The Sparkle Project

This week I am joined by Life Coach Monika Malan for a powerful, vulnerable conversation about boundaries, decision making, and mental health in motherhood. We are digging into the hard conversations, and Monika speaks beautifully on her experiences and the impact she is working towards in the area of motherhood support. 

In this episode, Monika and I chat about:

• Motherhood during the pandemic
• The challenges new moms often face
• What it looks like to set boundaries as a mother
• The complexity of decision making
• Why so many moms feel overwhelmed 
• Tools for managing anxiety 

A little about our guest:
From battling depression and anxiety for years, and giving birth during the start of  COVID-19, level 5 lockdown, Monika now teaches other moms how to cope with anxiety. Monika is a life coach, a leader and mentor in the corporate world for over 15 years, and has overcome anxiety and insecurity as a new mom. She blends her skills to help anxious first-time moms relax and enjoy motherhood without living in constant fear of doing something wrong.

To connect with Monika, follow her on Instagram @mon.malan, or visit her website www.newmom.co.za.

Monika is also offering free coaching sessions to a few listeners, so reach out to her on Instagram for more information on that!

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. You can follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @honestlyemilyrose, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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Most of us feel mom guilt at one point or another (and for many of us, it can be a daily occurrence). In this episode, I get into why that is - exploring the historical and societal contexts that contribute to mom guilt as well as how our friends and family and our own internalized beliefs amplify the feeling.

When we understand why mom guilt arises in our own lives, addressing the thoughts that cause the feeling becomes much more manageable. So consider this episode a foundational piece of living a more guilt-free motherhood, and doing things more aligned with your own values than outside expectations.

Here is the free downloadable guide mentioned in the episode that will help you learn to manage the thoughts that lead to mom guilt.

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

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This week I am joined by Executive Coach Stacey Luces to get into the reality of what can happen when you put the demands of motherhood, work, caretaking, and whatever else is going on in your life above your own needs. Stacey shares her experiences as a high-achieving woman who has had to learn to put herself first, and there is so much in this episode to help you do the same. 

In this conversation, Stacey and I talk about:

• How putting everything else above your needs can impact your health and wellness
• What it means to be a part of the "sandwich generation"
• The value of relationships with moms at different stages of motherhood 
• Assuming guardianship of yourself
• The power in asking for help

A bit about out guest:
Have you ever had a life-altering experience – a moment of clarity – when you realized you needed to take action or felt, “something’s got to give?” Stacey Luces did when she found herself in the hospital fighting for her life. She was one of millions of women who are burnt out, unhealthy, stressed, and putting everyone and everything else above their needs. She struggled feelings of not being enough – smart enough, financially secure enough, strong enough—to make all the things work! She took control of her life and built the life of her dreams– launched a second thriving business, lost 35 lbs., regained peace of mind, started to enjoy time for fitness and fun, had a plan for financial independence and reignited relationships with loved ones in a more focused and purposeful manner. Now, as an international speaker, trainer, master strategist, author, and a Certified Executive Coach she is dedicated to helping other executive women and business owners reduce stress, find joy, and build the life of their dreams - by conquering fears of failure and feelings of uncertainty. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Stacey currently lives in Florida, with her husband Kevin, their two children Alyssa and Adam and their energetic puppy, Luke Skywalker. She balances life by traveling, painting, writing, yoga, is learning to play the guitar and loves spending time at the beach. Stacey co-authored the book, “We Rise in Power: Amplifying Women of Color and Her Voices for Change,” with a message designed to empower women with stories of resilience and success.

To connect with Stacey, follow her on Instagram @evolutionexecutivecoaching, find her on LinkedIn,  or visit her website www.evolutionexecutivecoaching.com.

If you are interested in working with Stacey, you can take her Needs Assessment and book a complimentary clarity session.

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

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This week, I welcome pelvic floor therapist Pauli Hannan, PT, DPT, for a conversation on prioritizing women's health, strengthening our pelvic floors, and changing the narrative on what moms "just have to live with" after giving birth. Pauli is dedicated to normalizing better postpartum care, and this episode is packed full of thoughtful insights and practical tips to help us all feel a little better in our bodies. 

In this episode, Pauli and I talk about:

• How societal values impact postpartum care
• What the pelvic floor actually is
• Not giving into the martyr narrative that moms must sacrifice their strength to have children
• Why kegels are not the answer
• The FAB3 method of pelvic floor strengthening 

A little about our guest:
Pauli Hannan is a mom of two and the founder of Beyond the V Physical Therapy. She is a Pelvic Floor Coach and Physical Therapist with a clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy. She believes that the lack of postpartum care needs to be improved so women can more easily fulfill their roles as a mother, wife, employee, employer, etc., including enjoying their own life. She is passionate about helping busy mothers easily return to the physical activities they did before having kids, without Kegels!

To connect with Pauli, follow her on Instagram @beyondthev.bypauli or watch her videos on YouTube.

You can also sign up for the "No Leakage Starter Kit" mentioned in the episode.

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

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If you've ever been on an airplane, you've definitely heard the message that you must put the oxygen mask on yourself before assisting others. And this week, we are talking about why putting the figurative oxygen mask on yourself first - even if it means your kids have to wait until you are done for you to help them put theirs on - is not selfish. In fact, in a way, it is the way to keep you from becoming self-focused as you run out of air.

In life, caring for ourselves is much like putting on the oxygen mask - we have to take care of ourselves to be able to have the capacity to care for others. In a sense, it is focusing on ourselves that keeps us from being selfish. We are mothers. Our kids need our love and support and care. But they also need us to be cared for enough to be able to care for them. They need us to be poured into enough to be able to pour into them. They need us to focus on ourselves so we can focus on them.

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

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This week I am joined by productivity specialist and Certified Fair Play Method Facilitator Valerie Recore for a conversation on the invisible load that so many moms face in their daily lives. Valerie helps us to understand why moms tend to have so much on their plates, and what we can do to reclaim our time and live a life more aligned with the things we truly want.

In the episode, Valerie and I talk about:

• What the invisible load actually refers to
• The mental toll that caring for everyone and everything can have on moms
• How we can get time back for ourselves
• Getting clear on and communicating expectations
• Implementing Eve Rodsky's Fair Play Method in the home
• The importance of doing the things we want to do

A little about our guest:
Valerie Recore is a productivity specialist, a time giver, and a Certified Fair Play Method Facilitator. She helps moms gain a sense of control, spend more time with their families, and end their days feeling accomplished. With a background in mental health and corporate training, she’s ready to guide you toward a better relationship with time. If you’re ready to start feeling more peace and accomplishment at the end of the day, she’s here to help.

To connect with Valerie, follow her on Instagram @strideproductivity or visit her website www.strideproductivity.com.

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

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Making big decisions can be hard no matter what, but when it comes to making career decisions as a mother, the challenges can feel endless. Luckily, career coach Andrea Barr is here to help us find clarity in the decision making process. As someone who has changed careers while raising my own kids, this conversation meant a lot to me. Even if you are not looking to make any careers moves any time soon, a lot of what we talk about can be applied to all kinds of decision making in life and parenthood. 

In this episode, Andrea and I chat about: 

• Why people often make shifts in their careers after having kids
• The difference in changing careers as an individual and as a parent
• Coming back to yourself
• Where you should start if you are looking to change jobs
• Why support having support with big decisions is so important

A little about our guest:
Andrea Barr is a certified career coach, a podcast host and most importantly, a mom. After establishing herself in the advertising sector early in her career, she made a shift to learning and development within the corporate world. As a new mother, she was struck by a lack of support for parents looking to find a balance between their career ambitions and family lives, and decided to fill that gap. Andrea offers support and solutions for parents who want to advance their careers without compromising what matters most: their families.

To connect with Andrea, follow her on Instagram @andreabarrcoaching, or visit her website www.andreabarr.com. You can also find her podcast, All Figured Out? wherever you like to listen.

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

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I have a really important message for you: You can't do it all. In fact, none of us can. But that doesn't mean we can't do what we want. In this episode, I am exploring the tendency moms have to try to do all the things, and the inevitable feelings of mom guilt and shame this leads to.

If you are feeling like you are failing trying to juggle all the balls, or you just need a gentle reminder that perfection can't be the aim, this episode is for you. Even when we know that we can't do it all, the pressure is still there. And my goal is to help ease that for you.

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

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In the spirit of Valentine's Day, this week I'm talking with marriage coach Michelle Purta for all her tips on creating and maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner as a couple and parents. We get into why conflict in marriage often happens when you have kids, and how we can actually use it as a means of strengthening the relationship. 

In the episode, Michelle and I talk about:

• How relationship satisfaction impacts other areas of our lives
• Why conflict arises when we have kids
• Learning to address conflict in a healthy way
• Understanding and communicating our own needs and desires
• Using conflict as a point of connection
• Self care as a tool for helping your relationship

A little about our guest:
Michelle Purta is a married mom of 3 who lives in California. She is also a life and marriage coach for moms and the host of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast. Michelle helps moms who feel disconnected in their marriage enjoy their spouse again after kids so that they can argue less and connect more!

To connect with Michelle, follow her on Instagram @michellepurtacoaching or join her Facebook group. You can also listen to The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast.

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

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There's no one way to do motherhood (even if it feels like you are supposed to be doing it a certain way sometimes) and in this episode with prenatal coach and birth doula Taylor Nosakhere, we are digging into the importance of doing all parts of motherhood the way that you want. While Taylor's background is supporting mothers during pregnancy and birth, she draws parallels between her work with new moms and the experiences of all mothers at any stage in the game. 

In this episode, Taylor and I talk about:

• Advocacy for mother's choice in birth and beyond
• How knowledge can empower us
• What it means to do motherhood your way
• Radical responsibility 
• Getting in the "shit pool" before you start moving towards your vision
• The importance of feeling your feelings (and accepting them all)

A little about our guest:
Taylor Nosakhere is a mom of 3 - A 4-year-old, and twins who are almost 2, and is married to her high school sweetheart. She's a birth doula and prenatal coach in Kansas City who is passionate about helping other moms find freedom in stepping into their truth and learning to trust their own gut. She cusses like a sailor, and describes herself as holistic minded and semi-crunchy, and she loves food almost as much as she loves birth and helping moms feel validated. Taylor is a 7 on the enneagram, obsessed with growth, ambitious AF and plans on making waves in maternal health and what is mainstream in birth and motherhood.   

To connect with Taylor, follow her on Instagram @taylornosakhere, or visit her website withyouwellnesskc.com. You can also check out the Motherhood ReVISION training that she talks about in the episode.

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

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