About Progress

Latest Episodes:

AP 015: Katharine Arnold Luce || Confronting External Pressures Feb 15, 2017

Show notes

"Don't waste time feeling inadequate . . . "

Katharine and I have been friends for 18 years. (Side note: Whoa. What scares me most about that fact is that we were 12 years old when we first chatted in band class. I swear I was just 12!)

After high school, Katharine left our small town of Farmington, UT and headed to the east coast to study music, theology, and art history. She attended a small private liberal arts college in Boston followed by Yale Divinity School.

Yes, that Yale.

Obviously, Katharine is a real smarty. But even she dealt with "imposter syndrome" in these high stress, achievement-oriented environments. For one, Katharine was not tailored for ivy league schools since birth like so many of her colleagues. Also, on top of struggling like she didn't measure up to both her external and internal standards, Katharine faced huge obstacles within her family, including a major spinal cord injury of her only sibling.

Despite that, Katharine chose to shift her perspective on these really difficult times, and instead embraced them as something that would make her more resilient BECAUSE of what she was facing. Katharine found her own way! Now, she is in a career that melds all her interests together in a beautiful whole, one that is "Katharine" instead of what her external pressures told her she "should" be doing.

Oh, and you won't want to miss what Katharine shares about how perfectionism for her is interwoven with her people-pleasing nature, as well her antidote to combat it. (I love what she said SO, SO much about that! You classic "underachievers" or "procrastinators" will especially benefit.)

Show Notes

Katharine's Instagram

Photographer for Katharine's photo: Jess Smolinski, Yale University Art Gallery

Monica's Instagram, Facebook, and Contact page

More on "Do Something" here and here (includes a short podcast episode that explains the series)

More episodes from the podcast

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 014: Amber Brueseke || Pushing for Growth (Biceps After Babies) Feb 08, 2017

Show notes

“I don’t think that we should be stagnant and not ever want to change ourselves. It doesn’t have to do with not loving ourselves, it has to do with just wanting to be better.”

Amber Brueseke's arms speak for themselves, but just a quick glance of her Instagram page--Biceps After Babies--will tell you that this woman knows what she's talking about.

Amber is all about goals and helping others achieve theirs. But that doesn't mean that she shies away from failure. In fact, Amber recognizes failure as essential to really learning what life has to offer.

Listen in to hear how Amber got into fitness and what inspired her fitness account, what she hopes people gain from following her, her views on goal-making, how she can be passionate without being obsessive, and what big lessons she gleaned after a near-drowning of one of her children.

If you like the show, please subscribe!!

Show Notes:

Amber's Instagram

Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife's interview and COURSES

Monica's Instagram, Facebook, and Contact page

More on "Do Something" here and here (includes a short podcast episode that explains the series)

More episodes from the podcast

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 013: Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife || A Psychotherapist's Take On Perfectionism Feb 01, 2017

Show notes

Many of you will know today's guest--Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife--as "the Mormon sex therapist."

Yes, she is indeed an incredible therapist who deals primarily with relational and sexual issues. But, as Jennifer says, her therapy focuses mostly on "just being human, and the challenges related to being human."

Turns out, one of the largest developmental hurdles her clients often face is perfectionism.

Jennifer unveils what is really going on behind perfectionism, how it's an immature behavior common to the human condition, beginning with a lack of development. She talks about the flawed thinking behind perfectionism, what perfectionists are seeking, as well as the damaging effects of perfectionism on people's lives and their relationships.

Many listeners will be shocked to see a lot of what Jennifer talks about in themselves, including those who would label themselves as "underachievers."

But there is hope! Jennifer also shares what someone can do to combat this flawed thinking and behavior in their own life, and how they can develop a better capacity to refine who they are with integrity and grow more fully into the person they'd like to become.

More on Jennifer:

Jennifer Finlayson-Fife grew up in Burlington, Vermont as one of eight children. She studied Psychology and Women's Studies at Brigham Young University, and went on to receive her Masters and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. She has a private practice in Chicago, IL where she works primarily with LDS couples on relational and sexual issues. She is a frequent guest on LDS-themed podcasts, and has written articles for LDS-themed magazines and blogs on the subjects of sexuality and modesty as well as mental health and faith. She is married to John Finlayson-Fife and has three wonderful children.

Show Notes

Jennifer's website, Facebook, and COURSES

Monica's Instagram, Facebook, and more podcast episodes

CONTACT MONICA

More on "Do Something" here and here (includes a podcast episode that explains this series)

IRONMAN podcast episode, referenced in the show

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 012: Jamie Cook || Cultivating a life of rich moments Jan 25, 2017

Show notes

"I believe we really are a global family . . . We all matter."

Jamie is an adventurer. You might already know this if you follow her adventures via her Instagram, blog, and her segment on Studio 5, a popular Utah talk show.

But Jamie is also a collector of friendships. She values people. She seeks connection with others wherever she lives, wherever she travels. And it really shows!

In this podcast, Jamie shares about her love of travel, how her family's foundation is centered on getting out of the house and interacting with others, and how making friends with refugees has influenced her life.

Jame also talks about what it was like to put her broadcasting career on hold to raise her four children, and what it has been like to get back in the field. Finally, you'll hear what Jamie does to stay balanced and organized--and I think you'll love her atypical answer!

Show Notes:

Jamie's blog, Instagram, and family blog

Monica's contact page, Instagram, and Facebook

More Information on "Do Something"

Other Podcast episodes you can listen to

Song credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 011: Katie Cheesman || Harnessing the Power of Listening Jan 18, 2017

Show notes

Katie Cheesman loves old people and clouds.

That's at least how she introduces herself! (Don't you love her already?) Katie is also a mother, nurse, photographer and videographer. She paired her talents and interests together into the perfect creation, The Listening Ear Project, where she shares her WONDERFUL interviews with the elderly, whom she calls her "closest friends."

The Listening Ear Project is full of interviewees you touch and inspire you--most definitely--but also people who make you laugh and teach you to better appreciate the fun in life.

In this podcast, I speak with Katie about what led her to start this project, how as a nurse she learned the power of listening to help heal her patients, and why being friends with the elderly and sharing their stories is her passion. We also speak about how hard it can be to establish an audience on social media that is centered around appreciating old people, but why Katie thinks all the time, energy, and money she invests in this project is well worth it and has truly changed her life.

Katie is lovely, funny, and open. She is equal parts creative and driven, and Katie also often deals with the negative effects of being too hard on herself. She shares how she tries to combat that pressure to be perfect. Katie will inspire you to take a moment to listen to others, and recognize the special need to better see and appreciate the elderly people in your life.

If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

Show Notes

The Listening Ear Project website and Instagram

Katie's Instagram and Blog

Monica's Instagram, Facebook, and contact page

Past podcast episodes mentioned: Meg Miles; Aubrey Greenan

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 009: Danielle Hansen || Pushing back against disordered eating and infertility Jan 04, 2017

Show notes

"The thing that hurt me the most . . . was all the time I had wasted preoccupied with food, and not being present."

Eating disorders are really tricky to talk about. Not only are they shame-driven and shrouded in secrecy, but the depth and significance of an eating disorder's roots is difficult to convey in a way that people truly understand what a lasting effect it has on a person's life.

Danielle Hansen does the impossible, though.

In today's podcast, Danielle bravely untangles some of what fed her need to obsessively control her eating, exercise, and body, and how perfectionism and its related need to worry about other people's opinions of her fueled her disease.

Danielle tried to work on her recovery while simultaneously battling infertility, but it wasn't until the birth of her firstborn and hitting her lowest low that Danielle felt determined to take back her life. She says, "I just remember being so mad, because I had this beautiful baby, I was in heaven; and the ugliest thing--my eating disorder--was tainting that for me."

Now three years into facing her struggles with disordered eating and infertility head-on, Danielle speaks on what made the difference in her recovery, how she has grown, and what life can be like on the other side.

Show Notes:

Danielle's blog and Instagram

My "Do Something" podcast episode

More information on "Do Something"

My Instagram and Facebook--contact me and share what you are up to while listening, or what your "Do Something" is and how it is going!

Did you like this podcast? SUBSCRIBE and listen to more podcasts here.

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 008: Revival of Do Something Dec 28, 2016

Show notes

9 months ago, I tried to start a movement. Annnnnnnd, it failed. I'm not giving up on it yet! In today's mini-episode, I share more behind why I started this series entitled, "Do Something," how it relates to pushing against our fears, my plan to revive it, and how you can participate.

You can share your "Do Something" with me by emailing me here, or tagging me on social media with #aboutprogresspodcast. I want to highlight YOU and the big and small ways you are challenging yourself. So please let me know about them!

Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 007: Lisa Schader || Running toward fears while battling postpartum anxiety Dec 21, 2016

Show notes

I'd be hard-pressed to find any one else who is more knowledgeable on all things self-improvement and human development related. Lisa has a wealth of knowledge on these topics in great part because of her lifelong insatiable drive to learn and improve herself; but it also arose from the huge struggles she faced after the birth of her first son. Lisa found herself immediately facing extreme postpartum anxiety; anxiety fueled by perfectionism Lisa didn't fully realize was in control; anxiety so intense that she couldn't sleep or eat, take care of herself or, most devastatingly, take care of her baby. Lisa describes the low points of being the opposite of her usual self, how she made recovery her top priority, and the growth she has built the past five years as she has run towards her fears instead of away from them.

Lisa is in a much better place now, is still passionate about self-improvement, but also has great wisdom in how to do so without being obsessive and imbalanced. There are so many jewels in this interview, including Lisa's tips on how to set goals and manage them in a way that they are achievable in our day-to-day lives.

****

Please see the blog www.aboutprogress.com for more, including past podcast episodes in addition to Monica's (our host) own journey as a recovering perfectionist. You can also follow Monica at her handle @aboutprogress.

Music cred: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 006: Aubrey Greenan || Placing your heart in the work that matters most Dec 14, 2016

Show notes

May I be straight with you? Aubrey Greenan is a female unicorn.

She is gorgeous, obviously; she is mega talented as a professionally trained opera singer (and I'd add so many more talents to that list); she is incredibly bright, knowledgeable, and eloquent; and, the best part, Aubrey is one of the most sincerely kind and level-headed people I've ever known.

In the podcast today, Aubrey and I speak about her path to attending one of the most prestigious vocal programs in the country, her struggles with health and anxiety that humbled her, and how acknowledging her limits and what mattered most to her better empowered her to choose a path that looked very different from the one she easily could have pursued. In short, this woman chose family over fame.

I know Aubrey's interview will empower you to take stock of your own needs, your deepest goals in life, and to better place your heart in the work that matters most to you, instead of what the world tell you to.

See other podcasts and more on my website, www.aboutprogress.com, or my Instagram.

Song credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

AP 005: Meg Miles || Owning our gifts and finding true strength comes from balance Dec 07, 2016

Show notes

If you haven't heard of Meg from MOMSTRONG, then let me introduce you to this rare jewel of a human being.

Meg is blessed with an abundance of gifts, from her knowledge of health, exercise, and nutrition (she is a pediatric nurse and a certified trainer, after all!), to her amazing food recipes, mom tips, and even her photography and interior design savvy. But Meg is unusual in that she works incredibly hard at all of these, and does so in an effort to light the lives of those around her, particularly women. She isn't in it for the glory; she is in it to spread the love.

I was first drawn to Meg's Instagram account and then her blog. She was the first "fitness" social media guru who actually made me feel inspired AND good about myself at the same time. That is no easy feat! Her workouts, food recommendations, and more are all geared to help women become stronger and healthier, sure; but even better, she wants each woman to accept herself for who she is, to remain balanced, and to not give in to society's dictates on what a well-rounded, healthy woman looks like. As Meg says, "healthy looks different for everyone."

Meg shares about some times in her life where she struggled greatly with the weaknesses of her perfectionism. During these times, she compared herself too much and too often to the girls around her and struggled with her self-confidence. Despite looking like she was on the top of her game from the outside, Meg felt everything but that on the inside. For a good while, Meg tried to stuff down the talents she possessed out of fear of not measuring up as well due to her experiences of getting made fun of by her peers for being good at something.

But as a young adult, she learned to shed those voices and strove to accept herself, work on her gifts, and then share them with the world in hopes to help other women discover and share their own talents as well. Meg also talks about how her work as a pediatric nurse has also inspired her balance-minded focus. Finally, Meg speaks more about what inspired her interview series, The MOMSTRONG Project and what she has learned from the remarkable women she has interviewed. Truly, this woman has a heart of gold and I can't wait for you to hear more!

Please see my blog for more about Meg and our show notes!

Song credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas

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

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