Episode 12 | Karen Smithson
The second half of my chat with Karen Smithson dove into what it really means to live with authenticity and joy.
We talked about her long career in education, from teaching second graders to serving as a high school principal, and eventually retiring as a director of instruction. She laughed about the chaos of teaching art and remembered the sweet spot of working with second graders — “they’re still little enough to think you’re amazing, but big enough to zip their own jackets.”
Karen also opened up about marriage, sharing wisdom from 42 years with her husband. “It’s a decision every single day,” she said. Not every moment is easy, but choosing to continue showing up for one another has carried them through grief, challenges, and decades of change.
We circled back to Instagram and how she sees it not as a platform for perfection, but for connection. She spoke about the loneliness epidemic and how technology can bridge gaps when families live far apart. Still, she urges people to nurture in-person friendships too — through gardening groups, community events, or even “Thirsty Thursday” outings with her neighbors.
Karen’s warmth shines brightest when she talks about her grandchildren. Each one, she told me with a smile, is completely unique — from fiery red hair to precocious vocabulary — and being a grandmother is one of her greatest joys.
Through it all, Karen remains refreshingly real. She laughs about tech struggles, proudly shops thrift stores, and refuses to endorse products she doesn’t truly love. She’s not building a brand; she’s building relationships.
As we wrapped up, she reflected on her word for the year: opportunity. After initially letting fear hold her back, she’s now open to what’s ahead — whether it’s new projects, more community, or simply continuing to walk and say “good morning” to thousands of friends across the world.
Karen embodies the idea of a “comfort creator”: someone whose presence online feels like sitting down with a friend. And if you ask me, Instagram made the right person famous.
SO grateful to Karen for so generously sharing with me on our episode today. Check out our full interview here!