About Progress
Channel Details
About Progress
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...
Recent Episodes
841 episodes
Why Perfectionism Keeps You Procrastinating || H&K with Monica Packer & Rachel Nielson
Why do we procrastinate even when we care about the outcome? In this episode of H&K with Monica Packer and Rachel Nielsen, we explore how perfectionis...
AP 766: From Defensive to Open: Learning to Receive Feedback That Helps You (and Your Relationships) Grow || Growth Spurt
Writing my book has been one of the most personal and challenging experiences of my life. When editing, the scariest part was opening myself up to fee...
AP 765: The Practice of Attention: How to Stop Scrolling in a Distracted World || with Cody Cook-Parrott
In today's fast-paced world, finding focus can often feel like an impossible feat. Cody Cook-Parrott shared that when our attention is scattered due t...
Choosing Joy in Hard Seasons || H&K with Mandi Winkleman
What if learning how to be happier isn’t about fixing your circumstances, but shifting your perspective? In this honest conversation, Mandi Winkleman...
AP 764: Navigating endless toddler colds, vein procedure fears, unforgettable family trips, Brandi Carlile admiration, and book launch jitters || Messy Middle March 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 la...
AP 763: Fixing the Labor Imbalance at Home || How to Shift from Martyr to Change-Maker
In my experience, women often carry the mental and emotional weight at home, which goes unnoticed. This burden leads to feelings of being undervalued,...
My Hobby Year: How Sketching Wildflowers is Teaching Me How to be Bad at Things || More Personal Preview
This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just $...
How to Be Happier by Decluttering the “Shoulds” || H&K with Rachel Nielson
What if learning how to feel happy starts with letting go of perfectionism? In this conversation, we talk about personal growth and development for mo...
AP 762: Remember When: A Ten Year Reflection|| 2017, Taking the Podcast (and Myself) More Seriously
Looking back on 2017, it's hard not to feel nostalgic about the immense growth and learning that happened during About Progress's first full year as a...
AP 761: Letting People In: Easy Hosting Ideas for Busy, Overwhelmed Women || with Brittney Hanks
Lately, I've been pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone and build connections through hosting. As an introvert, it’s been easier for me to sta...
Working on Things: My 10 Goals for 2026 || from More Personal
(This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just...
AP 760: From Caretaker to College Grad: How Moms Can Reclaim Their Dreams Through Higher Ed || BONUS with Dr. Cedric Howard
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Cedric Howard about a topic that resonates deeply with many moms in our community: returning to scho...
AP 759: From Career to Stay-at-Home Mom: How to Reclaim Time, Identity, and Purpose as the Full-Time Parent || coaching call with Janie
In a recent coaching call with Janie, a mother navigating the shift from a professional career as a social worker to a stay-at-home mom, we delved int...
What If Your Body Was on Your Side? Why You Don't Need to be Afraid of Intuitive Eating || H&K with Beth Summers
What if feeling happier didn’t require more control, stricter rules, or perfect habits? In this powerful conversation, we explore how personal develop...
Not Like Other Girls: A Casual Convo on Internalized Misogyny and Self-Acceptance || Preview from More Personal
Join Monica and Taylor for a thoughtful (and surprisingly layered!) chat about the "not like other girls" conundrum. What started as a casual comment...
AP 758: My DSL for 2026! || Growth spurt
In keeping with something I've done on the podcast for a few years now, I'm thrilled to share with you my Do Something List for 2026. This list isn't...
AP 757: The Relationship Cycle That Keeps Couples Stuck (and How to Break It) || with KC Davis
Ever find yourself stuck in the same argument over and over? Therapist KC Davis sheds light on how hidden defense mechanisms and vulnerabilities fuel...
Feel Happier Through Messy Growth || H&K with Cathy Heller
In this powerful clip from one of today’s most loved self help podcasts, Cathy Heller breaks down why perfectionism keeps us stuck — and how embracing...
February Book Report: Nine Books, Three Perfect Reads || from More Personal
Join Monica for February's Book Report, where she shares her latest literary adventures—from touching novels about unlikely families to eye-opening re...
AP 756: Surviving the flu, embarking on skiing adventures, advancing book edits, rediscovering ballet, and enjoying creative card-making || Messy Middle February 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 la...
AP 755: Habits That Are Helping || Why Habits Matter During Hard Times and 3 that are Helping Me Right Now
Life can feel overwhelmingly chaotic, and I've often found myself needing help to navigate through it. During these tumultuous times, I've learned tha...
How to be More Authentic & Why It Matters || H&K with Amber Price
Amber shares why connection gets deeper when we stop performing and start showing the real parts of ourselves — even the messy ones. We talk about how...
AP 754: Remember When: A Ten Year Reflection || 2016, Doing Something Again
This episode is a “Remember When,” a monthly episode to honor About Progress turning 10 years old. Looking back at 2016, I’m filled with a mix of nost...
AP 753: You’re Not Bad at Money! How to Build a System Instead of a Budget || with Rebecca Palmer
Navigating the labyrinth of personal finance can often feel overwhelming, especially with societal pressures and the constant barrage of advice from v...
The Small Habits That Help Us Heal and Grow || H&K with Lysha Smith
Lysha Smith opens up about how perfectionism, grief, and daily stress can coexist with joy, creativity, and growth. This conversation blends personal...
AP 752: BONUS: Do Something List 2026 Workshop!
The Do Something List has been a game-changer, evolving from my personal challenge into a lifeline for so many women aiming to prioritize personal ful...
AP 751: Joy in Marriage: How Acceptance, Choice, and Eros Create Deeper Intimacy || with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife
What if joy in marriage isn't about chasing happiness, but embracing courage? Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife's enlightening perspective reshapes our unde...
Why Perfectionism Steals the Joy of Growth || H&K Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife and Carolyn Bever
What if becoming your best self didn’t require perfection? In this personal growth podcast clip, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife and Carolyn Bever explore...
AP 750: My Do Something List Recap for 2025 || Growth Spurt
As I sat glued to the couch with my flu-stricken voice, I found myself reflecting on my goals for 2026 with unexpected waves of fear and overwhelm. Go...
AP 749: Redefining Ambition: A Healthier Approach to Personal Growth Without the Hustle || with Amina AlTai
For years, I battled with the idea that being ambitious made me appear too eager and self-serving. But I've learned that real ambition should ebb and...
The Freedom That Comes After Food Rules || H&K with Taylor Chan
What’s on the other side of fear, food rules, and constant self-criticism? In this personal growth podcast clip, we talk about how self-compassion, nu...
AP 748: The Grumpiest Day, Holiday Highs, Netflix Nights, a Passion for Sewing, and Revamping Our Routine || Messy Middle January 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 la...
AP 747: Dream-Led Living || Why Every Woman Deserves to Dream and HOW You Can Make This Your Year to Re-Learn How
As we step into this new year, there's a part of us that remembers the dreams we once had. I'm on a mission to invite that dreaming girl inside us bac...
Pre-New Year Anxiety: Why We Spiral Before January || H&K with Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT
In this personal growth podcast clip, licensed therapist Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT explains how anxiety quietly shapes our behaviors through avoidance,...
AP 746: 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 u...
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 t...
What Healthy Boundaries Really Look Like || H&K with Julie Hanks
Discover how healthy boundaries can transform your personal growth, daily habits, and overall happiness. In this conversation with Julie Hanks, we exp...
AP 744: 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 man...
AP 743: How to Simplify Holiday Traditions + Create More Meaningful Family Fun || with Brooke Romney
As we head into the holiday season, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to orchestrate the perfect celebration. The key takeaway from this c...
How to Raise Confident Kids || H&K with Dina Alexander of the non-profit Educate and Empower Kids
In this personal growth podcast episode, Dina Alexander shares simple, research-backed ways to help kids build real confidence—while also supporting y...