

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

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

Aug 18, 2025 • 53min
AP 714: I Matter Too: One Mom’s Journey to Self-Care After Divorce || Coaching Call with Amy
Join a single mom of five as she embarks on a transformative journey after divorce, emphasizing the importance of self-care through simple habits. Discover the struggle of balancing personal needs with family responsibilities and learn how small changes in morning routines can spark a fresh start. The discussion challenges the mindset that caring for oneself is selfish, promoting an empowering 'and/both' approach. Explore practical strategies for establishing boundaries and embracing change for personal growth while nurturing a happy family life.

Aug 16, 2025 • 7min
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 Alexandra shares how to reconnect with your childhood dreams, design your ideal day, and give yourself permission to dream again—without giving up the people and priorities that matter most. You'll walk away with a powerful shift in perspective and a reminder: you were designed with your dreams in mind.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/why-you-need-a-dream
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

Aug 14, 2025 • 14min
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 out, or a feeling that just wasn't what you'd hoped for—this episode is for you.
I'm sharing my personal disappointment and how I'm handling it. Using my WN-WIN formula, we'll walk through what went well, what didn't, and what's most important now. Tune in to learn how to navigate your own disappointments with a practical and hopeful approach.
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

Aug 11, 2025 • 47min
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 Mallory from the Childhood Collective, focusing on parents of neurodiverse children, particularly those with ADHD. We delve into the societal pressures and internal criticisms that complicate parenting and underscore the importance of striving for connection rather than perfection.
Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, we illustrate how embracing mistakes, practicing self-compassion, and prioritizing small steps can lead to more effective and fulfilling parenting. The episode also emphasizes the significance of repair work and offers actionable advice for handling guilt and missteps, ultimately framing imperfection as a gift to our children.
Listen to my episode on their podcast!
Get the Six keys to parenting a happy and independent child with ADHD
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
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

6 snips
Aug 9, 2025 • 7min
How to Know When to Push or Pause in Your Personal Growth || H&K with Ashton Barrett
Feeling overwhelmed by your aspirations? The discussion reveals how to distinguish between productive growth and the danger of burnout. It emphasizes the impact of perfectionism and the importance of personal timelines. The 'power of yet' concept is introduced as a reminder that growth takes time. If you’ve faced self-doubt or pressure to keep up, this insightful conversation offers both comfort and motivation to carve your unique path.

Aug 7, 2025 • 36min
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 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
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

Aug 4, 2025 • 42min
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 I faced with rising grocery costs, and how I eventually developed a system I call the 'Smart Seven.' These seven strategies include how I plan, when I shop, and what I shop for.
These tips helped me save significant amounts on groceries, translating into less financial stress and more fun activities for my family. These tips are desinged to be adaptable for you, too, so give them a try. Get my free 'Grocery Game Plan Guide' to get started!
Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!
Related episodes: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-dramatically-cut-your-grocery-bill-without-extreme-couponing-with-rachel-coons
More for Moms
Get on the waitlist for Italy! Single traveler survey here.
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 AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers; 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

Aug 2, 2025 • 6min
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 conversation, Neena Warburton shares how reconnecting with her inner child changed the way she parents and lives. You’ll hear how childlike qualities like wonder, creativity, and compassion are not traits to grow out of, but to grow into—with the wisdom of adulthood. This is a powerful listen for any mom ready to lead with softness, strength, and soul.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/embrace-your-inner-child-and-improve-your-parenting-too-with-neena-warburton
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

Jul 28, 2025 • 53min
AP 709: How to Prioritize What Matters Without Burning Out || with Greg McKeown
Greg McKeown is a bestselling author known for his insightful works on essentialism and effortless living. In this conversation, he tackles the burnout culture, urging listeners to embrace prioritization and meaningful choices. He emphasizes the significance of trade-offs, especially for women juggling multiple responsibilities. Greg introduces the idea of 'relaxation as a responsibility' and offers practical tips for nurturing relationships and personal well-being. He also shares strategies for defining life priorities and managing health while deepening connections.