Burnout, Balance, and Joy as a Working Mom with Jessica Vickers Artwork

The Sparkle Project

(Formerly Worthy Mother Podcast)

The Sparkle Project is a feminist 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 a patriarchal system that expects 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 This space challenges those outdated expectations and embraces a more empowered, more supported, more self-honoring version of motherhood.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 feminist lens that values equity, autonomy, mental health, and the humanity of moms.

You’ll hear conversations about identity, mental health, self-care, 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.

Instagram:
@honestlyemilyrose
@thesparkleprojectpod

TikTok:
@thesparkleprojectpod

All Episodes

The Sparkle Project

Burnout, Balance, and Joy as a Working Mom with Jessica Vickers

September 09, 2025 • Episode 165

Working moms carry the weight of careers, parenting, household duties, and the heaviness of today’s world. But what if you could feel lighter, find joy, and release the pressure to “do it all”? In this episode of Worthy Mother Podcast, Emily is joined by Jessica Vickers, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in supporting working moms of color. Together, they unpack the realities of burnout, the guilt of not “measuring up,” and practical ways to reclaim joy in everyday life.

Inside this conversation, you’ll hear:

The hidden ways burnout shows up for working moms
How financial and emotional pressures impact motherhood
Tools to reframe guilt and comparison so you can feel “enough”
Why joy and play aren’t luxuries but instead essential for thriving
Jessica’s unique take on Disneyland as self-care and building community

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance career, motherhood, and your own well-being in a heavy world, this episode will leave you feeling validated and inspired.

🔗 Connect with Jessica:

Instagram: @jessicavickersmft
Website: www.jessicavickersmft.com

✨ Let’s keep the convo going:

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

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