What Do I Want To Be When They Grow Up: Karen's Story Artwork

When Mommy Grows Up

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

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When Mommy Grows Up

What Do I Want To Be When They Grow Up: Karen's Story

April 08, 2025 • Becca Carnahan & Marie-Pier Tremblay from Next Chapter Careers

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Almost a decade ago, Becca and Karen Johnson met on the wild world of the internet sharing parenting memes and laughs as they both navigated the early years of motherhood. (You might know Karen as The21stCenturySAHM on Instagram and Facebook. She's hilarious!)

Fast forward to today, and they are on the same page again asking the big question "What do I want to be NEXT as I grow up right alongside my growing kids?"

Join Becca, Marie, and Karen as they talk about taking risks, uncovering new passions, navigating perimenopause, and giving ourselves permission to continue to grow up!

Meet Karen:

Also known on social media as The 21st Century SAHM, Karen Johnson writes about all things parenthood and believes that humor is necessary to survive the journey. She is the creator of countless hilarious memes and the mom journal “I brushed my hair today.” Her new book What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up: And Other Thoughts from a 40-something mom is coming out on May 6.

What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up: And Other Thoughts from a 40-Something Mom

The21stCenturySAHM on Instagram

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