Doing Life Differently

What if the thing that feels like a failure right now is actually part of what’s building your future?Today I’m sharing 10 things I tried in my business that totally flopped. Some were embarrassing. Some were expensive. Some were dreams I was sure would work. And honestly, in the moment, a few of them made me wonder if I was cut out for entrepreneurship at all.But looking back, I can see something I couldn’t see then: so many of my wins were born out of what didn’t work first.In this episode, I’ll walk you through each flop, what it taught me, and how it quietly shaped what came next. And at the end I’m giving you a simple exercise I really want you to try — an “impact web” of your failures — to help you trace the dots between what hurt and what it’s producing.If you’ve been sitting in disappointment, second-guessing yourself, or wondering if you’re falling behind… this is your reminder:You can fail and still be on your way.📲 FREE - "What Your Brand Says About You" Guide🩵 Follow Katelyn on Instagram 👉 Finally nail your brand voice and show up authentically to your audience with the help of KJ Brand Coach GPT

Welcome to episode one of my four-part Advent Weekly Dwell series on having an intentional Christmas. Today I’m focusing on the kids, and the tension I feel every year between chasing the world’s version of “magic” and building a Christmas that actually has depth.I’m reminding myself that a truly magical Christmas can’t come at the cost of my peace. If I’m stressed and running on fumes, that’s not the kind of season I want them to remember. I’m doing a heart check first, then choosing to define Christmas through both joy and meaning.USE CODE KATELYN15 TO SAVE 15% ON YOUR ADVENT BLOCKSFor our family, the anchor tradition is the King Is Coming Advent Blocks. We read the daily devotional, turn a block each night, and let that rhythm keep us centered on what this season is really about.RESOURCESAdvent Blocks - https://geni.us/KJ-advent-blocks *use KATELYN15 to save 15%Listen to more episodes- https://katelynjames.com/podcastFollow Katelyn on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/katelynjamesGet a Bible for $4 on Amazon- https://amzn.to/4nOhhKW

"I want to suffer well." (What?!) Yes, suffering is going to happen. And it hasn't been the easiest season in my life currently, but it also has felt like the right season to start this podcast series of The Weekly Dwell. There is always purpose in the pain, and I'm using my life examples of what God is doing to transform my mind. RESOURCESOur Marriage Coach, Julia Woods - https://beautifuloutcome.comListen to more episodes- https://katelynjames.com/podcastFollow Katelyn on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/katelynjamesGet a Bible for $4 on Amazon- https://amzn.to/4nOhhKWThe KJP Black Friday Sale is HERE! Shop up to 70% off your photography resources to help you grow your business in 2026! 👉 Shop The Sale!

In this episode, I’m sharing the first five changes I’d make if I were starting my crunchy, low-tox living journey all over again. I didn’t grow up this way (hello, Diet Mountain Dew and gummy bears!), so these are the simple, realistic shifts that made the biggest difference for our family, especially after uncovering glyphosate, BPA, and heavy metals in our son’s lab work.The KJP Black Friday Sale is HERE! Shop up to 70% off your photography resources to help you grow your business in 2026! 👉 Shop The Sale! 👉 Read the blog to get all the links I mention!👉 Follow Katelyn on InstagramRESOURCES:Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine Brain Balance Thrive Market

This week, I’m sharing a reminder that’s been close to my heart: we were never meant to fight alone.After a hard night of tears with Michael, I realized how deeply we need to let others in. To ask for prayer, for help, and for community when life feels too heavy.If you’ve been walking through something quietly, this is your invitation to reach out. Let someone step into the fight with you.Scripture I’m dwelling on:“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2The KJP Black Friday Sale is HERE! Shop up to 70% off your photography resources to help you grow your business in 2026! 👉 Shop The Sale! RESOURCESListen to more episodes- https://katelynjames.com/podcastFollow Katelyn on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/katelynjamesGet a Bible for $4 on Amazon- https://amzn.to/4nOhhKW

This one is a wake-up call! I’m sharing the five patterns that quietly end wedding photography brands… and how to turn them around.I’ve coached photographers for 17 years.Within minutes, I can usually tell if a business will make it or burn out.Today I walk through the five red flags I see most often. Use them as a mirror, not a verdict. You’ll hear simple markers for each red flag.You’ll also get practical ways to shift into proactive systems, personal storytelling, and scalable workflows.If this stings a little, take heart!Awareness is step one, and every one of these is fixable.👉 The Business of Wedding Photography is HERE!📲 FREE - "What Your Brand Says About You" Guide🩵 Follow Katelyn on InstagramThe KJP Black Friday Sale is HERE! Shop up to 70% off your photography resources to help you grow your business in 2026! 👉 Shop The Sale!

This week, I’m dwelling on what it means to ask God for manna for today.When life feels overwhelming (financially, emotionally, or physically) it’s easy to pray for the big breakthrough. But lately, I’ve been learning to simply ask, “Lord, will You give me what I need for today?”This shift has brought peace, clarity, and a deeper trust that He provides exactly what’s needed...no more, no less.If you’re anxious about the future, this episode is your reminder:You have enough for today… and He’ll meet you again tomorrow.The KJP Black Friday Sale is HERE! Shop up to 70% off your photography resources to help you grow your business in 2026! 👉 Shop The Sale! RESOURCESListen to more episodes- https://katelynjames.com/podcastFollow Katelyn on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/katelynjamesGet a Bible for $4 on Amazon- https://amzn.to/4nOhhKW

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of our 15-year anniversary trip to Mexico, and sharing the 10 things we’d absolutely do again on a “just us” getaway.I’m sharing the simple but powerful things that made our time together feel intentional. From setting hopes and boundaries before the trip, to vision casting for our next 15 years, to something as small as deleting Instagram and just being together.MENTIONS: The Resort we stayed at in Mexico📲 FREE - "What Your Brand Says About You" Guide🩵 Follow Katelyn on Instagram 👉 Finally nail your brand voice and show up authentically to your audience with the help of KJ Brand Coach GPT.The KJP Black Friday Sale is HERE! Shop up to 70% off your photography resources to help you grow your business in 2026! 👉 Shop The Sale!

A simple moment with my 8-year-old (“Mama, was that even real?”) sent me down a rabbit hole about AI, deception, and trust. We’re raising kids in a world where videos, headlines, even voices can be fabricated—and sometimes we can’t tell the difference.Here’s the hope: as deception increases, the power of truth increases too.When the world blurs the lines, a life rooted in Jesus becomes clearer, steadier, and more compelling.RESOURCESListen to more episodes- https://katelynjames.com/podcastFollow Katelyn on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/katelynjamesGet a Bible for $4 on Amazon- https://amzn.to/4nOhhKW

Lara Casey joins me to talk about reordering our loves, selling a business, a marriage reborn, and healing from the inside out. We get honest about idols, discernment, and the courage to go forward when it would be easier to go back. If you’ve wondered whether the best is behind you, this episode will breathe hope into your next step.LINKS MENTIONED:Connect with Lara https://laracasey.com/FREE - What Your Brand Says About You Guide Get The GPT -- KJ Brand Coach GPT Follow Katelyn on Instagram | Listen to more Episodes | Email Katelyn