About Progress

About Progress

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

AP 768: How To Make Time for Your DSL (or Anything Outside Your Responsibilities) || Growth Spurt

March 19, 2026 • 20 mins
I've often heard from Progressors who question how to prioritize personal time amidst a bustling life. Practically speaking, the steps to prioritize yourself include putting your interests on the calendar, seeking support, and ensuring accountability. Rewarding yourself afterward and starting small makes this process more enjoyable and manageable. When using your Do Something List (DSL), keep it visible, adjust it as needed, and do...
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AP 767: Stuck in Planning Mode? How to Move Forward Without Guarantees || Coaching Call with Madeline

March 16, 2026 • 43 mins
If there's one thing I learned from my coaching call with Madeline, it's that taking action without having all the answers right away is a challenge that many of us face. It's so easy to get stuck in the comfort of indecision, paralyzed by the fear of making the "wrong" choice. But what if I told you that the true transformation lies within the process itself, not just the destination? This insight can make the path forward seem le...
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Why Perfectionism Keeps You Procrastinating || H&K with Monica Packer & Rachel Nielson

March 14, 2026 • 9 mins
Why do we procrastinate even when we care about the outcome? In this episode of H&K with Monica Packer and Rachel Nielsen, we explore how perfectionism and emotions can quietly hold us back from the life we want. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop being a perfectionist, build healthier daily habits, and feel happier in your day-to-day life, this conversation will give you a new perspective. We talk about self-compassion, personal ...
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AP 766: From Defensive to Open: Learning to Receive Feedback That Helps You (and Your Relationships) Grow || Growth Spurt

March 12, 2026 • 11 mins
Writing my book has been one of the most personal and challenging experiences of my life. When editing, the scariest part was opening myself up to feedback from editors, advanced readers, and even my husband. This vulnerability pushed me out of the perfectionism I used to hide behind, teaching me that true growth comes from allowing others to see our true selves and accepting their insights without personalizing the criticism. It'...
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AP 765: The Practice of Attention: How to Stop Scrolling in a Distracted World || with Cody Cook-Parrott

March 9, 2026 • 42 mins
In today's fast-paced world, finding focus can often feel like an impossible feat. Cody Cook-Parrott shared that when our attention is scattered due to overstimulation and technology addiction, we unintentionally lose a part of ourselves. Addressing this requires us to step away from shame, gently asking what we might be avoiding, and experimenting with practices that reclaim our attention through small, intentional changes. Throu...
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Choosing Joy in Hard Seasons || H&K with Mandi Winkleman

March 7, 2026 • 8 mins
What if learning how to be happier isn’t about fixing your circumstances, but shifting your perspective? In this honest conversation, Mandi Winkleman shares how she navigated NICU stays, motherhood overwhelm, and everyday chaos with self-compassion and humor. We talk about personal growth and development in real life, daily habits that support emotional resilience, and how to stop being a perfectionist when everything feels out of ...
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AP 764: Navigating endless toddler colds, vein procedure fears, unforgettable family trips, Brandi Carlile admiration, and book launch jitters || Messy Middle March 2026

March 5, 2026 • 28 mins
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 wi...
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AP 763: Fixing the Labor Imbalance at Home || How to Shift from Martyr to Change-Maker

March 2, 2026 • 50 mins
In my experience, women often carry the mental and emotional weight at home, which goes unnoticed. This burden leads to feelings of being undervalued, even when performed willingly. Sharing this labor isn't just about dividing tasks evenly, but about mutual recognition and appreciation for every contribution, fostering a genuine sense of partnership within the family. When I embarked on this journey to balance the labor in our hom...
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My Hobby Year: How Sketching Wildflowers is Teaching Me How to be Bad at Things || More Personal Preview

February 28, 2026 • 19 mins
This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just $5 a month. Join the HERE TO STAY: 250 SUPPORTERS DRIVE and help ensure About Progress doesn't just make it to its 10 year anniversary this Fall, but make it so it's here to stay. Join the club ⁠HERE⁠. What if the point of hobbies isn't to be good at them? (A novel idea for us recover...
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How to Be Happier by Decluttering the “Shoulds” || H&K with Rachel Nielson

February 28, 2026 • 8 mins
What if learning how to feel happy starts with letting go of perfectionism? In this conversation, we talk about personal growth and development for moms who are tired of carrying unrealistic expectations. You’ll hear how daily habits, self-compassion, and intentional self care for mothers can lead to real self improvement — without sacrificing your family. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop being a perfectionist and create space f...
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AP 762: Remember When: A Ten Year Reflection|| 2017, Taking the Podcast (and Myself) More Seriously

February 26, 2026 • 53 mins
Looking back on 2017, it's hard not to feel nostalgic about the immense growth and learning that happened during About Progress's first full year as a podcast. As I opened up behind the mic, it was a year where I stepped into the world of podcasting more confidently, juggling both personal and professional challenges. From interviewing new voices like Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife to pushing myself in ways I hadn't anticipated, it wa...
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AP 761: Letting People In: Easy Hosting Ideas for Busy, Overwhelmed Women || with Brittney Hanks

February 23, 2026 • 47 mins
Lately, I've been pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone and build connections through hosting. As an introvert, it’s been easier for me to stay in my comfort bubble, especially after the habit of isolation I developed during the pandemic. But I realized that having people physically in my space, sharing laughs and stories, truly enriches my life. I’ve been inspired by today's conversation with Brittney Hanks, who reminded ...
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Working on Things: My 10 Goals for 2026 || from More Personal

February 21, 2026 • 26 mins
(This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just $5 a month. Join the HERE TO STAY: 250 SUPPORTERS DRIVE and help ensure About Progress doesn't just make it to its 10 year anniversary this Fall, but make it so it's here to stay. Join the club ⁠HERE⁠.) In this candid "Working on Things" episode, Monica shares her 10 personal goals...
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AP 760: From Caretaker to College Grad: How Moms Can Reclaim Their Dreams Through Higher Ed || BONUS with Dr. Cedric Howard

February 19, 2026 • 42 mins
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Cedric Howard about a topic that resonates deeply with many moms in our community: returning to school later in life. Dr. Howard shared powerful stories from his own family, illustrating the generational impact of pursuing higher education. We talked about the importance of embracing your role as a mom in the classroom and how those experiences can be your greatest asset, not a hind...
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AP 759: From Career to Stay-at-Home Mom: How to Reclaim Time, Identity, and Purpose as the Full-Time Parent || coaching call with Janie

February 16, 2026 • 51 mins
In a recent coaching call with Janie, a mother navigating the shift from a professional career as a social worker to a stay-at-home mom, we delved into the deep-seated challenges that accompany such a monumental transition. Janie, like many, found herself yearning for personal connection and a sense of self amid the continuous tasks of motherhood. Throughout our discussion, we addressed practical strategies to help Janie reclaim ...
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What If Your Body Was on Your Side? Why You Don't Need to be Afraid of Intuitive Eating || H&K with Beth Summers

February 14, 2026 • 8 mins
What if feeling happier didn’t require more control, stricter rules, or perfect habits? In this powerful conversation, we explore how personal development, daily habits, and self-compassion intersect with our relationship to food and our bodies. Beth Summers breaks down why fear, perfectionism, and self-distrust keep so many women stuck—and how personal growth and development can begin by learning to trust yourself again. A groundi...
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Not Like Other Girls: A Casual Convo on Internalized Misogyny and Self-Acceptance || Preview from More Personal

February 13, 2026 • 24 mins
Join Monica and Taylor for a thoughtful (and surprisingly layered!) chat about the "not like other girls" conundrum. What started as a casual comment during recording turned into a fascinating exploration of how we as women pit ourselves against each other—and for what? In this episode, we unpack: The origins of the "not like other girls" trope and how it shows up in our lives Our own experiences with feeling pressure to ...
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AP 758: My DSL for 2026! || Growth spurt

February 12, 2026 • 19 mins
In keeping with something I've done on the podcast for a few years now, I'm thrilled to share with you my Do Something List for 2026. This list isn't about setting strict goals, but prioritizing daily fulfillment. Each item on the list encourages me to honor my interests and passions, from baking something new monthly to hosting girls' nights and rediscovering hobbies like sketching wildflowers. This year, I aim to explore cultura...
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AP 757: The Relationship Cycle That Keeps Couples Stuck (and How to Break It) || with KC Davis

February 9, 2026 • 51 mins
Ever find yourself stuck in the same argument over and over? Therapist KC Davis sheds light on how hidden defense mechanisms and vulnerabilities fuel these cycles. Her insights reveal that the stories we tell ourselves about our partners can turn simple pain into full-blown panic. By recognizing these patterns, we can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and connection. In her book, "Who Deserves Your Love," KC shares...
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Feel Happier Through Messy Growth || H&K with Cathy Heller

February 7, 2026 • 7 mins
In this powerful clip from one of today’s most loved self help podcasts, Cathy Heller breaks down why perfectionism keeps us stuck — and how embracing messy beginnings is the key to real personal growth and development. This conversation explores how to be happier, practice self-compassion, and build sustainable daily habits that support self improvement without shame. A must-listen for anyone navigating personal development, espec...
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