About Progress

In this episode, we dive into the allure of certainty and why it's so tempting to want a clear, step-by-step guide for every aspect of life. But here's the catch—life doesn't always work that way. Whether it's raising kids, exercising, or planning your day, rigid prescriptions can often fall short. Join me as I share why I can't, in good conscience, give you a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, I'll offer tools, principles, and insights to empower you to craft your own path. Learn how to adapt, choose your "shoulds," and embrace flexibility in your journey. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I used to be a cardio queen, until I was forced to change my habits and finally take strength training more seriously. I could not have done that on my own, and credit my personal success to several different women online. For many years one of those influences has been Amber Brueseke, who returns to the podcast to discuss the importance of strength training for women, especially as we age. Amber shares her journey and practical tips on how to get started with weightlifting, no matter your level of experience. From understanding the 'why' behind strength training to practical steps and five incredible tips you can implement right away, this conversation is packed with value. Tune in to learn how you can prioritize strength training, overcome intimidation, and start making progress today. Amber's workshop Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Stic

I'm taking you behind the scenes of my 20-year high school reunion—a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected moments. As someone who helped plan the entire event in just a month, I had a unique perspective on everything that went down. In this episode I'm diving into the highs, the lows, and the heartfelt moments that made this reunion unforgettable. From pre-reunion jitters and outfit dilemmas to heartwarming reconnections and surprising revelations, this experience was anything but ordinary. I'll share how it felt to face old insecurities, witness the struggles and transformations of my classmates, and discover the profound impact this reunion had on all of us. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the beginning of the summer I shared my "Summer Savers," which I can now confidently say really did allow us to have one of our best summers ever as a family. So, in a similar fashion, this episode is all about helping you and your family transition smoothly into autumn, even if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the changes ahead. I’ll share practical tips, personal stories, and actionable steps to reflect on what worked and what didn’t last fall, cast a clear vision for the season ahead, and create effective routines and systems. Whether you're looking to bring more order to your daily life or just want to enjoy the fall season more fully, this episode has something for you. Tune in to make this fall your best one yet! Get your Fall Fixers! Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes AirDoctor, use code M

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 with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! Links I reference: JCrew earrings, @broccoliraab Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think about procrastination does it bring up some feelings of shame, maybe self-judgment? These complex feelings are common, so find out what your procrastination really means and how can you stop weaponizing it against yourself. By sorting out where your procrastination is coming from then you can see what your needs truly are and begin to develop healthy and supportive habits. Shirin shares her own story of perfectionism as an Iranian immigrant who relied on constantly outperforming others and even herself, but teaches now that that behavior is not sustainable. Instead, learn to live at the “intersection of getting it done and allowing yourself to have free time,” which she calls good enough work. Tune in to be, as Shirin says, encouraged to return to your values, your beliefs and what lights you up with purpose. For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive

Gabrielle Blair, mother of 6 blogging at Design Mom, co-founded Alt Summit 10 years ago and remains a champion for female entrepreneurship. Her motto could be described as dream big, then execute small. In fact, she admits in this episode that if she had known from the beginning where her dreams would have taken her she probably never would have attempted them. She opens up about the business “failures” turned important lessons, how she moved her family (of 8!) to France for years despite not even having passports to begin with, and speaks aloud her big personal dreams just like you’ve been encouraged to do this month. The size of your dreams doesn’t matter to anybody but you, and your ability to accomplish them isn’t up to anybody but you! See a pattern here? Tune in and be inspired to know how small steps take you big places. For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclus

In 2020 I put something on my Do Something List that I almost talked myself out of: have fun with fashion. I ended up loving the results so much that I’ve kept a version of it every year since. This year I came up with “explore my personal style.” And while I haven’t necessarily turned into a style expert, or even fashion blogger, I have enjoyed the way that exploring my personal style has helped me insert more of ME into my daily life. To be clear, your personal style should be a complete reflection of you, and should serve you in the season you are in. It does not need to be about fitting in, or reflect only the most popular trends. In today’s episode I’m sharing my conversation with Jenny Eversole of Style Space about why your personal style does matter and 5 steps to rediscovering it. Plus, you’ll hear about my own experience with their Stylist, Whitney Herrod Khader, and what I surprisingly learned from going through my closet with an expert. For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a

Have you ever found yourself in the position of feeling complete overwhelm, maybe even anxiety or depression, knowing you desperately need to take care of yourself but are simultaneously unable to? Whether it’s the small things like eating, or showering, to the big things like enjoying a creative hobby, we sometimes forget to support ourselves in those ways when we need it the most. Mia Hemstad is a mother of two and a self-care coach, who has dealt personally and professionally with severe depression and PTSD. She shares one of the scariest moments she realized how lacking her self-care had become, and it may be all too relatable to some listeners. Tune in for a very real examination of why you’re prone to neglecting yourself and how to change that in ways that actually matter. For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlis

Have you ever felt like it was too late? Too late for your goals, traditions, or habits? Or, maybe you feel it’s too late to create better relationships?  Feeling like it’s “too late” can bring up a lot of emotions: anger, guilt, or sadness. You feel like you should have known better! (“I should have started this last week or years ago!”) How can you recover from these feelings when you can’t change the past? Instead of being stuck in these feelings, I want to teach you how to start where you are, even when you think it’s too late!  In this episode, I share my own experiences of feeling like it was “too late” for me to start certain things. (Don’t worry, I definitely understand this feeling!) I then outline three ways you may be disqualifying yourself from starting over and cover mindset shifts you can embrace to move from feeling “it’s too late” to starting what you want. (Hint: this means starting exactly where you are! You don’t have to go back to the beginning . . . )  So, whether it’s a new habit, a diff

I have been surprised by something as an adult…I stink at friendship. When it comes to making new friends, or even staying connected with old friends, it has just become harder and harder. I also find myself become more and more introverted as I get older. And I think many of you can relate. Making and keeping friends as an adult has always seemed to be a hot topic, so if we’re all feeling this pull then why is it still so tough? Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Marisa G. Franco joins me today to offer the science backed reasons behind loneliness and relationships in a way that will have you nodding along in agreement. Honestly, you may even audibly gasp at some of her explanations – in a good way! The hard things you have been experiencing when it comes to friendship are real, and they have names, and there are ways to really support yourself through them. For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Ep

Is your marriage ready for more? More intimacy, connection, and collaboration? Then, it’s time for some changes. It’s time to move towards more partnership. This is where both spouses have their needs and desires be equally heard. This is where BOTH spouses’ contributions can be better valued and supported.  Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife and Dr. Julie Hanks (two of our top-favorite guests!) are joining forces to share what a partnership model looks like, why it’s essential to having deeply successful marriages and families, and HOW couples can move past the obstacles getting in the way of being equally valued.   This won’t be a light-hearted episode for you to listen to. But it will be a life-changing one. It’s time for MORE in your marriage! If you’re ready for that, listen in to learn how. For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Traini

If you had an hour totally to yourself, what would you do? Author Catherine Price explains in today’s interview that when faced with that exact situation she found herself signing up for a guitar class. That choice spiraled into what she now knows as true fun.  When was the last time that you had fun? Maybe you’re wondering what fun even is. Catherine compiled her research into her book “The Power of Fun,” which she shares about in this episode along with some powerful personal anecdotes.  By taking care of ourselves in this way and giving ourselves the opportunity to let go and have fun, it makes us better at our responsibilities. If you are capable of having fun then you bring it to other people, and it’s a gift to give others that comfort, joy, and lightness. It’s time to take having fun more seriously and see how rewarding that can be. For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! A

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 with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you feeling overwhelmed about the summer ahead? Do you want to balance responsibilities and recreation with purpose and sanity? In this episode, I'll share my personal plan to save the summer! I'll walk you through four lifesaving strategies that will make your summer memorable and manageable. We'll talk about creating a vision, setting up systems, and ensuring everyone in the family is on board and contributing. Plus, I'll share some personal stories and practical tips to help you feel balanced and connected. Join me for this insightful episode and learn how you can save your summer, too! Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Fearless Finance, get $50 off your first planning meeting when you use the code PROGRESS, and AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode we're getting into one of the tougher topics: divorce. It's messy, it's emotional, but it can also be empowering. In this conversation with Dina Alexander, mom and founder and CEO of Educate and Empower Kids, she's getting real about her own journey and why she decided to focus on helping others navigate theirs. We talk about finding "imperfect grace" – that space between breakdowns and breakthroughs. We also dive deep into self-care, even when it feels impossible. Plus, she's sharing what surprised her most about divorce and offering up actionable tips for anyone going through it, or supporting someone who is. Past episodes with Dina. Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Fearless Finance, get $50 off your first planning meeting when you use the code PROGRESS, and AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

For many of the early years of our marriage and family we lived in tight quarters that required a lot of diligence around the stuff we brought into our home. When I reflect on that, I realize I learned valuable lessons on organizing, purging, and being intentional about what we surround ourselves with. Those methods continue to shape my perspective even as our family and living space grows. Seeking guidance on how to apply more minimalist principles to everyday life, I invited Diane Boden, author and podcaster of Minimalist Moms, to join the conversation. Diane shares her insightful journey to minimalism, emphasizing the importance of living with intention and finding freedom in simplicity. Together, we explore deep principles and practical tips that can help anyone create a more intentional and fulfilling lifestyle, even for those who may not fit the traditional minimalist mold. Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Fearless Finance, get

Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These episodes feature real people who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits. Emily's Instagram Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is particularly close to my heart, as we explore the challenging, yet rewarding, journey of adapting to significant life changes while striving to retain and rediscover our personal time and creativity. During those big shifts it becomes imperative to recalibrate and redefine what it means to make time for ourselves, whether that's pursuing hobbies, practicing self-care, or enjoying the company of friends. In this coaching call with Katie, she shares a challenging adjustment period following the addition of a child to her family, and how she is now ready to reprioritize her creative pursuits. If you're like Katie, feeling trapped in the cycle of struggle to find 'me time,' this conversation will shine a new light on your situation. Episode on rhythm scheduling. Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Fearless Finance, get $50 off your first planning meeting when you use the code

In this episode, we're ditching the guilt and diving head first into what I'm personally doing to save money on groceries, without resorting to extreme couponing or long hauls to discount stores. Remember, there are no 'shoulds' here - just ideas to experiment with! I'll also chat about what's still a work in progress for me, including trying new stores and prepping freezer meals. Access exclusive supporter benefits Free DSL Training Waitlist for the next Sticky Habit Intensive Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices