The Sparkle Project
The version of motherhood we're sold looks nothing like the one we're actually living. That's by design.
The Sparkle Project is for the moms who are done pretending otherwise, and ready to reclaim the parts of themselves that got lost along the way. Hosted by Emily MacDonald, a single mom, feminist, and late-diagnosed ADHDer, each episode digs into the identity shifts, invisible labor, and systemic failures that make motherhood so hard. You'll hear from the experts, advocates, and real women who are finding their way back to themselves, so you can feel less alone in the hard parts and more like yourself in all the rest.
Somewhere between the mental load and the mom guilt, your shine is still there. The Sparkle Project is your space to find it.
(Formerly Worthy Mother Podcast)
The Sparkle Project
Beyond Coping: What Drives Perfectionism and Hyper-Independence in Moms with Tisheila Justice
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What if perfectionism, hyper-independence, and mom rage aren’t character flaws but survival strategies that once served you? In this powerful conversation, trauma therapist Tisheila Justice joins Emily to explore how unhealed wounds resurface in motherhood, why these coping mechanisms feel so hard to let go of, and how we can begin breaking cycles for ourselves and future generations.
The conversation gets into:
- The hidden link between trauma and perfectionism in motherhood
- Why hyper-independence feels safer than asking for help
- Nervous system regulation tools you can actually use in the moment
- How shifting focus from tasks to connection transforms parenting
- Why community is one of the most important starting points for healing
If you’ve ever felt like you should be able to do it all or battled shame around not being the “perfect mom,” this episode will help you reframe, release, and reconnect.
🔗 Connect with Tisheila:
Instagram: @growthandwellnessmhc
TikTok: @tisheilajustice
Website: www.growthandwellnessmhc.com
✨ Let’s keep the convo going:
Follow Emily on Instagram → @honestlyemilyrose
Follow the podcast on TikTok → @worthymotherpodcast
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