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When Mommy Grows Up

When Mommy Grows Up

Written by: Becca Carnahan | Next Chapter Careers
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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

© 2026 When Mommy Grows Up
Careers Economics Parenting Personal Success Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Ep 132: An Introvert's Guide to Building Career Connections
    Jul 7 2026

    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. Instead, you'll learn how to build meaningful professional relationships in a way that feels authentic, and even plays to your strengths.

    You'll learn:

    • Why introverts often make excellent networkers
    • How to reframe networking as relationship-building
    • Five practical strategies to make networking events less intimidating
    • Simple conversation starters that go beyond awkward small talk
    • Why following up is where the real networking magic happens
    • How to rebuild your professional network after a career break, relocation, or becoming a mom

    Whether you're returning to work, changing careers, growing your business, or simply looking to expand your professional circle, this episode will help you network with more confidence, and a lot less anxiety.

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    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!

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • Ep. 131: The Simple Question That Changed My Summers
    Jun 23 2026

    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 for flexibility, I’m talking about what it can look like to build a professional life that supports your family, your values, and the seasons you are in.

    This episode is a reminder that there is no one right way to do work and motherhood. With clarity, imagination, and some hard work in the right season, it is possible to create something that gives you both purpose and room to breathe. And in this season, that means summer belongs to the kids.

    -----------------------------

    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!

    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • Ep. 130 Whose Voices Are Driving Your Life?
    Jun 9 2026

    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 Kids

    When 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!

    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
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