Sparkle and Thrive

About Sparkle and Thrive

Redundancy. Maternity leave. Perimenopause. Menopause. Illness. Caring for ageing parents. Sound familiar? If you're a woman in midlife, chances are you've faced one - or several - of these life transitions. And somewhere along the way, you may have pressed pause on your career… your confidence… or even your sense of direction. But what if this chapter isn’t the end of your story—what if it’s the moment you learn to be brave? Dare To Be Brave with Joy Foster is a powerful solo podcast that blends real-life insight with the neuroscience of courage, confidence, and change. Each episode unpacks what’s really happening in your brain when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to move forward—and shows you how to work with your brain, not against it. You’ll learn how to: Rebuild confidence after a setback Take action even when fear is loud Break free from overthinking and self-doubt Navigate change with clarity and resilience Redefine success on your own terms Whether you're returning to work, starting something new, or simply trying to figure out what’s next, this podcast will give you the tools - and the courage - to move forward. Because bravery isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build. And this is where it begins.

Publisher

Joy Foster

Category

business · education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Aug 2019

Latest episode

17 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

69 of 304 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   17 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Why Wanting More Than Motherhood Doesn't Make You Selfish | E289

   Host Joy Foster interviews guests exploring how to reclaim identity and confidence after motherhood, challenging the notion that wanting more is selfish.

2. 

   10 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Why Women Lose Confidence in Midlife (And How to Get It Back) | E288

   Host Joy Foster interviews listeners about rebuilding midlife confidence by exploring the science of self-belief and daily habits for empowerment.

3. 

   27 May 2026TRANSCRIPT

   7 Signs You’re Stuck in Life (And How to Break Free) | E287

   Joy Foster, founder of TechPixies, guides listeners through seven signs of being stuck in life and offers actionable strategies to break free from predictable patterns.

Inside a recent episode

Why Wanting More Than Motherhood Doesn't Make You Selfish | E289

Published 17 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And here's what makes it even harder. Biologically, your brain rewires for caregiving. There's a reason you can hear your baby cry from three rooms away. There's a reason you wake up before they do. Your brain is literally designed to prioritize them. But here's the problem. When your brain is in full caregiving mode 24-7, other parts of you get eclipsed. The creative part, the ambitious part, the part that had dreams and goals that had nothing to do with anyone else. And on top of that, society tells you that you should be grateful. You chose this. That wanting anything beyond motherhood is selfish. […]

Who has been a guest on Sparkle and Thrive

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Stephanie Drax
• Raynor Winn
• Susannah de Jager
• Patsy Day
• Fern Fuller

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.4 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

85

Social presence

97

YouTube

0

Engagement

90

Contact Sparkle and Thrive

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Sparkle and Thrive