Sometimes I'm here to give you a bit of tough love, a kick in the pants as I like to call it! Today that looks like this: no more excuses! How many times have you pushed aside the spark of an idea with the excuse of laziness? You know what, you are not lazy. It's time to unpack why you're saying that and what to do about it. This month we have ...…

Do you ever feel down about yourself when really you're just feeling down about your talents and abilities? It's time to stop and figure out what the story is that you're telling yourself. And please, rewrite if necessary to connect to your own creativity story. But what exactly is that? About connecting to your own creativity story Today's gue ...…

I used to think being creative meant doing something completely unique, whether it was in performance or product. I can see now the crippling effect that had on simply allowing myself to use my natural abilities and see them as creative. What shifted my mindset? Realizing you are allowed to mimic! If you're still not convinced, let me explain.. ...…

I love to paint, but it has been put on the back burner these days with all the other things I juggle. So, does that mean I'm not creative? I still come up with meals my whole family eats, squeeze in my favorite workouts, interview incredible podcast guests (like these ladies!) and I just launched a 10 lesson online podcasting course. And that' ...…

Have you been surprised by discovering something new about yourself recently? So many of us are surprised by where our creativity can take us. Don't stop here if you think you're not creative, because you are. You may just need to give yourself permission to create. Whatever that looks like for you, you can explore it with grace, curiosity, and ...…

With the new month comes a new theme, and I really hope this one doesn't scare anyone off! We are going to dive into creativity - what it is, what it isn't, and how to have more of it in our daily lives. I suggest downloading the Progress Plan so you can work through it as you listen to this episode where I remind you of something that maybe yo ...…

This month the theme was "Progress is Messy", and you heard guest interviews and my take on what that looks like in real life. Natalie Norton shared her perspective on "How to Get Out of a Funk" - with simple tips for you and stories from her own life. Patrice Washington discussed "What to do When the Growing gets Tough" - including her own ris ...…

Mamas who primarily stay home with their kids struggle to understand how I can work on my podcasting business in addition to taking care of my kids. I get this curiosity, because a few years ago I wondered if I could ever make that possible, too. Whenever I talk about the how-to's with podcasting, people seem to be more interested how I balance ...…

Maybe you remember back in March when we talked about habits - motivation, sleep, and time management were a few of the topics. Hopefully you felt inspired to make some real change that would benefit you and, as a result, those around you. If you're still moving right along and keeping up with those new habits then good for you! (Also, give us ...…

We're throwing the stale rules of etiquette out the window and answering one of my most asked questions: Do you make money from podcasting? So here's the honest truth: yes! ...and no. This podcast started as, and still is, a passion project. If I didn't love it I would have quit a looong time ago. Maybe the numbers will surprise you, but do you ...…

Raise your hand if you have fallen victim to circumstances, or excuses, and your list of "What if's?" seems like the only thing in your life that is growing. Just like the old adage that a diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure, we too can learn how to shine if we push past resistance. The choice is yours, learn how to keep gro ...…

We talk a lot about self development around here: making progress, stretching yourself, GROWING. And I know it can be frustrating when those things, even the change you desperately want to happen, take time. If. you feel like you are only able to grow slow, I'm right there with you. In fact, I'm now grateful for my slow grow. Of course, for me, ...…

How is progressing going for you? Is it all over the place, back and forth, kind of a mess? GOOD. Progress is messy. All month long we are talking about what that looks like and how to deal with it. So what if you feel stuck, and need to know how to get out of a funk? The answer is simple - it's you! And this episode contains the tools you need ...…

Thank you for being a part of the About Progress community! I have a small favor to ask of you. Would you take this 30-second survey so that I can better understand this audience's demographics? It means so much to me that you show up here and allow me to produce this meaningful work! xo Monica Here's something you maybe didn't expect to hear a ...…

Thank you for being a part of the About Progress community! I have a small favor to ask of you. Would you take this 30-second survey so that I can better understand this audience's demographics? It means so much to me that you show up here and allow me to produce this meaningful work! xo Monica It's time to hear from this community! Each month ...…

Some of us dominate our to-do lists every single day and find happiness in checking off one thing after another. But most of us flounder between lists that consume all our waking thoughts and not making them at all. What if we could learn how to make a better To-Do List? Let's be clear, your desire to stay organized or maintain priorities is no ...…

Thank you for being a part of the About Progress community! I have a small favor to ask of you. Would you take this 30-second survey so that I can better understand this audience's demographics? It means so much to me that you show up here and allow me to produce this meaningful work! xo Monica This month has been centered on something seemingl ...…

Stories are an amazing way that we, as humans, are able to find connection. Have you thought much about your own story? Or maybe this is easier, how do you see your past and present self? Answering these questions about your unique story will put you in charge of your happy ending. I'm opening up about MY story in hopes that you reflect on your ...…

Do you own your time...or is time owning you? If you have fallen victim to this all-too-common scenario then you need to know there is a better way and an important why. And if this isn't you, think again. Maybe your entire day is filled with what you think are good and worthy things but consider this: should any one thing really fill your enti ...…

Take a moment, just in your mind, and think of your priorities. Include all the things to which you are regularly giving all of your time. I'm sure this list includes people, maybe some places, and likely some things. So, do you have your list? What number are you on that list? I get it, you have so much going on and you are the sun in your lit ...…

If you listened to last week's episode you know that the theme this month is all about how to be happy. Easier said than done? Not around here. This week you will learn three things you can change to be happy. Without even knowing it, you are probably holding on to some lies you think are making you happy. And while the specifics may be persona ...…

What is the one thing that unifies alllll of humanity? The desire to be HAPPY. And maybe also the overcomplicated routes we take to find how to be happy. So let's spend some time this month figuring it out together. Remember to tune in each week to learn more on this important topic. Why are we struggling so much with happiness? Perhaps we don' ...…

What a month! Did you work on one or two habits this month? I hope that everything we learned inspired you to narrow in your focus on one area of your life that needs some major help. Three experts in their fields gave real life tips on how to do this. As you know, for me that started with sleep. Our sleep episodes with Chrissy Lawler (here and ...…

Are you wearing your 'busyness' as a badge of honor? How about seeking self worth from the exhaustion of trying to do it all? To put it bluntly, you need to stop. Because doing more does not mean you are doing better. As a mother of 3 with multiple jobs, Jeanteil Livingston was overthinking and over-planning everything. Can you relate?! Good ne ...…

If you find yourself using your comfort zone as an excuse, you are not alone. My comfort zone used to be my excuse to not push myself where it matters most. In this bite-sized episode I tell you what your comfort zone really is and give specific examples about pushing yourself. Here's a hint: my laundry piles up just like yours! It isn't too la ...…

Has your own life become out of your control? You CAN get it back and it can start with one small word, "No." Here is the permission to let go, prioritize, and put yourself first in order to better manage all the other balls you are juggling. A working mom of 6, Dr. Jen Riday of the Vibrant Happy Women Podcast lives true to her mission to help ...…

I have been where you are - afraid to fail and hating myself into growth. There's a name for it, underachieving perfectionism, and a way to change for the better. If you feel STUCK and crippled by the thought of setting even day-to-day goals, this is me calling to you from the other side of that. Your worth is not determined by the perfect abil ...…

Are you having trouble changing your habits and reaching your goals because you're lazy? No! You just haven't found your motivational style. Explaining his carrot-dangling-free approach, therapist Adam Moorepresents three motivational styles to help you better understand yourself AND others. Here's a spoiler: find what makes you feel effective. ...…

You've heard the science and read all the tips, but what does sleep training look like in real life? This bonus episode provides a glimpse into just that. Tune in while Christine Lawler actually analyzes host Monica's sleep habits and maps out an achievable plan of action. Follow along and begin training yourself TONIGHT. If you've listened to ...…

Maybe you never thought you'd say this as an adult, but it's time to be sleep trained! Improving this ONE habit will change your life, and you aren't alone in needing help. With over 10 years of experience, therapist Christine Lawler dives into the why and the how of sleep training. From serious mental health reasons, to just general self care, ...…

Most of us start the New Year with a whole list of habits we are CERTAIN we will immediately transform. But then March comes and we're mostly same-old, same-old. It's because we are going about changing our habits all wrong. Listen to hear more about this month's theme and how in order to successfully shift your habits you need to start where i ...…

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: New Year, New You. SH ...…

Self-love is all the rage, but is it worth the hype? If you are looking to find out who you truly are, there is something else that may serve you better: self compassion. Self compassion is being fully KIND to yourself by no longer buying into shame cycles. You can allow things to get messy on the pursuit of growth, while keeping your self-wort ...…

How do you be true to yourself if you feel so very complicated? Being complex is totally OK. In fact, it's who you are made to be. Figuring out how to get in tune with how your complicated personality is in fact a strength will help you make more of your life. Amy Webb is a self-described contradictory person who would love to help you learn ho ...…

In this episode, I share 10 things you don't know about me. Don't worry, there IS a point beyond navel-gazing:) My goal is for you to then go on and create your own list of things people don't know about you and to see how this helps you cue in to who you are and what matters to you. Because when you know the SMALL things that make you "you," i ...…

Do you get stuck thinking you need to be an "expert" in one finite field in order to matter? Pish-posh! It's more than OK to be a "Jane of all trades." In fact, doing all the things will help you figure out better who you are than pigeon-holing yourself into one "admirable" standard of achievement. Miranda Anderson of Live Free Creative Co. is ...…

Do you want to change your life? Including your relationships? Work? Parenting? Fitness? Spirituality? And more? You need to start by knowing who you are. And that entails working on your personal development. Many women have lost touch with their inner selves--what makes them light up, including their natural interests, passions, hobbies, and ...…

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 ...…

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 Print ...…

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. Th ...…

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 ...…

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 ...…

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 ...…

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 ...…

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 "SHOUL ...…

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 t ...…

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 ...…

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 ...…

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 ...…

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, bu ...…