 2026 1-on-1 COACHING ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW! BOOK A CURIOSITY CALL NOW to be considered for one of my limited spots for 1-on-1 coaching this Winter. More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee ⁠Free DSL Training⁠ Full Show Notes Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we step into this new year, there's a part of us that remembers the dreams we once had. I'm on a mission to invite that dreaming girl inside us back into our lives. We often let responsibilities, fears, and past failures dim our dreams, but it's time to change that. Dreams are not only powerful, but they're also necessary for living a meaningful life. Whether they're big or small, our dreams matter, and it's vital that we give them space to grow and evolve alongside us. Let's embrace our dreams and walk this path together, knowing that the growth and transformation along the way are just as important as where we end up. Here's to a year of embracing possibilities and finding fulfillment, regardless of how big or small those dreams may seem. Old episodes to support: Companion Episode: Value-Driven Living; Ultimate Values Exercise Join the free DSL Training for 2026! Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Quince. Transform your space now. Go to www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; and by Wayfair, get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this personal growth podcast clip, licensed therapist Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT explains how anxiety quietly shapes our behaviors through avoidance, perfectionism, people-pleasing, reassurance seeking, and rumination. If you’re navigating personal development, trying to build healthier daily habits, or wondering how to be happier without burning out, this conversation offers compassionate insight rooted in self-compassion and self improvement.  Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-handle-pre-new-year-anxiety Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever considered that the most profound growth happens in the stillness of life's winters? Katherine May's concept of "Wintering" challenges us to view these quiet times not as setbacks but as necessary periods for renewal and introspection. It's about recognizing that slowing down and stepping back can rejuvenate our spirits. By appreciating these quiet seasons, we allow space for personal growth and the reinforcement of our core values. Reflecting on these ideas made me realize how often I've resisted slowing down, seeing it as counterproductive. Yet, in embracing rest and retreat, we can find contentment in being enough, even amid apparent inertia. These quiet times are invitations to connect deeply, both with ourselves and with those around us, paving the way for transformative change and a renewed sense of purpose. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" and by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation with Kolbie Blume, we explored how embracing imperfection can lead to deeper fulfillment in our creative pursuits. We discussed the concept of focusing on tiny moments of wonder rather than the final product, highlighting that the magic lies in the process, not the outcome. Our chat reminded me of the importance of investing in oneself and making room for personal joys, despite the everyday trade-offs and responsibilities that often overshadow our own needs. Rediscovering hobbies and allowing ourselves to be beginners opens doors to joy and self-acceptance. It's about learning to prioritize ourselves on our list of responsibilities, exploring creativity without fear, and finding joy in the messiness of life. Remember, it's not about achieving perfection but about valuing the process and the personal growth that comes with immersing yourself in something you love, just as it is. Through this interview and my personal journey, I realized that being messy is, indeed, part of the magic. Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won HERE. More for Moms Conference, use code “LISTENER” for $20 off: https://www.aboutprogress.com/moreformoms Past Episode to support: first episode with Kolbie “How Perfectionism is Getting In Your Way” https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-perfectionism-is-getting-in-your-way Kolbie’s new watercoloring book, National Parks in Watercolor Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" and by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how healthy boundaries can transform your personal growth, daily habits, and overall happiness. In this conversation with Julie Hanks, we explore why boundaries are essential for personal development and self-compassion. If you love self-help podcasts and want practical tools for feeling better, this episode is for you. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-set-boundaries-with-loved-ones-especially-when-its-hard Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent podcast episode, I walked through my quest to rediscover personal interests and prioritize them amid the whirlwind of daily life. Like many women, I'm navigating the busy demands of motherhood and work while yearning for outlets that are just for me—without needing them to be productive or result in a tangible outcome. I realize that it's not always easy to carve out these moments, but it's becoming clear that hobbies are more than a want—they're a need. The challenge lies in making the time without feeling guilty for setting aside the never-ending list of tasks. I'm committing to at least try, even if it means re-prioritizing my weekends. If you're in a similar boat, I invite you to join me in this journey of self-discovery and openly puzzle through the “how” alongside me. After all, stepping into hobbies is an investment in ourselves, a way to find joy amidst the busyness, and maybe even a step towards easing the funks we sometimes fall into. Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won HERE. Old episodes to support: Episode on being in a funk: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/in-a-funk-here-s-how-i-m-supporting-myself-through-mine-and-how-you-can-too  Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" and by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we head into the holiday season, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to orchestrate the perfect celebration. The key takeaway from this conversation? Simplify and choose experiences that foster self-compassion and joy. Instead of clinging to traditions that no longer serve your family, tailor activities to meet everyone’s needs, ensuring that these moments of self-care bring true happiness to the entire family. By shifting from being a perfectionist to appreciating the joys of participating, you can transform holiday chaos into cherished moments. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" and by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices