About Progress

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

"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

“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 h

“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

"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

"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

"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 th

“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-Agi

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!) (Affil

“Weakness is pretending that you’re not feeling emotions, [and thereby] denying yourself of that humanity.” If you haven't heard of Preston Pugmire, get yourself acquainted quick. This "renaissance man" has a lot to say and it's going to change your life.   Preston--a speaker, life coach, musician, and podcaster (Next Level Life)--teaches us how to free ourselves from shame, guilt, and perfectionism by tearing down the facades we've created and getting to the heart of who we truly are. In other words, VULNERABILITY. Preston himself knows what this looks like first-hand, as he unexpectedly had his own facade torn down and his true self become exposed. Living life more authentically has transformed everything for the better and Preston believes it can transform our lives as well.    Preston speaks about how men in particular are imprisoned emotionally--and by extension, in every other way--by not allowing themselves to explore their real, authentic identity. For us all, Preston teaches how we can discover that

"We have to continually have those conversations because it normalizes the idea of talking about tough topics."   Dina Alexander returned to the podcast to teach parents how to talk to our children about another hard topic: pornography.   We first discuss what Dina has researched are the trends in pornography, including the average age of exposure, what your children are "learning" from porn, and how they are targeted by the industry. This information is essential to knowing better what our children are up against and HOW to better prepare them to make good decisions when they are faced with pornography (and the research shows, they will ALL be exposed to it at some point).   Dina then shares a variety of ways to open the dialogue with children, first by using proper sexual education and then by empowering our kids to know the truth behind the porn industry--what false messages they teach, how they use teens as a primary target. We can then go into arming our kids to actively fight against the tides of cultur

As a follow-up to my interview with childbirth educator Laura Dugovic, here is the birth story of my sweet baby born on February 5th.  (I share his name briefly on the interview, but won't be typing it up here as I guard my kids' names online.)   You'll hear about what led up to the birth, what I did to help with the pain without using an epidural, and how Laura's resources and positive affirmations completely transformed this birth. Instead of feeling either traumatized or like a caged animal as I have in the past, I felt strong and centered.     If you've been following along with me on Instagram, then you know that E had emergency surgery at 9 days old, just a few days after recording this episode. His intestines were twisted, which is life threatening as the bowels can quickly die. We returned home much sooner than we planned after six days total at the hospital, five of which were in the PICU. Thank you SO much for your many messages during this time, and most especially your prayers. We felt them and kn

"I have learned that anything that I thought of myself, that I saw of myself, is not nearly the capacity that I truly am."     Mikael Monson NEVER planned on homeschooling her four children; in fact, she was staunchly against it for some time. But when the inner call for her came to pull her kids out of public school and teach them from home, Mikael took a huge leap of faith and did just that.   Mikael shares why homeschooling is the right fit for her family, how she does it, and what she has learned about standing firm with her convictions. Ultimately, she believes that if everyone listened and followed the voice inside them regardless of their own plans, they'll be made capable of meeting the challenges that come with the call.   Show Notes: Mikael's Instagram and YouTube channel Interview with doula/childbirth educator Laura Dugovic 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 Sp

"I don't think that 'acceptance' is an excuse to diminish yourself or to not hold yourself accountable to your best work . . . We should develop and expand and grow in whatever we feel called to do."   Nesha Woodhouse is the director of Lifehouse Performing Arts Academy and came from a intensive background in honing one of her beloved gifts--dance. But Nesha learned in her own life--and now passes on to her students--that mastery of our gifts can only truly flourish if our motivation is to bless the lives of others and ourselves. This is in contrast to being driven by competitiveness, comparison, or approval-seeking.   So many preach acceptance of self. While this is paramount to overcoming the challenges life throws at us, our souls also crave GROWTH. Nesha speaks on this important balance of seeking mastery of our gifts while also being driven by the right reasons--to more fully reach our own individual potential and bless the lives of others.   Now as the director of hundreds of youth pursuing greatness, N

“If we get so caught up in how we look, how our friends look, if we look good enough, we are missing the richness of life.”   Dina Alexander is back to teach us how to combat the perfect images social media projects for the children in our lives. BOTH boys and girls are constantly infiltrated with pictures and ideas about what their bodies are supposed to be like, and how they can get them. Listen in to this conversation to learn how to create an open communication in your home where these tough topics can be fully explored. Equip yourself with ways to arm your children the knowledge and self-respect necessary to own a confident, grounded view of themselves and their bodies.   Dina Alexander is the founder and president of Educate and Empower Kids (educateempowerkids.org), an organization determined to strengthen families by teaching digital citizenship, media literacy, and healthy sexuality education—including education about the dangers of online porn. She is the creator of Noah’s New Phone: A Story About

“I’m getting my self-esteem from looking in . . . I have worth in my trying.”    Although Mallory Wahlstrom Wright was an accomplished musician, dancer, and athlete, she suffered immensely from perfectionism-bred low self esteem. As a way to cope with never feeling like she measured up, she turned to controlling her body and her weight. Years of this behavior led to a crippled life that she wasn't sure she could make her way back from.   A series of lows pushed Mallory to seek help, but the biggest tipping point was when her older brother needed a kidney transplant--and Mallory turned out to be the *perfect* match! Following the surgery, Mallory faced near-life-taking complications and faced a very hard recovery. Through it all, she gained a newfound appreciation for her body and her life. Mallory learned to seek inward and find her own unique light that she now shares from her dance and harp students, to our listeners.   Show Notes: Last week's episode on overcoming fear with childbearing Monica's Facebook a

“My only approach is to love and strengthen all women, no matter what kind of birth they want to have.”   Laura Dugovic had prepared for a meditative birth with her first child, but what she experienced was gritty, loud, sweaty . . . and still completely transformative.    Laura is a doula and birth educator, but one who strives to help ALL women feel empowered to face birth with an attitude of a rockstar, regardless of what method they feel best suits them and their needs.   In today's episode, Laura works with our host--Monica--in a smaller version of what she does with her clients in a typical session. She talks Monica through her deep-seated fears of birth and teaches her how to manage her thoughts so she is better prepared to face the upcoming birth of her fourth child.   Show Notes: Laura's Website and Instagram Last week's episode on goals with Mandie Sherman Monica's Facebook and Instagram Monat Natural, Anti-Aging Hair Care: Contact Monica to learn more, OR research via her Monat Instagram and websit

"It doesn't get easier, but it gets lighter. It gets lighter because we get stronger . . . Your strength is going to help somebody else when they are weak."   When we are facing especially hard times, we've all heard people say that things will get easier. Mandie Sherman disagrees. She knows from her lifelong struggle with cystic fibrosis--a terminal disease--that it's not that things get easier, it's that we get stronger. And with that strength, we are then obligated to help others where they are weak.   Mandie's strength is evident throughout this interview as she frankly shares about what life has been like with a disease that consumes much of her day with constant treatments and monitoring. She is resilient--yes. Realistic--yes. But coupled with these qualities is an contagious optimism, a choice Mandie has made to face each day with strength AND softness.   Surrounding her is what Mandie calls her "army," people who love, support, and take care of her. Mandie's hope is that we can learn more about cystic

"When we attach anything to our goals--our happiness, worth, value, success--our goals are no longer out becoming . . .[they're] just about needing to achieve to feel something."   Sick of never meeting your goals? Too overwhelmed to even make some in the first place? It's not your method that needs some revamping; it's your motivation.   When you are a recovering perfectionist, you'll have a love-hate relationship with goals. On one hand, you could have a past of going over-the-top, full throttle and letting your goals dictate every moment of your life, only to ALWAYS feel like a failure; on the other hand, you could be so over feeling like a failure that it's too overwhelming for you to even begin making goals at all.   Time to find some middle ground. Want to know the secret behind revolutionizing your goals so they actually work?    You've got to define your "WHY" behind them.   Tiffany Webster joins me in a conversation on this topic today. You can prop us both up as "failed perfectionists," and therefor

 "If you set aside other people's expectations, set aside the need for permission and live your most authentic self, life is a lot more freeing and you're making better decisions."   Dina Taylor has faced many obstacles in her young life, but the two most recent--infertility and her 35-year-old husband's unexpected death--could have made her give up and give in. Not so, for Dina. Dina chose to persevere, and to do it her own way.   Listen in to hear how Dina and her late husband, Dan, faced major health problems, infertility, and then a very difficult pregnancy together, how she picked up the pieces of her life after his tragic death ten weeks before the birth of their son, Jack, and the unique ways she chose to face grief and carry on. Dina also shares how she has found expanded love in her heart for a new life partner, Rick, and what has made all the difference for her the past 2 1/2 years.   While this could have been a very heavy episode, instead Dina empowers us all to better face the struggles we each h