The Sparkle Project

Maternal ambivalence is an “experience shared variously by all mothers in which loving and hating feelings for their children exist side by side,” according to psychotherapist Rozsika Parker. These complex, often contradictory feelings mothers so often feel are completely normal - especially in the context we are all currently raising children in. And yet for so many mothers, there is guilt and shame surrounding not always feeling “positive” or acceptable emotions about our role or our children.

So let’s talk about it. The goal of this week’s episode is to normalize normal emotions, and let you know that if you feel anger, grief, and frustration as a mother - all while loving your kids deeply - you are not alone.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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Safe spaces are crucial in this society where being our true selves is often discouraged. This week, I'm joined by somatics & embodiment coach Chelsea Carter for a beautiful conversation on creating spaces to exist fully, and tapping into our innate worth in motherhood and beyond.  Whether you are a new mom or quite a few years in, there is so much goodness to take from this episode that will help you reconnect with yourself!

In the episode, Chelsea and I chat about:

• The power of safe spaces for humans to express ourselves fully
• Worthiness as innate rather than earned
• Deconditioning from societal norms that may not actually be aligned
• Techniques to reconnect with yourself
• Why you might consider creating a physical space for your self-care

A little about our guest:
Chelsea Carter holds the soul mission to connect humans with their highest self, community and nature. She is a talented somatics & embodiment coach, retreat creatrix, medicine woman, mentor to space holders and heart-centered entrepreneurs, intuitive Ceremonialist, meditation guide, speaker and more. Chelsea is the creator of the Somatic Breath Activation, a powerful breathwork technique that unleashes your truth and power. In her sacred circles, gatherings and retreats, she curates an environment for rewilding, embodiment and inner transformation.

To connect with Chelsea, follow her on Instagram @thechelsearenee____. You can also visit her website www.HeartCenteredHumans.com and her breathwork membership www.SomaticBreathActivation.com.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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When it comes to taking care of ourselves, we first have to know what we need, and then must take the steps to actually get those needs met. This week, I’m joined by Iesha Madden, the mama behind the More Than A Mom Series on Instagram for a conversation on self-advocacy in motherhood. 

In the episode, Iesha and I talk about:

• Acknowledging the hard, while not letting it be an excuse to hold you back
• Personal development and self-care in motherhood 
• What it means to advocate for yourself
• The HALT method of checking in with your needs in the moment
• What motherhood with ADHD looks like

A little about our guest:
Iesha Madden is an educator turned career coach who is an advocate for students. Switching careers was the best thing for her and her family. Not only is Iesha passionate about students, but she is also passionate about being honest about motherhood while also not letting becoming a mother excuse us from not pursing our passions. You can find her on Instagram @morethanamamaseries where she consistently shares content on the topics of authentic motherhood, personal development, and self-care.

To connect with Iesha, you can follow her on Instagram @morethanamamaseries.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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Mom rage is a very real, and often very scary experience that so many mothers face - and yet we aren't talking about it! But knowing why anger can be so prevelent in motherhood can help release a lot of shame and help us find a way forward. Parent Coach Alexis Bonsall is joining Emily for a conversation on understanding and overcoming mom rage, all with self-compassion front-of- mind!

In this episode, they talk about:

• The pressures and realities of parenting that contribute to mom rage
• Why conversations about mom rage make such a difference
• The reason we need to learn how to identify and regulate emotions in our bodies
• How conversations around parenting can contribute to the pressures on moms
• How to let go of mom rage, and why support is key

A little about our guest:
Alexis Bonsall is a parenting coach helping moms let go of overwhelm and mom rage so they can have a thriving family. After getting her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she became a stay-at-home mom when her child was born. She started her business Thriving Parenthood with the passion of helping moms who are drowning in information overload to parent while feeling empowered and ending the patterns and cycles that are not working so they can feel so much more connected to their kids.

To connect with Alexis, follow her on Instagram @thrivingparentcoach. You can also visit her website www.thrivingparenthood.com.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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What does it mean to be a good mom? Society has created this image of what it means to be "good" in the role, and it can be summed up through The Perfect Mother Myth. So this week, I am unpacking the expectations we are held to under this social construct with the intention of bringing awareness to the absurdity of what is expected of mothers and why we have to check ourselves when it comes to the standards we are holding ourselves to.

I'm sharing The Perfect Mother Myth as it has been discussed through my work with Motherhood Studies Sociologist Dr. Sophie Brock, and also presenting Professor Andrea O'Reilly's 8 Rules of Good Mothering to illustrate just how intense the unspoken rules for mothers are. This isn't just my experience - the myth of the perfect mother is based on real research of what is expected of moms. Can you relate?

Download your free Aligned Motherhood workbook mentioned in this episode to start getting clear on your values and creating your fulfilled motherhood.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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It's spring cleaning time - and that means it's time to intentionally make space in our lives for what truly matters! This week, I'm joined by productivity strategist and accountability coach Lisa Zawrotny for a conversation on compassionate productivity and whole-life decluttering. If you're anything like me and find conversations about productivity to be a bit jarring, don't worry - this is much different than your typical time-management, make the system work productivity conversation you might be used to!

In this episode, Lisa and I discuss:

• Compassion as such a necessary part of the productivity conversation, particularly for caregivers. 
• The purpose of productivity - it's not just about doing more
• Why simple tends to be better when it comes to systems
• Energy management versus time management
• Whole-life decluttering as a way to create more space for what actually matters

A little about our guest:
Lisa Zawrotny is a Productivity Strategist + Accountability Coach, the founder of Positively Productive Systems, and the host of the Positively Living™ Podcast. She helps multitasking creatives and caregivers reduce overwhelm and boost productivity without burning out and without sacrificing what they love. When she’s not sharing how to simplify and stress less, you’ll find her hanging out with her husband and kiddos, acting like a rock star or watching movies, and sometimes hiding out with an iced coffee and a good book, most likely trapped under a cat.

To connect with Lisa, follow her on Instagram @positively_lisa, Facebook, or LinkedIn. You can also visit her website www.positivelyproductive.com. Check out Lisa's podcast Positively Living wherever you like to listen.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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It's safe to assume that most if not all women struggle with identity when they become moms. So how do we reconnect with ourselves when we are dealing with everything that comes with being a mother? Shelley Meche'tte is joining the podcast this week to share her story of rediscovering herself outside of motherhood, and providing a framework for every mom to live the life she desires, without guilt!

In the episode, Shelley and I talk about:

• What it looks like to "lose yourself" after becoming a mom
• Why we need to prioritize mothers for the benefit of society
• Understanding your "solids" and "plugins" to avoid doing too much
• Creating ease in the day-to-day so we can handle when things temporarily get hard
• How to continue pursuing your passions and goals as a mother, even if it looks different 

A little about our guest:
As an EmpowHERment Speaker, Certified Coach, and Mom-life Strategist, Shelley Meche’tte is a true force in personal transformation.  Shelley illuminates stages worldwide, inspiring individuals to embrace limitless possibilities. A Best-selling Author of empowering books, including "70 Days of Happy" and "PowHER Minds," Shelley goes beyond mediocrity. As a Mom-life Strategist, she urges women to embrace their identity beyond motherhood, unlocking life-harmony and joy. Founder of The PowHERful Woman, Shelley provides a platform for women's personal and professional elevation.Shelley's influence extends online with appearances on shows like Positive Talk Radio and events like The PowHERful Woman Conference. Media giants celebrate her impact, with features on CBS, NBC, and ABC. From interviews with Taraji P. Henson to segments on “Bakersfield News", she leaves an indelible mark. In 2021, she earned recognition as one of the Top 25 Women in Business. In a world where empowerment resonates, Shelley Meche’tte stands as a paragon of transformation, inspiration and resilience, showcasing the boundless power within each of us

To connect with Shelley, follow her on Instagram @shelleymechette or on Facebook. You can also visit her website www.shelleymechette.com.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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