About Progress

Cloud10
  • 4.6 (26)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Importance of Cultivating the Smallest of Joys, Even Amidst the Toughest of Times || with Diane Shiffer, Your Chubby Vintage Nana

    As I sat down with Diane Shiffer, I was awestruck by her radiant perspective on joy, especially in a world that often feels engulfed in darkness. Diane, known as the Internet's favorite nana, believes in the transformative power of small joys. As I listened, I realized that joy isn't about waiting for the grand moments; it's about practicing gratitude and noticing the little things that lift our spirits. Diane's journey is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and self-compassion. Her book, "The Smallest of Joys," teaches us that embracing imperfections and offering ourselves grace are essential steps to living a joyful life. This conversation reminded me of the importance of rest and grace as fuel for productivity, rather than distractions from it. If there's one takeaway from my conversation with Diane, it's that we should start noticing and celebrating those small moments of joy that we often overlook in our daily hustle. Diane's Book, Website, Instagram Complementary episodes: ⁠Interview with Tanmeet Sethi⁠ Get the Best Summer Ever Workshop at half-off old pricing! Preorder Sticky Habits book today! Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book. Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good. Get the free DSL Training. Get your AquaTru water purifier with the discount code “MONICA.”  Get your teen Knix with code “PROGRESS.” Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min

  2. 4D AGO

    How One Mom Fought Postpartum Depression by Doing Something Just for Her || H&K with Heather Jensen

    After her third baby, Heather Jensen hit a wall. Postpartum depression had taken the happy, positive person she knew herself to be — and she needed to find her way back. What she discovered was that investing in her own goals and personal growth wasn't selfish; it was the very thing that made her a better mom. In this clip, Heather gets vulnerable about her mental health journey and how training for an Ironman became her self-care — not an escape from her family, but a way back to herself. She also shares the daily habits and mindset shifts that help her stop being a perfectionist about her training, keep family first, and still pursue big, scary goals. If you've ever wondered how to feel happy again after a hard season, or how to carve out space for personal development without the mom guilt, this one is for you. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/heather-jenson-achieving-big-goals-in-small-ways ⁠Preorder Sticky Habits ⁠book today! ⁠Leave a rating and review⁠ Check out my ⁠⁠workshops⁠⁠! Follow About Progress on ⁠YOUTUBE⁠! ⁠Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 min

  3. 6D AGO

    Staging Fiddler on the Roof, crisis-turned-cleaning spree, reclaiming routines, a workshop for summer adventures, and savoring a Nashville escape || Messy Middle May 2026

    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!  Get the Best Summer Ever Workshop at half-off old pricing! Preorder Sticky Habits book today! Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book. Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good. Get the free DSL Training. Get your AirDoctorPro air purifier with the discount code “MONICA.”  Get your teen Knix with code “PROGRESS.” Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min

  4. MAY 4

    How to Make This Summer Feel Different || The Simple 3-Step Formula for a Better Summer

    As I geared up for summer, a unique approach sparked magic in our household. Instead of jumping straight into plans, I started by envisioning how I wanted the summer to feel, incorporating my kids' ideas as well. This strategy created the perfect recipe for a more intentional and structured summer, complete with visions of family connection and adventure. Reflecting on past years, it's clear that self-care played a crucial role in making this summer a success. Keeping these elements in mind, alongside the support of a family meeting to set the tone, ensured that our summer was more than just survival—it was an evolution into an enriching, joyous experience for all. While it may not always be perfect, loving my kids and doing my best is the ultimate goal. Get the Best Summer Ever Workshop at half-off old pricing! Preorder Sticky Habits book today! Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book. Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good. Get the free DSL Training. Complementary episodes: Rhythm vs. Block Scheduling episode  Get your AirDoctorPro air purifier with the discount code “MONICA.”  Get your teen Knix with code “PROGRESS.” Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  5. MAY 2

    Why Busy Moms Deserve Hobbies (And How to Actually Find One) || H&K with Sarah Hart-Unger

    If you've ever talked yourself out of a hobby because you don't have enough time, it's not productive enough, or it just doesn't "count" — this one's for you. Monica and Sarah Hart-Unger get real about why personal growth and self-care for mothers has to include joy, not just optimization. They break down the cultural guilt that keeps women from allowing themselves fun, why your daily habits don't need to include a polished, passionate pursuit to qualify, and how a little self-compassion goes a long way when you're just trying to feel like yourself again. If you want to know how to be happier without a major life overhaul, the answer might be simpler — and a lot more fun — than you think. Dabble, friends. Just dabble. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-find-and-better-prioritize-hobbies ⁠Preorder Sticky Habits ⁠book today! ⁠Leave a rating and review⁠ Check out my ⁠⁠workshops⁠⁠! Follow About Progress on ⁠YOUTUBE⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    12 min

  6. APR 30

    The Perilous Financial Position of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom || More Personal Preview

    You know that middle-of-the-night thought spiral, the one where you're suddenly calculating how your family would survive if your spouse didn't come home?  In this preview from my premium feed, More Personal, me and my podcast manager are talking about it out loud, and it turns out, a lot of us have been quietly doing that math for years. In this Casual Convo we get real about one of the most uncomfortable truths of being a primary parent: the financial precariousness hiding beneath the surface of every “traditional” family life. From the fear of losing your spouse, to the trad wife movement and MLM's, we cover it all while grappling with what we actually can control when solutions feel out of reach. This one doesn't have a tidy resolution. But it might be the most honest conversation you hear about what it really costs to be the one who stays home. Join the Supporters Club to get access to the full ad-free episode! Preorder Sticky Habits book today! Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book.  Get your AirDoctorPro air purifier with the discount code “MONICA.” Get your teen Knix with code “PROGRESS.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  7. APR 27

    Why Discipline Isn’t Working for You (and What to Do Instead) || with Yashi Srivastava

    I've always believed that more self-discipline could solve all my problems, from achieving my goals to becoming a better version of myself. But in my conversation with Yashi Srivastava, I learned that discipline isn't the only way to make progress. Yashi introduced the concept of "inner alignment," shifting my perspective on how we can achieve our goals by harmonizing our minds, bodies, hearts, and souls. This approach challenges the traditional notion of discipline, encouraging us to explore what's truly happening inside us. Instead of jumping straight to action, we need to pause, listen to ourselves, and support our inner needs. This journey isn't about being the most disciplined person; it's about finding fulfillment and making meaningful strides toward the life we envision. Preorder Sticky Habits ⁠book today! Join the ⁠Book Launch Committee⁠ for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book. Join the ⁠Supporters Club⁠ to keep About Progress around for good.  ⁠Get the free DSL Training⁠. Yashi's Website, Free Training Get your AirDoctorPro air purifier with the discount code “MONICA.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min

  8. APR 25

    How to Stop Numbing & Actually Meet Your Needs || H&K with Monica Packer

    If you've ever picked up your phone when what you really needed was rest, connection, or just a moment to breathe — this clip is for you. Monica Packer shares a simple, judgment-free process for recognizing numbing behavior and turning it into a moment of genuine self-care. This is personal growth and development in the most practical sense: no shame, no perfectionism, just getting curious about what you actually need and making a choice that feels aligned with who you are. If you're working on daily habits that support your well-being, or looking for self-compassion practices that are realistic for busy moms, this one will resonate. Because how to feel happy often starts with just asking yourself one honest question: What do I need right now? Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/what-i-do-with-numbing-behaviors ⁠Preorder Sticky Habits ⁠book today! ⁠Leave a rating and review⁠ Check out my ⁠⁠workshops⁠⁠! Follow About Progress on ⁠YOUTUBE⁠! ⁠Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    8 min
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4.6
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Cloud10
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    840
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All content is copyrighted to Monica Packer. Do not use without permission.
  • Show Website
    About Progress

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