In this edition of "Dear Progressor," you'll hear from members of this community who called in and answered my prompt to share doable tricks that they shared or learned from hosting a " Tricks and Treats Night " with friends. You can also see a comprehensive list of ideas from fellow progressors here , covering a range of areas of your life from work, to home, to relationships, and even some helpful links. I hope this episode encourages you to see the small ways that we can make a big impact on ...
Nov 30, 2023•23 min•Ep. 550
Does the overwhelm of the holidays ever force you to choose between going all in, or doing nothing at all? Maybe you're somewhere in the middle, but overcomplicating it for yourself and not even enjoying any of your traditions, or the relationships around you. Today Brooke Romney joins me to discuss the importance of simplifying holiday traditions. Brooke shares her insights on the challenges of overcomplicating the holiday season and how she has navigated this in her own family. Some specific e...
Nov 27, 2023•44 min•Ep. 549
Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me ? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These episodes feature real people who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits. Sid Garza-Hillman is an author, stress and habit coach, running coach, nutritionist and repeat guest on the podcast who decided to go from recreational runner to ultra runner. He explains what exactly ultra running is, and why...
Nov 23, 2023•31 min•Ep. 548
I was interviewed by Julie Rose for her "Stick With It" series where I open up about my personal journey of facing uncomfortable situations, particularly one where my identity as a feminist conflicted with my role as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I share the emotional and challenging experience of reaching out to someone within my faith for an interview, only to be rejected based on my online writings. The rejection not only felt personal but also challeng...
Nov 20, 2023•37 min•Ep. 547
In this special episode to commemorate seven years of the podcast (!!!) I'm sitting down and sharing seven things you might not know about me from listener submitted questions. I cover a little bit about my childhood, how me and my husband met, some of my parenting ideas, how I'm balancing adding our fifth baby to the mix, some rapid fire questions about my favorite things, and more. Tune in to get to know me a little bit better as I make personal development just a little more personal . Findin...
Nov 16, 2023•34 min•Ep. 546
Unfortunately, fear cannot be avoided. But for so many of us, it can become an all consuming emotion, especially in certain circumstances. Farnoosh Torabi, a renowned expert in personal finance and author, shares her origin story about fear, and how it shaped her entire life. Now, she makes the distinction between understanding and embracing fear as a natural emotion, rather than viewing it as an enemy. Farnoosh emphasizes the need to have a constructive conversation with fear, allowing it to pr...
Nov 13, 2023•52 min•Ep. 545
After sharing about a recent disappointment, I received a flood of messages that led me to realize there is this common misconception that we're alone in our feelings of being stretched too thin. After reading through them you can trust me, you are not the only one dealing with the weight of mental and physical exhaustion. Today I'm sharing more about that personal experience that left me feeling pretty upset, and questioning how I will ever be able to keep up with all of the demands of my life....
Nov 09, 2023•11 min•Ep. 544
Nir Eyal , author and behavioral designer, has spent years researching habit formation - specifically teaching tech and product companies how to get users hooked. He has a refreshing take, though, and discourages the all-or-nothing abandonment of your smart device for a 1990's flip phone and typewriter (from personal experience, seriously). Instead, Nir teaches 4 techniques that are really mindset shifts to address the 3 biggest reasons you're getting distracted. If you've been here for any amou...
Nov 06, 2023•57 min•Ep. 543
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 ...
Nov 02, 2023•25 min•Ep. 542
Even if you never had the exact word to describe it, I am sure you have found yourself overwhelmed, overstimulated, or overreactive, and ultimately you were dysregulated . Being in a regulated state allows us to respond to situations with calm and intention, while dysregulation can lead to reactive behavior. My guest, emotional development expert and author Alyssa Blask Campbell, explains that regulation involves the ability to cycle through different states in our nervous system with ease, how ...
Oct 30, 2023•49 min•Ep. 541
Are you aging? If so, what’s changed for you about your energy, your mobility, your strength, and even your soreness scale? Many of us are starting the aging process or are smack dab in the middle of it, and have been for decades. Talking about bodies and aging can be a can of worms. We have a lot of layers—socially and commercially—that influence the ways we see and value women’s bodies, and degrade this value as those bodies age. That’s a very important topic; but, it’s not the one we’re cover...
Oct 26, 2023•48 min•Ep. 540
Have you ever been filled with dread as five o'clock approaches, the house is chaotic, everyone is hungry, including you, and you're unsure of what to make for dinner or if you even have all of the ingredients? Brittney Hanks, creator of One Stop Meals, sat down with me to explore how busy moms can simplify dinner planning. Brittney shares her personal journey with cooking, from childhood experiences to finding joy in the kitchen as an adult. Plus, we dive deep into the mental load of meal plann...
Oct 23, 2023•48 min•Ep. 539
Recently my young kids were asking something we've probably all joked about, and it was along the lines of "What would you wish for if a genie could grant you one wish?" The conversation had me thinking that, joking aside, I would wish for things to feel easier . Sometimes the overwhelm of everything going on in my life just feels too hard. But then, that thought had me thinking even more: what if "the hard" is the purpose? This short episode is more of my reasoning behind that realization, to g...
Oct 19, 2023•12 min•Ep. 538
Have you ever felt like, “I’m in a rut . . .” only to realize that rut is more because you’re actually feeling overstimulated and dysregulated? In today's episode you'll hear a coaching call with Tash, where she describes the challenges of managing household responsibilities, keeping the kids engaged, and finding time for herself. During our conversation, it became very clear that Tash need some time to intentionally recharge each day. Together we came up with activities like reading a book or p...
Oct 16, 2023•43 min•Ep. 537
Shel Silverstein's poems have long been some of my very favorite, and today I want to expound on my thoughts surrounding the popular one titled, "The Giving Tree." The story perpetuates the idea that women should give, and give, and give, expecting nothing in return. And so we see that cycle repeat from one generation to another, deeply affecting meaningful relationships. I don't want to be a stump of a woman at the end of my life, and I don't want that for you, either. I hope this bite-sized ep...
Oct 12, 2023•9 min•Ep. 536
Nicole Walters, author, podcaster, daughter of immigrants, and self-made millionaire, opens up about her life, which includes adopting three girls, starting her own business, navigating a challenging marriage, and experiencing various personal struggles. She discusses how she fell into the pattern of being a "human giver," always putting others first, and how it eventually led to burnout. The conversation takes a deep dive into the concept of self-worth and the societal pressure on women to cons...
Oct 09, 2023•40 min•Ep. 535
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 ...
Oct 05, 2023•29 min•Ep. 534
This week I have a co-interview between me and Heather Frazier, host of the Pivot Parenting podcast. First, I share how I've seen perfectionism affect my experience raising children and also as a middle school teacher. Then, Heather teaches how we can better handle when our teens differentiate themselves from us, and as a result show us our flaws and failures. The conversation delves into practical strategies for maintaining a strong connection with teenagers, even amidst imperfections. Heather ...
Oct 02, 2023•57 min•Ep. 533
Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me ? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These episodes feature real women who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits. Do books bring up memories for you? There are certain books that transport me right back to childhood, and some I've even enjoyed with my own kids. And even though reading was a big part of my life, somewhere along the way I st...
Sep 28, 2023•41 min•Ep. 532
I recently watched a reel on the "motherhood penalty" that sent me down an internet wormhole. Finances already make me a little bit anxious, but coupled with my research I knew it was time to bring an expert on the podcast. Lisa Schader, founder of Money Fit Moms, dives into essential financial insights for women, and shares her personal journey from frugal upbringing to becoming an advocate for financial independence. We explore common mistakes women make in managing their finances and provide ...
Sep 25, 2023•44 min•Ep. 531
In this episode, we explore the transformative power of recognizing and harnessing our individual strengths. Often, we become fixated on areas we wish to improve, overlooking the untapped potential within our natural talents. I want to discuss the importance of first acknowledging our strengths, then dedicating time to refine and leverage them to fortify our weaknesses. Drawing from personal experiences, I shed light on how embracing our passions can lead to significant self-improvement. This ep...
Sep 21, 2023•14 min•Ep. 530
Candace is a mom of four, who opens up about the overarching theme behind most of her challenges: speaking up and the fears that often hold her back from doing so. Candace bravely shares her struggle with finding her voice in various scenarios, from setting boundaries to discussing important issues with family and friends. Together, we dissect the root causes of this fear, shedding light on the complexities that many face when navigating difficult conversations. If this resonates with you, I hop...
Sep 18, 2023•44 min•Ep. 529
Are you defined solely by your roles and responsibilities? In this eye-opening episode, we explore the profound impact of nurturing an identity beyond societal labels. Whether you're a devoted parent, a dedicated professional, or wear multiple hats, it's time to recognize that you are more than your titles. Based on my own personal experience, and what I've learned from coaching many women from this community, I have seen how prioritizing your authentic self can not only enhance your personal we...
Sep 14, 2023•10 min•Ep. 528
Today's episode is a deep dive into the topic of comparison and the struggles women face when measuring their progress against others. Crystalee Beck, of the Mama Ladder and High Five grant, shares her personal experiences and insights on how to break free from the comparison trap and embrace your own pace of progress. We discuss practical strategies, such as evaluating your resources, setting realistic timelines, and breaking down big goals into manageable steps. Crystalee encourages focusing o...
Sep 11, 2023•42 min•Ep. 527
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 ...
Sep 07, 2023•27 min•Ep. 526
I have had my fair share of personal struggles with feeling inadequate in the face of unrealistic cleaning standards and the never-ending list of household chores. And while I know that a clean and organized environment impacts our well-being I also know that it doesn't have to be perfect. This episode includes my personal tips for living "cleanish," which is a more realistic approach to cleaning that can make things easier for all of us. I'll explain how to create a personal cleaning manifesto ...
Sep 04, 2023•38 min•Ep. 525
After seven years of podcasting, I want to feel like I'm celebrating right alongside you. And I don't want it to be about me, I want it to be about YOU! I envision women from our community, all over the world, hosting a night where they and their friends gather together for a “Tricks and Treats Night.” This night is simple, but transformative. Friends will come together, each bringing a simple treat/snack to share, sit together, and each share one simple tip that has made a big difference to the...
Aug 31, 2023•19 min•Ep. 524
It may seem obvious that weekends are for unwinding, even having fun. But when was the last time you intentionally escaped the grind of your week, and leaned into a truly restorative weekend? Janssen Bradshaw is on the show today to discuss the importance of reclaiming weekends and making them more fulfilling. She believes that treating weekends like vacations, even within one's constraints, is essential for recharging and maintaining overall well-being. The conversation dives into practical tip...
Aug 28, 2023•43 min•Ep. 523
Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me ? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These episodes feature real women who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits. Today we dive into the art of documenting your life with Karli Cleaver. Karli shares her journey from traditional scrapbooking to modern digital documentation, offering practical tips and prompts for beginners. Discover how rec...
Aug 24, 2023•24 min•Ep. 522
Listen to a live coaching call that delves deep into the challenges and triumphs of modern motherhood as Monica and Liz explore the emotional rollercoaster that is parenthood. They tackle the common struggle of emotional regulation and how to stay calm amidst the chaos of raising toddlers. Liz opens up about the fear of failing as a parent and the desire to instill values like personal responsibility and respect in her children. Throughout the conversation, you will gain valuable insights into t...
Aug 21, 2023•42 min•Ep. 521
