

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 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!
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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; 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
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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
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Check out my workshops!
Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
Book Launch Committee
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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

9 snips
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