If you're still clinging to the idea that you are not creative, here's another fantastic interview to help you change the way you see yourself, and the reasons why that might be so important for you. Within your creative ability (it's in there, promise!) is the power, purpose, and fulfillment to shape your life and the lives of those around you that matter most. Writer Meg Conley shares her story and inspires you to reclaim your agency and create a life of meaning and fulfillment. Meg tackles ge...
Jun 16, 2021•52 min•Ep. 342
Michelle Franzoni Thorley is the artist behind Flora Familiar, where she uses various art forms to address family history, antiracism education, and her culture. When you see her beautiful work you'll want to assume a lot about her talents. But, what she wants you to know is that artistic creativity is something she has worked to uncover within herself. Through her simple tips to uncover your creative side, and the guidance of this conversation, you'll begin to see where your creativity lies, be...
Jun 09, 2021•50 min•Ep. 341
As a community, we are anchoring into our deeper identity, one that exists OUTSIDE of our bodies and how they appear. This special episode is devoted to hearing from women of the About Progress community who share how they are fighting the constant push from the world to believe (and live!) otherwise. No! Here, we instead believe in the words of the Kite sisters from Beauty Redefined: we are more than our bodies. Full episode notes HERE . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
Jun 04, 2021•27 min•Ep. 340
I believe we really are all born to create, and this is something we've talked about often on the podcast. If that idea feels foreign to you, then I have a few suggestions of how you can dig in and find that spark again. Likely you're hung up on the definition of creativity, which I challenge you to reconsider. It's time to move away from that all or nothing thinking and remember that you don't have to earn the right to be a creative, you just have to create. Tune in for my 3 tips on how to begi...
Jun 02, 2021•31 min•Ep. 339
Today's episode is from an exclusive masterclass that was presented to the Strive Hive by registered dietitian Taylor Chan. This won't happen often, or maybe ever again, but her message on navigating diet culture is too important. When you tune in you'll hear her teachings on the 3 important new ways to look at nutrition and some reframing around specific food examples. There is also a question and answer session that took place in real time, and you will likely identify with the voices you hear...
May 26, 2021•59 min•Ep. 338
In my coaching experience and working with the women in this community I have often heard, "What about my health problems?" Not being able to show up for your life the way you want to, because your health struggles affect your identity, is happening in big and small ways for many of you. If you feel "outside" of some of the topics we've been discussing here I want you to take the space you need within certain teachings to honor your body best. In this episode I want to remind you how to refocus ...
May 21, 2021•17 min•Ep. 337
How much of your time, your precious energy, are you spending worrying about your body, your food, and what others think about you? In a society that celebrates women in smaller bodies and oppresses women in larger bodies, you are not alone. Former macro coach, Ashton Barrett, describes her "diet rock bottom" and how she has learned to thrive on the other side. She teaches when it's time to ditch diets for good, and how to heal yourself by honoring your body through this shift. In this conversat...
May 19, 2021•54 min•Ep. 336
What if you could go from a place of negativity, or numbness, towards your body, to a place of neutrality? What if you could go from there to liking it, even loving it. Your body is a part of you, but it is not all of you. If this feels foreign to you, it's time to heal your relationship with your body by stating there - with the relationship. As we dive deeper into this month's theme of "Honor Your Body" we are lucky to learn from Anna Packard, a clinical psychologist and Certified Eating Disor...
May 12, 2021•48 min•Ep. 335
How much time are you spending thinking about your body and appearance, instead of your dreams and goals and other pursuits? For me, personally, it has been too much time. I recount a few very specific memories from my youth that shaped my own ideas of a perfect body , which, if you're familiar with my story, led to very difficult years of disordered eating. My guess is that you can relate and may have also struggled to really honor your body. One thing I want you to remember, though, is that yo...
May 05, 2021•48 min•Ep. 334
When you think of your goals, are they the really big, New Year's Resolutions type? While a desire to totally revamp your morning routine, for example, is noble, it can be too large to be doable. To achieve change through sustainable growth you have to understand the keys to creating big routines by starting with small habits. Not sure where to start? Sandra Chuma, Habits Coach and Podcaster, has some great ideas for how to break it down. She opens up about her own story from being born and rais...
Apr 28, 2021•46 min•Ep. 333
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 o...
Apr 21, 2021•38 min•Ep. 332
The truth is that you DON'T have to "do it all" to be a happy, whole, well-rounded person. In fact, consider how being selectively lazy will actually maximize your growth where it counts the most. Kendra Adachi--podcaster and writer--wants you to be a GENIUS about the things that matter, and LAZY about the things that don't. This is the path to deep and lasting progress. As living, complicated, breathing humans, we have to honor and lean into our limitations in order to amplify our biggest prior...
Apr 14, 2021•53 min•Ep. 331
When you think of "maximizing" habits, do you picture extreme, over-the-top action? 110% commitment? Superhuman willpower at work? Well, here's good news for us mortals: none of that works long-term. While we are going to discuss how to maximize your habits all month long, today's introductory episode is all about the basics. In order to maximize habits, you need to have some to begin with. And to get those, you need to focus on "The Process" to help you build habits that won't drift away before...
Apr 08, 2021•38 min•Ep. 330
Can you answer these two questions: "Who am I?" "What matters to me?" If not, you're likely experiencing what Monica calls "a misplacement of identity." This is what happens when we place our worth, our value, and our "sense of self" on the things we do, the way we look, our achievements, our roles, instead of who we deeply, truly are. A strong identity is the foundation to all the work we do at About Progress. It's the filter through which we know how to direct our choices, ways we can work on ...
Apr 05, 2021•53 min•Ep. 329
As we "celebrate" the year anniversary of the beginning of a tumultuous year, we are looking back more on how we as a community have grown, changed, and become more of who we want to be. Listen in to hear notes from your fellow Progressors, women just like you who are working towards big changes in sustainable ways. IMPORTANT NEWS! Become a Founding Student of Monica's new, foundational course, "Finding Me." In this 6-week course, you will learn to belong to yourself again by uncovering who you ...
Mar 31, 2021•22 min•Ep. 328
Did you know that research shows we each make 35,000 decisions each day? It's exhausting just thinking about it! If you find yourself feeling stuck and indecisive, or overwhelmed by all the choosing, then I have a short and sweet message for you on how to counteract decision fatigue. By creating habits and routines at the bookends of your day that eliminate the need for tiring decision-making you will have clarity, and gain the ability to confidently work through bigger decisions. About a few ot...
Mar 26, 2021•17 min•Ep. 327
Today's guest Jessica Hottle explains, "We are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body." In this interview she dives into the ways to become more in tune with your whole self, to find connection between body and soul as you work towards your purpose. Jessica's own history as a self-proclaimed "emotional rollercoaster" explains how she began doing this work for herself and what she has since learned. Since we all operate best as a whole person, it's so important to address what might be g...
Mar 24, 2021•39 min•Ep. 326
We sometimes confuse our passions and our purpose, so what is the difference and why does it matter? Podcaster, coach, and passions enthusiast Nikki Innocent breaks it down for all of us in this interview. If you're struggling with this, feeling like you lack the time to pursue passions, let alone purpose, then this is especially for you. By digging deep and finding what lights you up, then growing those seeds, you can live in full alignment with your values - this is how to nourish your passion...
Mar 17, 2021•45 min•Ep. 325
While working with a therapist treating my eating disorder he taught me that thoughts affect your feelings, and your actions. With that in mind, I have sort of an unpopular opinion, a belief that has been true for me, that life's circumstances are not completely neutral. So while our thoughts are vital, a year like 2020 taught us that circumstances matter, especially when things become so out of our control. I do believe we still have a choice to make about how we show up in the midst of our cir...
Mar 12, 2021•17 min•Ep. 324
Three years ago Lisa Funk was a guest here and something she said has stuck with me ever since, "We are born to create." We talk often about the importance of creativity in this community, and how it can (and should!) look different for each of us. Today we're tying in our identity with doable tips to create purpose with what you already love. Lisa is a gifted artist and teacher of mindful lettering, as she describes it. She shares her own journey to live with, and create, purpose in a way that ...
Mar 10, 2021•48 min•Ep. 323
How often, when asked to introduce yourself, do you describe what you do and not who you are? Instead of placing emphasis on your roles and responsibilities, it's time to uncover your identity and purpose. I've experienced my own dramatic identity shifts several times over my life because I was too focused on my roles . I want to urge you to continue to seek purpose, with respect to the season you're currently in. I have two big reasons why this common pitfall, placing too much emphasis on roles...
Mar 03, 2021•39 min•Ep. 322
As a young child you could hardly find me without a book, as reading was something I truly loved and carried a passion for into adulthood. As I became a mother, it continued, but slowed to a halt after my third child was born. When I created my first Do Something Plan I nervously wrote down "read 20 books" thinking I might never reach that goal. But slowly, I got back into my book worm ways and this year hope to read 80 books. See my top book recommendations here ! Tune in to hear the 3 ways you...
Feb 26, 2021•19 min•Ep. 321
When I created my first ever Do Something Plan 5 years ago it was simply to try to dig my way out from under a quarter-life identity crisis. I say simply not because it was a small task, but because I had no idea what it would become, just that I needed to do something . If you also find yourself feeling stuck, or unfulfilled, (even if you have the things you want!) then this episode on easy ways to find yourself, no matter how late, is just for you. Mikayla Johnson is a Progressor, a member of ...
Feb 24, 2021•46 min•Ep. 320
If you've been a part of this community for a little while, you already know I'm not opposed to treating yourself, but I am opposed to the idea that it is the same as true self care. Instead of just sticking a bandaid over what can be a real wound, it's time to learn the ways to practice deep self care, beyond the treat yourself variety. Podcaster and coach, Taylor Elyse Morrison, is on the show today to share her expertise on self care. She teaches us hard-hitting definitions, as well as the fi...
Feb 17, 2021•42 min•Ep. 319
When the opportunity arose to have one of our previous guest's twin sister on the show, I rearranged a lot because this interview is exactly what so many of us need to hear. In episode 97 , Lindsay Kite taught us how to build a resilient body image. Today, Lexie Kite brings us up to speed with their recent accomplishments and delivers another powerful episode on how to over come body obsession, and as she says, come home to your self. Since they both received their PhD's in media and body image,...
Feb 10, 2021•45 min•Ep. 318
Years ago I shattered a bottle of balsamic vinegar, and in the nightmarish process of cleaning it up I lost it. It made me rage, scaring myself and my young children. I knew something had to change. My life was everything I wanted, but I was still stuck. If you've been there, or are there now, I want to share my approach to feeling different even when things looks the same. By belonging to yourself, learning to be wholehearted in your approach, you will feel more fulfilled and have more energy a...
Feb 03, 2021•40 min•Ep. 317
You don't need to ignore your past, or shove it deep down. There is a fine balance between acknowledging it and moving beyond it - whether that's lifelong struggles or even just this past year. Tune in to this inspiring story about how to effectively shake off your past for a better future. Against all odds, Michael Arterberry has pushed through immense struggle since childhood, to be the motivational speaker and author that he is today. He is also the creator of an intensive program for youth, ...
Jan 27, 2021•35 min•Ep. 316
Olympic athletes...they're just like us! Or at least that's what this interview with medalist Noelle Pikus-Pace will have you thinking. Her major secrets you need to now to accomplish your biggest goals are based on mindset, purpose, values, and relationships. She offers three simple tips, and ultimately reminds everyone to start super, super simple. Listeners from this community will especially resonate with her approach to habits, and her unique bucket list (spoiler: it's a lot like a Do Somet...
Jan 20, 2021•56 min•Ep. 315
It was only three years ago that I got back into goal-making (the right way) and that year it took me three months to even decide on them all. I've been on both sides of the all-or-nothing pendulum of attitudes towards goals, so I understand wherever you are. In this episode I'm teaching you how to make goals that won't kill you, with four reasons you're likely struggling and what to do about it. Through my experience, and through working with others, I've seen the mistakes we all tend to make w...
Jan 15, 2021•32 min•Ep. 314
Licensed marriage and sex therapist, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife is well known to this community. Today she is joined by her sister, Carolyn Bever who is an acclaimed violinist. Through their respective careers they have both seen how a lot of people become overwhelmed at the prospect of getting from where they are, to where they can go, because of perfectionism. Together they teach the importance of knowing your strengths, your own capacity, and how strive for excellence in a way that works for...
Jan 13, 2021•55 min•Ep. 313
