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
The Gap Between Expectations and Reality in Motherhood with Shanti Hollis
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Most of us had some expectation of what motherhood would look like - and more often than not that expectation differs quite a bit from the reality. Mental Health Counselor Shanti Hollis is joining Worthy Mother Podcast to discuss how differences in our expectations versus reality can impact our mental health, and how we can navigate the unexpected in this season of our lives.
In the episode, Shanti and I talk about:
- Becoming a mother
- Shanti's own experience with loss early in her motherhood journey
- Where we get our expectations of motherhood from
- Exercises to understand what we actually want in our motherhood experiences
- How EMDR therapy can be used to support mothers
A little about our guest:
Shanti Hollis is a mental health counselor with a heart dedicated to supporting moms. Two years ago, she embarked on her own journey into motherhood, which ignited a passion for guiding fellow mothers through the ups and downs of motherhood. Shanti understands firsthand the transformative nature of becoming a mother. Despite meticulous planning, she found herself facing unexpected challenges after conception and post-delivery. Driven by her own experiences, Shanti has established Motherhood with Shanti—a nurturing community for moms who are learning how to navigate uncomfortable and unexpected emotions about motherhood. Whether it's cherishing the beautiful moments or tackling the frustrating hurdles, all are embraced within this supportive space.
To connect with Shanti, follow her on Instagram @motherhoodwithshanti.
If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!
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