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 ...
Feb 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 664
Have you ever felt like a martyr in your own home, doing everything right for everyone else but slowly losing yourself in the process? In this episode, my husband Brad and I share our deeply personal story of how we navigated the choppy waters of marital stress and found salvation through self-care. We’ll take you back to 2015, a pivotal year for our marriage, and discuss how self-care transformed our lives individually and as a couple. From my early struggles with balancing motherhood and perso...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 663
Deep Dive: Are There Any Real Experts? How Ruby Franke and "Baldoni vs. Lively" act as case studies for the murky waters of online expertise What do Ruby Franke, Justin Baldoni, and Blake Lively have in common? They reveal the real dilemmas we face as a society today: who can we trust as online experts? This is a deep dive in who get to call themselves an “expert,” and how we as consumers need to use a combination of brains and guts to ensure that our certainty doesn’t arrive directly from the w...
Feb 01, 2025•24 min
Ever found yourself wondering where your year went and why those personal projects never got started? In this special bonus episode I'm sharing the DSL Workshop 2025, where we tackle exactly that. I guide you through creating your very own 'Do Something List' to ensure this year is different. We dive into reflection exercises, brainstorm fun and fulfilling activities, and learn to curate a list that prioritizes you and your happiness. From getting handsy with new hobbies to making time for what ...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 662
Do you feel overwhelmed by life's challenges and wonder how to find peace amidst the chaos? I recently had the great honor of speaking with Katherine May, the author of 'Wintering' on this exact topic. We dive deep into the popular concept of 'wintering,' while Katherine sheds light on the importance of rest, retreat, and relationships during these times. This episode teaches us that by slowing down and valuing our quieter seasons, we can experience profound personal growth. Katherine also share...
Jan 27, 2025•53 min•Ep. 661
Does your period create carnage? Does your bladder lead to embarrassment? Welcome to the club! Today, Taylor and I share our go-to products that help our biggest lady problems in hopes that they can help you, too. This episode is for the ladies! Want the second half the the episode? Good news! You simply need to get access to More Personal (+ get your first month free) by using the code "FREEMONTH" when signing up as a Bestie or Ride-or-Die Supporter by February 1st. It's the ultimate "try befor...
Jan 24, 2025•23 min
Part of our new Wise Women Series, this is an inspiring chat with fitness expert Megan Dahlman. We discuss practical and sustainable ways to start and maintain a fitness routine, especially as motivation fluctuates. Megan shares her insights on the importance of strength training and offers advice on how to ease into a fitness routine that aligns with your long-term health goals. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just beginning your fitness journey, Megan's wisdom will inspire you to rethink ...
Jan 23, 2025•46 min•Ep. 660
Ready to take a fresh path to self-discovery? Every Monday, Jemma of “The Psychology of your 20s” brings you a new mantra, breaking it down to show you how you can apply it to your own life. Whether you’re facing a major transition or looking to evolve your everyday routine, Mantra is the podcast for you. Join Jemma every week for reflections, practical tips, and personal insights that’ll inspire you to live with intention and unlock your true potential. Follow Mantra with Jemma Sbeg wherever yo...
Jan 21, 2025•6 min
In this coaching call, I had the pleasure of talking with Sarah, a creative mom who struggles with consistency due to her ADHD and the challenges of everyday life. We delved into what consistency looks like for her and how she can create touchpoints in her day that help her feel capable and confident. We identified practical steps she can take, starting with simple hygiene routines and establishing a capsule wardrobe to make getting ready easier. This conversation was all about helping Sarah fin...
Jan 20, 2025•56 min•Ep. 659
It's a movie that defined a lot of my growing up years, but really hit hard when I experienced my first real heartbreak: Sense and Sensibility. In our 18 years together, Brad has never seen it, despite it being one of my very favorite movies of all time. Today, we set out to change that. Listen in to hear why I love this movie so much and if Brad felt anywhere close to the same. Want the second half the the episode? Good news! You simply need to get access to More Personal (+ get your first mont...
Jan 18, 2025•24 min
If you have a complicated relationship with making and keeping goals, so do I! Goal-making and I have our ups and downs, and complete outs. But this year, it feels good and it feels right for me to get back into this practice. I did so, both personally and professionally. In this bonus episode, you’ll hear me share a bit about where I’m at with goal-making and why, how I create my goals, and what 10 I landed on for 2025. This is a full bonus episode, aired from More Personal–my private, premium,...
Jan 16, 2025•49 min•Ep. 658
Ever felt like planning your day was a prison rather than a support system? In this episode I chat with day planning expert Jess Massey to uncover how to shift from panic-led planning to intentional, peaceful productivity. Jess shares her personal journey and tangible steps to make day planning a flexible support system tailored to you. We delve into her Hustle Sanely framework, designed to help you prioritize without sacrificing your well-being. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, directionless, o...
Jan 13, 2025•54 min•Ep. 657
Between Taylor and myself, we have a wide range of both life experiences and preferences when it comes to all things “New Year, New Me.” While I’m tackling this year in the most stereotypical of New Year fashions—all the goals!—Taylor is understandably (and wisely?) more reticent to jump on the bandwagon. We explore our past histories with goal-making around this time of the year, have a hilarious realization about what appears to be a gendered understanding of the whole “word of the year,” and ...
Jan 11, 2025•23 min
Ever feel like a 'try-hard' gets a bad rap? In this bite-sized episode, I'm diving into why I love 'January Joiners' and how you can harness that New Year momentum to make lasting progress. Tune in as I share three key tips to help you ride the momentum wave successfully and avoid common pitfalls. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal . Episodes air each Friday! Use code "FREEMONTH” to get your first month free–code expires February 1st Acce...
Jan 09, 2025•10 min•Ep. 656
You know that feeling—you set an exciting goal or decide to start a new habit, but soon after, your initial enthusiasm fizzles out. I like to call that 'Follow-Through Fallout.' It happens to the best of us, and it's completely normal! Today, I'll share my own journey through this phenomenon, the unexpected hurdles I faced, and the strategies I used to keep going. We'll explore why follow-through fallout occurs, break down the psychological factors behind it, and most importantly, discuss practi...
Jan 06, 2025•38 min•Ep. 655
Do you like to read? Or wish you could more? I relate to BOTH! In today's special preview episode, I'm sharing half of January's Book Report from More Personal, my private, premium, always ad-free podcast exclusive to certain levels of the Supporters Club. In this episode, I review 3 of the books I read (and loved) in December, and introduce a new reading challenge I'm embarking on to help me read the books already crowding my shelves and calling my name. (Many of them for YEARS.) Want the secon...
Jan 03, 2025•31 min
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 ...
Jan 02, 2025•32 min•Ep. 654
Through a candid and revealing conversation, Michelle Grosser shares her deeply personal journey of navigating anxiety, touching on her experiences as a high achiever and the eldest of five children. She delves into the dissonance between outward success and inner turmoil, illustrating how high-functioning anxiety can often go unnoticed. Michelle provides practical, somatic techniques for calming the mind and body, emphasizing the importance of nervous system regulation. She explains how dischar...
Dec 16, 2024•41 min•Ep. 653
In this episode of the Wise Women Series, Monica welcomes Kristi Simons, an expert who is passionate about working with teens, to discuss the journey of self-discovery, self-worth, and empowerment. Kristi shares her personal story of transformation from being an educator to a confident teen coach. She opens up about her struggles with addiction and self-doubt, and how becoming a mother during the 2020 pandemic reshaped her life. With insightful anecdotes, Kristi explains how she helps teens comb...
Dec 12, 2024•41 min•Ep. 652
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of daily life, wondering if there's a better way to recharge? In this episode, I sit down with the insightful Dr. Yasmene Mumby to explore the transformative power of rest and relaxation. We dive into setting realistic goals, cultivating healthy habits, and embracing self-compassion as a cornerstone of personal growth. As we get deeper into our chat, Dr. Mumby shares some compelling stories about how taking time to rest has led to greater r...
Dec 09, 2024•47 min•Ep. 651
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 ...
Dec 05, 2024•35 min•Ep. 650
Feeling overwhelmed by planning and goal-setting? I've been there, too. In this episode I’m sharing my personal reflections on 2024 and how I'm going to use those insights to plan a meaningful and successful 2025. Let’s take a moment together to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, identify what truly matters, and set the right intentions for the new year. I introduce you to the 'win-win' formula and explain how looking back can guide your future goals. Plus, I’m offering you a free ' Did Somethi...
Dec 02, 2024•49 min•Ep. 649
This is a bonus episode from a fun series on my premium podcast where my husband and I reclaim our old hobby of watching and discussing our favorite films. We talk about old favorites, hidden gems, and everything in between. Join us as we share our thoughts, debate the best scenes, and maybe even disagree a little. This episode originally aired on my listener-supported, premium podcast, More Personal. If you want access to more deep dives, including part two of this episode, honest reviews, casu...
Nov 28, 2024•54 min•Ep. 648
I’m excited to welcome back Dr. Amber Price as we delve into self-silencing, and why it's important to pay attention to during the upcoming holiday season. Dr. Price explains the roots and significance of this behavior, offering insights into how many of us unknowingly silence ourselves to meet others' expectations. We discuss the key aspects of self-silencing and identify red flags to help you recognize when you’re falling into this pattern. Dr. Price provides practical advice on reclaiming you...
Nov 25, 2024•43 min•Ep. 647
Part of our new Wise Women Series, this is an inspiring chat with Emily Nichols , a fitness instructor and behavior change specialist. Emily shares her journey from struggling with fitness to becoming a coach who empowers women to seamlessly integrate movement into their lives. The story about her own health transformation with her husband was truly motivational. During our conversation, Emily also shares practical tips for overcoming obstacles to working out from home and emphasized the importa...
Nov 21, 2024•42 min•Ep. 646
Ever feel like you're running on empty by the time bedtime rolls around? You're not alone! Join me in a heartfelt conversation with Melissa, a devoted homeschooling mom of four, as we tackle this all-too-familiar problem. We discuss the immense responsibilities Melissa faces and how these shape her daily routine, plus how she strives to balance her desire for efficiency with her deep commitment to connecting with her children. Together, we brainstorm practical strategies to transform her evening...
Nov 18, 2024•42 min•Ep. 645
We just crossed our eight-year anniversary and it's time to do a 'State of the Podcast Address' where I'm opening up about why I keep pushing through the messy middle of my podcasting journey. You'll also hear a nostalgic snippet from my very first episode and the valuable lessons I've learned since then, such as the importance of doing things messy, doing them anyway, and doing them scared. I also discuss the challenges the podcasting industry is currently facing, how the supporters club is mak...
Nov 14, 2024•49 min•Ep. 644
Ever wondered if you could transform your relationship with food and make it a celebrated part of your life? In today's episode I'm joined by Brooke Eliason of Female Foodie, a true foodie with a vibrant love for all things culinary. Together we dive deep into her journey, exploring her heartfelt relationship with food, her experiences with diet culture, and her transformative trips to Italy. We discuss the beauty of intuitive eating, the joy of food rituals, and how embracing food as a celebrat...
Nov 11, 2024•52 min•Ep. 643
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 07, 2024•23 min•Ep. 642
From managing interruptions to juggling the demands of a busy life, I'm walking you through my personal journey towards making home workouts a lasting habit. You’ll get insider tips on the equipment I use, my flexible workout schedule, and how I balance intensity and time. Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just starting, there’s something in this episode for you. Tune in and discover how to make exercise a sustainable and enjoyable part of your routine. Plus, you won’t want to miss...
Nov 04, 2024•47 min•Ep. 641