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!

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.

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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!

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

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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!

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

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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!

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 Story

Job Search Sites for Flexible Roles

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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!

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!

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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!

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!

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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!

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.

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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!