The Progress Girls

What does it really take to turn an idea into a successful business? This week we’re joined by Gabriella Gains and Tonya Reznikovich, the female founders behind Gato Dates, the indulgent, better-for-you chocolate-covered dates taking the snack world by storm. We talk about taking the leap into entrepreneurship, building a brand from scratch, navigating imposter syndrome, and the less glamorous rea...

This week on The Progress Girls , Whitney and Madison are catching up and laughing their way through everything from puppy love to the power of human connection. Whitney shares how being Madison’s plus-one to the Best Friends Animal Society benefit turned into an unexpected love story when she met, fell for, and adopted her new baby boy, Tank Chicken. Madison shares her latest podcast obsession: E...

It’s witch season! This Halloween, we’re diving into the fascinating history of witch hunts, why powerful women have historically been labeled dangerous, and how those same patterns still show up today. We’re also embracing our inner witches as we chat about women’s intuition, astrology, psychics, manifestation, and protecting your energy. Plus, we put our own witchiness to the test to find out ju...

Pack your bags, Progress girls. This week, we’re joined by luxury travel advisor Amy Stahl of The Stein Collective & SmartFlyer to talk all things travel. Amy spills what a travel advisor can actually get you, the hotels worth the splurge, overrated destinations, and where everyone is going next. We rapid-fire her favorites for Paris, Italy, the Caribbean, Mexico, girls’ trips, honeymoons, fam...

There’s no version of life without hard—so which hard is actually worth it? This week, we unpack the psychology behind “Choose Your Hard.” We talk about the difference between productive discomfort and the kind of hard that just keeps collecting interest, why avoiding a decision is still making one, and how choosing discomfort in service of your values can restore your sense of agency and even cha...

We owe the women of the 2000s a MASSIVE apology. But first: we talk about the passing of Presley Gerber and why addiction doesn’t discriminate, Whitney’s adventures with internet trolls, Madison’s tips for surviving the comment section, and our slightly unhinged but hysterical post-recording psychic adventure.  Then we revisit the era that gave us low-rise jeans, “bikini body” headlines, virginity...

We’re officially back in the studio—and apparently we had a lot to discuss. We laugh our way through the beginning as Madison recounts how she somehow went completely mute during our live show, while Whitney overshares exactly how her morning went. We talk RHONY, Furious , Careless People , aggressively straight hairdressers, and implementing HIPAA on our podcast—which, turns out, is not a thing....

Our first-ever LIVE SHOW!  Fair warning: the audio is giving “you had to be there,” but the conversation was too good not to share. We’re talking fashion, identity, dopamine dressing, comparison culture, and the psychology behind why what we wear can change how we feel. Because personal style isn’t about trends—it’s about dressing like the version of YOU you’re becoming. Progress, not perfection....

We made it, TPG girly pops—welcome to the final episode of Season One! This week, we’re asking: Why does January get all the credit as the only time to set goals and manifestations? We’re treating the end of summer like a second New Year’s, breaking down the difference between manifestations and goals, why revisiting them throughout the year actually increases your chances of achieving them, and h...

Summer is almost over, so we’re talking about why that can feel surprisingly emotional. This week, we unpack the myth of the “perfect summer,” why FOMO is usually about identity—not missing the actual party—and how to reset before fall without the guilt. We also chat about Harry Styles canceling a concert (and why fans take it so personally), the rise of “Sad Girl Summer,” the psychology of romant...

Welcome to The Progress Girls!

In Part Two of our plastic surgery series, we’re answering community questions about cosmetic surgery through the lens of mental health—from knowing if you’re doing it for the right reasons to managing pre-surgery anxiety, choosing a surgeon, navigating body image, relationships, aging, and self-worth. We also discuss why confidence and happiness aren’t always the same thing, and how to make decis...

From boobs to blow jobs and facelifts to filler we’re diving into one of the most requested and controversial—topics we’ve ever covered. In Part 1, we unpack the emotional, physical, and psychological realities of plastic surgery, exploring when cosmetic procedures can be an empowering act of autonomy and when they may become an attempt to heal something surgery simply can’t fix. We also answer yo...

Did everyone collectively forget how to behave? This week we’re diving into the slow death of common courtesy—from speakerphones in public and ghosting to shopping carts, phone addiction, and the rise of “main character syndrome.” We unpack the psychology behind why etiquette isn’t about being fancy—it’s about making life a little easier for everyone around you. Plus, our usual pop culture chaos,...

We all have that person who somehow gets under our skin, but what if the real question isn’t how to change them, but why they affect us so much? This week, we’re unpacking the psychology behind annoying people, the difference between someone who’s simply irritating and someone who’s genuinely harmful, and how our own stress, past experiences, and values shape our reactions. We also touch on Madiso...

We're back with another catch-up episode—probably our favorite kind to record. This week, we're chatting about our separate trips to Palmetto Bluff, some very unrelatable plane ride stories, Whitney's experience with a dog psychic, and Madison's near-disaster involving her beloved lovie of 30 years. Whitney shares her newest personality trait and a Taylor Swift conspiracy theory th...

This week is one of our most personal episodes yet. We dedicate it to Blue—the puppy who changed our lives forever and reminded us that dogs are never “just pets.” We explore why the bond between humans and dogs runs so deep, what happens psychologically when we love and lose them, and why that grief can be just as profound as losing a family member. Along the way, we share funny stories, therapis...

Money can feel overwhelming, emotional, and confusing—but you’re not alone. This week, Whitney and Madison sit down with financial coach AJ from Beyond the Green Coaching (@BeyondtheGreencoaching) for an honest, judgment-free conversation about money. From mindset and budgeting to saving, debt, credit cards, homeownership, and navigating finances in relationships, AJ breaks down key concepts in a...

This week, we’re catching up on everything. From the difference between a glimmer and a trigger to surviving school parent nights, we’re sharing what’s been living rent-free in our heads lately. We debrief Madison’s whirlwind 24-hour trip to Las Vegas to see Hilary Duff, Whitney’s dreamy 72 hours in Puglia, and Whitney’s ongoing battle to train her puppy. We also dive into Oprah’s recent conversat...

This week, we're breaking down why "I don't want this" isn't enough. The Black Coffee Theory is simple: what you focus on is what you keep attracting. In dating, friendships, work, and healing, many of us spend too much time trying to add sugar to situations that are just... black coffee. We also dive into  Don't Believe Everything You Think  by Joseph Nguyen and the idea...

This week, The Progress Girls are joined by special guest Madeline Duneier , the woman behind State Fair Jewelry , and we are getting into the tea on lab-grown diamonds. Madeline went from Teen Vogue beauty assistant to launching her own jewelry brand in 2025, and she breaks down everything you actually need to know. We talk natural vs. lab-grown, why people still get weirdly judgey about it, and...

This week we’re making progress on one of the messiest and loaded topics: divorce. Is divorce a failure… or sometimes the healthiest, most emotionally regulated decision you can make? We’re talking why people really get divorced, why some stay too long, when leaving makes sense, and when people might be walking away too fast. From therapy language and modern relationship pressure to the “stay or g...

Reality TV meets real life. We’re joined by Chloe Tucker Caine for a behind-the-scenes look at visibility, identity, and building a life that actually feels good. From navigating the darker side of being in the public eye to her “progress over perfection” path into motherhood, real estate, and success, Chloe keeps it honest, funny, and highlights the power of consistency. Plus, Whitney takes a bol...

Today we’re talking all things Mother’s Day—expectations (keep them low, like basement level low), dream Mother’s Day fantasies, and the reality of what actually happens. Whitney shares simple ways to make the day feel good, whether you’re celebrating, overstimulated, avoiding everyone, or just trying to survive brunch. We also talk about what Mother’s Day can bring up if you’ve lost your mom or d...

We’re back from our vacations  and… obviously laughing about it. Whitney breaks down why vacations aren’t indulgent—they’re essential for getting your nervous system out of survival mode (think: better sleep, less reactivity, actual clarity). We talk about how stepping away helps you see patterns, make better decisions, and reconnect with yourself beyond the day-to-day chaos. And in peak Progress...