About Progress

“The more you spend time with people and are able to communicate with them what you are feeling . . . the more logic and reason come back into your life.” Meet your new best friend, Anne Cropper. Anne is one of those people who takes you in, makes you laugh, makes you cry, and can give you some good fashion, food, and house tips on the side. She is a resounding writer and Instagrammer whose main goal is connection. Anne learned the power of connection as she faced a difficult adjustment to motherhood followed by the stresses of raising five very different children, as well as her struggles with both antepartum and postpartum depression. She learned that letting people in is essential in overpowering the shame that fuels mental illness. By being open, Anne seeks to help other women know that they are not alone in their struggles, even if it's the struggle of taking your kids to McDonald's for the second time that week. Anne also shares how she is the "Jane of all trades, master of none," how she views social media, why it's important to post both the bad and the beautiful, how she and her husband have had rounds of role reversals while their family business takes off, and what she has learned to let go of.  PSST: You do not want to miss out on the special deal Anne is offering our readers on their compression tights and recovery braces. (See notes below!) Show NotesAnne's blog and InstagramHer family's company, Bio Skin (USE PROGRESS20 FOR 20% OFF!)Monica's Instagram, Facebook, and Contact pageMore on "Do Something" here and here (includes a short podcast episode that explains the series)More episodes from the podcast, including the one I mentioned with LisaDr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife's website if you're still considering her courses! (And her interview)Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I love to be enjoying any situation that I'm in. Obviously that's not always easy . . . but I think if you're having fun in what you're doing, it's way better than being miserable." Kaycee Sogard is so refreshing. Yes, she's a beloved blogger and Instagrammer; but in SO many ways, Kaycee breaks the mold. For one, she is frank, silly, and genuine. For another, she is very grounded in what matters most to her, and she holds strong to her own priorities and refuses to give in to the pressures of keeping up with the Instagram Joneses. Kaycee's ability to rise above came in large part to her lifelong passion with softball. Not only did sports instill an incredible amount of work ethic and other valuable life skills, but Kaycee faced some difficult choices early on in her collegiate career where she was surrounded by incredible pressure. Her decision to push back and do what was right for her enabled her to grow more fully into who she wanted to become, and also centered her when she could have easily succumbed to a lot of disappointment.  In this podcast, Kaycee talks about all of that, plus her purposes behind her blog and Instagram, her experiences with anxiety, how she's faced postpartum depression, how she's both "OCD" and "super laid back," her next exciting project, and her hilarious response on what goal-making looks like for her and what she's terrified of. Show Notes:Kaycee's blog, Instagram, and FacebookMonica's Instagram, Facebook, and Contact pageMore on "Do Something" here and here (includes a short podcast episode that explains the series)More episodes from the podcast, including Heather Fujikawa's interviewDr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife's special deal on her courses is still going on! (And her interview)Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Don't waste time feeling inadequate . . . " Katharine and I have been friends for 18 years. (Side note: Whoa. What scares me most about that fact is that we were 12 years old when we first chatted in band class. I swear I was just 12!) After high school, Katharine left our small town of Farmington, UT and headed to the east coast to study music, theology, and art history. She attended a small private liberal arts college in Boston followed by Yale Divinity School.  Yes, that Yale.  Obviously, Katharine is a real smarty. But even she dealt with "imposter syndrome" in these high stress, achievement-oriented environments. For one, Katharine was not tailored for ivy league schools since birth like so many of her colleagues. Also, on top of struggling like she didn't measure up to both her external and internal standards, Katharine faced huge obstacles within her family, including a major spinal cord injury of her only sibling.  Despite that, Katharine chose to shift her perspective on these really difficult times, and instead embraced them as something that would make her more resilient BECAUSE of what she was facing. Katharine found her own way! Now, she is in a career that melds all her interests together in a beautiful whole, one that is "Katharine" instead of what her external pressures told her she "should" be doing. Oh, and you won't want to miss what Katharine shares about how perfectionism for her is interwoven with her people-pleasing nature, as well her antidote to combat it. (I love what she said SO, SO much about that! You classic "underachievers" or "procrastinators" will especially benefit.) Show NotesKatharine's InstagramPhotographer for Katharine's photo: Jess Smolinski, Yale University Art GalleryMonica's Instagram, Facebook, and Contact pageMore on "Do Something" here and here (includes a short podcast episode that explains the series)More episodes from the podcastSong Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I don’t think that we should be stagnant and not ever want to change ourselves. It doesn’t have to do with not loving ourselves, it has to do with just wanting to be better.” Amber Brueseke's arms speak for themselves, but just a quick glance of her Instagram page--Biceps After Babies--will tell you that this woman knows what she's talking about.  Amber is all about goals and helping others achieve theirs. But that doesn't mean that she shies away from failure. In fact, Amber recognizes failure as essential to really learning what life has to offer. Listen in to hear how Amber got into fitness and what inspired her fitness account, what she hopes people gain from following her, her views on goal-making, how she can be passionate without being obsessive, and what big lessons she gleaned after a near-drowning of one of her children. If you like the show, please subscribe!!Show Notes:Amber's InstagramDr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife's interview and COURSESMonica's Instagram, Facebook, and Contact pageMore on "Do Something" here and here (includes a short podcast episode that explains the series)More episodes from the podcastSong Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of you will know today's guest--Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife--as "the Mormon sex therapist."Yes, she is indeed an incredible therapist who deals primarily with relational and sexual issues. But, as Jennifer says, her therapy focuses mostly on "just being human, and the challenges related to being human."  Turns out, one of the largest developmental hurdles her clients often face is perfectionism. Jennifer unveils what is really going on behind perfectionism, how it's an immature behavior common to the human condition, beginning with a lack of development. She talks about the flawed thinking behind perfectionism, what perfectionists are seeking, as well as the damaging effects of perfectionism on people's lives and their relationships. Many listeners will be shocked to see a lot of what Jennifer talks about in themselves, including those who would label themselves as "underachievers." But there is hope! Jennifer also shares what someone can do to combat this flawed thinking and behavior in their own life, and how they can develop a better capacity to refine who they are with integrity and grow more fully into the person they'd like to become. More on Jennifer:Jennifer Finlayson-Fife grew up in Burlington, Vermont as one of eight children. She studied Psychology and Women's Studies at Brigham Young University, and went on to receive her Masters and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. She has a private practice in Chicago, IL where she works primarily with LDS couples on relational and sexual issues. She is a frequent guest on LDS-themed podcasts, and has written articles for LDS-themed magazines and blogs on the subjects of sexuality and modesty as well as mental health and faith. She is married to John Finlayson-Fife and has three wonderful children. Show NotesJennifer's website, Facebook, and COURSESMonica's Instagram, Facebook, and more podcast episodesCONTACT MONICAMore on "Do Something" here and here (includes a podcast episode that explains this series) IRONMAN podcast episode, referenced in the showSong Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I believe we really are a global family . . . We all matter." Jamie is an adventurer. You might already know this if you follow her adventures via her Instagram, blog, and her segment on Studio 5, a popular Utah talk show.  But Jamie is also a collector of friendships. She values people. She seeks connection with others wherever she lives, wherever she travels. And it really shows! In this podcast, Jamie shares about her love of travel, how her family's foundation is centered on getting out of the house and interacting with others, and how making friends with refugees has influenced her life. Jame also talks about what it was like to put her broadcasting career on hold to raise her four children, and what it has been like to get back in the field. Finally, you'll hear what Jamie does to stay balanced and organized--and I think you'll love her atypical answer! Show Notes:Show Notes:Jamie's blog, Instagram, and family blogMonica's contact page, Instagram, and FacebookMore Information on "Do Something"Other Podcast episodes you can listen toSong credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie Cheesman loves old people and clouds. That's at least how she introduces herself! (Don't you love her already?) Katie is also a mother, nurse, photographer and videographer. She paired her talents and interests together into the perfect creation, The Listening Ear Project, where she shares her WONDERFUL interviews with the elderly, whom she calls her "closest friends."  The Listening Ear Project is full of interviewees you touch and inspire you--most definitely--but also people who make you laugh and teach you to better appreciate the fun in life.  In this podcast, I speak with Katie about what led her to start this project, how as a nurse she learned the power of listening to help heal her patients, and why being friends with the elderly and sharing their stories is her passion. We also speak about how hard it can be to establish an audience on social media that is centered around appreciating old people, but why Katie thinks all the time, energy, and money she invests in this project is well worth it and has truly changed her life. Katie is lovely, funny, and open. She is equal parts creative and driven, and Katie also often deals with the negative effects of being too hard on herself. She shares how she tries to combat that pressure to be perfect. Katie will inspire you to take a moment to listen to others, and recognize the special need to better see and appreciate the elderly people in your life. If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!  Show NotesThe Listening Ear Project website and InstagramKatie's Instagram and BlogMonica's Instagram, Facebook, and contact pagePast podcast episodes mentioned: Meg Miles; Aubrey GreenanSong Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The thing that hurt me the most . . . was all the time I had wasted preoccupied with food, and not being present." Eating disorders are really tricky to talk about. Not only are they shame-driven and shrouded in secrecy, but the depth and significance of an eating disorder's roots is difficult to convey in a way that people truly understand what a lasting effect it has on a person's life.  Danielle Hansen does the impossible, though.   In today's podcast, Danielle bravely untangles some of what fed her need to obsessively control her eating, exercise, and body, and how perfectionism and its related need to worry about other people's opinions of her fueled her disease. Danielle tried to work on her recovery while simultaneously battling infertility, but it wasn't until the birth of her firstborn and hitting her lowest low that Danielle felt determined to take back her life. She says, "I just remember being so mad, because I had this beautiful baby, I was in heaven; and the ugliest thing--my eating disorder--was tainting that for me."  Now three years into facing her struggles with disordered eating and infertility head-on, Danielle speaks on what made the difference in her recovery, how she has grown, and what life can be like on the other side. Show Notes:Danielle's blog and  InstagramMy "Do Something" podcast episodeMore information on "Do Something"My Instagram and Facebook--contact me and share what you are up to while listening, or what your "Do Something" is and how it is going!Did you like this podcast? SUBSCRIBE and listen to more podcasts here. Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 months ago, I tried to start a movement. Annnnnnnd, it failed. I'm not giving up on it yet! In today's mini-episode, I share more behind why I started this series entitled, "Do Something," how it relates to pushing against our fears, my plan to revive it, and how you can participate. You can share your "Do Something" with me by emailing me here, or tagging me on social media with #aboutprogresspodcast. I want to highlight YOU and the big and small ways you are challenging yourself. So please let me know about them!  More podcasts.My blog.Me on Instagram.Me on Facebook. Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'd be hard-pressed to find any one else who is more knowledgeable on all things self-improvement and human development related. Lisa has a wealth of knowledge on these topics in great part because of her lifelong insatiable drive to learn and improve herself; but it also arose from the huge struggles she faced after the birth of her first son. Lisa found herself immediately facing extreme postpartum anxiety; anxiety fueled by perfectionism Lisa didn't fully realize was in control; anxiety so intense that she couldn't sleep or eat, take care of herself or, most devastatingly, take care of her baby. Lisa describes the low points of being the opposite of her usual self, how she made recovery her top priority, and the growth she has built the past five years as she has run towards her fears instead of away from them.  Lisa is in a much better place now, is still passionate about self-improvement, but also has great wisdom in how to do so without being obsessive and imbalanced. There are so many jewels in this interview, including Lisa's tips on how to set goals and manage them in a way that they are achievable in our day-to-day lives. ****Please see the blog www.aboutprogress.com for more, including past podcast episodes in addition to Monica's (our host) own journey as a recovering perfectionist. You can also follow Monica at her handle @aboutprogress.Music cred: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices