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
Why Conflicting Emotions Actually Make You A Better Mom with Dr. Margo Lowy
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We’re diving into one of the most taboo topics in motherhood: maternal ambivalence. In this validating episode, Emily sits down with psychotherapist and author Dr. Margo Lowy, whose book Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments and Bitter Truths of Motherhood opens the door to honest conversations about the full emotional spectrum of mothering. Dr. Lowy explains why the mix of love, frustration, joy, sorrow, and even resentment is not only normal but essential to understanding ourselves as mothers.
You’ll hear powerful insights on:
- Why striving for perfection in motherhood sets us up for shame and disconnection
- How ambivalence is not indifference, and why that distinction matters deeply
- The importance of naming our feelings to access healing and transformation
- How maternal guilt differs from maternal shame
- What it looks like to truly flow with your mothering experience, messiness and all
Whether you're in the thick of early motherhood, navigating the emotional terrain of adult children, or just beginning to reflect on your own maternal journey, this conversation offers both warmth and wisdom to let you know you're not alone.
🔗 Connect with Dr. Margo Lowy:
Instagram: @drmargolowy
Website: www.drmargolowy.com
✨ Let’s keep the convo going:
Follow Emily on Instagram → @honestlyemilyrose
Follow the podcast on TikTok → @worthymotherpodcast
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