Podcast Summary: Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades

Episode 117: Forcing It Isn’t Working Anymore: 5 Things I’m Letting Go of in 2026 to Create Alignment in Business & Life
Aired January 13, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

Katelyn Rhoades opens the new year with a raw and reflective solo episode on the necessity of shedding outdated habits and systems, especially those rooted in “forcing it”—in business, content creation, and personal life. Instead of yet another episode focused on doing more, Katelyn urges listeners to consciously let go of what no longer aligns with their values or brings fulfillment. She shares the five key things she’s releasing in 2026 to move forward with clarity, energy, and deeper purpose.

Tone: Warm, honest, vulnerable, and motivational, with plenty of practical examples.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Letting Go of Hustle as Proof of Worth (08:16)

• Personal Story: Katelyn recounts missing a significant moment in her son’s baseball game because she was posting a reel for work. This became a turning point:

  “I missed him running home to home plate...because I was too busy on my phone posting a frickin reel. Like, are you kidding me? These are the days of our lives. I'm never going to get that little baseball game back.” (10:32)

• Health Wake-Up Call: Her autoimmune disease forced her to slow down and prioritize.
• Reflection: Hustle made sense when starting out but cannot be the default as you grow:

  “If you don’t reassess hustle as you grow, it quietly becomes your identity.”

• Practical Steps:
  • Delegate tasks
  • Implement systems and SOPs
  • Invest resources to buy back time (housekeeper, grocery delivery, car wash)
• Memorable Quote:

  “If your success only works when you’re tired, it’s not aligned... Borrowed energy always comes due.” (20:39)

2. Forcing Content That Doesn't Feel Like You (24:16)

• Problem: Posting because of algorithm pressure, not genuine inspiration, leads to burnout and disconnection from your audience.
• Professional Change: Transitioned from posting 2x daily (730+ posts/year) to being intentional—even if that means less frequent content.
• Strategy: Align all content with business goals and offers, focus on what genuinely excites her (e.g., reinvention/self-help content).
• Advice:
  • “If your content drives you up the wall or stresses you out or you feel like it’s forced, take a second, write down what you want to be known for, what your goals are for your business, and then create your content around that.” (26:50)
• Shift:

  “I’m choosing to resonate with people, over reaching people. Saying less but really meaning it.” (29:37)

3. Letting Go of Comparison as Your Compass (31:05)

• Insight: Comparing yourself to others is a sneaky form of self-sabotage—it can masquerade as “research” but leads to feeling behind and making inauthentic decisions.
• Reflection: Many creators chase growth they don’t actually want because they see others doing it.
• Word of the Year: Discernment.

  “Discernment is trusting that your path does not need to look like anyone else’s to be valid.” (35:22)

• Definition: “The ability to judge well and perceive things clearly, especially what’s not obvious... Involving deep insight, wisdom, and keen perception to distinguish truth from error or the better from the best.” (34:17)

4. Saying Yes Out of Fear (36:32)

• Examples:
  • Saying yes out of fear of missing out, disappointing others, or being forgotten.
  • Accepting speaking gigs that look impressive but are draining and unpaid.
• Boundary Setting:

  “Every yes has a cost. Sometimes it’s your time, sometimes it’s your energy, sometimes it’s your creativity, sometimes it’s your alignment. In 2026, my yes has to feel super duper clean.” (39:25)

• Notable Story: Recently declined a local speaking opportunity; received backlash but held firm:

  “You will catch shit for telling people no. It sucks, but it is what it is.” (41:07)

• Mindset: “Aligned growth does not require you to be available to everyone. It requires you to protect your energy so that you can fully show up where it matters.” (42:40)

5. Letting Go of the Past (44:10)

• Insight: Old versions of yourself served their purpose, but don’t let guilt or nostalgia hold you back.
• Growth Means Change:
  • Some friends/family may not recognize or accept your new self.
  • It’s natural to lose relationships in the process:

    “When you decide that you’re not that version anymore… sometimes people aren’t able to meet you at that level. But you have to stay true to yourself.” (47:38)

• Self-Loyalty:

  “You don’t owe anyone consistency. You owe yourself honesty.” (45:17)

Monthly Theme: “Dry January” (50:55)

• Katelyn’s Spin: Not just about abstaining from alcohol, but “drying out” any behaviors, patterns, or distractions that are draining, numbing, or out of alignment.

• Goal: Create a space to pause, reconnect with your energy, intuition, and priorities.

• Free Resource: January Reset Checklist to support listeners in letting go and creating space for aligned growth.

  “You don’t need to force a new version of yourself into existence. You just need to create the conditions that allow her to emerge naturally.” (52:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hustle:

  “If I was busy, I felt valuable. If I was needed, I felt more secure. If my calendar was full, I just felt, like, important... If you don’t reassess hustle as you grow, it becomes your identity.” (12:13, 16:42)

• On Boundaries:

  “This is your year of no. Or at least this is your year of intentional yes.” (43:05)

• On Evolution:

  “Alignment is allowing yourself to evolve and to evolve without guilt.” (44:35)

Important Timestamps

• 08:16 — Letting go of hustle as proof of worth
• 24:16 — Forcing content vs. aligned content
• 31:05 — Letting go of comparison
• 36:32 — Saying yes out of fear
• 44:10 — Releasing attachment to past versions of yourself
• 50:55 — “Dry January” and the Reset Checklist announcement

Final Guidance & Takeaways

• You haven’t failed if you’ve been forcing things; it’s a signal you’re ready for more aligned, sustainable growth.
• Instead of a to-do list for 2026, focus on a “to let go of” list.
• To support listeners’ reinvention season and intentional reset, Katelyn offers a free January Reset Checklist (linked in show notes).
• Encouragement to be honest, protective of energy, and unafraid of evolving, even if it means disappointing others or letting go of old relationships.

Useful For:
Listeners feeling stuck, burnt out, or misaligned in their business or creative journey, and anyone seeking to step into a more authentic, intentional era of growth in 2026.

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