When Mommy Grows Up

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 cl...

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 alig...

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 f...

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 y...

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 s...

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 recogniti...

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 out)
• ...

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!

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You are one click ...

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,&rdquo...

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 stop minimi...

“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 intervi...

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 shape your career and life criteria
• Why ...

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 move forward in your journey toward ...

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 ask for more ...

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, and h...

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...

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 action that builds real momentum

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 deserves more support. From authentic...

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 ...