Will you answer the 🚨Call?

I've had my kids home with me this summer, and not to brag, but I've gotten really good at telling the difference between when they call for me and they 🚨Call for me.

A regular ol' call might just be "Mom!" when they want to ask for a snack/stump me with a riddle/say something else that's not too urgent. If I'm in the middle of something I can respond with "Just a minute!" and it's no big deal.

But then there's a 🚨Call. It might still just be "Mom!" but I can tell the difference. I know they need me to drop everything and respond. Right. Away.

Friends, I'm sharing this because today I'm issuing a 🚨Call for the Career River community. I'm asking you to take action and respond. Here's what I need your help with right now:

Ask a friend to subscribe. You can share this link for them to sign up for free, along with a quick note on why:

Hey friend, I thought you might like to check out the Explore Your Career River newsletter. It's all about how to navigate changes in our careers, especially when it's not clear where to head next. It's written by Bridget Thoreson, a journalist who covers how people really face moments of uncertainty on their professional journeys. She's created the Career River framework based on what she's learned to help people make their next move. You can sign up for free to learn more at MyCareerRiver.com. Thanks!

That's the 🚨Call. You can respond right now by popping a note in an email or post and sharing. I really appreciate it.

No need to read the rest of this until after you've sent your invites! I'll wait right here. Thank you. ❤️

Now that you've responded to my 🚨Call, here's why this is so important:

Career River is on the cusp of something big, and I can't get there without your help.

I've mentioned before that I'm working on a Career River book. I sent out my first batch of book proposal queries and here are the results:

Out of 10 queries, I got three rejections and seven *crickets.* Is this a problem? Not at all! Totally par for the course, and right in line with what I was expecting (I did make an entire board to track rejections). However, there's one big element to help make my proposal shine that I'm missing: platform. The kind of following that will make publishing people's eyes light up with possibility. And that's where you come in.

I've been working hard to update my offerings and make Career River the most relevant, valuable resource for people navigating career transitions that it can be. In the coming weeks, I'll be rolling out even more great resources, including:

• Announcing a ✨ free✨, 4-week online course on the Career River for journalists
• New offerings for supporting subscribers
• An improved onboarding experience for new subscribers

With your help, I'll be able to reach more people with relevant reporting on this new approach toward our working lives. As this community grows, so does its impact. I truly believe that together, we can share a more sustainable, fulfilling model for professional progress that people desperately need right now.

Longtime readers will know this is a passion project for me. I've completed my 50-page proposal working 25 minutes at a time each day, usually after my kids are in bed (when often all I really want to do is rewatch The Office). What keeps me going, quite honestly, is the feedback I get from you. As I write, I keep in mind this comment from one of the beta readers for my sample chapters:

“I would’ve loved to have read this book when I went through my burnout. I was really trying to figure out my next steps and equally working on readjusting my relationship with work and finding a better work-life balance.”

If my work can help more people like her, it will all be worth it.

How else can I help?

Well, thank you for asking! I definitely appreciate your sharing this with your friends, but if you're still feeling 🔥fired up about spreading the Career River idea, here are a few additional ways you can contribute:

• Leave a tip. Every little bit helps make this possible!
• Upgrade your subscription. Become a Navigator to start applying the Career River framework to your next career move. Want to double your impact? Tributary-level subscribers make it possible for me to sponsor subscriptions for people who aren't currently getting paid so they can get the help they need.
• Bring Career River to your community or audience. Want me to run a webinar or workshop? Journos, would you like to learn more about my special partnership program to drive newsletter opt-ins for both our audiences? Reach out today to discuss possibilities: bridget@mycareerriver.com.

Part of the power of the Career River is recognizing that none of us are navigating alone. I am honored to be part of your journey, and incredibly grateful for whatever support you can provide. Thank you for making all this possible, and I'm excited to see what's around the next bend.

Happy navigating,
Bridget