About Progress

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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. 6D AGO

    The Wisdom of Wintering: Why Your Hard Seasons Matter and How to Move Through Them || with Katherine May

    Have you ever considered that the most profound growth happens in the stillness of life's winters? Katherine May's concept of "Wintering" challenges us to view these quiet times not as setbacks but as necessary periods for renewal and introspection. It's about recognizing that slowing down and stepping back can rejuvenate our spirits. By appreciating these quiet seasons, we allow space for personal growth and the reinforcement of our core values. Reflecting on these ideas made me realize how often I've resisted slowing down, seeing it as counterproductive. Yet, in embracing rest and retreat, we can find contentment in being enough, even amid apparent inertia. These quiet times are invitations to connect deeply, both with ourselves and with those around us, paving the way for transformative change and a renewed sense of purpose. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" and by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
  2. DEC 15

    AP 745: The Courage to Be a Beginner: + The Real Purpose of Creative Hobbies || with Kolbie Blume

    In this conversation with Kolbie Blume, we explored how embracing imperfection can lead to deeper fulfillment in our creative pursuits. We discussed the concept of focusing on tiny moments of wonder rather than the final product, highlighting that the magic lies in the process, not the outcome. Our chat reminded me of the importance of investing in oneself and making room for personal joys, despite the everyday trade-offs and responsibilities that often overshadow our own needs. Rediscovering hobbies and allowing ourselves to be beginners opens doors to joy and self-acceptance. It's about learning to prioritize ourselves on our list of responsibilities, exploring creativity without fear, and finding joy in the messiness of life. Remember, it's not about achieving perfection but about valuing the process and the personal growth that comes with immersing yourself in something you love, just as it is. Through this interview and my personal journey, I realized that being messy is, indeed, part of the magic. Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won HERE. More for Moms Conference, use code “LISTENER” for $20 off: https://www.aboutprogress.com/moreformoms Past Episode to support: first episode with Kolbie “How Perfectionism is Getting In Your Way” https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-perfectionism-is-getting-in-your-way Kolbie’s new watercoloring book, National Parks in Watercolor Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" and by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
  3. DEC 11

    I Need a Hobby: Real-Time Talk on the HOW Behind Hobbies || Bonus Episode

    In a recent podcast episode, I walked through my quest to rediscover personal interests and prioritize them amid the whirlwind of daily life. Like many women, I'm navigating the busy demands of motherhood and work while yearning for outlets that are just for me—without needing them to be productive or result in a tangible outcome. I realize that it's not always easy to carve out these moments, but it's becoming clear that hobbies are more than a want—they're a need. The challenge lies in making the time without feeling guilty for setting aside the never-ending list of tasks. I'm committing to at least try, even if it means re-prioritizing my weekends. If you're in a similar boat, I invite you to join me in this journey of self-discovery and openly puzzle through the “how” alongside me. After all, stepping into hobbies is an investment in ourselves, a way to find joy amidst the busyness, and maybe even a step towards easing the funks we sometimes fall into. Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won HERE. Old episodes to support: Episode on being in a funk: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/in-a-funk-here-s-how-i-m-supporting-myself-through-mine-and-how-you-can-too  Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" and by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  4. DEC 4

    Feeling more like myself, turning in my book manuscript, highs and lows with my kids, a purchase that was on my DSL, what I'm looking forward to in 2026 || Messy Middle December 2025

    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!  Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won HERE. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, get up to 40% off at ⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠ with code "COZYPROGRESS" and by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min

Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
1,276 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.

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