When Mommy Grows Up

Does the thought of networking make you want to hide in the bathroom... or skip the event altogether? If you're an introvert (or just someone who dreads awkward small talk), this episode is for you. In today's episode of When Mommy Grows Up , Becca shares why networking doesn't have to mean working the room, collecting business cards, or pretending to be the loudest person there. In...

What if working parent life did not have to look the way we were told it should? In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up , I share a story from 10 years ago, when a quiet conversation with my mom planted a question that changed everything: Why? That one question sparked a long path of reflection, creativity, hustle, and reinvention. From full-time work to a side business to a portfolio career built...

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 pro...

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 b...

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...

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 s...

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...

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 oursel...

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 ha...

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 now Creative, real-life ways to stand out (without burning...

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! -------...

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 b...

If your resume has been sitting untouched for years and you don’t even know where to start…this episode is for you. Today on When Mommy Grows Up , we’re doing a practical, step-by-step 15-minute resume audit designed especially for moms re-entering the workforce, pivoting careers, or updating a very outdated document. We’ll cover: How to turn task-based bullet points into measurable impact How to...

“You know what I love about you, Carnahans? You can take what should be a really stressful situation and turn it into a funny adventure.” – My mom From airport sprints to the infamous Bat in the Basement Incident of 2017, I’ve learned that challenges are all about perspective. We can complain and blame… or we can focus on what we can control and what we learned. That mindset matters a lot in job i...

Recently, Reese Witherspoon talked about leaning into what you’re already good at and "chasing your talents." As a career coach, I agree. Mostly. With a caveat. In this episode, we cover: Why strengths are foundational to career clarity How we use the CliftonStrengths Assessment to uncover your strengths and use them intentionally The difference between skills and strengths How strengths...

The Busy Working Moms Blueprint Summit hosted by Dyana Terranova brought together coaches, doctors, therapists, and experts to help busy moms like you THRIVE. I was thrilled to be a guest at the Summit, and as a fun surprise, I get to share the full interview here with you on When Mommy Grows Up! Listen in to my interview with Dyana for some When Mommy Grows Up backstory and quick tips to help you...

After a few weeks of behind-the-scenes episodes inside the Career Clarity Program, we’re back to storytime, and this one is all about advocating for yourself. In this episode, you’ll meet Laura, a marketing strategist and mom of three who landed a values-aligned job offer… that didn’t quite meet her needs. Instead of panicking or settling, she used a clear, collaborative negotiation approach to as...

In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up, I’m giving you another sneak peek inside the newly updated Career Clarity Program.  Today’s preview comes from the Unpack module, which focuses on guided career reflection to help you identify your unique career sweet spot. You’ll hear two coaching exercises straight from the program and get a real feel for how we approach career clarity: simple, practical,...

If you’ve been thinking, “This job isn’t quite it… but I can’t just walk away,” this episode is for you. Today on When Mommy Grows Up, I’m sharing a special mini lesson from inside the updated Career Clarity Program. As part of the Strategize module, we teach a concept called job crafting, which is a powerful way to adjust your role so it works better for you now and sets you up for what’s next. T...

Feeling foggy between the holidays and the new year? This episode is your reset. In this solo episode, Becca shares a 3-step Career Reset for 2026 , including simple, mom-friendly shifts to help you start the year with clarity and confidence, without pressure or burnout. You’ll learn how to: Reclaim your wins from 2025 Choose one guiding word or feeling for the year ahead Take one tiny January act...

In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up, Becca Carnahan is joined by leadership coach and Your Fourth Trimester founder Barbara Palmer for a candid conversation about career transitions, working parenthood, and building a life that actually fits.  They explore what real workplace flexibility looks like, how to assess company culture as a parent, and why returning to work after parental leave deserv...

Are you accidentally leaving hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars on the table at work? 😬  In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up , Becca breaks down the often-overlooked world of professional development funds as a workplace benefit.  Uncover hidden “use it or lose it” money and use these simple steps for claiming what’s already yours. This episode is your no-fluff guide to investing in your ca...

In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up , Becca sits down with Michelle Keefe,  co-founder of MomUp, to talk about what’s broken in hiring today and how caregivers can successfully re-enter or shift within the workforce. Michelle shares the inspiration behind MomUp, the recruitment firm that elevates overlooked talent and connects it with forward-thinking small and mid-sized companies. She and Becc...

Feeling like your career just doesn’t fit your life anymore? You’re not alone—and there’s finally a simple way to get unstuck! Becca is unveiling something big today, the Career Clarity Starter Kit , your new go-to guide for figuring out what you want in your career and how to get there. Hear what’s inside, why she created it, and how to get your hands on the Black Friday deal. This is your first...

We’ve all made mistakes as parents, professionals, or both. But what if you could skip some of the trial-and-error and go straight to the learning part? In this episode of When Mommy Grows Up , Becca shares the story of Claire, a 39-year-old project manager and mom of two who hit a wall in her career and decided it was time for a change. Like so many of us, she dove head-first into her job search…...