AP 716: You Don’t Have to Do Life Alone: Finding Courage and Community in Hard Times || with Toni Collier

In a recent coaching call with Sheila we explored the challenges she faces at a career crossroads. After overcoming cancer, Sheila is determined to return to work part-time, yet faces employer resistance to her accommodations. Together, we addressed her fears of ageism and the struggle to find fulfilling, part-time work. Sheila's journey illustrates the power of letting fears inform wise actions without controlling us. By preparing for age bias and embracing her teaching passion, she's opening herself to new opportunities. In moments of reflection, I encouraged Sheila to ask: "Am I doing what I can? Can I be proud of myself?" This approach helps transform fear into possibility, and can inspire you, too, to confidently navigate personal crossroads and assert your worth. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Licensed therapist and sleep expert Christine Lawler shares the surprising connection between sleep and mental health—including postpartum depression, anxiety, and burnout. In this powerful conversation, we break down why sleep isn't just self-care—it's survival. If you've been stuck, exhausted, or told “this is just adulthood,” this is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/christine-lawler-sleep-training Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The start of high school was a major leap for my daughter with special needs, magnified by her transition from a charter school. We both faced heightened anxieties about fitting in and managing sensory challenges. Our preparation included school visits and crafting a mental touchstone for her: to look for glimmers of light amongst potential darkness, akin to stars in a big, open night sky. If you're navigating your own tough transitions, remember that seeking glimmers can be a powerful tool. Whether it's finding brief moments of support from friends, appreciating a compliment, or small personal victories, these glimmers can help guide you through. Thank you for being part of this collective progress, and may you find your own glimmers in the midst of challenges. Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you're always last on your own to-do list? With the start of a new school year, it’s the perfect chance for us moms to shift that narrative. In a conversation with Mia Hemstad, we delved into the vital role of self-care in reclaiming our time and energy. Mia's "four B's" framework encourages us to thoughtfully prioritize our needs, whether that means indulging in a favorite show or finally scheduling that doctor’s appointment. By investing in ourselves, not only do we enhance our own well-being, but we also enrich our ability to support those around us. Let’s start this school year by putting ourselves at the top of our priority list. Past Episode with Mia Hemstad: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/self-care-to-support-yourself-when-you-dont-feel-like-yourself The 4B Self-Care Framework Guide: https://www.miahemstad.com/guide Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! ⁠Get on the waitlist for Italy!⁠ Single traveler survey ⁠here⁠. More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Struggling with reactivity or feeling out of control? In this powerful clip, Monica Packer explains the science behind deep breathing and introduces a simple, 10-second practice that can help you create space between trigger and reaction. Learn how to use your "response gap" to reclaim calm, control, and alignment—one intentional breath at a time. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-be-less-reactive-and-more-in-control Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! ⁠Get on the waitlist for Italy!⁠ Single traveler survey ⁠here⁠. More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!  Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! ⁠Get on the waitlist for Italy!⁠ Single traveler survey ⁠here⁠. More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod; and by Fearless Finance, chat with a planner for free to make sure it’s a good fit, and you’ll get $50 off your first planning meeting when you use the code PROGRESS at fearlessfinance.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm talking about the importance of acknowledging our desire for more in life without guilt or fear. As I work with my coaching clients, I've noticed that many women struggle with embracing their wants, fearing it makes them appear ungrateful or selfish. I'm thrilled to launch the inaugural More for Moms Conference, a free virtual event featuring 25 inspiring speakers who are also moms, sharing their insights into areas like happiness and health. This conference aims to empower mothers to seek more fulfillment and progress. Wanting more isn't just about obtaining what we desire; it's about embracing who we genuinely are. So, I invite you to consider what you truly want more of in life and pursue it with courage, knowing it's okay to strive for more. More for Moms Conference: https://www.aboutprogress.com/moreformoms Guide for More: https://www.aboutprogress.com/more Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! ⁠Get on the waitlist for Italy!⁠ Single traveler survey ⁠here⁠. More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artist and writer Ashmae Hoiland opens up about how creativity has been a powerful tool for healing, processing grief, and reclaiming personal agency. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares how choosing to create without pressure or an audience has transformed her relationship with art—and herself. Whether you're in a creative rut or just need permission to begin, this episode will inspire you to make space for creativity on your own terms. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/permission-to-create Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! ⁠Get on the waitlist for Italy!⁠ Single traveler survey ⁠here⁠. More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you haven't heard yet, I'm thrilled to announce an exclusive female foodie tour to Rome, Italy, happening in October 2026. This adventure is designed just for our community by Brooke Eliason, the founder of Female Foodie. Recently, we hosted a Q&A session to answer all questions about the trip, revealing an itinerary filled with dining at Rome's finest restaurants and exploring iconic sites like the Vatican and Colosseum. This journey isn't just about traveling; it's about rediscovery. You'll have plenty of free time to immerse yourself in the local culture and even participate in discussions to reconnect with yourself. Whether you're coming with a companion or are open to being paired with another traveler through our Single Rider Survey, this unique tour promises a blend of cultural and culinary experiences tailored just for you. So, if you've been contemplating this, now is the time to join us on this unforgettable trip! Ready to join us? Get on the waitlist now at ⁠aboutprogress.com/italy⁠! Watch the video version: https://www.aboutprogress.com/romereplay Tour Info + Waitlist (registration opens SOON) https://www.femalefoodie.com/food-tours/aboutprogress/ Single Rider Survey: https://forms.gle/jmndgw23tdSeUWf57;  Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! ⁠Get on the waitlist for Italy!⁠ Single traveler survey ⁠here⁠. More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, I’m joined by my friend, author, and speaker Toni Collier, who knows firsthand what it means to rebuild a broken life. When Toni was last on the show, we talked about embracing brokenness. Since then, her life has essentially exploded in ways that would make most people retreat: betrayal, a public divorce, and the loss of her job, church, community, and home. And yet, Toni chose to let people into her pain. In this powerful conversation, she shares how doing so ultimately helped her heal. We talk about how to trust again, find the right people to lean on, and let go of the need to be the strong one all the time. If you've been wondering how to navigate the messiness of life with others, this conversation will give you hope, courage, and practical steps forward. Old episodes to support: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-embracing-your-brokenness-can-lead-to-greater-healing Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday! ⁠Get on the waitlist for Italy!⁠ Single traveler survey ⁠here⁠. More for Moms Conference Leave a rating and review Check out my ⁠workshops⁠! Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE! Book Launch Committee Free DSL Training Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by goPure Beauty, get 25% off @goPure with code PROGRESS at https://www.goPurebeauty.com/PROGRESS #goPurepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices