About Progress

In order to fully step into who you ARE, you need to look back at who you WERE. Last month we talked about ch-ch-changing! This month, we are focusing on being true to your real self. The one that you have still deep down inside you with interests, gifts, and passions put on the back burner. How can you rediscover your self? Go back to who you were as a kid. And consider which labels you have adopted that are getting in the way of you exploring others. CLICK HERE TO GET THIS MONTH'S FREE PRINTABLES, INCLUDING THE PROGRESS PLAN! Show Notes 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 groupJoin the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for February!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a community, not a fan club. We learn from and inspire each other. This new monthly series is where members of the About Progress Community write in to share notes with their fellow "Progressors." Listen in to hear how Progressors have grown, their experiences, their stories, and their wisdom on this month's theme.   Show Notes 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 groupJoin the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for February!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: "Drive," by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine having THE "ideal body" everyone is after these days. Imagine your arms being commented on by strangers at the grocery store, thousands of social media likes and comments daily about how inspired people are by your hard work and dedication to body-building, and creating an entire family-led business off of helping others do the same. Then imagine leaving alllllll the glory and admiration behind because you learned first hand that having the "ideal body" didn't correlate to having an "ideal life." That's Cori Baker. A year ago she went through a massive transformation. One that entailed a huge departure from the old transformation photos she used to share; this one being about the inside. Cori left behind a life on the extreme end on health in pursuit of a truer health--one still focused on mindfulness, nutrition, and exercise, but in a way that created far more room for an actual LIFE in between it all. Listen to learn how Cori knew it was time to shift her focus, what hard things she saw in herself s

In today's Growth Spurt, Monica shares how she has translated this month's theme into her own life: learning what she needs to change this year.   Monica shares three ways she wants to grow and how they relate back to better knowing who she wants to become. The three areas are:  1) Money 2) Marriage 3) Friendship Listen in to hear why she wants to make shifts in these areas and how you can also can figure out where you need to change the most, too.    SHOW NOTES: 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 groupJoin the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for February!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Spheres” by Nicolai Heidlas   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mindset is everything. So what do you do if the only way you learned how to change in the past was by hating yourself into it? Shifting your life by being motivated with guilt, shame, and "shoulds" is no way to grow. Tony Overbay is here to share how as a therapist he guides his clients (and himself!) to better catch negative self-talk and move into progressive change. Listen in to learn how you learning to like yourself (via your thoughts!) will help you better change into the person you want to become. Show Notes Tony's website, podcast, and Instagram + Value Model referencedFREE Printables, including this month's Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HERE Join the free and private FB groupJoin the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for February!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: "Drive," "Changes," and "Golden Alley" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi

People adore the "self-love" movement happening these days, and I'm alllll about it! Unless that acceptance-of-self translates more to someone excusing themselves from seeing where they need to change. Fully loving yourself entails being willing to see the good AND the bad in yourself. But your motivation is different--it's because you love the whole picture, and want to progress in ways that truly matter. Listen in to hear more!   This is our first "Growth Spurt," which will be a continuing series of short episodes that are designed to help give you a little push to grow!   Show Notes 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 Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for January!) Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: “Drive,” “Flower Garden,” “Changes,” “Back In School” and “Warm Lights” by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about yo

If you're telling yourself that it's already the second week in January and it's too late for you to get serious about goal-making, you're wrong. And if you're already feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or even under-challenged as one who strives to love goal-making, you're just doing it wrong. That's forceful to say--sure--but this interview with Lara Casey Isaacson is sure to help empower you to make goals that ACTUALLY work, and with progress--not perfection--in mind. Lara herself says that she is not naturally a "Goal Person." But, how she grew to successfully implement goal-making as an integral part to who she is, and then create a whole company devoted to helping others do the same was like this: LITTLE BY LITTLE. Listen in to hear how this happened for Lara and what you can do to become a "Goal Person," too. Show Notes Lara's website, Instagram, Facebook, and personal Instagram FREE Printables, including this month's Progress Plan Lend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HERE Join the fre

Do you feel stuck in the same patterns? Are you looking at the new year with equal parts hope AND fear? Wondering if you reallyhave it in you to make real, lasting change? You actually CAN change. Forget goal-making (that will come later), forget looking side-to-side to see what your internet friends or IRL loved ones are telling you you "SHOULD" be doing. Before anything else you need to hone into who you want to be, what change that requires from you, and WHY you want to change. Once you can do that (use our free printables here!), then you can go and DO SOMETHING about it. Listen in to hear how to start honing into who YOU want to become and how to make the kind of change that actually sticks around. Show NotesFREE Printables, including this month's Progress PlanLend your voice and experience +be featured on the show HEREJoin the free and private FB groupJoin the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for January!)Join Monica on Facebook and Instagra

Heather NEVER planned on living abroad--she was happy with her suburban Utah life. But when an unexpected job opportunity for her spouse showed up and with it a relocation to Japan, Heather found herself agreeing to move away from all she knew and loved. She expected it to be incredibly difficult. But what did she discover? Herself! Listen in to hear how this move exposed Heather to new sides of herself, added to her family's culture, and expanded their capabilities!   Show Notes Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for January!) My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code “PROGRESS” for $5) Contact Monica for podcast consultingand Progress Coaching Join Monica on Facebookand Instagram Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Warm Lights" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought about trying something new but get caught up in the "how?" You just need to go for it. The "HOW" will come with time, even in the least ideal of circumstances. Lysha Smith is on the show to share how you can better go for the things that are going to add to your life. She starts by encouraging you to imagine yourself at 80 and look back on how you spent your time on earth. Doing this helped Lysha navigate her husband's cancer, their shared losses, and beyond. Lysha talks about how the lessons from the hardest time of her life have now translated to how she now navigates the "normal" hard days. Through it all, Lysha learned how trying to focus on the good AND trying new things is what can bring light to her hard (and good) times. Bring on the healing AND the the hope!   Show Notes Lysha's Website and Instagram Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for January!) My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code “PROGRESS” for $5)

Oh how we WISH each baby came with a manual specific to only them! Well, today's episode is the next best thing. Dina Alexander from the non-profit Educate and Empower Kids is here to go through your toughest parenting questions.  From how to handle technology with kids, talking about their maturing bodies, boosting troubled self-esteem, and so much more. Show Notes  Educate and Empower Kids' website, Instagram, and Facebook Past episodes with Dina on Technology, Body Image, and Pornography Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for January!)  My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code “PROGRESS” for $5)  Contact Monica for podcast consultingand Progress Coaching Join Monica on Facebookand Instagram  Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Warm Lights" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us suffer from a runaway train-brain. We have good intentions to work on our thoughts and mindset, but it can be so difficult to break long-practiced patterns and start anew. Nancy Jane Smith is a certified counselor or expert on how to shift your inner critic (she nicknamed it, "the monger") into your "biggest fan." Where she wants you to start? By acknowledging and actually feeling our emotions. This is the key to everything! Nancy explain why and how you can do this to move forward to a much happier version of your life. Show Notes Nancy's website, book, and podcast Join the Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for January!) My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code “PROGRESS” for $5)  Contact Monica for podcast consultingand Progress Coaching  Join Monica on Facebookand Instagram Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Warm Lights" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Ellyse Harris quit her beloved job as a teacher to stay home with her newborn son, she found she needed something to remind herself of who she was. So she started to sew dolls of beautiful animals. And then those dolls became something people wanted to buy, and soon without even intending to, Ellyse found herself the founder of a small, but thriving, business. Ellyse is on the show to share how doing something small--creating again for her mental health--lead to so much more. She also shares how being the recipient of the High Five Grant(see this past episodefor more details on that--another round is coming up in January!) is going to go towards pushing her little business to the next level.   Show Notes Ellyse's websiteand Instagram Mama Ladder's upcoming High Five Grant  Join my Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for January!) My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code “PROGRESS” for $5) Contact Monica for podcast consultingand Progress Coac

Some days (weeks, and months) are just plain hard. There's no way around it.  Except . . . . maybe we can laugh about it? Granted, those laughs might not be appropriate or helpful during all hard trials, but at very least finding ways to see the light even in the hard can miraculously change our perspective. Mandi Winkelmanis on the show to share how her own choice to see the light AND the humor in her dark times has lightened things and changed her views of her own suffering.   Show Notes Mandi's websiteand Instagram Join my Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (you can apply now to reserve your slot for January!) My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code “PROGRESS” for $5) Contact Monica for podcast consultingand Progress Coaching Join Monica on Facebookand Instagram Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Warm Lights" by Nicolai Heidlas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know that children's negative actions (anger, lashing out, tantrums, wailing, etc.) are often just the misplacement of their true emotions? (Think: exhaustion, frustration, disappointment.) It's true! Kids who are reacting in negative ways actually need guidance to understand what is really happening within themselves and, in turn, better cope with what life throws at them. This is called "emotional responsibility," where one truly recognizes their emotions, takes charge of them, and cares for them. Mindful Art Company's founders, Candace Little and Becky Farley, are on the show to teach us how to engage with ourselves (this is essential) and our children in a powerful way so they better learn how to do just that. Want to transform your family culture? I can guarantee that this will do just that. Show Notes Mindful Art Co's websiteand Instagram (get 50% off their digital products with the code "PROGRESS") Join my Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (doors for December's admittance a

It's hard to stay centered within our social media word as it is, but throw yourself into the middle of the holiday season and you'll easily find yourself spinning out of control. Courtney Casper wants to help you hit pause and reset your life based off of what reallymatters. For her, this includes a life of spirituality, choice, and intention.  Listen to learn how to navigate difficult spiritual feelings, pressure to conform to and get caught up in the pulls of social media, and how to make the most of the smaller moments of our day, and the miracle of those small moments amounting to big investments in yourself.    Show Notes Courtney's Websiteand Instagram Join my Progress Program: LAST few days to join my SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (doors for acceptance are open next week, but you can apply now to reserve your slot for the group meeting time you want!) My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code “PROGRESS” for $5) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WE are celebrating TWO YEARS of the podcast! And I mean "we," because About Progress would be nothing without the listeners and the community we have created together. Today, I'm sharing four big lessons this little podcast taught me the past two years, including: Do it for you Consistency trumps everything Progress is messy (embrace the "messy middle") "Done" is better than perfect Additionally, I'm giving a sneak peek to how the show will change next year. The BEST (and scariest) change is that we will literally be hearing more from YOU the listeners. Listen in to hear how! Show Notes My Interview on Jealousy with Rachel Neilson of 3in30 podcast  Join my Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (doors for acceptance are open next week, but you can apply now to reserve your slot for the group meeting time you want!) My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code “PROGRESS” for $5) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Body positivity AND swimwear? Yes, both!! Mother-daughter duo Kristie Kemp and June Blackhurst weren't out to create a company when Kristie wanted to simply sew a swimsuit she felt confident in postpartum--but that's what happened!  What sets June Loop apart? Instead of buying into having a one-size-only model approach (like most swimwear companies) June Loop strives to show that ALL women belong in beautiful suits and to feel confident about their unique bodies. From having "normal" ladies of all shapes and sizes model and do "try-ons" for their suits, to constantly delivering body positive messages, the ladies of June Loop have a mission to stand out in the fashion business. They deliver by guiding women to FEEL happy, stop worrying over their looks, and instead act fully present in their strong (swim)suit.   Show Notes June Loop's website(use code "holiday30" to get 30% off from November 20-26th!) June Loop's Instagramand Facebook  Join my Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women (doors for

How would you respond to your spouse, friend, or sibling who express serious doubts about their faith? Brad Packer--Monica's husband--is on the show today to share what this was like for him. He answers: How he knew something was wrong. What he felt about Monica's struggles. How he supported her. Why he sticks with his faith.   Additionally, Monica and Brad go through some Q&A submitted by the listeners, including how they are raising their children in the LDS faith, what resources have been helpful, what other issues are part of Monica's faith crises struggle, and more. If you like the show please share it, subscribe, and leave a review!!   Show Notes Prior posts on my faith: here, here, and here All the Books that have helped me Instagram, Facebook group, and websitementioned that were helpful resources and support Join my Progress Program: SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women My new Work in Progress T-shirt!!(Use code "PROGRESS" for $5) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if we changed the way we looked at doubts and times where we face great spiritual darkness? What if we decided instead that this WAS what faith is supposed to look like: a series of spiritual growing pains? Paul Cardall faced a deep spiritual crisis after surviving a heart transplant. Instead of joy, he felt consumed by trying to live up to the great blessing that it was to live. Everything in his life fell a part, and he couldn't understand why God had let him live and not the friends and children with the same congenital heart problems he had. Paul freely shares what faith looks like for him, how he's navigated his own series of darkness and questions, and what we can individually do to move through our own times of doubt and GROW! If you like the show please share it, subscribe, and leave a review!! Show Notes: Paul's Website, new Christmas CD, and his recent Worth of Souls Project Past episodes with Paul: hereand here Progress Program!!! SMALL-group GROWTH coaching for women Contact Monica for podc