Doing Life Differently

This episode hit deep! If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one driving vision in your marriage or that your spouse doesn’t seem as invested, you’re not alone. Julia Woods and I dive into why vision casting as a couple can feel so challenging—and why it often triggers emotions like fear, shame, and frustration.

Julia shares powerful insights on:

• How vision exposes deeper beliefs about ourselves and our relationship.

• The tension between feeling like we’re “too much” or “not enough” in marriage.

• Why we default to blame instead of doing the deeper work within ourselves.

• The real purpose of vision casting—hint: it’s NOT just about planning trips or setting goals.

>> Learn more about Julia Woods Coaching

I walked away from this conversation so encouraged, especially by the reminder that failed vision meetings aren’t failures at all—they’re gifts that reveal what’s really going on beneath the surface.

If you’re struggling to get on the same page with your spouse, this episode will give you a whole new perspective!

Reflection Questions:

1️⃣ Before approaching a vision conversation, what stories am I telling myself about my spouse? Are they true?

2️⃣ How do I typically react when I feel unseen or unheard in vision planning?

3️⃣ What fears come up when I think about casting vision together? Am I afraid of being “too much” or “not enough”?

4️⃣ How can I shift from trying to get my spouse on my page to creating a page we both want to be on together?

5️⃣ What would it look like to approach vision casting from a place of humility and surrender instead of control?

Take a moment to sit with these before your next vision conversation—you might be surprised what comes up!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

What does success really mean? Is it about income, status, or something deeper?

In this episode, Michael and I sit down for a candid conversation about how our childhood shaped our views on success and how we’re intentionally redefining it for our own children.

We reflect on growing up in a small-town community, the hidden lessons we learned about money and work, and the challenges of raising kids in a world that often equates success with wealth and achievement.

We share three key ways we’re guiding our children in this area:

1. Focusing on Failure First – Helping our kids develop resilience and a healthy relationship with failure before they even define success.

2. Defining Success Holistically – Teaching them that success isn’t just about money or status but about relationships, impact, and purpose.

3. Highlighting Impact Over Income – Emphasizing service, generosity, and solving problems for others rather than chasing financial gain.

Whether you’re a parent or simply reflecting on your own definition of success, I hope this episode challenges you to think differently about what really matters!

Reflection Questions:

• What was your definition of success growing up? How did your parents influence that?
• Have you ever felt pressure to measure success by income or status? How has that shaped your decisions?
• If you’re a parent, what messages about success do you think your children are absorbing from you?
• How do you personally handle failure? Have you created space for yourself (or your kids) to fail without shame?

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>> Want to learn more about Acton Academy? Click here!

Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

In this episode, I’m sharing how my perspective on business shifted from hustle to purpose and how I’ve seen God use my work as a ministry.

From unexpected conversations with clients to moments of service on wedding days, I reflect on the ways faith has overflowed into my business.

If you’ve ever wondered how your work could make a bigger impact, this episode will encourage you to see opportunities right where you are—whether you’re running a business, raising a family, or simply showing up for others.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Needs of the Heart by Chip Dodd
• The Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd

Reflection Questions:

• How can I approach my work with a mindset of service rather than just completing tasks or meeting goals?
• Have I ever prayed for God to use my work for a greater purpose? If not, how can I start?

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Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

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

1-Second A Day App

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Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

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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Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

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"

Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.

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.

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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"

Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.