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
September 13, 2025 • 10 mins
Licensed therapist and sleep expert Christine Lawler shares the surprising connection between sleep and mental health—including postpartum depression, anxiety, and burnout. In this powerful conversation, we break down why sleep isn't just self-care—it's survival. If you've been stuck, exhausted, or told “this is just adulthood,” this is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.about...
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September 11, 2025 • 8 mins
The start of high school was a major leap for my daughter with special needs, magnified by her transition from a charter school. We both faced heightened anxieties about fitting in and managing sensory challenges. Our preparation included school visits and crafting a mental touchstone for her: to look for glimmers of light amongst potential darkness, akin to stars in a big, open night sky.
If you're navigating your own tough trans...
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September 8, 2025 • 48 mins
Ever feel like you're always last on your own to-do list? With the start of a new school year, it’s the perfect chance for us moms to shift that narrative. In a conversation with Mia Hemstad, we delved into the vital role of self-care in reclaiming our time and energy.
Mia's "four B's" framework encourages us to thoughtfully prioritize our needs, whether that means indulging in a favorite show or finally scheduling that doctor’s ...
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September 6, 2025 • 7 mins
Struggling with reactivity or feeling out of control? In this powerful clip, Monica Packer explains the science behind deep breathing and introduces a simple, 10-second practice that can help you create space between trigger and reaction. Learn how to use your "response gap" to reclaim calm, control, and alignment—one intentional breath at a time.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-be-less-r...
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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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September 1, 2025 • 45 mins
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 lik...
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August 30, 2025 • 9 mins
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 yo...
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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 ...
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Today, I’m joined by my friend, author, and speaker Toni Collier, who knows firsthand what it means to rebuild a broken life. When Toni was last on the show, we talked about embracing brokenness. Since then, her life has essentially exploded in ways that would make most people retreat: betrayal, a public divorce, and the loss of her job, church, community, and home. And yet, Toni chose to let people into her pain.
In this powerful...
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August 23, 2025 • 10 mins
What if your anxiety wasn’t just about your thoughts—but your unfelt feelings? In this powerful clip, counselor Nancy Jane Smith breaks down why our inner critic (aka the “monger”) might feel like it's helping us succeed, but is actually holding us back. She shares how acknowledging your emotions—even for just 90 seconds—can change everything. If you’ve ever wrestled with perfectionism, burnout, or anxiety, this one will hit home.
...
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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 episo...
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August 18, 2025 • 53 mins
Can a simple act like brushing your hair be the first domino to a new life? On this coaching call, I speak with Amy, a single mom of five navigating a complete life reset. She's recently moved into a new home and is preparing to go back to school full-time, ready to move past "survival mode" and build a life of stability.
Amy struggles with prioritizing herself, so we work to challenge the mindset that taking time for herself is ...
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August 16, 2025 • 7 mins
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 designe...
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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 na...
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The fear of making mistakes can paralyze parents and prevent true connections with their kids. In this episode I explore this challenge with Drs. Lori and Mallory from the Childhood Collective, focusing on parents of neurodiverse children, particularly those with ADHD. We delve into the societal pressures and internal criticisms that complicate parenting and underscore the importance of striving for connection rather than perfectio...
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August 9, 2025 • 7 mins
Feeling overwhelmed by your own goals? Ashton Barrett joins me for a heart-and-soul conversation about how to recognize when you're growing—and when you're grinding yourself into the ground. We talk about perfectionism, the pressure to perform, and the magic of the “power of yet.” If you’ve ever felt stuck in self-doubt or like you’re behind on your progress, this episode will feel like a hug and a kick in the pants. Spoiler: your ...
Mark as Played
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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I'm sharing my journey of creating a practical and strategic grocery shopping plan to save money and reduce stress. I recount my experiences and the challenges I faced with rising grocery costs, and how I eventually developed a system I call the 'Smart Seven.' These seven strategies include how I plan, when I shop, and what I shop for.
These tips helped me save significant amounts on groceries, translating into less financial stre...
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August 2, 2025 • 6 mins
What if the parts of you that felt carefree, curious, and joyful as a child are exactly what you need more of as an adult—and as a parent? In this heartfelt conversation, Neena Warburton shares how reconnecting with her inner child changed the way she parents and lives. You’ll hear how childlike qualities like wonder, creativity, and compassion are not traits to grow out of, but to grow into—with the wisdom of adulthood. This is a ...
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July 28, 2025 • 52 mins
In this episode, I dive deep into a fascinating conversation with Greg McKeown, the bestselling author of "Essentialism" and "Effortless." Greg and I explore the concept of making life's essentials easier and more manageable. We discuss how the hustle culture often leads to burnout and how we can find a better way to prioritize what truly matters.
We also touch on the importance of trade-offs, especially for women who often feel o...
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