About Progress

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, always ad-free podcast for members of the Supporters Club. To get access, sign up at the Bestie or Ride-or-Die level using the code “FREEMONTH” by February 1st to get your first month free. Go to aboutprogress.com/support to sign up!

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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, or constantly dropping the ball, this episode is your guide to reclaiming control. Don’t miss out on turning chaos into calm!

DSL Workshop, Peacefully Productive Planner, previous episode with Jess

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

This episode is sponsored by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers

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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 Taylor shares her fascinating tales of using Artificial Intelligence to help her come up with some potential resolutions (+ a word of the year) for 2025.

Take a peak into our brains (and our friendship) and alllll things New Year. Let us know if you use A.I. to help make your goals, too!

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 before you buy." Go to aboutprogress.com/support to join the Supporters Club.

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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

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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 practical tips to overcome it. Whether you're working on New Year's resolutions or any personal goals, this episode is packed with insights to help you push past the slump and achieve what you set out to do.

Do Something Workshop, episode on Momentum

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.

This episode is sponsored by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers

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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 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 before you buy." Go to aboutprogress.com/support to join the Supporters Club.

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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 steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too!

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.

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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 discharging energy through movement and addressing physiological signs can create a profound impact on mental well-being. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to understand and manage high-functioning anxiety, offering hope and guidance toward a balanced and fulfilling life.

Gift Guides, Do Something Workshop, Last week's episode on rest, Monica on the Calm Mom Podcast

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/PROGRESS and get on your way to being your best self; and by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers; and by Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod

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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 combat the pressures of perfectionism, the impact of social media, and the importance of building resilience. Listeners will learn valuable tips on guiding teens through failure, the significance of self-care, and how minor daily moments shape our human experience.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Do Something Workshop, Last week's episode on rest

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/PROGRESS and get on your way to being your best self; and by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers; and by Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod

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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 resilience and overall well-being. We tackle the everyday challenges people face in slowing down and the surprising benefits that come from giving yourself permission to rest. My aim with this episode is to equip you with the insights and inspiration to prioritize rest as a vital part of your self-improvement journey—I hope you find it as rejuvenating and energizing as I did.

Referenced episode with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith.

Did Something List episode, DSL Workshop, Did Something Guide

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/PROGRESS and get on your way to being your best self; and by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers; and by Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices