About Progress

I used to think being creative meant doing something completely unique, whether it was in performance or product. I can see now the crippling effect that had on simply allowing myself to use my natural abilities and see them as creative. What shifted my mindset? Realizing you are allowed to mimic! If you're still not convinced, let me explain...In this Pinterest era you're hard pressed to find anything that truly hasn't been done before. In fact, we talked about that in this interview. But this isn't anything new; you can find famous works of art, historic architecture, even classic ballet performances that are continually replicated. The point is, this is OK.Tune in because I even share what this looks like in the podcasting world. Plus, the wise advice my mom gave to me that helped lead me to this resolve: you are allowed to mimic. When you feel stuck you can find something that resonates with you, observe it, love it, and then mimic it while making it your own. As I shared earlier this week on Instagram, more often than not, we would not be hurt by beginning.About a few other things:If you feel inspired by something you've learned this month, would you share that with our community? Send me a voice message at hello@aboutprogress.com to be featured on the last episode of the month, the "Dear Progressor" episode.I am also celebrating my birthday all month long by spoiling those that leave a rating and reviewfor the podcast. Each week I'll select a name and send them something fun to say thank you!Lastly, thank you for the outpouring of support for Podcast U! You can still enroll through June. Spots for the free classthis month have also been filling up, so check out the available dates for that if you are interested.SHOW NOTES Podcast University is now live! Enrollment closes at the end of June. Join me live in my FREE class this month: 3 Things You MUST Know to Start Your PodcastCome Follow Me FHE for New Testament lessons meant for the whole family. Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress PlanLend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HEREJoin the free and private FB groupApply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love to paint, but it has been put on the back burner these days with all the other things I juggle. So, does that mean I'm not creative? I still come up with meals my whole family eats, squeeze in my favorite workouts, interview incredible podcast guests (like these ladies!) and I just launched a 10 lesson online podcasting course. And that's not at all to toot my own horn, but it is to say that I DO still create daily. The shift I've had, and hope to teach you, is in cultivating your non-artistic creativity.About non-artistic creativityThe Womb Sisters, comprised of sisters Gentry and Bergen plus sister-in-law Sarah, created an online community for women of faith to grow in sovereignty. They do not shy away from complex, even taboo, issues. Instead, they have created a safe place for heartfelt discussion (and with a gorgeous aesthetic to boot!) between women.In this interview all three ladies chime in about what creativity looks like for them. Gentry shares how she creates family time, with inspiring and doable examples. Bergen challenges us to use our energy to create, rather than consume - with a poignant message about the benefits of social media. Then Sarah teaches how creativity can emerge from chaos.You'll see that some pursuits deliver beautiful products, while others may only be identifiable to the creator themselves. Regardless, no one idea of creativity is less than another. You already hold your unique piece to the creativity puzzle, you just need to dust it off and enjoy it for what it is.About a few other thingsPodcast University has finally launched and I am excited and grateful for all of your support in making this dream a reality. You can check out the course (enrollment closes at the end of June) or you can take my FREE class offered three times this month: 3 Things You MUST Know to Start Your Podcast.Me and my family have been using and loving Come Follow Me FHE to learn more about the New Testament. For just $5/month we receive weekly lessons, activities, and pictures that everyone enjoys.SHOW NOTES Womb Sister's Instagram. Podcast University is now live! Enrollment closes at the end of June. Join me live in my FREE class this month: 3 Things You MUST Know to Start Your Podcast Come Follow Me FHE for New Testament lessons meant for the whole family. Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been surprised by discovering something new about yourself recently? So many of us are surprised by where our creativity can take us. Don't stop here if you think you're not creative, because you are. You may just need to give yourself permission to create. Whatever that looks like for you, you can explore it with grace, curiosity, and simply just for you.Ashmae Hoiland shares that, despite writing several works, she only recently became comfortable calling herself a writer. If you have also struggled to claim your creativity you will feel inspired by her journey towards doing that. She is also an illustrator and a mother, as well as navigating a significant health challenge, which she opens up about in this episode.Perhaps you have given up on being creative, but here is the assurance that creative periods do ebb and flow. It's like any relationship, really! Ashmae encourages you to create for no one except yourself, and see how that feels. Your life is constantly contributing to your ability to create - sometimes you need to take the time to process and acknowledge that, and sometimes you can jump right in and run with it. Either way, tune in for the permission to create you maybe didn't even know you needed.About a few other thingsIf you would like to learn more with Ashmae, check out her course here, where you can use code ABOUTPROGRESS to get $25 off until June 12th.I also share a valuable resource my family loves for New Testament learning, Come Follow Me FHE. With a $5/month subscription you receive weekly lessons meant to inspire and bring families together in a positive way.Sign-up for tips on podcasting and be one of the first to hear my big announcement coming up this month!SHOW NOTES Ashmae's Website (use code ABOUTPROGRESS for $25 off the course) and Instagram. Come Follow Me FHE for New Testament lessons meant for the whole family. Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the new month comes a new theme, and I really hope this one doesn't scare anyone off! We are going to dive into creativity - what it is, what it isn't, and how to have more of it in our daily lives. I suggest downloading the Progress Plan so you can work through it as you listen to this episode where I remind you of something that maybe you've forgotten: you ARE creative.About creativity myths and motivationThere are a lot of myths about creativity, for instance saying it needs to be artistic, traditionally fun, produce a product, etc. You know the myths and maybe that's why you're nervous. Because as a result you've simply told yourself you're not creative, and that's now the story you believe. But, you are!In this episode I give countless examples of what creativity can look like, and share specifically what works for me. I urge you to consider your natural gifts and interests, to pursue those creatively. For me, a "30 by 30" bucket list along these lines launched everything you're a part of here today. I had no idea that would happen at the time, but I sure am grateful.SHOW NOTES Podcast episode with Lisa Funk "Developing our Creativity and Using it as a Tool to Fight Depression" Book "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear", Netflix "The Creative Brain", Time Magazine "The Science of Creativity", Cultivate a Good Life Podcast "What Creativity Really Means" Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai HeidlasGive yourself permission to create, and to do so in whatever way it happens to look like for you. Also to redefine what creativity is at this point in your life, if you need to. I'll link several more resources to get those juices flowing below in the show notes. I can't wait to hear from you this month as we progress in our talents and grow in our willingness to try new things.About a few other thingsYou may have noticed something about last month's solo episodes - I opened up a lot about the behind-scenes-of my life and this podcast. There is a reason and I cannot wait to tell you everything on June 13th. If you want to be one of the first to know just sign up here.Last thing, did you hear me read that podcast review? Those mean the world to me, thank you!! I'm celebrating my birthday month by asking you to leave a rating and review if you haven't already, then I'm rewarding one each week with some of my favorite things as prizes. Even something short and sweet will help our community grow, so we can reach everyone who needs to hear these lessons and messages.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month the theme was "Progress is Messy", and you heard guest interviews and my take on what that looks like in real life. Natalie Norton shared her perspective on "How to Get Out of a Funk" - with simple tips for you and stories from her own life. Patrice Washington discussed "What to do When the Growing gets Tough" - including her own rise and how to deal with resistance. Rachel Nielson let us in on her tips for "Narrowing In and Buckling Down on your Personal Habits" - giving her take on saying no, and the domino effect of even one good habit.I also got personal this month, with 3 bonus episodes related to my own journey here, as a podcaster! Over the past 2 years my growth has been slow, and I shared my real feelings about that. More specifically related to podcasting, I also finally answered the questions, "Do I make any money from podcasting?" and "How do I podcast as a SAHM?" Hopefully you found inspiration in any one of these episodes to keep moving forward with your growth, because progress is messy - for all of us!About today's episodeEach month I ask for listener submissions from you, and every month I am blown away. Real women shared their personal stories and what they learned this month. Tune in and you will feel the community that has been cultivated here, where we truly know life is about progress, not perfection.SHOW NOTES Get your first month + FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Sign up for my weekly newsletter. Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mamas who primarily stay home with their kids struggle to understand how I can work on my podcasting business in addition to taking care of my kids. I get this curiosity, because a few years ago I wondered if I could ever make that possible, too.Whenever I talk about the how-to's with podcasting, people seem to be more interested how I balance my work here as a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM). This episode is my transparent (and I hope helpful) response to that.In it, I share the logistics of what this looks like for me and my family: my schedule of work vs. family time, who takes care of the kids when I work, what my husband, Brad, thinks about all of this, and more. (See a recent day-in-the-life post here!)In the process, we've simplified some things (quick mealsfor the win!), outsourced others (listen in to hear what!), and sacrificed some important things I want to bring back more of (like reading and sleeping!).Stay until the end to hear more about why and how I'm stepping things up in the work department this summer so I can scale back in the fall.(Psst: Last week, I shared more about how I've made money as a podcaster (spoiler alert: it's not much) and more of my long-term plans for my business, if that interests you as well.)Whether you are a working mama, a SAHM full-time mama, or a lot of both, you matter. I hope my honest take of the behind-the-scenes struggle to stay true to my priorities while also working towards my dream is helpful for you other parents out there who would like to do both, as well.SHOW NOTES Recent posts that go with this episode: Our Go-To Quick Meals and Monica's Day-in-the-Life Amazon Favorite: Portable Garment Steamer! FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Join the FREE 5-Day Sleep Makeover Take part of the FREE Social Media Challenge Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe you remember back in March when we talked about habits - motivation, sleep, and time management were a few of the topics. Hopefully you felt inspired to make some real change that would benefit you and, as a result, those around you. If you're still moving right along and keeping up with those new habits then good for you! (Also, give us all your tips!) But maybe you've become stuck, overwhelmed, and realized you need help narrowing in and buckling down on your personal habits.Friend and fellow podcaster, Rachel Nielson, shares how earlier this year she dreamt up a lengthy lists of habits to change and then went from overzealous to overwhelmed. But she knows progress is messy, so she began to pare down. By narrowing in on TWO personal habits, Rachel shares the domino effect they have had on her entire life.Another hot topic discussed in this episode: social media usage. Rachel took a month long break from her normal business (including Instagram) grind. She opens up about how she did it, what changed, and where she's at right now. Tune in to this episode for that middle-of-the-year-motivation to jump back on board with your goals, habits, and progress.P.S. did you catch our teaser at the end? Here's where you can sign upto be the first to know more!SHOW NOTES Rachel's Website, Instagram, and Facebook Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA Here's the free 5-Day Sleep Makeover to change your sleep habits! FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're throwing the stale rules of etiquette out the window and answering one of my most asked questions: Do you make money from podcasting? So here's the honest truth: yes! ...and no. This podcast started as, and still is, a passion project. If I didn't love it I would have quit a looong time ago.Maybe the numbers will surprise you, but do you want to know what really surprised me? Even with all the hats I'd worn, I never thought podcaster, coach, or consultant would be my current ones. So I'm breaking it down for you, year-by-year and dollar-by-dollar, am I making money from podcasting?I've added up all my expenses in almost 3 years of podcasting, everything from babysitters to business coaches, so you can see how much this podcast costs me. And, I've tallied my income (spoiler - my most recent workshop made 100x my first consult), which I share to be as transparent as possible.Of course, after all the numbers are said and done, I'm weighing in on what I see as success and what I see as failure. Because if nothing else, I have grown here on this platform in ways I never expected. So now's as good a time as any to sneak this in: if you have been wanting to launch a podcast I have something big coming. You can sign up to receive podcasting tips from me, and be one of the first to hear my big announcement.SHOW NOTES This week's Amazon favorite - the life-changing steam mop The video I reference "What Teachers Make" Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raise your hand if you have fallen victim to circumstances, or excuses, and your list of "What if's?" seems like the only thing in your life that is growing. Just like the old adage that a diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure, we too can learn how to shine if we push past resistance. The choice is yours, learn how to keep growing or allow self doubt to stop you in your tracks.In this episode, America's Money Maven Patrice Washington weighs in on personal growth with what works for her and some ideas for you. As a podcaster, author, and speaker Patrice appears to easily have it all. But, she reveals 2 of her lowest business lows, and what she does now every day to keep going.Keeping in line with this month's theme, Progress is Messy, this interview looks at specific ways to push through the resistance that you can meet when trying to grow. There's something for everybody in this episode and the hope is that you feel inspired to turn those "What if's?" into "What is." - whatever that looks like for you.SHOW NOTES Patrice's Website, Instagram, and Facebook See my BeautyCounter favorites or shop here! Snag your Loom Journal at an exclusive discount with code ABOUTPROGRESS thru May 17! Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk a lot about self development around here: making progress, stretching yourself, GROWING. And I know it can be frustrating when those things, even the change you desperately want to happen, take time. If. you feel like you are only able to grow slow, I'm right there with you. In fact, I'm now grateful for my slow grow.Of course, for me, I think about my blog, podcast, and Instagram but it's actually even more than that. In this episode I open up about how my creative pursuits and eating disorder recovery were impacted by slow growth. My habits of perfectionism were taking over my ability to persist, so sometimes I quit.I now know, and can teach you, that worrying about growth takes away from where you are right now. And what about comparison? That's another way you are robbing yourself of joy and confidence. I hope you listen to this short Growth Spurt episode and leave with an understanding that the process transforms us, not the outcome.SHOW NOTES Thank you to these workshop sponsors: Loom Journal, Hello Tosha, Mindful Art Co., Cahoots Fitness, Thoughtful Paper Co., Karion Creating, Amber Martin, Mrs. Call's Candies, Cozy Home Organizing Snag your Loom Journal at an exclusive discount with code ABOUTPROGRESS thru May 17! Get your first month+ FREE with Libsyn using code MONICA FREE Printables, including this month’s Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB group Apply for the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (applicants taken monthly!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices