Motherhood doesn’t have to mean losing yourself.

In this first episode of The Sparkle Project, Emily introduces the evolution of the podcast and the deeper conversations ahead about identity, mental health, fulfillment, and what it really takes to protect your sparkle in motherhood.

This episode explores why so many moms feel disconnected from who they are, how societal expectations shape our experiences, and why small, intentional changes can make a powerful difference. It’s not about becoming someone new, it’s about reconnecting with who you already are beneath it all.

If you’re navigating motherhood, divorce, identity shifts, or simply questioning whether there’s more for you, this episode sets the foundation for what’s to come.

✨ Let’s keep the convo going:

Follow Emily on Instagram → @honestlyemilyrose
Follow the podcast on TikTok → @thesparkleprojectpod

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The Sparkle Project is a podcast for moms who are done carrying the weight of motherhood alone and are ready to connect with who they truly are - their sparkle, if you will.

So many of us feel overwhelmed not because we’re failing, but because we’re mothering inside systems that expect us to give endlessly, stay quiet, and lose ourselves in the process. This space challenges those outdated expectations and embraces a more empowered, more supported, more self-honoring version of motherhood.

Hosted by Emily Rose MacDonald, a divorced mom of two on her own journey to shine a little brighter, each episode explores the realities of modern motherhood through a lens that values equity, autonomy, mental health, and the humanity of moms.

You’ll hear conversations about identity, emotional labor, community care, mental health, healing, and the many ways we can reclaim ourselves in a world that often overlooks the needs of mothers.

If you’re a mom who believes we deserve more than survival, and that our culture has to evolve for moms to truly thrive, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to The Sparkle Project.

P.S. This podcast was formerly known as Worthy Mother Podcast, but has undergone a glow up!

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This is a replay of one of our most popular and impactful past episodes, and originally aired in April 2024. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting this conversation, this episode will help you give yourself grace when motherhood feels all-consuming.

Can women really have it all? And what does that even mean? In this powerful episode, Emily sits down with Dr. Giselle Goodwin—author, researcher, and expert on women’s work and wellbeing—to explore this question and dive in to what it means for moms to achieve true happiness. Dr. Goodwin shares insights from her book "Can Women Really Have It All? A Happiness Handbook for Working Mothers", and opens up about her own journey from feminist ideals to the complex realities of balancing career, motherhood, and personal fulfillment.

Dr. Goodwin and Emily talk about:

• The evolving (and still unrealistic) societal expectations placed on mothers
• Why flexible work, better childcare, and equitable parental leave matter for everyone
• The emotional load of motherhood
• Happiness is a mix of pleasure and purpose
• Practical self-care strategies for busy moms—like bare minimums, micro-joys, and guilt-free delegation

🔗 Connect with Dr. Giselle Goodwin

Instagram: @gisellegoodwinwrites
Website: www.gisellegoodwin.com

✨ Let’s keep the convo going:

Follow Emily on Instagram → @honestlyemilyrose
Follow the podcast on TikTok → @worthymotherpodcast

Subscribe + Review:
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a fellow mom and leave a 5-star review — it helps more mamas find this message.

Send us a text