About Progress

Latest Episodes:

AP 055: Greg Karelitz || Spreading Positive Vibes Nov 01, 2017

Show notes

"By choosing your habits and staying with them, you are scientifically engraining them in your body . . . setting you on a pace that will help you achieve what you want to achieve."

What do you get when you create the perfect mix of zen and science? Greg Karelitz, is what.

Greg is the founder of the Positive Vibes Only Society (PVOS), a community with a mission to help people better live in the moment, backed up with science. As a touchstone, PVOSers sport a necklace that act as a physical reminder to live positively.

Greg developed a fascination with the science behind positivity when he was at a big low: having just undergone a double hip surgery and with it a big life style change that eventually led to him experiencing anxiety attacks. He had his own necklace--the star of David--that helped him recenter during those moments. And perfectly, the hex in that symbol align with the shapes of the chemicals in our bodies that contribute to our happiness--chemicals that Greg was in the trenches of researching himself. This is how he was inspired to create not only the hex-shaped necklace, but the positive-focused society Greg leads today.

Hear what Greg says about what he's learned about the science of positivity, how he got through his own dark times, what change he hopes to ignite in the world, how focusing on good habits contributes to our greater happiness, and how we can live in the moment even when we need to also deal with hard things. Greg is definitely an expert in this field, and it shows.

Show Notes:

Greg's website (new ladies-specific necklaces being offered!), Instagram, and Facebook

Referenced interview with Andy Proctor

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)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

More Podcasts from About Progress

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

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AP 054: Danielle Stepp || Learning the Precious Value of Time Oct 27, 2017

Show notes

"You don’t really appreciate time unless you’re looking at a diagnosis like cancer. . . You don’t appreciate the time that you have until you know that there could potentially be an end date.”

Danielle Stepp was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma--cancer--as a new mother of a three month old baby girl.

Her treatment entailed 12 debilitating rounds of chemotherapy. As Danielle made her way through this very difficult period of her life, she held on to her family, her friends, and what she calls "Prayer Power" to help her arise above the immense hardships. She also used her fighting spirit and treated cancer like a bull, and Danielle "wrestled it to the ground."

Now a year cancer free (!), Danielle looks back to see what helped her through this hard chapter, how cancer has changed her, and what she has learned about not taking time for granted.

Show Notes:

Danielle's blog

Compassion that Compells

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)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

More Podcasts from About Progress

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

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AP 053: Paul Cardall || Rising From a Broken Heart Oct 25, 2017

Show notes

“I think the reason we all suffer is because it makes us stronger—it’s a strength, it’s a gift in a way . . . I could not write the music that I write had I not gone through hard things.”

Paul Cardall knows a thing or two about suffering and turning that suffering into a gift. He was born with half a heart and experienced poor health throughout his childhood and well into his adulthood. In 2009, he underwent a full heart transplant that gave him a miraculous new way of living. And yet, it was after his transplant that Paul faced the darkest period of his life: guilt, depression, the ending of his marriage, and more.

But Paul used his pain to create masterpieces that helped him rise above, music that has gone on to transform millions of lives across the world. Yes, millions.

Listen to this interview to hear about how this is the case for Paul, how and why he started playing the piano as a late-teen, what the creative process is like for him, and how he believes wholeheartedly that our trials can transform our lives for good and make us stronger. Paul believes that his love of forming connections through his music could not have been as fully achieved had it not been for his suffering. He inspires us to rise through our own trials too, and to believe that there is so much goodness on the other side.

If you like the show, please share, subscribe, and leave reviews!!

Show Notes:

Paul's Website, Instagram, and Facebook

Paul's Music

Paul's Production Company, Stone Angel Music

Song Played: "Gracie's Theme"

Paul and Tina's Interview on the LifeBeats Project!

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)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

More Podcasts from About Progress

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

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AP 052: Heather Jenson ||Achieving Big Goals in Small Ways Oct 18, 2017

Show notes

“I’m not a professional athlete. I don’t do this to win money and races. I do this to enhance my life and it brings me joy, along with my family . . . As long as I'm putting them first and taking care of them, everything else usually falls into place.”

Heather Jenson says this to describe how she views her "little" hobby as a triathlete. This sport can suck people into perfectionism, obsession, and the comparison trap. But Heather has learned how to resist the negative side of her passion and embrace it for the goodness it brings to her life and to her family.

Heather shares how her love of racing (she started as a swimmer!) increased after dealing with a terrible bout of postpartum depression, that having big and then bigger goals to aspire to helped her regain what she thought she had lost within herself. She is so honest about how hard training can be, but how breaking up a huge goal into small pieces has helped her achieve big dreams.

A favorite example she shared: Her first half-marathon was 10 years ago at 24 years ago and her time was 2:14. He latest half time was 1:36. And yet, Heather is insistent that running is her hardest sport and what incredible lengths she has gone to to improve. She is also just as insistent that if she can become an Ironman, so can you.

So even if it's not you seeking to race in Kona like her, Heather inspires us to reach within ourselves, find some passions, and let them guide us to becoming better people inside and out.

Heather will have an entire episode devoted to her on the show, "Quest for Kona" on @NBCsports next Wednesday, 10/25. Check your local listings for times! Here's some more information on the show: here and here.

Show Notes:

Heather's website and Instagram

Last week's episode with Ganel-Lyn Condie

My interview on The Luckiest Mom Podcast (click on Episode 151!)

Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Insta feed 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)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

More Podcasts from About Progress

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

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AP 051: Ganel-Lyn Condie || Strengthening through Surrendering Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

“Some of the most challenging, heart-wrenching times of my life have in some ways become the greatest blessings . . . They were the pathways to learning.”

The list of "life lessons" (aka: trials, obstacles, traumas, etc.) that Ganel-Lyn Condie has been through is astounding. And yet this woman walks with a bounce and speaks with a light that is absolutely contagious.

Ganel-Lyn shares deeply about how surrendering to these lessons, giving up on perfection, and turning to a higher power have in turn strengthened her to better deal with what life has put in front of her. As an author and speaker, Ganel-Lyn doesn't shy away from hard topics as she's faced it all: parents divorcing, chronic illness, infertility, job loss, perfectionism, and the tragic passing of her sister, Meggan, through suicide.

It's not that Ganel-Lyn doesn't have her hard days; it's not that she's eager to face another big trial; and it's definitely not that she knows the answers while in the middle of the darkness. But it IS a choice that she's developed to give in--but not give up!--learn what trials have to teach her, and in turn find greater empowerment to not only create a happier life for herself and her family, but for the world.

Show Notes:

Ganel-Lyn's Website, Instagram, Facebook, and BOOKS!

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

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

Q&A Episode + Interview with Janssen Bradshaw

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

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

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AP 050: Special Q&A Episode || Navel-Gazing At Its Finest Oct 06, 2017

Show notes

We've made it to 50 podcast episodes. Woohoo!! I am so thrilled about this, and grateful for those of you who have been with me from the beginning and just as grateful for the rest of you are are new to my podcast.

You were kind enough to send in questions for this particular episode: things that you wanted to know about me, the podcast, my parenting, eating, children, where I live (and why), and more.

This episode was super fun to record because I did it with my sister-in-law, Emily. But it's painful for me to listen to because it's seriously a huge exercise in obsessing over myself. Also, it went much longer than I had anticipated.

If this is just as painful for you, I get it! We'll be back to our regular programming next Wednesday. Otherwise, I'd love to hear about some of YOUR answers to these same questions. Let's connect more! You can comment here or on my Instagram and Facebook, @aboutprogress.

Thanks so much for your support!

Show Notes:

People I recommended you follow: The Listening Ear Projects, Talk Wordy to Me, Thriving Motherhood, and Julie In Real Life

SURVEY!!!! (It takes less than a minute to fill out--thank you!)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 049: Janssen Bradshaw || Propelling Yourself to Greater Opportunities Oct 04, 2017

Show notes

"Fear is not a good reason to not do something. What is the worst that could happen? . . . If I can live with that worst case scenario, then I’m going to do it and stop worrying about failure."

Janssen Bradshaw of Everyday Reading didn't think she was "creative" or "entrepreneurial." And yet, those two words completely encapsulate who she is now as the producer of a successful blog and a co-creator (alongside her husband) of a brand new business--children's rain boots!

Janssen shares how starting one thing propelled her into another, and how even the failures she faced led to more opportunities anyway. Refusing to live based off of "what ifs" and fears has led to a series of Janssen trying new things bit by bit, and doing so has trickled down into all areas of her life. Janssen has learned that you can't just let life pass you by and not try things out of fear of failure or how hard it might be; because time passes anyway, and you'll only be left with regret and "what ifs."

Janssen talks about what it is really like to be a successful blogger, how she is able to stay authentic and resist posting only for , why reading matters for her and her family, and her essential--and SIMPLE--was she survives the everyday chaos of raising a family and a business.

Show Notes:

Janssen's Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook

London Little rain boots(!!!): Website and Instagram

Janssen's FREE course on raising little readers

Last week's podcasts with Ralphie from Simply on Purpose and Food: How to Use It, Not Abuse It, Part Two

SURVEY!!!! (It takes less than a minute to fill out--thank you!)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 048: Food, How to Use It, Not Abuse It || Part TWO Sep 29, 2017

Show notes

Surprise! I have a bonus episode for you this week, and it's Part Two of my series on Food: How to Use it, Not Abuse it. Cultivating a healthy relationship with food has been a huge part of the work I've done for myself the past 11 years. I'm still focusing on it every day, but I see the improvements I have made that have made it all well worth it. I hope to inspire that in others, too!

Part One is here, and there we spent a lot of time talking about what it LOOKS like to have a poor relationship with food and what you can begin to do about it. This episode--Part Two--involves more discussion on specific methods, both of which incorporate embracing a the "grey," ridding ourselves of black-and-white thinking, and moving towards natural moderation with how we view and eat food.

The primary focus overall is Intuitive Eating, which is my very favorite eating philosophy. You can find the book here, and I'd definitely start with that; but I do recommend a coach if you are in the throes of trying to figure this out. I can recommend Elizabeth Dall and Stephanie Webb, both of whom are experts on this topic. Elizabeth is the primary Intuitive Eating expert for this episode, but Stephanie was the main expert for the last episode on this topic. (See their contact information below.)

The second method is "Flexible Dieting," or also known as counting macros. Amber Brueseke is our expert on this, because not only does she know her stuff, but her whole goal is to move her clients towards Intuitive Eating. In essence, she wants to work herself out of a job.

I know you'll enjoy this candid, helpful episode. Please let me know what you got out of it, and share it with those who you feel will benefit from it.

Show Notes:

Part ONE here

Elizabeth's Instagram, Facebook, and website

Amber's Instagram, Facebook, and website

Past interview with AMBER

Stephanie's Instagram and Website

Intuitive Eating book (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!)

SURVEY!!!! (It takes less than a minute to fill out--thank you!)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 047: Ralphie Jacobs || Rediscovering Hope in Parenting through the Growth Mindset Sep 27, 2017

Show notes

"What it means “to grow” is to practice something—one thing really deliberately—and do it over and over again. And then when you make a mistake, you look back and you close that loop really quickly by recognizing what went well and what didn’t go well, and then you practice it again."

Ralphie Jacobs admits that she was born with an innate love for children and a natural gift of caring for them. But even she was surprised as a young mom by how her well-informed, highly educated patience could "vanish."

Recognizing this capacity in herself, Ralphie decided to deliberately change how she was parenting, to grow her skill set as a mother just as she would with any other talent, skill, or expertise that requires growth and practice. Now, Ralphie is a parenting expert who passes on the incredible (and I'd say LIFE-CHANGING) things she has learned over the years about how to grow purposefully within your job as a parent. And she makes it clear: the answers are actually quite simple.

Ralphie shares how she became a parenting expert, what it looks like to use the growth mindset as a parent, how to increase your knowledge of what's out there BUT also rely on your instinct, how to reinforce good behavior in your children as a way to rid them of the "junk behavior," and what is the number one thing she wants every parent to know.

For your use, here are the four main jobs we have as a parent that I took away from my discussion with Ralphie:

1) Teaching

2) Modeling Happiness

3) Being Purposeful Through Reflection and Redirection

4) Looking for the Good in Your Children

Show Notes:

Ralphie's Instagram, Facebook, and Resources

Referenced podcast interview with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife

Last week's episode with the founders of BRAVERY MAGAZINE

SURVEY!!!! (It takes less than a minute to fill out--thank you!)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

Ralphie has a special message for you parents who are reallllly in the trenches with parenting, for one reason or another. You will leave this podcast armed with tools--yes--but, even better, with hope.

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

AP 046: Elyse Beard and Ashley Aikele ||Being Your Own Kind Of Brave Sep 20, 2017

Show notes

“Bravery is being scared, it’s being afraid; but doing it anyway . . . It’s OK to be afraid of something, but own those feelings and rise above.”

You think if you were the masterminds behind a magazine with "Bravery" in the title, that you would be a very courageous person.

Not so for these ladies.

Elyse Beard and Ashley Aikele both profess that they have let fear hold them back for far too long. But when they had the idea to create a publication that inspires courage in children by sharing stories of brave women, they knew they had to be their own kind of brave.

To build something so monumental from nothing entailed a lot of letting go alongside a whole lot of work. Elyse and Ashley talk about how they practiced "fake it 'til you make it," used their different talents, and in the end created something from nothing. Their dream is that ultimately this publication is far more than a magazine; it's a movement.

Elyse and Ashley share how a huge part of being your own kind of brave is figuring out what your "thing" is, and how even the process alone can demand a special kind of courage. Ashley shares how perfectionism prevented her from following through with many ideas in the past; Elyse talks about how she couldn't figure out what talents she had to offer to the world and how unfulfilled she felt because of that struggle. But these women have risen above their own fears, and shown us that if we dare to believe in ourselves, try new things, and even risk failure, we can create something life-changing.

And both of them feel that change within their own lives.

Show Notes:

Bravery Magazine's Kickstarter (where you can order the first printing!), Instagram, and Facebook (website coming soon)

Last week's episode with Nicole Kalkowski

SURVEY!!!! (It takes less than a minute to fill out--thank you!)

Monica's Facebook and Instagram

Contact Monica

Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link)

More Podcasts from About Progress

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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