

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

Dec 1, 2022 • 19min
AP 450: Maternity Leave Plans, Visiting Family in California, Playing Flute, Recommitting to Bedtime, and the Household Tool I'm Loving || Messy Middle December 2022
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!To celebrate 6 years of the podcast I'm giving away packages of my favorite things! Write (or update) a rating and review for a chance to win!
My FREE habits class is now available!!
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 28, 2022 • 35min
AP 449: "How can I reset my routines between busy seasons?" || Coaching Call with Taryn
"I need to figure out how to reset some of those routines and some of those self-care habits so that I can feel more fulfilled and less defeated as I show up to my day-to-day life." That's how Taryn, who you'll hear from in this coaching call, described her current struggle. Can you relate?We all experience seasons in life, and not just the ones where the weather changes. We may have seasons of consistency with our routines and self care that have us feeling really fulfilled. We may then have busy seasons where things like sickness or schedules can really get in our way. In this episode I work with Taryn to break things down, and to help her stay connected to herself as she sets up a plan to get back into the routines that make her feel the best.Tune in and see how this framework can work to support you before, during, or after your busy season when you personalize it to your situation. The Instagram reel that I mentioned!
My FREE habits class is now available!!
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/progress and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 25, 2022 • 6min
Introducing Habits You Love
This week, we’re featuring an episode from a podcast you should check out. Habits You Love, hosted by Kayla Fassio, is a mental health podcast about self-love, self-healing, and spiritual evolution. Join Kayla on her journey of trauma healing and discovering the power inside you! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 24, 2022 • 27min
AP 448: How Do You Get Into Summitting Peaks || with Emily
These episodes feature real women from this community who are answering the question "How do you...?" about their various passions and pursuits. Today's episode features 43 year old, mother of 3, Sarah. She is in the midst of a big goal: summitting 48 peaks above 4000 ft in New Hampshire, before she turns 48!Sarah explains her journey of having a larger goal, breaking it down into a reasonable goal, and even further breaking that down into something totally doable. She is a wonderful example of getting out of that all-or-nothing mindset and tackling the things on our lists bit by bit. You may not be curious about hiking, but there is likely a different version of these "peaks" in your life. This inspirational episode will give you the encouragement to be flexible, to zoom out, and to work towards those goals that are valuable to you. And if hiking is your dream, she has lots of practical tips, too!
My FREE habits class is now available!!
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 21, 2022 • 43min
AP 447: What To Do When You Feel Inadequate || with Sara Dean
I am willing to bet that even the most confident person you can think of probably feels inadequate from time to time. Another way you might describe this feeling is by calling it self doubt, and that's a struggle that I often hear from women in this community. Today I'm talking with fellow podcaster, Sara Dean. And even as a woman that radiates confidence she knows what to do when you feel inadequate because she has learned some tough personal lessons on the subject.To start, we talk about why women specifically may deal with self doubt and inadequacy more often. Then, Sara has four ways to use the information that you already have about yourself to help you feel qualified, capable, and worthy of achieving the things you want for yourself. And if you listen to the end I issue a little "extra credit" challenge, based on her advice, that we can do together!
My FREE habits class is now available!!
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 17, 2022 • 9min
AP 446: Just Say NO || Growth Spurt
I once wrote a rejection email and had it posted online by the recipient. Sounds dramatic, doesn't it? Sometimes the thought of rejecting someone or something, by saying no, sounds too dramatic. So we say yes. And then we start to feel resentment, we stop showing up, or we drop the ball on important responsibilities. Sometimes we have to learn to just say no.In this bite-sized episode I give you the whole rejection email story (it has a happy ending!) and my reasoning behind why a generous no is so much better than a guilted yes. I hope this tip helps you feel prepared heading into a typically very busy season!To celebrate 6 years of the podcast I'm giving away packages of my favorite things! Write (or update) a rating and review for a chance to win!
My FREE habits class is now available!!
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 2022 • 42min
AP 445: My Favorite Things: Podcast Edition || Happy 6 years!
First of all, thank you for being here with me to celebrate SIX YEARS of the About Progress podcast! This is a fun episode because we get to hear from you, the listeners, as well as me and my husband, Brad. I'm answering questions about general faves, favorite guests and interviews, and my biggest successes. Plus, I'm sharing some non-favorites and tough stuff that has gone on behind-the-scenes.Thank you to everyone who submitted a voice note, they are all a great example of the special community we have here at About Progress. I am looking forward to the years to come and hope you'll continue to grow with me!P.S. Remember the ongoing giveaway right now where you can be entered to win some of my favorite things when you leave or update a review on Apple podcasts.
My FREE habits class is now available!!
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
This episode is brought to you by ZocDoc. Download the free app at zocdoc.com/progress and start your search for a top-rated doctor today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 10, 2022 • 12min
AP 444: Can You Take Self-Compassion Too Far? || Growth Spurt
Today's bite-sized episode is inspired by a conversation I had with my membership group, the Strive Hive. And it falls under the umbrella of something we talk about often, which is how to avoid the all-or-nothing mentality. So the question is, can you take self-compassion too far? The short answer is yes, but I want you to understand the why, and how to refocus if you need to.If you've found yourself becoming apathetic, or self-enabling, I have some tips to help you zoom out and take action while still feeling aligned with your values, the things that matter most and help you feel like you.
My FREE habits class is now available!!
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 7, 2022 • 36min
AP 443: The Science of Making (and Keeping) Friends as an Adult || with Dr. Marisa G. Franco
I have been surprised by something as an adult...I stink at friendship. When it comes to making new friends, or even staying connected with old friends, it has just become harder and harder. I also find myself become more and more introverted as I get older. And I think many of you can relate. Making and keeping friends as an adult has always seemed to be a hot topic, so if we're all feeling this pull then why is it still so tough?Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Marisa G. Franco joins me today to offer the science backed reasons behind loneliness and relationships in a way that will have you nodding along in agreement. Honestly, you may even audibly gasp at some of her explanations - in a good way! The hard things you have been experiencing when it comes to friendship are real, and they have names, and there are ways to really support yourself through them.
Get notified of when my habits class is available
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 3, 2022 • 21min
AP 442: Pregnancy Update, Ski Season, Our After School Routine, The Show I'm Loving, and Visualization || Messy Middle November 2022
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!To celebrate 6 years of the podcast I'm giving away packages of my favorite things! Write (or update) a rating and review for a chance to win!
Get notified when my habits class is available
Full Show Notes
Sticky Habit Method
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices