Matrescence & The Identity Shift of Motherhood with Dr. Emily Guarnotta 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 This space challenges those outdated expectations and embraces a more empowered, more supported, more self-honoring version of motherhood.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

Matrescence & The Identity Shift of Motherhood with Dr. Emily Guarnotta

October 07, 2025 • Episode 169

Becoming a mother is often described as beautiful and life-changing, but what about the profound identity shift that comes with it? In this episode, host Emily talks with Dr. Emily Guarnotta, a perinatal psychologist and mom of two, about matrescence — the emotional, mental, and physical transition into motherhood that’s rarely discussed but universally felt.

Together, they explore:

What matrescence really means and how it compares to adolescence
How identity shifts shape relationships, careers, and self-perception
The grief and shame that can emerge during motherhood, and how to navigate big feelings with compassion
The role of mindfulness and slowing down in easing the transition
Support systems that truly help moms feel seen and supported

This conversation validates the complex feelings many mothers carry, offering both insight and practical strategies for embracing the evolving identity of motherhood. Whether you’re in early postpartum or years into motherhood, this episode is a reminder: you are not alone in this journey.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Emily Guarnotta:

Instagram: @dremilyguarnotta and @joinphoenixhealth
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoinPhoenixHealth
Website: www.joinphoenixhealth.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