AP 804: Embracing play production chaos, 40th birthday milestones, NYC sightseeing, audiobook triumph, family health stressors, and commemorating a special friend || Messy Middle August 2026
About ProgressShow 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!
Snag your ticket for About Progress LIVE
Preorder Sticky Habits book today!
Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book.
Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good.
Get the free DSL Training.
Get your AirDoctorPro air purifier with the discount code “MONICA.” Get your teen Knix with code “PROGRESS.” Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from About Progress
In this Growth Spurt, I share a moment from narrating my audiobook for Sticky Habits when I spotted small errors that survived countless rounds of editing. Spiraling into self-doubt, I had to remind myself that even masterpieces like Harry Potter and Oppenheimer aren't perfect — and that mistakes aren't just unavoidable, they're a necessary part of the path. The only way to avoid mistakes is by not trying, and that's the biggest mistake of all.
How many times have you caught yourself scrolling and immediately thought, "Oh no, I did it again. I seriously need more self-control"? I've done this too. We all do. But what if scrolling isn't proof that you lack discipline? In this episode, I talk with Ruby Ryba, author of How to Stop Scrolling, about a much more compassionate way to use our phones less.
Ever wonder why you feel like you have to hustle for everything, or why one critical comment can undo a whole good day? In this clip, Jessica Hottel gets honest about growing up in survival mode and how those early beliefs followed her into adulthood: the approval-chasing, the trouble resting, and the shutting down when she felt triggered.
After months of interviews for my book Sticky Habits, one question kept coming up: "How do you make time for self-care habits?" And it stopped me in my tracks. We love to say "just make time," but honestly? I think that reeks of toxic positivity. I spent a year and a half waking up at 5:00 AM to write my book while walking, doing strength training, and running on fumes — and it nearly broke me. You will never make time for everything — need, good, or worthy — and that's not just okay, it's the whole point. So let's talk about what it really means to make time for what matters, without losing yourself in the process.
Have you ever looked around your home and thought, "I'm just bad at this"? I've been there too — wrong-size rugs, bad paint colors, the works. In this episode, I talk with interior decorating educator Dani Watson about why perfectionism — not lack of talent — is what really keeps us stuck. Dani shares her own messy learning journey and teaches us that decorating is a skill anyone can build.