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 Making Mom Friends Feels Impossible & What Actually Works with Baily Hancock
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Making mom friends can feel surprisingly lonely, awkward, and exhausting - especially when you're already stretched thin by motherhood. In this episode of The Sparkle Project, Emily is joined by Baily Hancock, connection strategist, mom of two, and creator of the Overlap Method, to talk about why building friendships as a mom feels so hard and what actually helps.
They explore why perfectionism blocks connection, how vulnerability changes everything, and what it really takes to move from surface-level mom friends to relationships that feel supportive and energizing. And it all starts with connecting inward.
The episode covers:
- Why making mom friends feels so hard
- The difference between surface-level mom friends and real connection
- Why being seen matters more than being put together
- Why aligned friendships leave you energized, not exhausted
- The role of self-connection in building authentic friendships
If you have ever felt alone at school drop-off or exhausted by friendships that do not truly fit, this episode is for you.
🔗 Connect with Baily:
Instagram: @bailyhancock
Website: www.overlapmethod.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bailyhancock
✨ Let’s keep the convo going:
Follow Emily on Instagram → @honestlyemilyrose
Follow the podcast on TikTok → @thesparkleprojectpod
Subscribe + Review:
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a fellow mom and leave a 5-star review!
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
The Bloomera Podcast | Personal Growth, Breaking Cycles, & Healing Trauma (your BLOOM ERA)
Breanne Smith | Bloom Era
The Good Enough Mother
Dr Sophie Brock
Leadership & Motherhood
WRKdefined Podcast Network