The start of high school was a major leap for my daughter with special needs, magnified by her transition from a charter school. We both faced heightened anxieties about fitting in and managing sensory challenges. Our preparation included school visits and crafting a mental touchstone for her: to look for glimmers of light amongst potential darkness, akin to stars in a big, open night sky.

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Ever feel like you're always last on your own to-do list? With the start of a new school year, it’s the perfect chance for us moms to shift that narrative. In a conversation with Mia Hemstad, we delved into the vital role of self-care in reclaiming our time and energy.

Mia's "four B's" framework encourages us to thoughtfully prioritize our needs, whether that means indulging in a favorite show or finally scheduling that doctor’s appointment. By investing in ourselves, not only do we enhance our own well-being, but we also enrich our ability to support those around us. Let’s start this school year by putting ourselves at the top of our priority list.

Past Episode with Mia Hemstad: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/self-care-to-support-yourself-when-you-dont-feel-like-yourself

The 4B Self-Care Framework Guide: https://www.miahemstad.com/guide

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Struggling with reactivity or feeling out of control? In this powerful clip, Monica Packer explains the science behind deep breathing and introduces a simple, 10-second practice that can help you create space between trigger and reaction. Learn how to use your "response gap" to reclaim calm, control, and alignment—one intentional breath at a time.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-be-less-reactive-and-more-in-control

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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! 

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This episode is brought to you by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod; and by Fearless Finance, chat with a planner for free to make sure it’s a good fit, and you’ll get $50 off your first planning meeting when you use the code PROGRESS at fearlessfinance.com

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Today I'm talking about the importance of acknowledging our desire for more in life without guilt or fear. As I work with my coaching clients, I've noticed that many women struggle with embracing their wants, fearing it makes them appear ungrateful or selfish.

More for Moms Conference: https://www.aboutprogress.com/moreformoms

Guide for More: https://www.aboutprogress.com/more

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This episode is brought to you by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers

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Artist and writer Ashmae Hoiland opens up about how creativity has been a powerful tool for healing, processing grief, and reclaiming personal agency. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares how choosing to create without pressure or an audience has transformed her relationship with art—and herself. Whether you're in a creative rut or just need permission to begin, this episode will inspire you to make space for creativity on your own terms.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/permission-to-create

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If you haven't heard yet, I'm thrilled to announce an exclusive female foodie tour to Rome, Italy, happening in October 2026. This adventure is designed just for our community by Brooke Eliason, the founder of Female Foodie. Recently, we hosted a Q&A session to answer all questions about the trip, revealing an itinerary filled with dining at Rome's finest restaurants and exploring iconic sites like the Vatican and Colosseum.

This journey isn't just about traveling; it's about rediscovery. You'll have plenty of free time to immerse yourself in the local culture and even participate in discussions to reconnect with yourself. Whether you're coming with a companion or are open to being paired with another traveler through our Single Rider Survey, this unique tour promises a blend of cultural and culinary experiences tailored just for you. So, if you've been contemplating this, now is the time to join us on this unforgettable trip!

Ready to join us? Get on the waitlist now at ⁠aboutprogress.com/italy⁠!

Watch the video version: https://www.aboutprogress.com/romereplay

Tour Info + Waitlist (registration opens SOON) https://www.femalefoodie.com/food-tours/aboutprogress/

Single Rider Survey: https://forms.gle/jmndgw23tdSeUWf57; 

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Today, I’m joined by my friend, author, and speaker Toni Collier, who knows firsthand what it means to rebuild a broken life. When Toni was last on the show, we talked about embracing brokenness. Since then, her life has essentially exploded in ways that would make most people retreat: betrayal, a public divorce, and the loss of her job, church, community, and home. And yet, Toni chose to let people into her pain.

In this powerful conversation, she shares how doing so ultimately helped her heal. We talk about how to trust again, find the right people to lean on, and let go of the need to be the strong one all the time. If you've been wondering how to navigate the messiness of life with others, this conversation will give you hope, courage, and practical steps forward.

Old episodes to support: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-embracing-your-brokenness-can-lead-to-greater-healing

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What if your anxiety wasn’t just about your thoughts—but your unfelt feelings? In this powerful clip, counselor Nancy Jane Smith breaks down why our inner critic (aka the “monger”) might feel like it's helping us succeed, but is actually holding us back. She shares how acknowledging your emotions—even for just 90 seconds—can change everything. If you’ve ever wrestled with perfectionism, burnout, or anxiety, this one will hit home.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/https:%2F%2Faboutprogress-com%2Fnancy-jane-smith%2F

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I’m in full-on anticipation mode (in a good way!!) for the Female Foodie tour to Rome I’m hosting for the About Progress community. It has been so fun to have something to look forward to!

Regardless of if you can join us, I want to challenge you to design something for yourself to look forward to. Whether it's a long walk or a family staycation, a little something outside the norm can make life feel so much richer.

In this episode I'm sharing the three things I’m most looking forward to on this trip: being present, having some easy time to myself, and the sheer fun of it all.

Ready to join us? Get on the waitlist now at aboutprogress.com/italy!

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