About Progress

Latest Episodes:

AP 085: Transforming Your Life through Reconnection || with Debbie Mayes of the Mayes Team May 21, 2018

Show notes

"Those things I’m thinking or feeling are there to guide me, and I can trust what is going on inside of me and it will lead me to good.”

Two years ago, Debbie Mayes and her family moved from a 5,000 sq foot home to a 200 sq foot remodeled bus and it changed everything.

Here's the thing: it's not about the bus. It's about RECONNECTION.

You see, the problem the Mayes family had was that they weren't as connected as a couple, as a family, or individually as well with their own emotions. Debbie and her husband, Gabriel, dove deep to repair what was broken for their household, and for them it meant allowing their emotions to act as beacons for self-healing and spending real quality time together as a family.

So after listening to this interview, maybe you'll be interested in pairing your life down to the basics like the Mayes family did. Or perhaps you'll figure out how to better own the inner voices within you. Either way, Debbie and her team just want you to know that what's on the other side of this work is a much happier life.

Show Notes

The Mayes Team website, Instagram, and Facebook

Bethel Podcast that Debbie referenced

Last Week's Episode on COMPARISON

Vibrant Bite fitness and nutrition coaching (enter the code "PROGRESS") and your FREE WEEK here

The Mama Ladder's High Five Grant, and FREE E-book for About Progress Listeners

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica for coaching or podcast consulting

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 084: Getting Past the Comparison Trap May 09, 2018

Show notes

Do you know that using social media directly correlates with higher rates of depression and anxiety? I believe the root of why this is the case is COMPARISON. After all, comparison truly is the thief of joy.

I hate imagining how many times in my life (both on social media and in real life) I've been too caught up in seeing what I lack in comparison to others, only to miss the incredible blessings right in front of me. I'm sure the number is countless.

I know that comparison is the root of my history of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, shame, worry, etc. Related to that are my flaws: I can be a people pleaser, I want people to like me, and I often look to others to reflect back my worth.

BUT, I also believe that discovering this tendency in myself to compare has been a huge blessing. It's something I can actually work on and move past towards a richer, fuller life. Overcoming the comparison trap is a lesson I've had to learn over and over again, because it's sneaky and masks itself as other things (examples: stress, anxiety, apathy, sadness, etc.).

Today's podcast episode is all about comparison. I talk about how it crept up on me the past few months and directly influenced my confidence and my productivity, and how I almost quit everything podcast-related because of it. I also share what the comparison trap can look like for all of us, including how easy it is to get caught in it through social media, and teach WHAT we can do to shift our mindset away from comparison towards self-assurance.

If you like this episode, please SHARE it, subscribe, and leave a review!

Show Notes

Last Week's Episode on FEAR

The Mama Ladder's website, Instagram, Facebook, High Five Grant, and FREE E-book for About Progress Listeners

Worth Of Souls Project--where you can get the album, find out more about it and the project, and explore resources. PLEASE SHARE IT! (+ About Progress episode with three of the artists behind it.)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica for coaching or podcast consulting

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 083: Overcoming Fears that Get in the Way of Your Progress || with Crystalee Beck of The Mama Ladder May 02, 2018

Show notes

"You already have within you what you need."

What's holding you back from going after a goal, business, or piece of self-improvement? I bet you a million dollars that we can take whatever reason you'd say and get it back to the real main root: FEAR.

Crystalee Beck from The Mama Ladder is on the show to teach us about seven common fears people face on their way to success and how to overcome them. So whether you're a mama who wants to turn her hobby into a business, an empty nester who can't get out of a rut, or a single man who can't seem to find the courage to switch careers, this episode is for you.

Listen in to hear how we can overcome fear in the form of self-doubt, fear of failure, fear of SUCCESS (yes, this is real!), fear of money, and more. Crystalee teaches that all you need to overcome your fears is already inside of you.

Additionally, Crystalee shares an incredible opportunity for a mama who wants to get a business going with the High Five Grant. The Mama Ladder is hosting a contest to give 5K to a deserving mom-turned-entrepreneur. Let's make a winner an About Progress listener! (And if we do, I'll have the winner on the show!)

Crystalee has kindly given our listeners her e-book on fear for FREE! Click here to get it.

Show Notes

The Mama Ladder's website, Instagram, Facebook, High Five Grant, and FREE E-book for About Progress Listeners

Last week's episode with Amber Runyon

Worth Of Souls Project--where you can get the album, find out more about it and the project, and explore resources. PLEASE SHARE IT!

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica for coaching or consultations

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 082: Creating Light For Those In Darkness || with Amber Runyon of Eleventh Candle Co. Apr 25, 2018

Show notes

“People need three things to thrive: safe place, safe people, and safe purpose. We always forget that purpose piece”

On a humanitarian trip to Ethiopia, Amber Runyon saw a big need--women and their families who were in the eleventh hour of suffering due to the effects of human trafficking. Imagine her shock when upon returning home, she discovered that her own city--Columbus, Ohio--was the fourth biggest city in the U.S. with human trafficking. What she first thought was a foreign problem was in her backyard--women who were sacrificing themselves to feed their children, with devastating outcomes.

Amber wasn't going to have that.

So this nurse became a founder of an incredible company, one that benefits victims of human trafficking, and in turn their families and larger communities, most domestic and abroad. Without any experience, but a lot of determination, Amber created a pathway out for those women by providing them with a save PLACE, PEOPLE, and PURPOSE. Amber talks about what her company does and how it helps those who are in darkness come back to the light.

Amber also shares how she herself learned to create light in her own life after realizing she wouldn't want to be friends with herself. She now feels differently about that, and Amber teaches us how she got there. Be ready to be SUPER inspired by this incredible woman!

Show Notes

Eleventh Candle Co. Website (use the code "PROGRESS" to get 20% off!), Instagram, and Facebook

Last week's episode with Andi Veenker

Worth Of Souls Project--where you can get the album, find out more about it and the project, and explore resources. PLEASE SHARE IT!

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

Contact Monica for coaching or consultations

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 081: How Self-Improvement Starts with Self-LOVE || with Andi Veenker Apr 18, 2018

Show notes

“The second you start doing something, you change your state.”

Andi Veenker is a fitness wizard and self-help fanatic. But here's the best thing about her--she preaches that nothing will fix you (no book, no weight on the scale, no achievement, no nothing) UNTIL you love yourself first. And in order to find that self-love, you need to do something. (Does that sound familiar?)

Andi is on the show to share how she learned to face depression head on by doing something about it as early on as possible (in contrast to her first round with postpartum depression). She teaches us how filling your life with daily small-to-great courageous acts will empower you to face those mental demons and create something spectacular with your life.

Show Notes

Andi's Instagram and Website

Last week's episode on JOY

Worth Of Souls Project--where you can get the album, find out more about it and the project, and explore resources. PLEASE SHARE IT!

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

Contact Monica for coaching or consultations

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 080: JOY || How You Can Cultivate Joy Regardless of Your Circumstances Apr 11, 2018

Show notes

"Joy [is] a spiritual way of engaging with the world that's connected to practicing gratitude."

~Brene Brown

If you've been working on happiness, get ready to up-level it to JOY.

Joy is different than happiness. It's deeper and more eternal in nature and effect. It's earned through opposition. It's chosen and cultivated. And when the going REALLY gets tough, the good news is that "joy" will be there for us.

In this episode, we go deep in discussing why joy is different and longer lasting than happiness, and how we can choose it by focusing on:

1) Keeping Perspective

2) Being Present

3) Maintaining a Practice of Gratitude

Show Notes

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown (affiliate amazon link)

Last week's episode with Paul Cardall, Kenz Hall, and Charley Jenkins:

Worth Of Souls Project--where you can get the album, find out more about it and the project, and explore resources. PLEASE SHARE IT!

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

Contact Monica for coaching or consultations

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 079: Discovering Our Worth Through Music || with Paul Cardall, Kenz Hall, and Charley Jenkins Apr 04, 2018

Show notes

"We need to create something for someone else that they might not be able to create themselves."

~Charley Jenkins

Surely, we can all agree that music has defined our lives from time to time--but what about save our lives?

That's exactly what the Worth of Souls project and album is trying to do. Paul Cardall and a troop of incredible artists collaborated to create a movement designed to save people who are at the brink of complete despair, to pull them back from depression, doubt, anxiety, negativity, and worthlessness.

Paul and two of his artists--Kenz Hall and Charley Jenkins--joined the podcast today to talk about the project and why they're passionate about it, the mission behind their songs, and how music has the unique ability to change--and even rescue--lives by reminding us all of our eternal value.

Show Notes

Worth Of Souls Project--where you can get the album, find out more about it and the project, and explore resources. PLEASE SHARE IT!

Paul's website, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook

Kenz's website, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook

Charley's website, YouTube, and Facebook

PAST INTERVIEW WITH PAUL

Last week's episode: Managing Our Thoughts to Find More Joy in Parenthood, with Lisa Andersen

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

Contact Monica for coaching or consultations

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 078: Managing our Thoughts to Find more Joy in Parenthood || with Lisa Andersen of Thriving Motherhood Mar 28, 2018

Show notes

"We can flip our thinking about our kids. They don't make us feel any certain way. It's us. We have that control."

You want to know a magical trick for parenting? You're in charge.

I know, revolutionary right? But really--you are in charge. However, not in the way you might think. Here's how:

You're in charge of YOURSELF. Your thoughts, your emotions, and your actions. Regardless of what your kids do and who they are (after all you can do to teach them, of course!), only you can manage how you show up around your kids.

It's not your kids' fault when you're up to your neck with stress, anger, bitterness, and anxiety about parenting them. That's on you! The good news is that because of this, you can actually shift how you feel about your kids and parenting--and you are truly capable of doing so.

If you want more joy and less resentment/guilt in your parenthood journey, listen in to this episode with Lisa Andersen from @thrivingmotherhood. She is brilliant at instructing us how to better manage our thinking so that we find more fulfillment in our parenthood and by extension increase our capacity to better guide our children to manage their own thinking, emotions, and actions.

Show Notes

Lisa's Instagram

Last week's episode: Overcoming the Complexities of Our Childhoods, with Rachel Nielson

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

Contact Monica for coaching or consultations

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 077: Overcoming the Complexities of our Childhoods || with Rachel Nielson Mar 21, 2018

Show notes

“Think of your own child being that scared and how you would comfort them. Treat yourself with similar grace.”

Rachel Nielson didn't realize how much her mother's long battle with cancer affected her childhood until it was affecting her adulthood, and badly. She found herself stuck in a terrible cycle of self-hatred and perfectionism, coupled with a Savior's-complex within her relationships. Years of therapy and growth taught Rachel how to move beyond the trauma of her youth and better embrace her present and, most importantly, herself.

Rachel is on the podcast to teach us what we can do to move past the insecurities, bad relationships, poor influences, sadnesses, and traumas of our childhoods and better create the life we want to live. She also shares how she learned to embrace grace in how she views her parents and extend that grace to her own life as well.

Show Notes

Rachel's Website, Podcast, and Instagram

Last week's episode: Are you Happy?

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

Contact Monica for coaching or consultations

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 076: Are You Happy? Mar 14, 2018

Show notes

Let me ask you this: are you happy?

Why is it that most of us would have a really hard time answering that question? Well, I have a lot of theories.

People too often have the wrong idea of what happiness actually looks like (it's not rainbows and butterflies, people!), and they hinge it on their circumstances or others.

I've been guilty of this. Oh, have I been guilty! (Sorry, husband, for all the times I made your responsible for my happiness!) So today's podcast is devoted to my thoughts on happiness--what it REALLY looks like, and three ways we can work on our happiness right now, right here.

Show Notes

Last week's episode: How to Find Real Strength in Vulnerability || with Preston Pugmire

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and website

Related: Monica's views on Sponsorship and WHY she's partnering with Monat

Fabletics! Get 2 leggings for $24 when you become a VIP member (they're the besssssst!) (Affiliate link)

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

Contact Monica

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" and "Tonight" by Nicolai Heidlas

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