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
Redefining Success and Ambition as a Working Mom with Aparna Kumar Boehm
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Becoming a mom can completely change how you see yourself, especially if your identity was built around career achievement. In this episode, Emily talks with Aparna Kumar Boehm, a working mom coach and former tech leader, about redefining success and ambition after motherhood.
They discuss what happens when perfectionism collides with parenting, why it’s hard to let go of control, and how to rebuild confidence and clarity when the old version of “success” no longer fits. Aparna also shares real strategies for sharing responsibilities at home, letting go of guilt, and finding peace in imperfection.
Aparna and Emily get into:
- Why many working women experience an identity crisis after becoming mothers
- How to redefine success when career goals no longer fit your values
- The power of asking for help and sharing household responsibilities
- What it means to release perfectionism and embrace “good enough”
- How moms can model healthy balance for future generations
Tune in to feel validated in your experiences juggling the chaos of working mom life, and learn how to embrace this new version of your identity.
🔗 Connect with Aparna:
Instagram: @aparna_kumar_boehm
✨ Let’s keep the convo going:
Follow Emily on Instagram → @honestlyemilyrose
Follow the podcast on TikTok → @worthymotherpodcast
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