About Progress

Recently, style expert Julie Allen from the More for Moms conference and I explored how style is not just about what we wear but a pathway to reconnecting with who we are, especially as moms navigating life's changes. Julie shared powerful insights on seeing style as a tool for self-discovery and joy, urging us to break free from societal expectations and embrace our unique identities. Julie highl...

What if self-care had nothing to do with spa days, spending money, or carving out an hour for yourself? Taylor Elise Morrison breaks down the myths we've all believed about self-care — and offers a definition that actually works for real life: listening within and responding in the most loving way possible. If perfectionism has ever kept you from taking care of yourself because you couldn't do it...

As a mom, my vision involved perfect moments with my kids, unaware of the strain overstimulation could bring. It's not just juggling cleaning or cooking but managing the hidden pressure of sensory overload. This isn't a flaw—it's our nervous system waving a red flag for help. What's the secret to steering through it? In this episode, I sit down with Alex Viera, a pediatric occupational therapist a...

If you've ever felt like no matter how much you get done, it's never enough — this one's for you. Stephen Lawson breaks down what's really going on beneath the surface of our productivity obsession: it's not a time management problem, it's a peace problem. And underneath that? Fear. The fear of failure, of success, and something even deeper — the discomfort of facing how short life actually is. If...

2021 was a whirlwind, packed with both personal and global challenges that shook me to my core. From heartbreaking family losses to the brink of quitting my beloved podcast, "About Progress," every twist demanded a new sense of resilience. In taking a step back that summer, I stumbled onto an unexpected path of self-discovery and transformation. But what exactly did that pivotal break reveal, and...

I recently had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of emotional eating and food freedom with Sabrina Magnan. As someone who battled eating disorders and the pervasive influence of food on my life, this conversation resonated profoundly. Sabrina shared her personal journey from synchronized swimming to food freedom, revealing how much our eating patterns are tied to emotions and control. He...

If your cleaning routine keeps falling apart, it might not be a motivation problem — it might be a systems problem. Monica Packer shares her simple "when-then" method for building daily habits that actually stick, even on your worst days. No rigid schedules, no all-or-nothing pressure. Just practical self-improvement that works with your real life, not against it. Because personal growth and devel...

I wanted to share with you that I've revamped my Do Something List for 2026, and it's all about flexibility and self-reclamation. Remember, this list isn't about ticking off resolutions but rediscovering myself through tasks like baking new recipes or attending cultural events. As life shifts, so does my list, ensuring it remains a source of joy and personal growth throughout the year. Remember, i...

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was consumed with preparing for the needs of the little one, spending hours reading books and researching products. But what I didn’t prepare for was the transformation within myself - a lesson that each pregnancy unveils a new version of who I am, shifting my identity, expectations, and even my understanding of motherhood. In our discussion, Nina Spears e...

Finding yourself after years of putting everyone else first isn't a straight path and Kayley knows that better than most. In this clip, she gets real about what it actually felt like to be a stay-at-home mom of seven while quietly carrying a dream she didn't think she was allowed to have. She opens up about the depression, the identity loss, the guilt, and the slow, hard work of building a marriag...

Exciting news - my debut book, Sticky Habits, is hitting the shelves on September 8th! We often think only a certain "habit person" can master habits, but I'm here to flip that idea on its head. Habits are here to help you, not control every second. They're meant to support pivotal parts of your day, like your morning routine or evening wind-down, so you can focus on what truly matters. Consider w...

In my recent conversation with Nir Eyal, a best-selling author and behavioral expert, we delved into the nature of beliefs, underscoring how they are neither facts nor fixed. Nir shared an enlightening perspective on how beliefs can be either limiting or liberating. It's fascinating to learn how our minds can be both our greatest allies and our heaviest burdens when clinging to outdated beliefs. T...

If you've ever fallen off a habit and spent more energy beating yourself up than getting back on track, this one's for you. Sandra Chuma breaks down why shame is one of the biggest blockers to real personal growth and development and why the path to lasting daily habits actually starts with self-compassion, not self-criticism. She makes a distinction that hit hard: there's a difference between bei...

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 simpl...

Feeding our families is a never-ending task, one that can weigh heavily on both our minds and wallets. I used to feel overwhelmed by the constant need to plan, shop, and cook meals, but I've discovered a few strategies that have transformed our dinner routine into something manageable and even enjoyable. By keeping an essentials list, planning and shopping biweekly, and focusing on simple repeat m...

What happens when your body finally says enough — even when you love your work, even when everything looks fine from the outside? Becky Higgins shares the moment an anxiety attack forced her to stop, let go, and make the biggest trade-off of her life. What she discovered on the other side — more confidence, more clarity, more alignment — is a reminder that rest isn't the opposite of personal growt...

As I reflect on 2020 in celebration of About Progress turning 10, I'm reminded of how the global pandemic altered life as we knew it, personally affecting our family with immediate, life-altering decisions. Looking back, I'm proud of how I showed up for my community, even when navigating difficult discussions online about race and politics. Behind the mic, 2020 was both a professional boon and a p...

Shang Saavedra is a personal finance expert who helped me rethink frugality in a liberating way. Our conversation explored the emotional roots of our money habits, revealing how mental health significantly impacts financial literacy. Shang shared her personal story of living off 20% of her income during her twenties, not out of scarcity, but with the goal of buying time and freedom later. This app...

Do you ever feel like you're good at something but it still doesn't feel like a strength? You're not alone — and there's actually a reason for that. In this clip, transformational coach and positive psychology expert Talia DelZotto breaks down the difference between skills and strengths, and why so many women miss their own strengths entirely because they're looking in the wrong place. If you've b...

As someone who has historically had a complicated relationship with goals, I found Dr. Danielle McGeough's perspective refreshing and enlightening. One profound takeaway from our conversation was the concept of detaching self-worth from achievements. Danielle emphasized setting goals that focus on who you want to become on the journey, rather than just the destination. This shift in perspective tr...

Feeling like you have nothing to wear often stems from a disconnect with your evolving body and lifestyle. My chat with Angela Foster illuminated how personal style is more about authenticity than trends. We discussed the importance of understanding your body shape and dressing for your current life phase, rather than an idealized image. Angela's approach is about crafting a wardrobe reflecting yo...

What do you do when life isn't where you hoped it would be — and you're just stuck in the waiting? Sean and Nicole Johnson get refreshingly real about how they keep moving forward through infertility without letting the hard seasons consume them. Their approach is simple but powerful: feel it, then redirect. Nicole talks about processing emotions and then consciously choosing to move on, while Sea...

I've been thinking a lot about a lesson from the book "Disillusioned" by Nicholas Binge: we can never see ourselves as our loved ones do. This isn't just about looks—it's about the way our essence shines through to those who care for us. Understanding that our reflection captures only a fraction of our true selves can offer us grace. By embracing this, we navigate life's changes with more compassi...

As I sat down with Diane Shiffer, I was awestruck by her radiant perspective on joy, especially in a world that often feels engulfed in darkness. Diane, known as the Internet's favorite nana, believes in the transformative power of small joys. As I listened, I realized that joy isn't about waiting for the grand moments; it's about practicing gratitude and noticing the little things that lift our s...

After her third baby, Heather Jensen hit a wall. Postpartum depression had taken the happy, positive person she knew herself to be — and she needed to find her way back. What she discovered was that investing in her own goals and personal growth wasn't selfish; it was the very thing that made her a better mom. In this clip, Heather gets vulnerable about her mental health journey and how training f...