

About Progress
Cloud10
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
Mentioned books

Sep 11, 2025 • 8min
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 anxieties about fitting in and managing sensory challenges. Our preparation included school visits and crafting a mental touchstone for her: to look for glimmers of light amongst potential darkness, akin to stars in a big, open night sky.
If you're navigating your own tough transitions, remember that seeking glimmers can be a powerful tool. Whether it's finding brief moments of support from friends, appreciating a compliment, or small personal victories, these glimmers can help guide you through. Thank you for being part of this collective progress, and may you find your own glimmers in the midst of challenges.
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Sep 8, 2025 • 49min
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 a conversation with Mia Hemstad, we delved into the vital role of self-care in reclaiming our time and energy.
Mia's "four B's" framework encourages us to thoughtfully prioritize our needs, whether that means indulging in a favorite show or finally scheduling that doctor’s appointment. By investing in ourselves, not only do we enhance our own well-being, but we also enrich our ability to support those around us. Let’s start this school year by putting ourselves at the top of our priority list.
Past Episode with Mia Hemstad: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/self-care-to-support-yourself-when-you-dont-feel-like-yourself
The 4B Self-Care Framework Guide: https://www.miahemstad.com/guide
Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!
Get on the waitlist for Italy! Single traveler survey here.
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This episode is brought to you 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

Sep 6, 2025 • 7min
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, 10-second practice that can help you create space between trigger and reaction. Learn how to use your "response gap" to reclaim calm, control, and alignment—one intentional breath at a time.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-be-less-reactive-and-more-in-control
Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!
Get on the waitlist for Italy! Single traveler survey here.
More for Moms Conference
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Check out my workshops!
Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
Book Launch Committee
Free DSL Training
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 4, 2025 • 50min
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 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!
Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!
Get on the waitlist for Italy! Single traveler survey here.
More for Moms Conference
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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 goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod; and by Fearless Finance, chat with a planner for free to make sure it’s a good fit, and you’ll get $50 off your first planning meeting when you use the code PROGRESS at fearlessfinance.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 1, 2025 • 46min
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 that many women struggle with embracing their wants, fearing it makes them appear ungrateful or selfish.
I'm thrilled to launch the inaugural More for Moms Conference, a free virtual event featuring 25 inspiring speakers who are also moms, sharing their insights into areas like happiness and health. This conference aims to empower mothers to seek more fulfillment and progress. Wanting more isn't just about obtaining what we desire; it's about embracing who we genuinely are. So, I invite you to consider what you truly want more of in life and pursue it with courage, knowing it's okay to strive for more.
More for Moms Conference: https://www.aboutprogress.com/moreformoms
Guide for More: https://www.aboutprogress.com/more
Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!
Get on the waitlist for Italy! Single traveler survey here.
More for Moms Conference
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Check out my workshops!
Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
Book Launch Committee
Free DSL Training
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This episode is brought to you by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 30, 2025 • 10min
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 heartfelt conversation, she shares how choosing to create without pressure or an audience has transformed her relationship with art—and herself. Whether you're in a creative rut or just need permission to begin, this episode will inspire you to make space for creativity on your own terms.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/permission-to-create
Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!
Get on the waitlist for Italy! Single traveler survey here.
More for Moms Conference
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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

Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 8min
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 for our community by Brooke Eliason, the founder of Female Foodie. Recently, we hosted a Q&A session to answer all questions about the trip, revealing an itinerary filled with dining at Rome's finest restaurants and exploring iconic sites like the Vatican and Colosseum.
This journey isn't just about traveling; it's about rediscovery. You'll have plenty of free time to immerse yourself in the local culture and even participate in discussions to reconnect with yourself. Whether you're coming with a companion or are open to being paired with another traveler through our Single Rider Survey, this unique tour promises a blend of cultural and culinary experiences tailored just for you. So, if you've been contemplating this, now is the time to join us on this unforgettable trip!
Ready to join us? Get on the waitlist now at aboutprogress.com/italy!
Watch the video version: https://www.aboutprogress.com/romereplay
Tour Info + Waitlist (registration opens SOON) https://www.femalefoodie.com/food-tours/aboutprogress/
Single Rider Survey: https://forms.gle/jmndgw23tdSeUWf57;
Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!
Get on the waitlist for Italy! Single traveler survey here.
More for Moms Conference
Leave a rating and review
Check out my workshops!
Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
Book Launch Committee
Free DSL Training
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 44min
AP 716: You Don’t Have to Do Life Alone: Finding Courage and Community in Hard Times || with Toni Collier
Toni Collier, an author and speaker, shares her journey through profound loss, including betrayal and a public divorce. She emphasizes the power of vulnerability in healing and encourages listeners to embrace community during tough times. Toni discusses the challenges of rebuilding trust after 'church hurt' and the significance of allowing others to support you. Her insights offer hope and practical steps for fostering connection, inviting you to lean on your loved ones rather than navigating life alone.

Aug 23, 2025 • 10min
Why You Don’t Need to “Kill” Your Inner Critic || H&K with Nancy Jane Smith
In this conversation, counselor Nancy Jane Smith sheds light on the inner critic, nicknamed the 'monger,' and its detrimental effects on our mental health. She highlights how this voice, often mistaken for motivation, can actually hinder our progress and amplify anxiety. Nancy shares valuable insights on acknowledging emotions, suggesting that even a brief 90-second reflection can create profound change. This discussion is a must-listen for anyone grappling with perfectionism, burnout, or the challenges of managing their inner dialogue.

Aug 21, 2025 • 11min
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 something to look forward to!
Regardless of if you can join us, I want to challenge you to design something for yourself to look forward to. Whether it's a long walk or a family staycation, a little something outside the norm can make life feel so much richer.
In this episode I'm sharing the three things I’m most looking forward to on this trip: being present, having some easy time to myself, and the sheer fun of it all.
Ready to join us? Get on the waitlist now at aboutprogress.com/italy!
Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!
Get on the waitlist for Italy! Single traveler survey here.
More for Moms Conference
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