About Progress

Latest Episodes:

AP 474: Progress Principle: COMPASSION || Growth Spurt Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

I used to think that the only way I could change myself was by being hard on myself. This led to a lot of self-criticism, as I tried to achieve very high expectations, and did not work well for me. I never would have believed that there was any other way, until now. I replaced criticism with compassion and can see how accepting myself led to actual growth.

In this bite-sized episode I'm sharing two very personal examples of some tough things I've dealt with in the past and very recently where I could have had a lot of self-criticism, but instead fought for compassion. When we sink in shame and despair, we do not progress. I want to encourage you to show yourself compassion, and use the other progress principles we've discussed (curiosity and courage!) to open up your path towards deep and lasting change.

Episode from the fall on self-compassion.

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AP 473: Three Big Ways You Can Feel Like Yourself Every Day Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

With the benefit of hindsight on my side, I can look back and see a stark contrast between the way I felt after my third child was born, and the way I felt after my fourth child was born. As I'm currently back in that season with my fifth newborn, my reflection allows for the things I want to teach you today: the difference came from whether or not I was feeling like myself. It's a concept that is easier said than done, especially for many women that I hear from, so I've boiled it down to three big ways you can feel like yourself every day.

Do you ever feel like you have a life that you should be happy with, but the day-to-day leaves you drained, impatient, and resentful? After listening to this episode, and implementing the three shifts, you should be able to have more energy for your responsibilities, more presence of mind, and the clear ability to make choices that align with your real values. And if my story doesn't convince you that this is important, then I hope the stories from our community will, because prioritizing yourself IS prioritizing what matters.

This episode is brought to you by PrepDish, try it for 2 weeks free at PrepDish.com/PROGRESS

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AP 472: Current Self Care, Dance Class, Getting Up Before My Kids, My Favorite Homemade Treat, and Managing New Feelings of Anxiety || Messy Middle March 2023 Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

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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AP 471: Keys to Overcoming Conflict and Healing Connection for Couples || with Trevor Hanson Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Every relationship deals with conflict, just in different ways. Some are avoidant, while others are confrontational. Some are constantly simmering, while others are explosive. Our guest today is therapist Trevor Hanson. Not only does he want to help us reframe how we see conflict--not an inhibitor to a successful marriage, but necessary to it—he wants to help you get better at what he calls “healthy conflict—” the kind where we can come together with different fears, needs, and messages, but still come away connected.

Because a partnership takes two people, with different backgrounds and different emotional responses, couples can often find themselves caught in a negative cycle. Trevor goes in to detail about what this can look like, and offers advice on where to start. In his words, "If you can change at least one half of the cycle, you've changed 50% of the problem."

Kwame Christian on conflict and people pleasing.

This episode is brought to you by Headspace, try it for free for 30 days when you go to headspace.com/progress

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AP 470: How do you get into photography? || with Kylie Pond Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These episodes feature real women from this community who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits.

Today's episode features Kylie, a mom who got into photography as a passion and profession. She shares how this is something she's loved since childhood and her progression since then. If you've wondered how to get into photography as a creative outlet, you'll be inspired by Kylie's belief that anyone with a camera can be a photographer - and that includes your phone! She also has tips and tricks for where to find resources to support you as you explore a potential new hobby that allows for documentation, creativity, and growth with a new skill.

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AP 469: “How can I prioritize what matters to me when I have an under-supportive spouse?” || Coaching call with Emily Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Emily is a mother of 6 struggling to juggle the various demands of her life, including finding time for herself to pursue higher education. What started off as a surface level issue of finding the time and focus for her writing, turned into a deeper conversation about family support and communication. This same thing happens quite often when I am coaching, where women think they are struggling in one area but it is really much deeper.

As you listen to this live coaching call with Emily, you can apply some of the questions and thought processes to your own life. In this episode specifically we talk about re-potentializing (I explain it!) and how to manage the support, or lack thereof, from loved ones. We will all experience really good people, even close loved ones, that are not enrolled in our visions. This episode will teach you that you can honor their fears without bending to them.

Past coaching call on rituals with Sara

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AP 468: Self Respect > Self Love Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

I once had a workshop attendee ask me about self-love, and I answered honestly. I don't always love every part of myself, but I do respect myself. This is a different attitude than what was initially more popular when About Progress first started, and many voices were echoing that to "just love yourself" would fix everything. In this short episode I want to ask you, what would change for you if you moved the goal post from love to respect? I also share some wise marriage advice that applies here, and some questions you can ask yourself to shift your mindset.

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AP 467: Ways to Get Over Perfectionism in the Bedroom || with Emily Nagoski Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Quick disclaimer! While not explicit, the topic we are covering today is adult in nature. Those who typically listen with kids around may consider putting in earbuds instead. Over the last 6+ years talking about perfectionism on this blog and podcast we have covered intimacy, but never specifically this topic. Today's episode address the ways that perfectionism interferes with, and even sabotages, the way you show up to, and experience, sex.

This is not an interview meant to make you feel uncomfortable and discouraged, but it will help you examine your behavior and give you some things to try if you want to get more comfortable with your sexuality. After reading her illuminating book, Come As You Are, I was determine to have this author on the podcast. A few years later, we finally get to learn from our expert guest Emily Nagoski PhD, a sex therapist, who specializes in teaching women to live with confidence and joy inside their bodies.

This episode is brought to you by EveryPlate. Visit everyplate.com/podcast and use code progress149 for $1.49 per meal.

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AP 466: Progress Principle: CURIOSITY || Growth Spurt Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

Today I want to talk about curiosity, but I first have to address our desire for certainty. We tend to want straightforward, black-and-white, prescriptions for the 'right' way to be. But what happens when things inevitably don't work out the most perfect way? We blame ourselves for that failure. So, instead of certainty I want to encourage you to lean into curiosity.

From pie crusts to parenting, you can get curious about failures. If you find yourself spiraling towards the shame and blame cycle, the tips in this episode are for you. Along with previously shared progress principles like courage and discomfort, this way of reframing failures will be a helpful tool in your progress journey.

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AP 465: An Alternative to Block-Scheduling || How to Plan Your Day by Rhythms Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

A few years ago I got really interested in block planning after seeing the success that some other influential people were having with this way of scheduling their days. For a while I found it helpful, until real life started getting in the way. I still acknowledge some of the pros to block scheduling, like dividing your focus and making less decisions, but also see some downsides that affected myself and others. If this method, or others, has felt too rigid or required too much energy to maintain, I want to introduce rhythm scheduling and how a more flexible approach can feel like a better fit for you.

Through my own personal examples, as well as the examples of several different types of women that I have worked with, I'm going to guide you through identifying your own seasons and guideposts for this method. Rhythm scheduling is meant to be flexible, it's allowed to change throughout your year, and it has an emphasis on your actual priorities.

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