About Progress

Are you tired of struggling in silence, join me as I get real with Erica Djossa about the deep-rooted struggles that so many of us face in our journey through motherhood. Erica opens up about her personal experiences and the common threads she has identified through her work with women, both personally and professionally.

We delve into the invisible burdens mothers carry, the societal expectations placed upon them, and the pervasive ideology of intensive mothering. Erica shares invaluable insights on how moms can start to dismantle these pressures, redefine their roles, and reclaim their time. Whether you're a new mom or a seasoned parent, this conversation is sure to offer empathy, understanding, and actionable steps towards finding fulfillment in motherhood.

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This episode is brought to you by Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod and Aquatru, use code 'MONICA' for 20% off

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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.

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In this coaching call we dive deep into a struggle that many of us face: balancing responsibilities while finding time for fun and nurturing our souls. If you’ve ever felt like the joy and spontaneity have dwindled amidst your daily grind, then this conversation is a must-listen.

Andi and I explore practical, down-to-earth strategies to bring more joy into your everyday moments. We talk about how to make mundane tasks fun, setting aside dedicated time for activities that light us up, and the importance of soul-care. We even touch upon the idea of incorporating fun into both solo and family activities. Join us as we unravel the steps to make fun a priority, without it feeling like just another item on your to-do list.

Andi's podcast, Importance of Play Article, Episode with Catherine Price

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This episode is brought to you by Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod and Aquatru, use code 'MONICA' for 20% off

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In this episode, we dive into the allure of certainty and why it's so tempting to want a clear, step-by-step guide for every aspect of life. But here's the catch—life doesn't always work that way. Whether it's raising kids, exercising, or planning your day, rigid prescriptions can often fall short.

Join me as I share why I can't, in good conscience, give you a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, I'll offer tools, principles, and insights to empower you to craft your own path. Learn how to adapt, choose your "shoulds," and embrace flexibility in your journey.

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I used to be a cardio queen, until I was forced to change my habits and finally take strength training more seriously. I could not have done that on my own, and credit my personal success to several different women online. For many years one of those influences has been Amber Brueseke, who returns to the podcast to discuss the importance of strength training for women, especially as we age.

Amber shares her journey and practical tips on how to get started with weightlifting, no matter your level of experience. From understanding the 'why' behind strength training to practical steps and five incredible tips you can implement right away, this conversation is packed with value. Tune in to learn how you can prioritize strength training, overcome intimidation, and start making progress today.

Amber's workshop

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This episode is brought to you by Aquatru, use code 'MONICA' for 20% off and AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers.

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I'm taking you behind the scenes of my 20-year high school reunion—a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected moments. As someone who helped plan the entire event in just a month, I had a unique perspective on everything that went down. In this episode I'm diving into the highs, the lows, and the heartfelt moments that made this reunion unforgettable.

From pre-reunion jitters and outfit dilemmas to heartwarming reconnections and surprising revelations, this experience was anything but ordinary. I'll share how it felt to face old insecurities, witness the struggles and transformations of my classmates, and discover the profound impact this reunion had on all of us.

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At the beginning of the summer I shared my "Summer Savers," which I can now confidently say really did allow us to have one of our best summers ever as a family. So, in a similar fashion, this episode is all about helping you and your family transition smoothly into autumn, even if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the changes ahead.

I’ll share practical tips, personal stories, and actionable steps to reflect on what worked and what didn’t last fall, cast a clear vision for the season ahead, and create effective routines and systems. Whether you're looking to bring more order to your daily life or just want to enjoy the fall season more fully, this episode has something for you. Tune in to make this fall your best one yet!

Get your Fall Fixers!

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AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers

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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!

Links I reference: JCrew earrings, @broccoliraab

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When you think about procrastination does it bring up some feelings of shame, maybe self-judgment? These complex feelings are common, so find out what your procrastination really means and how can you stop weaponizing it against yourself. By sorting out where your procrastination is coming from then you can see what your needs truly are and begin to develop healthy and supportive habits.

Shirin shares her own story of perfectionism as an Iranian immigrant who relied on constantly outperforming others and even herself, but teaches now that that behavior is not sustainable. Instead, learn to live at the “intersection of getting it done and allowing yourself to have free time,” which she calls good enough work. Tune in to be, as Shirin says, encouraged to return to your values, your beliefs and what lights you up with purpose.

For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is brought to you by

AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers

Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod

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Gabrielle Blair, mother of 6 blogging at Design Mom, co-founded Alt Summit 10 years ago and remains a champion for female entrepreneurship. Her motto could be described as dream big, then execute small. In fact, she admits in this episode that if she had known from the beginning where her dreams would have taken her she probably never would have attempted them.

She opens up about the business “failures” turned important lessons, how she moved her family (of 8!) to France for years despite not even having passports to begin with, and speaks aloud her big personal dreams just like you’ve been encouraged to do this month.

The size of your dreams doesn’t matter to anybody but you, and your ability to accomplish them isn’t up to anybody but you! See a pattern here? Tune in and be inspired to know how small steps take you big places.

For new weekly episodes during the summer months, sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is brought to you by

AirDoctor, use code MONICA for up to $300 off air purifiers

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