When Mommy Grows Up

Hosted by Becca Carnahan | Next Chapter Careers

Business Careers Kids Family Parenting Society Culture

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Episodes

130

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

As moms, we love to inspire our kids to dream big dreams about who they’ll be as they grow up. But when is the last time you stopped to ask yourself, "Who am I going to be (next) as I grow up?" The When Mommy Grows Up Podcast is the motherhood and career podcast for moms who need help defining what success looks like to them as mid-career professionals and parents, along with the support they need to go after it. Hear real stories from real moms facing the same challenges you are. Finding flexible jobs, crafting a job you love, discovering your passions, crushing it at work, and getting kids off the bus! We’ll talk through it all. Hosts (and fellow mom) Becca Carnahan of Next Chapter Careers takes your questions and provides practical step-by-step advice to help you move forward. All served up with a virtual mom hug and lots of laughs! Send your stories and questions to podcast@nextchaptercareers.us. Interested in sharing your insights as a guest on our podcast? Share your story here: https://forms.gle/iefCf9PTTu7kQtpc7

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 9, 202615 min

Ep. 130 Whose Voices Are Driving Your Life?

Whose opinions are shaping your biggest decisions, and do they really deserve a vote?In this episode, Becca introduces the powerful coaching exercise, Voices in the Room, and shares the story of a mom who realized she had been living according to expectations she had never consciously chosen. Learn how to identify the voices influencing your choices, decide who belongs in your decision-making process, and strengthen trust in your own voice.Because building an authentic life means letting your values, not everyone else's expectations, lead the way.Resources:When Mommy Grows Up: Finding Career Clarity While Covered in KidsWhen Mommy Grows Up Workbook-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

June 2, 202620 min

Ep. 129: Returning to Work After a Career Pause - What I'd Pay For (and What I Wouldn't)

Returning to work after a career pause can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out where to invest your time and money.In this episode, career coach Becca Carnahan shares exactly what she would and wouldn't pay for if she were returning to the paid workforce today. From coaching and assessments to ChatGPT, LinkedIn, networking, resumes, and certifications, Becca breaks down which investments can help build clarity, confidence, and momentum, and which ones can wait.If you're considering your next career move after time away from paid work, this episode will help you focus on what matters most and avoid wasting money on things you may not actually need.Resources:Is LinkedIn Premium Worth It?Low Cost Professional Resume Templates-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

May 26, 202619 min

Ep. 128: Is Part-Time Work Right For You?

The question "Is part-time work the answer?" comes up all the time for mid-career parents managing work and family needs. And in the summertime, while school is out, that question gets even louder. So let's talk about it!In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up, we’re talking honestly about part-time work as an option: when it can be a lifeline, when it’s not the right fit, and how to thoughtfully evaluate whether it aligns with your career and family goals in this season of life.You’ll hear the real pros and cons of part-time work, common mistakes parents make when considering flexible arrangements, and practical strategies for proposing a part-time role at your current company. From restructuring responsibilities to setting communication expectations and positioning your request as a trial run, this episode walks through how to advocate for yourself strategically and professionally.If you’ve ever thought, “I wish work felt more manageable right now,” this conversation is for you.Resources:Does Part-Time Work Really Work?: Meg's StoryJob Search Sites for Flexible Roles-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

May 19, 202616 min

Ep. 127: How to Close the Feedback Gap and Actually Get Better at Work - Jenna's Story

In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up, we’re taking a page from the world of gymnastics, where feedback is constant, specific, and unavoidable, and asking: what if we approached our careers the same way?Because here’s the truth: most of us aren’t lacking feedback… we’re just not getting the kind that actually helps us grow.Through the story of “Jenna,” a high-performing professional who felt stuck despite glowing reviews, we unpack why common workplace feedback often falls flat, and how to change that. From vague praise to overly safe critiques, we’ll break down what’s missing and how to start asking better questions that lead to real, actionable insights.You’ll walk away with simple, practical strategies to: Ask for feedback in a way that gets real answers Turn vague comments into clear direction Build visibility and trust by actually using what you hear Create momentum in your career (without waiting for your next review cycle) If you’ve ever thought, “I’m doing everything right… so why am I not growing?” this episode is for you!-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

May 12, 202617 min

Ep. 126: Sideline Networking - Growing Your Career as a Busy Soccer Mom

What if growing your career didn’t require more time, just a new perspective?In this episode, we’re rethinking networking for real life. From soccer sidelines to dance studio waiting rooms, these everyday moments might be the most overlooked opportunity to build meaningful connections. Learn how simple curiosity, honest conversations, and small shifts in mindset can open unexpected doors without adding anything new to your already full plate.Because sometimes, the next step in your career is standing right next to you!-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

May 5, 202625 min

Ep. 125: Mother Knows Best - When Mommy Grows Up Audiobook Part 2

Happy Mother's Day! This week, as we celebrate YOU as a mom, the When Mommy Grows Up podcast is turning into an audiobook sneak peek one more time.Chapter 4 of When Mommy Grows Up: Finding Career Clarity While Covered in Kids, Mother Knows Best, shares stories and laughs, but its main purpose in the book is to remind us that we’re the moms now, and we really do know what’s best for ourselves and our families.Come share some relatable laughs, listen along to know you aren't alone, and get the pep talk you need to keep moving forward on the path that is right for you.Find the full book and workbook at whenmommygrowsup.com.-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

April 29, 202610 min

Ep. 124: This is a Story About a Duck

In this week's episode of When Mommy Grows Up, a small plastic duck carries a powerful message.After Becca's daughter’s state gymnastics meet, where highs and disappointments lived side by side, one quiet moment stood out above all the rest. Long after the crowd thinned and the lights dimmed, one little girl stayed, cheering on the final athletes, even when no one was watching. What happened next was a simple act of recognition that turned into a lasting lesson on character, encouragement, and what it really means to show up for others.This episode is a heartfelt reminder to notice the people who cheer us on. It’s also a call to action: to name that support, to become that support for someone else, and to offer that same encouragement to ourselves in the moments that feel lonely or uncertain.Because whether in parenting, work, or personal growth, we all have those moments where we need that support the most.And sometimes, the smallest gestures can mean everything.-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

April 21, 202623 min

Ep. 123: When You’ve Tried Everything in Your Job Search…Do This

If your job search has you feeling frustrated, exhausted, or questioning everything…you’re not alone.This week on When Mommy Grows Up, we’re talking about what to do when it feels like you’ve tried everything and nothing is working.Inside this episode, we’re diving into:Why the traditional job search approach might be failing you right nowCreative, real-life ways to stand out (without burning out)How to keep going when rejection starts to feel personalSmall, powerful mindset shifts to help you move forward againBecause the truth is this job market is tough. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck!-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

March 31, 202618 min

Ep. 122: Let ChatGPT Write Your LinkedIn Profile (Without Losing Your Voice)

Struggling to update your LinkedIn? In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up, we walk through how to use ChatGPT to write a strong headline and About section, without losing your voice.Learn the exact prompts to get started, why keywords matter, and how to edit your content so it sounds clear, confident, and like you.If your profile has been sitting untouched, this is your sign to start!-----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!

March 24, 202619 min

Ep. 121: My Book Turns One! (+ A Special Audiobook Sneak Peek)

This week on When Mommy Grows Up, we’re celebrating a very special milestone—my book When Mommy Grows Up: Finding Career Clarity While Covered in Kids is officially one year old! 🎉The refreshed 2025 edition is the book I always envisioned—filled with new insights, deeper encouragement, and even more support for moms navigating career clarity in the middle of real life.To celebrate this “book birthday,” I’m doing something a little different on the podcast… I’m giving you a sneak peek into a possible future audiobook! In this episode, I’m sharing a narrated reading of the prologue so you can experience the heart behind the book in a whole new way.I’d truly love your feedback—does this make you want a full audiobook version? Let me know!And if you’re ready to dive into the book now, you can find all the details at whenmommygrowsup.com.Grab a cup of coffee, press play, and let’s dream about what’s possible together. -----------------------------You are one click away from boosting your career clarity and confidence!Head over to whenmommygrowsup.com where you’ll find the free Career Clarity Kickstart. With this free on-the-go guide, we'll walk you through 5 clear action steps you can take to go from confused about next steps to confident about what you want and need from your career.Get started today!