In this episode of Doing Life Differently, I share a raw and honest recap of my December digital detox. Spoiler: it was nothing like I expected!

What started as a plan for distraction-free family memories quickly turned into a season of survival, self-discovery, and surprising lessons.

From navigating a rare allergy and health scares to the unexpected gifts of stepping away from social media, this episode is packed with reflections on intentional living in the midst of chaos.

KJ Reflection Questions:

• What would your life look like if you removed social media for a season?
• How might a digital detox help you reconnect with what matters most?

KJ Mentions:

My diagnosis of Alpha Gal Syndrome

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In this deeply personal episode, I’m opening up about my bizarre and life-changing journey with Alpha Gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergy that has completely reshaped how I live.

From mysterious symptoms and terrifying reactions to the unexpected diagnosis and a functional medicine approach that’s brought relief, I’m sharing it all—the fear, the frustration, and ultimately, the hope and healing.

This isn’t just about an allergy; it’s about learning to care for yourself, embracing help, and living with intentionality, even when life throws unexpected challenges your way.

I’ll walk you through the resources that have helped me, the lessons I’ve learned, and how faith has carried me through this valley.

Whether you’re dealing with medical challenges, anxiety, or just the hard stuff of life, I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone and that healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual—is possible.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Needs of the Heart by Chip Dodd
• The Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd
• SAAT Therapy (Acupuncture) by Dr. Solomon-trained practitioners
• Studies on vagus nerve function and allergy response (linked in the blog post accompanying this episode)

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In this episode of Doing Life Differently, I’m sharing why I’m stepping into a digital detox for the month of December!

I dive into the heart behind this decision—both the practical and spiritual motivations that led me to hit pause, especially on social media like Instagram. For me, this detox is about creating space to be more present with my family and making room for stillness and reflection in a season that’s often filled with noise and distraction.

I talk about the challenges technology brings to staying present, my hopes for this detox (like improving how I listen—to myself and to God), and how I’m planning to manage my social media presence during this time.

I’m excited for this journey, and I hope it inspires you to think about your own relationship with technology. Could a digital detox be the reset you need? Let’s explore it together!

MENTIONS:

The Anxious Generation Book

Aro Box

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Doing Life Differently

00:55 The December Digital Detox

02:45 Practical Reasons for the Detox

08:15 Spiritual Insights and Intentions

12:30 Logistics of the Detox

20:57 Conclusion and Future Plans

In this episode of Doing Life Differently, I'm opening up about my family’s journey to a healthier, lower-toxicity home.

Our family has been learning so much about about food additives and dyes! So I'm sitting down to shares actionable steps and real-life insights that have helped my family reduce our toxic load and promote better health.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the topic of toxins this is an episode for you!! I hope you find encouragement that small, manageable changes can have a big impact!

MENTIONS:

Calley & Casey Means on the Joe Rogan Podcast

Truly Free Detergent

Crunchi

Organic Grassfed Tallow

Dye-Free Sprinkles

Thrive Market

Power Balls Recipe

Jonny Pops Popsicles

In this episode of Doing Life Differently, Michael and I reflect on our unique journey in education as founders of an Acton Academy.

Now in year three, we’re seeing the results of an alternative education model designed to foster independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning in young learners.

If you’re curious about what makes Acton different, we break down how our “learner-driven” approach encourages students to set their own goals, embrace challenges, and learn collaboratively without the traditional structure of grades, tests, or homework.

Highlights from this Episode:

• What is Acton Academy? Michael explains the core principles of Acton’s learner-led, Socratic approach, which focuses on helping children become self-driven and accountable for their education.
• The Parent’s Role in Acton: We share how Acton intentionally involves parents as partners, not rescuers, and encourages them to support rather than direct their child’s educational journey.
• Navigating Challenges in Year Three: With more learners, new challenges arise, but we’ve discovered that more students actually strengthen the self-directed environment, making Acton a safe space for children to learn accountability and responsibility.
• A Community Like No Other: We highlight the unique family and parent community surrounding Acton, built around shared values and a commitment to doing school differently. From “parent brunches” to monthly gatherings, Acton creates a family-centered educational experience.
• Preparing for the Future: Looking ahead, we discuss our goals for expanding to a larger campus and the ongoing mission of Acton to instill mental resilience, grit, and a love for learning in every learner.

Tune in for a deep dive into our journey with Acton and the powerful transformations we’ve seen in our learners, our families, and ourselves along the way!

EPISODE MENTIONS:

📚 Read the book by Acton Founder: Courage to Grow

💻 Head to the Acton Academy West End website

📲 Follow Acton Academy West End on Instagram

In this episode of Doing Life Differently, I chat with my friend Catherine Guidry, a luxury wedding photographer and educator from New Orleans. Catherine shares how embracing personal branding and vulnerability transformed her business and life. We explore the challenges of being authentic online while balancing professionalism and how connection can fuel both personal and business growth. If you’ve ever wrestled with sharing your story or feared judgment, this episode will inspire you to lean into authenticity and build deeper relationships with your audience.

📲 Follow Katelyn on Instagram

📲 Follow Cat on Instagram

💻 RSVP for Katelyn's FREE Editing Training - "From Frustration to Flow: The Editing Breakthrough You Need"

In this episode of Doing Life Differently, I sit down with two of my favorite photographers and business owners, Erica and Jon, to talk about their journey of leaving corporate life and traditional wedding photography behind to build a thriving brand photography business that aligns with their values and lifestyle.

📲 Follow Katelyn on Instagram

EPISODE MENTIONS:

• Click to sign up for Erica + Jon's FREE CLASS!

Episode Highlights:

• The Bold Leap: Erica and Jon left behind a stable corporate job and sold their home to pursue photography full-time, transforming both their careers and personal lives.
• From Wedding to Brand Photography: They shifted from wedding photography to brand photography, gaining more freedom and discovering the power of image licensing.
• Embracing Authenticity: By being true to themselves, Erica and Jon found greater success and fulfillment in both life and business.
• Balancing Family and Work: They reshaped their business to prioritize family, homeschooling their kids while maintaining a profitable photography business.
• Key Lessons for Brand Photographers: Erica and Jon share tips on confidence, pricing, and marketing strategies for those looking to transition into brand photography.

Keep Learning

• Past episode: 5 Things I Learned From Hosting A Mastermind Retreat
• The book Jon mentioned: "Living Fearless"

In this episode of 'Doing Life Differently', Katelyn shares her unique approach to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of personal marketing, innovation, and community building!

From a college student to a successful multi-7 figure entrepreneur, Katelyn highlights the foundational elements that have contributed to her thriving business.

MENTIONS:

• Follow Katelyn on Instagram!
• Learn more about Acton Academy
• Photographers - follow Katelyn on YouTube!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Doing Life Differently

01:01 Foundations of a Thriving Business

07:09 The Three Pillars of Success

15:14 Understanding Personal Marketing

24:34 Overcoming Roadblocks in Personal Branding

32:12 The Power of Personal Branding

39:00 Conclusion and Future Insights

Welcome to the RE-BRAND of the Podcast! The Katelyn James Podcast is now Doing Life Differently with Katelyn James.

In this episode of 'Doing Life Differently', Katelyn introduces her rebranded podcast, focusing on living intentionally across various aspects of life, including family, education, faith, business, and wellness.

This podcast will shares Katelyn's journey of embracing a different path, emphasizing the importance of community, deep relationships, and holistic approaches to health and education.

Watch each week as the Podcast artwork changes to align with the area of life that Katelyn is discussing!

MENTIONS:

• Are you a photographer who feels creatively STUCK ? Take this quiz to unlock what's holding you back!
• Follow Katelyn on Instagram!
• Learn more about Acton Academy West End
• Learn more about Katelyn's transformational life coach, Julia Woods

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Doing Life Differently

02:54 The Power of Intentional Living

06:44 Exploring Family Dynamics and Relationships

11:19 Rethinking Education and Schooling

21:03 Transforming Business Practices

26:46 Embracing a Holistic Wellness Approach

What if what you really want in life is going to take more than just finding your passion? What if it means doing life completely different than what most consider normal! Katelyn dives into a deep conversation with a dear friend, Graham Cochrane, who is a bestselling author, 7 figure entrepreneur, TEDx and keynote speaker, bestselling author and host of The Graham Cochrane Show.  With over 14 years of online coaching and content experience and 700,000 YouTube subscribers across his channels, Graham is a leading voice and coach in the life-giving business movement. His insights have been regularly featured in national media outlets like Forbes, CNBC and Business Insider. Graham's recent book, "REBEL", is available for pre-order here:  https://www.grahamcochrane.com/rebelbook