The Sparkle Project

By Emily Rose MacDonaldEducation Self-Improvement Parenting Kids & Family

The Sparkle Project episodes

March 19, 2024How to Address Shame In Motherhood with Kyira Wackett
Shame is a complex feeling that shows up often for so many mothers - and yet it's not something we can just do away with. This week, I'm joined by licensed mental health therapist Kyira Wackett to explore the link between shame and motherhood and how we can work to develop shame resilience to live a more values-driven life.

In the episode, Kyira and I discuss:
The function of shame, and why the goal is not to eliminate shame all together
Exploring where our shame comes from
How shame shows up specifically in motherhood
Shifting from shame-driven to values-driven living
The paralysis that comes with anxiety and shame that is not being processed
How we can actively develop shame resilience

A little about our guest:
Kyira Wackett is a licensed mental health therapist specializing in shame and anxiety. She is the owner of Adversity Rising, a company who equips people with the confidence and skills to write their own stories. Her work ranges from one on one coaching to corporate wellness packages with a focus on what she calls the anti-band-aid movement or resisting the quick fix in favor of doing the work necessary to make meaningful and sustainable change. The highlight of her work is her signature program, That Life AR, where she walks people through her 5-step therapeutic process she believes can combat any pain point that comes our way because we all deserve to live a life in which we can thrive.

To connect with Kyira visit her website www.adversityrising.com. Check out Kyira's podcast Untethering Shame 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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56 min
March 15, 2024 [Self-Care Snippet] Enneagram Self-Care with Chelsie Engle
This is a Self-Care Snippet from The Worthy Mother Podcast. As mothers, we need to prioritize our own care. Within this few-minute long episode, you will hear how our past guests prioritize their own self-care and some tips on how you can do the same.

Tune in to the full episode 59. The Enneagram: A Tool to Understand & Connect With Yourself with Chelsie Engle.

Like what you hear? Make sure you are subscribed to The Worthy Mother Podcast wherever you like to listen.

For more motherhood content and support, connect with me on Instagram @honestlyemilyrose.

You are worthy, Mama.

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7 min
March 12, 2024 What It Means To Prioritize Yourself (Don't The Kids Always Come First?!)
For so many moms, the idea of prioritizing themselves is completely guilt-inducing. It feels like a proposition to abandon their kids' needs, and in turn is completely unaligned with their values. But what if I told you that prioritizing your own needs - even making your own needs your number one priority - doesn't have to come at a cost to your kids?

In this episode, I'm exploring what it actually means to prioritize our own well-being and care, and helping you see how you can do just that without the guilt. Because here's the thing: We all know that securing our kids' safety and wellbeing will underlie all that we do. But if we don't prioritize our own care, it just won't happen. Too many other things are vying for our time and attention. Tune in to learn how you can ensure your needs are getting met, and how everyone else will benefit, too!

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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24 min
March 05, 2024The Key to Happiness: Tapping Into Your Authentic Self with Holly Hughes
When we are living in alignment with our most authentic self, that is when we find true happiness in life. But as mothers, it can be a challenge to understand and embrace our individual identities - making it difficult to embody ourselves authentically. This week, intuitive healer and author Holly Hughes is joining me for a conversation on tapping into who we truly are and leaving expectations of perfect in the rearview mirror.

In this episode, Holly and I talk about:
The connection between authenticity and happiness
What we should expect from different relationships in our lives
Giving our kids space to be bored and explore their interests
How motherhood can impact a woman's identity and sense of self
Why it's best to start small when it comes to embracing your authentic self

A little about our guest:
Holly Hughes is an award-winning author, speaker, and intuitive healer who infuses her unique personal style, intuitive gifts, and personal healing stories to guide clients through a step-by-step process to help them claim their voice, passions, and self-worth. Her book REAL, NOT PERFECT How To Become Your Happy, Authentic Self will help you to stop hiding behind people's expectations and discover the version of you, you want to be.

To connect with Holly, follow her on Instagram @holly_hughes_intuitive or visit her website at www.hollyhughesintuitive.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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49 min
March 01, 2024 [Self-Care Snippet] You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup with Monika Malan
This is a Self-Care Snippet from The Worthy Mother Podcast. As mothers, we need to prioritize our own care. Within this few-minute long episode, you will hear how our past guests prioritize their own self-care and some tips on how you can do the same.

Tune in to the full episode 40. Boundaries and Decision Making in Motherhood with Monika Malan.

Like what you hear? Make sure you are subscribed to The Worthy Mother Podcast wherever you like to listen.

For more motherhood content and support, connect with me on Instagram @honestlyemilyrose.

You are worthy, Mama.

Send us Fan Mail
3 min
February 27, 2024Navigating Bipolar Disorder In Motherhood With Vulnerabilty with Meloney Hendricks
Normalizing conversations about mental health is a huge part of The Worthy Mother Podcast, and this week's guest Meloney Hendricks has made it her mission to do just that. Meloney is a mom of three and vocal mental health advocate from the Caribbean, and she is here to share her story of living and mothering with bipolar disorder and becoming a voice of connection and resilience for others facing mental health challenges.

In our conversation, Meloney and I talk about:
Caring for your mental health, even when you don't have a diagnosis
The impact that trauma can have on our mental health
Why community and connection matters
Stigmas around mental health labels
The benefits of therapy, epecially as parents

A little about our guest:
Meloney is a vibrant voice in mental health advocacy from the Caribbean. Meloney isn't just any blogger; she's a mom of three who turned her life experiences into a powerful narrative. After her third child's birth and a personal journey with bipolar disorder, Meloney started her blog, Dopamine On The Rocks. She brings a unique perspective with her deep thoughts and a dark sense of humor, making her stand out in the Caribbean blogging scene. Her mission? To break the silence around mental health in a culture often shrouded in stigma. Meloney's story is not just about her struggles; it's a beacon of hope and resilience, showing us that it's possible to face life's challenges with a smile. Her approachable style and honest storytelling make her relatable to anyone facing their own battles.

To connect with Meloney, follow her on Instagram @dopamineontherocks or visit her website at www.dopamineontherocks.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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53 min
February 20, 2024Working Moms: Societal Pressures & Identity Shifts with Leanna Laskey McGrath
Working mothers are expected to work like they don't have kids, and parent like they don't have jobs. Balancing it all can be exhausting, and trying to live up to the unrealistic expectations can leave moms feeling defeated when they feel like they are failing in both areas of their lives. This week, I'm joined by executive coach Leanna Laskey McGrath to explore the identity shifts and pressures faced by high-achieving women once they become mothers, and what we can do to make working motherhood work.

In the episode, Leanna and I talk about:

The identity shift that happens when career-focused women have kids
Societal expecations for moms to work like they don't have kids and raise their children like they don't have jobs
How workplaces are changing, and what we expect for future generations
Adjusting our expectations of what it means to be a career-oriented mother
The skills mothers bring to leadership roles
A little about our guest:
Leanna Laskey McGrath is a former tech executive turned full time mom, recovering perfectionist and workaholic, and certified executive coach. As a high achieving, ambitious, Type A woman in a male-dominated field, Leanna spent her career building her identity and value around her work ethic. When she became a mom, she brought her all-or-nothing approach to parenting too, and started feeling like she was failing at everything. She began a journey of self discovery and eventually made the decision to step away from her company. As a coach, she now helps women break free of the inertia of their lives and the weight of other people’s expectations to enjoy this one and only precious life we’ve been given.

To connect with Leanna, follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram @execcoachleanna. You can also visit her website www.coachleanna.com. Check out Leanna's podcast Executive Coach For Moms 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!

Send us Fan Mail
55 min
February 16, 2024 [Self-Care Snippet] Meditation Grounds You In The Present with Amanda Yoa
This is a Self-Care Snippet from The Worthy Mother Podcast. As mothers, we need to prioritize our own care. Within this few-minute long episode, you will hear how our past guests prioritize their own self-care and some tips on how you can do the same.

Tune in to the full episode 28. Empowering Self Worth & Self Trust In Motherhood with Amanda Yoa.

Like what you hear? Make sure you are subscribed to The Worthy Mother Podcast wherever you like to listen.

For more motherhood content and support, connect with me on Instagram @honestlyemilyrose.

You are worthy, Mama.

Send us Fan Mail
5 min
February 13, 2024 The Secret to Self-Love: 3 Components to Loving Yourself Even When It's Hard
It's the season of love, and this week's episode is dedicated to loving ourselves! Self-love is crucial, but for so many of us, actually embodying self-love can be a challenge. So my goal is to help you learn to act from a place of self-love and grow to truly love yourself in the process!

I'm sharing the secret to self-love that I've come to realize on my own journey, and shining a light on the 3 components of self-love that you can start tap into in your daily life. Because one of the most beautiful gifts you can give to yourself AND your kids is self-love. The impacts of loving yourself are endless!

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!

Send us Fan Mail
21 min
February 06, 2024How Boundaries Can Take You From Overwhelmed & Drained to Empowered & In Control with Whitney Gardner
Boundaries can go a long way when it comes to managing our self-care, relationships, and schedules, and this week I am joined by CEO of The Bold Mama Co. Whitney Gardner to explore how boundaries can change your life. Setting boundaries with you energy can help you move from overwhemed and drained to empowered and in control. If you are craving more space to do the things that bring you joy AND show up for your family in a way that feels good, this is for you!

In the episode Whitney and I talk about:
Why boundaries surrounding self-care, relationships, and our schedules are key
The everchanging nature of boundaries, especially in motherhood
How boundaries can help combat overwhelm and alllow you to feel more in control of your life
What it means to live an empowered life as a mother
Tips to figure out where you need to improve boundaries and what that can look like for you as an individual

A little about our guest:
Whitney Gardner is the mama to a toddler daughter, a dog mama, a wife, and the CEO of The Bold Mama Co. She helps mamas go from feeling overwhelmed and drained to empowered and in control by teaching them how to set boundaries, say “no”, and let go of what does not serve them. The main pillars of her work involve doing this in order to help mamas improve self-care, relationships, and their schedules.

To connect with Whitney, follow her on Instagram @theboldmamaco or TikTok @theboldmamaco. You can also visit her website at www.theboldmamaco.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!
Send us Fan Mail
44 min